Local

City races on: New faces qualify for election

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
(Updated with information obtained after press time.) By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Qualifying for city elections had a slow start with only four people signing up Monday to run office in the five cities combined. However, multiple candidates filed Tuesday and Wednesday.
A comparison between Franklin County and state averages of math scores shows local students improved compared to the state average. (Graphic by Sinclair)

A comparison between Franklin County and state averages of math scores shows local students improved compared to the state average. (Graphic by Sinclair)

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Schools celebrate math improvement

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Despite the hardships in education brought by the coronavirus pandemic, Franklin County did well on its Georgia Milestones assessments, and even improved compared to the state’s average. “We were pleased,” Superintendent Chris Forrer said.

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Commissioners roll back millage

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – After considering three different options for the county tax rate, Franklin County commissioners voted Thursday to take the middle road and lower the millage rate enough to maintain its current revenue stream.
The 2020-2021 FCMS FFA Officer Team had to be quite creative during the last school year to remain active and relevant for members when travel was limited and safety was top priority, but these FFA officers found success and have been named a 2021 Middle School Model of Excellence program at the national level. LtoR Mason Ruark, Kami Jackson, Ben Roper, Scarlett Killen, Jake Parham, Rylie Sanders, Hallie Ferguson, Darby Roach and Bella Moon.

The 2020-2021 FCMS FFA Officer Team had to be quite creative during the last school year to remain active and relevant for members when travel was limited and safety was top priority, but these FFA officers found success and have been named a 2021 Middle School Model of Excellence program at the national level. LtoR Mason Ruark, Kami Jackson, Ben Roper, Scarlett Killen, Jake Parham, Rylie Sanders, Hallie Ferguson, Darby Roach and Bella Moon.

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FCMS FFA a national finalist again

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
CARNESVILLE – The Franklin County Middle School FFA chapter was named a 3 Star Chapter for 2021 National Chapter Award and a finalist for 2021 National FFA Middle School Model of Excellence award by National FFA Organization.
Franklin County’s five cities will sign up candidates for their 2021 elections this week. Qualifying opened Monday for the non-partisan municipal elections, which will be decided in Nov. 2 elections.

Franklin County’s five cities will sign up candidates for their 2021 elections this week. Qualifying opened Monday for the non-partisan municipal elections, which will be decided in Nov. 2 elections.

Qualifying for city races to be held Aug. 16-18

News Staff
Monday, August 16, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Franklin County’s five cities will sign up candidates for their 2021 elections this week. Qualifying opened Monday for the non-partisan municipal elections, which will be decided in Nov. 2 elections. • Canon.
Royston Elementary teacher Regina Corn shares a secret with Amiracle Roebuck — she has board games hidden in her third grade classroom. (Photo by Sinclair)

Royston Elementary teacher Regina Corn shares a secret with Amiracle Roebuck — she has board games hidden in her third grade classroom. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Excitement abounds as new school year begins

News Staff
Thursday, August 12, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Stacey Bragg was so excited she hardly slept Wednesday night.  She’s had 10 first days of school previously as a paraprofessional and an early education teacher, but Thursday was her first first day as a kindergarten teacher.
Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools

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Millage decisions: BOE OKs 17 mills after news of cuts

News Staff
Thursday, August 12, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Before their approval to keep its tax rate at 17 mills, the Franklin County Board of Education learned that it would have to locally fund $3 million more of its budget than last year after state cuts.
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Millage decisions: County to choose among 3 options

News Staff
Thursday, August 12, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Franklin County commissioners are scheduled to set the county’s 2021-22 millage rate at a called meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will follow the third and final public hearing – scheduled for 6 p.m. – on the tax rate.
A Department of Public Health graph tracking COVID-19 cases in Franklin County since the start of the outbreak shows cases have gone back up in recent weeks.

A Department of Public Health graph tracking COVID-19 cases in Franklin County since the start of the outbreak shows cases have gone back up in recent weeks.

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COVID responses rise as cases go up

News Staff
Thursday, August 12, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Local governments are once again responding as COVID-19 cases increase in Franklin County. In Franklin County, there was a spike in COVID cases just after the Fourth of July holiday, and according to state data, cases are increasing again.
Kelly O’Brien paints a cartoonish scene of a flower welcoming bees. (Photo by Sinclair)

Kelly O’Brien paints a cartoonish scene of a flower welcoming bees. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Muralist spreads her art in Lavonia

News Staff
Thursday, August 12, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA – A building got a bee-utiful makeover last week.  The parking lot side of Sweet Combs of Honey now has a large smiling flower welcoming bees to gather pollen.  Just below are wings and a crown so anyone can pose as a queen bee.