Local

In the first week of early voting last week, 2,051 people went to the poll at the former Carnesville Elementary School-Primary building in Carnesville. Another 487 had cast absentee ballots.

In the first week of early voting last week, 2,051 people went to the poll at the former Carnesville Elementary School-Primary building in Carnesville. Another 487 had cast absentee ballots.

Polls busy during early voting

Shane Scoggins
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Elections Supervisor Gina Kesler estimated that about 250 people per day would vote early in 2020. That estimate was based on numbers seen in the 2016 Presidential Election. Thus far, that estimate seems to be low.
Lavonia will host Faith and Blue Weekend Friday through Sunday. The Lavonia Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Lavonia Lions Club, Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Motor Carriers Compliance Division are sponsoring the local event.

Lavonia will host Faith and Blue Weekend Friday through Sunday. The Lavonia Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Lavonia Lions Club, Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Motor Carriers Compliance Division are sponsoring the local event.

Faith and Blue Weekend aims to unite community

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, October 8, 2020
LAVONIA – Lavonia will host Faith and Blue Weekend Friday through Sunday. The event is a national effort that aims to help unify the community and address concerns over social issues by emphasizing common interests.
Despite a request by state officials to cut down on information about coronavirus cases in school, the Franklin County School System will continue to give weekly updates.

Despite a request by state officials to cut down on information about coronavirus cases in school, the Franklin County School System will continue to give weekly updates.

Schools to continue COVID reports

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
CARNESVILLE – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has asked the Franklin County School System to change the way it reports its coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) numbers.
This chart, released Tuesday on the Franklin County Schools System’s Facebook page, shows the steady decline in the number of confirmed cases and faculty and students quarantined due to exposure to the coronavirus.

This chart, released Tuesday on the Franklin County Schools System’s Facebook page, shows the steady decline in the number of confirmed cases and faculty and students quarantined due to exposure to the coronavirus.

COVID numbers drop in schools; teachers deemed ‘essential’

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
CARNESVILLE – The number of confirmed cases and those quarantined for exposure to the coronavirus in Franklin County Schools has dropped significantly over the last two weeks. The school system has also announced a new protocol for employees who have been exposed to the virus.
Hope Welborn will be on stage at the Lavonia Cultural Center in "A Journey of Hope," a play she wrote about a day in the life of someone with special needs. (Photo courtesy of Amy Burns)

Hope Welborn will be on stage at the Lavonia Cultural Center in "A Journey of Hope," a play she wrote about a day in the life of someone with special needs. (Photo courtesy of Amy Burns)

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Play portrays challenges for those with special needs

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Friday, September 25, 2020
LAVONIA – The newest production by the Franklin Community Players isn’t just going to entertain the public. It’s also going to bring awareness about the treatment of people with special needs.
Former Lavonia Fire Chiefs gathered Tuesday to honor the retiring Scott O'Barr. Pictured are (from left) O’Barr, Bob White, Jones Beasley, Mike O’Barr and Tommy Cole. (Photo by Scoggins)

Former Lavonia Fire Chiefs gathered Tuesday to honor the retiring Scott O'Barr. Pictured are (from left) O’Barr, Bob White, Jones Beasley, Mike O’Barr and Tommy Cole. (Photo by Scoggins)

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O'Barr retires as Lavonia fire chief

News Staff
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
LAVONIA – Lavonia Fire Chief Scott O’Barr has retired from the department. O’Barr informed the Lavonia City Council of his retirement Sept. 8, saying he knew it was short notice. “I grew up in Lavonia and I dreamed of being a firefighter,” O’Barr said.
The Franklin County High School Lions football team (shown lining up this past Friday against Lumpkin County in Dahlonega) will play its first game of the season in Ed Bryant Stadium Friday against Banks County. Local officials have set forth guidelines to protect students from exposure to the coronavirus. (Photo courtesy of Jake Cantrell of The Dahlonega Nugget)

The Franklin County High School Lions football team (shown lining up this past Friday against Lumpkin County in Dahlonega) will play its first game of the season in Ed Bryant Stadium Friday against Banks County. Local officials have set forth guidelines to protect students from exposure to the coronavirus. (Photo courtesy of Jake Cantrell of The Dahlonega Nugget)

Guidelines set for first home football game

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, September 10, 2020
CARNESVILLE – The gates of Ed Bryant Stadium will be open for high school football Friday night. But the experience watching the Franklin County Lions and Banks County Leoopards play will be a bit different as precautions will be put into place for the coronavirus pandemic.
The Franklin County Elections and Registration Office released the sample ballot for the Nov. 3 general election.

The Franklin County Elections and Registration Office released the sample ballot for the Nov. 3 general election.

Sample ballot released for Nov. 3 general election

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, September 10, 2020
CARNESVILLE – The Franklin County Elections and Registration Office released the sample ballot for the Nov. 3 general election. The ballot is 18 inches long, front and back.
The Royston City Council is working to close on a purchase of an open lot on Mill Street to provide for downtown parking.

The Royston City Council is working to close on a purchase of an open lot on Mill Street to provide for downtown parking.

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Royston to buy lot for parking downtown

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
ROYSTON – The Royston City Council is working to close on a purchase of an open lot on Mill Street to provide for downtown parking. The council voted unanimously Tuesday to appropriate $40,000 to buy the lot, located across Mill Street from Pinnacle Bank.
The Franklin Community Players’ (FCP) production of “The Little Mermaid” will be on stage for four performances this weekend at the Lavonia Cultural Center. 

The Franklin Community Players’ (FCP) production of “The Little Mermaid” will be on stage for four performances this weekend at the Lavonia Cultural Center. 

'Mermaid' on stage this weekend

News Staff
Friday, August 28, 2020
LAVONIA – The Franklin Community Players’ (FCP) production of “The Little Mermaid” will be on stage for four performances this weekend at the Lavonia Cultural Center.  Performances will be Aug. 28 at 7 p.m., Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m.