Local

A graphic taken from the Georgia Department of Public Health's webpage shows the total number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Franklin County has jumped in the past two weeks.

A graphic taken from the Georgia Department of Public Health's webpage shows the total number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Franklin County has jumped in the past two weeks.

Coronavirus cases jump in Franklin

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
As the number of cases of coronavirus trends downward statewide, Franklin County has seen a significant jump in its number of cases in the past couple of weeks.
The assistant chief of the Lavonia Fire Department has been charged with four counts of theft by taking.

The assistant chief of the Lavonia Fire Department has been charged with four counts of theft by taking.

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Assistant Lavonia Fire Chief charged with theft

News Staff
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
LAVONIA – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has made an arrest in connection with its investigation into the Lavonia Fire Department.  Shane Bentley, 41, of Lavonia was charged with four counts of theft by taking.
Franklin County Elections Supervisor Gina Kesler demonstrates the state's new voting machine. Early voting is now open, and a special day of early voting will be held Saturday at the elections office in Carnesville.

Franklin County Elections Supervisor Gina Kesler demonstrates the state's new voting machine. Early voting is now open, and a special day of early voting will be held Saturday at the elections office in Carnesville.

Heavy turnout seen already for primary; Saturday voting this weekend

Shane Scoggins
Friday, May 29, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County voters will have an opportunity to cast ballots Saturday for the June 9 primary. The special day of Saturday voting – to be held from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Franklin County athletes will be able to return to training on June 8, according to a plan put forth by the Georgia High School Association.

Franklin County athletes will be able to return to training on June 8, according to a plan put forth by the Georgia High School Association.

Conditioning open for school sports starting June 8

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, May 28, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County athletes will be able to return to training on June 8, according to a plan put forth by the Georgia High School Association. Member schools will be able to meet with athletes in small groups for conditioning only during June.
Tonya Bridges (left), Nick Fowler (center) and Heather Vaughn Hill (right) are all running to become Franklin County's next Clerk of Superior Court.

Tonya Bridges (left), Nick Fowler (center) and Heather Vaughn Hill (right) are all running to become Franklin County's next Clerk of Superior Court.

Candidates for Franklin County Clerk of Court present platforms

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Editor’s note: The Franklin County Citizen Leader presented each local candidate with a set of general questions ahead of the June 9 primary. Stories written from the answers provided will be published over the next few weeks ahead of the election.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave final approval Wednesday afternoon to allow satellite television customers in Franklin, Hart and Stephens counties to join the Atlanta television market.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave final approval Wednesday afternoon to allow satellite television customers in Franklin, Hart and Stephens counties to join the Atlanta television market.

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FCC gives final approval for local switch to Atlanta TV market

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave final approval Wednesday afternoon to allow satellite television customers in Franklin, Hart and Stephens counties to join the Atlanta television market.
Early in-person voting for the June 9 primary election will begin Monday.

Early in-person voting for the June 9 primary election will begin Monday.

Early voting for June primary starts Monday

Shane Scoggins
Friday, May 15, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Early in-person voting for the June 9 primary election will begin Monday. The Franklin County Elections and Registration office wil be open for voting from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for early voting until June 5.
Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Kayla Braswell as county clerk, which has been open since January.

Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Kayla Braswell as county clerk, which has been open since January.

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Commissioners hire Braswell as county clerk

Shane Scoggins
Friday, May 15, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Commissioners have voted to hire a new county clerk. Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Kayla Braswell for the position, which has been open since January. She is slated to begin work in Franklin County June 15.
Kyle Foster (left) and Dawn Holcomb (right) are vying for the District 2 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

Kyle Foster (left) and Dawn Holcomb (right) are vying for the District 2 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

Candidates for District 2 on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners present platforms

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Editor’s note: The Franklin County Citizen Leader presented each local candidate with a set of general questions ahead of the June 9 primary. Stories written from the answers provided will be published over the next few weeks ahead of the election.
The Franklin County School System is facing a 14 percent cut in its state funding for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Franklin County School System is facing a 14 percent cut in its state funding for the upcoming fiscal year.

School cuts ‘to hurt a lot’

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
CARNESVILLE – The Franklin County School System is facing a 14 percent cut in its state funding for the upcoming fiscal year due to the loss of revenue by the state due to the coronavirus.