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Maria Chitwood (right) was named the first-ever winner of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police’s Administrative Assistant of the Year Award. Chitwood, who serves as administrative assistant at the Lavonia Police Department and as Lavonia Municipal Court clerk, was nominated by Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle (left).

Maria Chitwood (right) was named the first-ever winner of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police’s Administrative Assistant of the Year Award. Chitwood, who serves as administrative assistant at the Lavonia Police Department and as Lavonia Municipal Court clerk, was nominated by Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle (left).

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Chitwood wins inaugural state honor

News Staff
Thursday, November 11, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   LAVONIA – Maria Chitwood was named the first-ever winner of a statewide law enforcement award. Chitwood received the very first Administrative Assistant of the Year Award sponsored by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.
Elijah Garnto joyfully told everyone he came across Friday at Lavonia’s event that he was a vampire. (Photo by Sinclair)

Elijah Garnto joyfully told everyone he came across Friday at Lavonia’s event that he was a vampire. (Photo by Sinclair)

Franklin’s freaky Friday

News Staff
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Friday provided the opportunity for Franklin County children to dress up like mythical creatures and who they dream of becoming. Lavonia and Royston held annual Halloween events on Friday afternoon. Elijah Garnto joyfully told everyone he came across Friday at Lavonia’s event that he was a vampire.
Royston hand counted votes Tuesday night to determine who won its city council races. (Photo by Scoggins)

Royston hand counted votes Tuesday night to determine who won its city council races. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Experience preferred

News Staff
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Incumbent, past council members win in Royston By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – One incumbent and two former Royston City Council members won seats on the board in Tuesday’s municipal elections.
Troy Construction applied to have 15.44 acres at 633 Neal Road rezoned from agriculture intensive to light industrial in order to use the property as storage for the company’s equipment and storage. The property sits along the interstate, but is only accessed by Neal Road.

Troy Construction applied to have 15.44 acres at 633 Neal Road rezoned from agriculture intensive to light industrial in order to use the property as storage for the company’s equipment and storage. The property sits along the interstate, but is only accessed by Neal Road.

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Neal Road rezoning approved

News Staff
Thursday, November 4, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — After hearing more information from other affected parties, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners decided to approve a zoning request to allow a construction company to use property bordering the interstate and Banks County as a storage site...
Properties within the Rural Zone will be eligible for tax credits for creating jobs starting Jan. 1.

Properties within the Rural Zone will be eligible for tax credits for creating jobs starting Jan. 1.

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Tax credits available in Lavonia after designation

News Staff
Thursday, November 4, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — Those creating jobs in Lavonia will be eligible for state tax credits starting Jan. 1, 2022. Lavonia was one of 10 cities designated as a Rural Zone by the state Department of Community Affairs and Department of Economic Development.
Franklin County High School held a Trunk or Treat Tuesday at Ed Bryant Stadium. Athletic teams and high school clubs and organizations passed out candy to trick-or-treaters. (Photo by Scoggins)

Franklin County High School held a Trunk or Treat Tuesday at Ed Bryant Stadium. Athletic teams and high school clubs and organizations passed out candy to trick-or-treaters. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Halloween events this weekend

News Staff
Thursday, October 28, 2021
A variety of events are scheduled for Halloween this year in Franklin County. Lavonia will feel like Halloween Town with its “The Nightmare Before Christmas” themed Halloween Carnival Oct. 29 from 4-6 p.m.  at the gazebo downtown.
Boyd Sewell discusses what can be seen as weakness in Franklin County with his break out session group. (Photo by Sinclair)

Boyd Sewell discusses what can be seen as weakness in Franklin County with his break out session group. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Citizens learn of economic development at workshop

News Staff
Thursday, October 28, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Alan Martin said it felt like he had been drinking out of a fire hose. He was one of several members of the community who took the opportunity to learn at the Economic Development Summit Oct.
Brianna Blackwell was hired as a paraprofessional at Lavonia Elementary School just six days after graduating from Franklin County High School in 2018. (Photo by Sinclair)

Brianna Blackwell was hired as a paraprofessional at Lavonia Elementary School just six days after graduating from Franklin County High School in 2018. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Blackwell goes from student to parapro

News Staff
Thursday, October 28, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — A high school class that one student took because she was familiar with the teacher led to a career. Brianna Blackwell took her first early childhood education class at Franklin County High School simply because she knew the teacher: Kim Cary.
Greg, Brody, Kade and Courtney Kellum

Greg, Brody, Kade and Courtney Kellum

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Cancer battle has shown Kellum good in people

News Staff
Thursday, October 28, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Courtney Kellum wishes everyone could experience what she’s experienced. Complete strangers have prayed for her and have left notes in her mailbox, not knowing it was just what she needed that day.