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The city of Royston received a donation Thursday from Steve and Robin Williams. Pictured at the presentation of the $50,000 check are (front, from left) Royston Mayor David Jordan, Robin Williams, Steve Williams, Council members Keith Turman and Wayne Braswell, (back) City Manager Ed Andrews, Council members Matt Fields, Larry Bowen, Lee Strickland and Kenneth Roach. The money will be used to continue planning and construction of an amphitheater at the Royston Wellness and Community Park. (Photos by

The city of Royston received a donation Thursday from Steve and Robin Williams. Pictured at the presentation of the $50,000 check are (front, from left) Royston Mayor David Jordan, Robin Williams, Steve Williams, Council members Keith Turman and Wayne Braswell, (back) City Manager Ed Andrews, Council members Matt Fields, Larry Bowen, Lee Strickland and Kenneth Roach. The money will be used to continue planning and construction of an amphitheater at the Royston Wellness and Community Park. (Photos by

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Donation gives boost to park addition

Shane Scoggins
Monday, December 23, 2019
ROYSTON – Plans for an amphitheater at the Royston Wellness and Community Park got a boost Friday from an early Christmas present from a former mayor. Steve Williams donated $50,000 to the city to be put toward the amphitheater project.
Susan Boswell, principal of Royston Elementary School, has retired.

Susan Boswell, principal of Royston Elementary School, has retired.

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Boswell retires as Royston principal

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Thursday, December 19, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Royston Elementary School is looking for a new principal. During the Franklin County Board of Education’s regular meeting Dec. 10, the board approved the retirement of Royston Principal Susan Boswell.  Wednesday was Boswell’s last day as principal.
A wood-burning power plant near Carnesville was served Wednesday with a notice of violation by Franklin County Manager Elizabeth Thomas.

A wood-burning power plant near Carnesville was served Wednesday with a notice of violation by Franklin County Manager Elizabeth Thomas.

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County gives GRP 30 days to meet noise, emission levels

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, December 19, 2019
CARNESVILLE – A wood-burning power plant near Carnesville was served Wednesday with a notice of violation by Franklin County Manager Elizabeth Thomas. The plant now has 30 days to meet demands set forth by Franklin County Commissioners during a meeting Dec. 10.
The Franklin County Board of Education is looking into the possibility of signing on to an idea to double the homestead tax exemption for senior citizens.

The Franklin County Board of Education is looking into the possibility of signing on to an idea to double the homestead tax exemption for senior citizens.

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BOE hears pitch for senior tax exemption hike

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Thursday, December 12, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Tax Commissioner Bobby Martin attended the Franklin County Board of Education’s work session Thursday night to ask the board to consider doubling the homestead exemption for seniors. “I want to talk to you about something that I see as a need,” Martin said.
Carnesville Elementary School-Primary has been named a Distinguished School.

Carnesville Elementary School-Primary has been named a Distinguished School.

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Carnesville Primary named Distinguished School

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Thursday, December 12, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Carnesville Elementary School-Primary has been named a Distinguished School. The list of distinguished schools was released late last month by the Georgia Department of Education for the 2019-20 school year.
Franklin County Commissioners declared the Georgia Renewable Power plant near Carnesville  a public nuisance Tuesday and will take its case to Magistrate Court.

Franklin County Commissioners declared the Georgia Renewable Power plant near Carnesville  a public nuisance Tuesday and will take its case to Magistrate Court.

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Power plant a ‘nuisance’

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Commissioners declared the Georgia Renewable Power plant near Carnesville  a public nuisance Tuesday and will take its case to Magistrate Court.
Helen Dortch was born in Carnesville in 1863.

Helen Dortch was born in Carnesville in 1863.

A woman ahead of her time

Shane Scoggins
Monday, December 9, 2019
Helen Dortch Longstreet was no stranger to controversy or fighting for the causes she believed in by the time the Georgia Railway and Power Company began work to dam Tallulah Falls in the 1910s.
Lavonia Mayor Ralph Owens (right) swears in new Councilmember Michael Schulman (left) during Owens’ final meeting as mayor. City Attorney John Dickerson looks on.

Lavonia Mayor Ralph Owens (right) swears in new Councilmember Michael Schulman (left) during Owens’ final meeting as mayor. City Attorney John Dickerson looks on.

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Lavonia Council begins transition

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
LAVONIA – It is truly the end of an era. And the beginning of another. Monday night was the last Lavonia City Council regular meeting overseen by longtime mayor Ralph Owens.
The former location of Phil Owens Used Cars lot in Lavonia stood empty for 12 years but has now been filled by the relocation of Athens Physical Therapy and the new Smith Tire and Auto (pictured). (Photos by Eberhardt)

The former location of Phil Owens Used Cars lot in Lavonia stood empty for 12 years but has now been filled by the relocation of Athens Physical Therapy and the new Smith Tire and Auto (pictured). (Photos by Eberhardt)

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Progress 2019 Pair of businesses revitalize empty car lot in Lavonia

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
LAVONIA – Progress is coming to Lavonia. This is a statement that has been said about the city of Lavonia for decades.  However, citizens are seeing the truth of it more and more in recent years.