Local

Gerald Voyles submitted this photo of an early incarnation of the Red Hill Fire Department in the 1970s. Pictured are (front, from left) Gregg Chitwood, Rance Roberts, Raymond Roberts, Joe Segars, Charles Akin, Assistant Chief Tommy Voyles, Chief Jerry South, Marshal Whitworth, Howard Payne, Gerald Voyles, J.H. Manley, (back) Ralph Roberts, Mike Elrod, C.A. Milford, Esco Milford, Bill Owens, John L. Whitworth, J.H. Broome, Don Milford, Doyle Roberts, T.D. Cheek, Bud Roberts, James Milford, Sam Mauldin and H

Gerald Voyles submitted this photo of an early incarnation of the Red Hill Fire Department in the 1970s. Pictured are (front, from left) Gregg Chitwood, Rance Roberts, Raymond Roberts, Joe Segars, Charles Akin, Assistant Chief Tommy Voyles, Chief Jerry South, Marshal Whitworth, Howard Payne, Gerald Voyles, J.H. Manley, (back) Ralph Roberts, Mike Elrod, C.A. Milford, Esco Milford, Bill Owens, John L. Whitworth, J.H. Broome, Don Milford, Doyle Roberts, T.D. Cheek, Bud Roberts, James Milford, Sam Mauldin and H

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Firefighters remember 'The Chief' Jerry South

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
RED HILL – Franklin County firefighters are mourning the loss of Jerry South, who is credited as the father of rural fire protection in the county. South died July 1 at the age of 79 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. His funeral was held July 3 at Tom’s Creek Baptist Church.
The cast and crew of the Franklin Community Players’ Youth Summer Theatre production of “Willy Wonka Jr.” are Jon Erik Tripp, Isabella Baskins, Kylie Vandiver, Brooke Tate, Brock Fowler, Grant Ware, Maddison McGee, Gracie Tucker, Easton Walker, Micah Witcher, Ella Grace Madden, Carolina Madden, Colbie Patterson, Bennett Jones, Jonathan Dorn, Zoie Atkinson, Erika Ivie, Mia Patterson, Audrey Johnson, Ashlyn Dilworth, Brooke Davitt, Alice Tanner, Jade Frizier, Bella Christian, Allie Crunkleton, Autumn Rich, Li

The cast and crew of the Franklin Community Players’ Youth Summer Theatre production of “Willy Wonka Jr.” are Jon Erik Tripp, Isabella Baskins, Kylie Vandiver, Brooke Tate, Brock Fowler, Grant Ware, Maddison McGee, Gracie Tucker, Easton Walker, Micah Witcher, Ella Grace Madden, Carolina Madden, Colbie Patterson, Bennett Jones, Jonathan Dorn, Zoie Atkinson, Erika Ivie, Mia Patterson, Audrey Johnson, Ashlyn Dilworth, Brooke Davitt, Alice Tanner, Jade Frizier, Bella Christian, Allie Crunkleton, Autumn Rich, Li

YST to bring candyman Willy Wonka to stage

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
LAVONIA –  A group of young campers in the annual Youth Summer Theatre Program will offer Franklin County a trip to a world of pure imagination with their performance of “Willy Wonka Jr.” Performances of the musical will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Following more than an hour of questions from citizens Monday, Franklin County Commissioners put off a final vote on a new building inspection program in order to hold another hearing to answer questions and hear from the public.

Following more than an hour of questions from citizens Monday, Franklin County Commissioners put off a final vote on a new building inspection program in order to hold another hearing to answer questions and hear from the public.

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Another hearing set before vote on building inspections program

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Following more than an hour of questions from citizens Monday, Franklin County Commissioners put off a final vote on a new building inspection program in order to hold another hearing to answer questions and hear from the public. The county will hold a hearing July 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Franklin County's Alex Henry was crowned Miss Teen North America 2020 recently in a pageant held in Orlando, Fla.

Franklin County's Alex Henry was crowned Miss Teen North America 2020 recently in a pageant held in Orlando, Fla.

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Henry wins Miss Teen North America crown

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Wednesday, July 8, 2020
ORLANDO, Fla. – Some times God has bigger plans for you than you have for yourself. That is one of the lessons Lavonia resident Alexandria “Alex” Henry and her family learned on her way to becoming Miss Teen North America 2020.
Franklin County commissioners have moved their July 6 meeting to July 13 after an employee at their office in Carnesville tested positive for the coronavirus.

Franklin County commissioners have moved their July 6 meeting to July 13 after an employee at their office in Carnesville tested positive for the coronavirus.

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Commissioners move meeting following positive coronavirus case at office

News Staff
Sunday, July 5, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Monday's regular meeting of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners has been pushed back a week after an employee in the commissioners' office tested positive for the coronvirus. Commissioners will now meet July 13 at 6 p.m., with a hearing at 5:30 p.m.
Franklin County Commissioners are expected to consider a final vote Monday on a new local law to establish a building inspection program.

Franklin County Commissioners are expected to consider a final vote Monday on a new local law to establish a building inspection program.

Commissioners to consider building inspections program

News Staff
Thursday, July 2, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Commissioners are expected to consider a final vote Monday on a new local law to establish a building inspection program. The new law will allow the county to enforce the Georgia State Standard Codes for construction and related services.
Most county employees will receive a three percent raise after commissioners added nearly $300,000 to a new budget that took effect Wednesday.

Most county employees will receive a three percent raise after commissioners added nearly $300,000 to a new budget that took effect Wednesday.

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County increases budget for employee raises

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Most county employees will receive a three percent raise after commissioners added nearly $300,000 to a new budget that took effect Wednesday. After a discussion on the timing of the raise, commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday to add $292,533.
Members of the Franklin County School System’s nutrition department tote lunches after a program began in March to provide meals to students in the community. By the time the program ended June 23, the system served more than 200,000 meals.

Members of the Franklin County School System’s nutrition department tote lunches after a program began in March to provide meals to students in the community. By the time the program ended June 23, the system served more than 200,000 meals.

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School system serves 200,000-plus meals

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
CARNESVILLE – The Franklin County Schools Nutrition Department served more than 200,000 meals to Franklin County children since March. Franklin County Schools Superintendent Chris Forrer made the announcement during the Franklin County Board of Education’s regular meeting.
St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital has been able to meet every challenge thus far caused by the coronavirus pandemic, hospital President Jeff English said.

St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital has been able to meet every challenge thus far caused by the coronavirus pandemic, hospital President Jeff English said.

Hospital works to meet virus challenge

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
LAVONIA – St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital has been able to meet every challenge thus far caused by the coronavirus pandemic, hospital President Jeff English said.