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A decision could be made on the future location of a new Royston Elementary School Tuesday at the Franklin County Board of Education’s meeting.

A decision could be made on the future location of a new Royston Elementary School Tuesday at the Franklin County Board of Education’s meeting.

Royston school location may be decided Tuesday

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer CARNESVILLE – A decision could be made on the future location of a new Royston Elementary School Tuesday at the Franklin County Board of Education’s meeting.
District 2 Public Health, in partnership with Lavonia Community Awareness, the Fannie Mae Simpson Foundation, Step of Faith and Family Connection, will host a COVID vaccine clinic April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Spring Street Gym at 103 Spring St. in Lavonia.

District 2 Public Health, in partnership with Lavonia Community Awareness, the Fannie Mae Simpson Foundation, Step of Faith and Family Connection, will host a COVID vaccine clinic April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  at the Spring Street Gym at 103 Spring St. in Lavonia.

Clinic set for Spring St. gym

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer LAVONIA — Appointments are now available for a Saturday vaccination clinic for anyone wishing to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
An organizational meeting for a new Boys & Girls Club in Lavonia has been set for Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at J. Peters Bar and Grill.

An organizational meeting for a new Boys & Girls Club in Lavonia has been set for Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at J. Peters Bar and Grill.

Community group aims to start new Boys & Girls Club

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer LAVONIA – Gervonte Brown has big goals, and one is to provide something for youth in the form of a Boys & Girls Club in Lavonia.
Ahead of their race in Rabun County, Rhett Floyd makes final adjustments on the new electric car with acrylic panels, while Landon Floyd works on the original electric car with corrugated panels.

Ahead of their race in Rabun County, Rhett Floyd makes final adjustments on the new electric car with acrylic panels, while Landon Floyd works on the original electric car with corrugated panels.

Race cars provide opportunity for high school engineers to apply skills

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer CARNESVILLE – Junior Rhett Floyd thought the new electric car he and his classmates built would be much better in competitions than the car he drove to win the state championship last year.
Franklin County Schools is getting $7.7 million from the latest round of federal stimulus funds. 

Franklin County Schools is getting $7.7 million from the latest round of federal stimulus funds. 

Schools to reap millions from new relief bill

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer CARNESVILLE — Franklin County Schools is getting $7.7 million from the latest round of federal stimulus funds.  The Georgia Board of Education approved allocations to school districts last week from the $3.
Franklin County High School senior Mason Kelley is seeking a donor for his second kidney transplant after complications from COVID-19.

Franklin County High School senior Mason Kelley is seeking a donor for his second kidney transplant after complications from COVID-19.

After COVID, teen seeks new kidney

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer CARNESVILLE – Seven years ago, the community came together to help Mason Kelley get a kidney transplant.  Today, he needs the community’s help again.
Opponents of a proposed Pilgrim’s Pride plant near Carnesville packed the Franklin County Justice Center Thursday to speak at a Planning Commission meeting. Members of the IBA (front row) also attended. (Photos by Scoggins)

Opponents of a proposed Pilgrim’s Pride plant near Carnesville packed the Franklin County Justice Center Thursday to speak at a Planning Commission meeting. Members of the IBA (front row) also attended. (Photos by Scoggins)

Planning Commission votes no to plant

CARNESVILLE – Despite a negative recommendation from the Franklin County Planning Commission, Pilgrim’s Pride plans to move ahead with its plans to gain permission to build a $70 million rendering plant near Carnesville.
Concern over who is sharing bathrooms with their children was shared by parents last week after a letter to Franklin County High School teachers about transgender students circulated on social media. Parent interest was so great that Superintendent Chris Forrer made a public statement about the situation the following day.

Concern over who is sharing bathrooms with their children was shared by parents last week after a letter to Franklin County High School teachers about transgender students circulated on social media. Parent interest was so great that Superintendent Chris Forrer made a public statement about the situation the following day.

Forrer addresses letter concerning transgender policy

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Concern over who is sharing bathrooms with their children was shared by parents last week after a letter to Franklin County High School teachers about transgender students circulated on social media.
About 200 people attended a meeting Sunday at Franklin County High School to oppose a proposed Pilgrim’s Pride pet food ingredient plant near Carnesville. (Photos by Scoggins)

About 200 people attended a meeting Sunday at Franklin County High School to oppose a proposed Pilgrim’s Pride pet food ingredient plant near Carnesville. (Photos by Scoggins)

Citizens meet to oppose Pilgrim's

CARNESVILLE – A group of Franklin County citizens made their case Sunday against Pilgrim’s Pride and the company’s plan to build a rendering plant near Carnesville. “I see something coming that I see is going to be a detriment to our county and our community,” Tax Commissioner Bobby Martin said.
The referendum passed with 1,325 votes (91.6 percent) in favor to 121 votes (8.4 percent) against.

The referendum passed with 1,325 votes (91.6 percent) in favor to 121 votes (8.4 percent) against.

92 percent of voters approve sales tax extension for schools

CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Schools will be allowed to continue collecting a one-cent sales tax to pay for a new Royston Elementary School, athletic and agriculture education facilities and other items.