Local

Elaine Evans (center) stands with Franklin County Commissioners (from left) Eddie Wester, Thomas Bridges, Jason Macomson and Robert Franklin after receiving her state clerk's certification in 2017. Commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday not to reappoint Evans as clerk. Not pictured is Commissioner Ryan Swails, who was not a member of the board at the time this photo was taken.

Elaine Evans (center) stands with Franklin County Commissioners (from left) Eddie Wester, Thomas Bridges, Jason Macomson and Robert Franklin after receiving her state clerk's certification in 2017. Commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday not to reappoint Evans as clerk. Not pictured is Commissioner Ryan Swails, who was not a member of the board at the time this photo was taken.

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Commissioners split on firing county clerk

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County will soon begin looking for a new county clerk. Commissioners voted 3-2 Tuesday not to reappoint Clerk Elaine Evans. Elections Supervisor Gina Kesler was named interim clerk until a permanent replacement can be hired.
New Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant (center on left), surrounded by son Noah and wife Natalie, takes the oath of office from outgoing Mayor Ralph Owens Monday during the Lavonia City Council’s first meeting of 2020. (Photo by Eberhardt)

New Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant (center on left), surrounded by son Noah and wife Natalie, takes the oath of office from outgoing Mayor Ralph Owens Monday during the Lavonia City Council’s first meeting of 2020. (Photo by Eberhardt)

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New Lavonia mayor, council sworn in

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Thursday, January 9, 2020
LAVONIA – The new era in the city of Lavonia kicked off to a full house Monday night. Almost every seat was filled as the Lavonia City Council held their first meeting of the new year.
Rodney Black (right), who lives near the Georgia Renewable Power plant near Carnesville, tells GRP officials David Groves (right) and Ciaran McManus (center) about noise and smell problems at the plant during one of many Franklin County Commissioner meetings attended by the plant’s neighbors during the second half of 2019.

Rodney Black (right), who lives near the Georgia Renewable Power plant near Carnesville, tells GRP officials David Groves (right) and Ciaran McManus (center) about noise and smell problems at the plant during one of many Franklin County Commissioner meetings attended by the plant’s neighbors during the second half of 2019.

New leaders, challenge seen in second half of 2019

News Staff
Monday, December 30, 2019
The second half of 2019 brought elections in Franklin County’s five cities. Those elections brought a major change to the leadership of Lavonia. A new mayor and two new council members were elected in the city. Canon also saw a change to one of its council seats.
In April, up to six inches of rain fell on Franklin County, washing out roads, including Rocky Ford Road (above) and bridges. A Madison County Swift Water Rescue Squad (right) was called in to rescue a family on Goolsby Road after their yard was flooded.

In April, up to six inches of rain fell on Franklin County, washing out roads, including Rocky Ford Road (above) and bridges. A Madison County Swift Water Rescue Squad (right) was called in to rescue a family on Goolsby Road after their yard was flooded.

Change, triumph, tragedy highlight first half of 2019

News Staff
Monday, December 30, 2019
The first six months of 2019 were tumultuous ones in Franklin County. There were changes in leadership, both elected and appointed, in local governments. Weather in the form of a near half-foot of rain washed away roads and bridges. And there were tragedies on I-85 and county roads.
Carnesville's Bob and Janet Claytor make regular trips to the south central African country of Zambia as part of their ministry. Bob is the pastor of Canon and Gaines Chapel United Methodist Churches. The people of the country are hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Claytors said.

Carnesville's Bob and Janet Claytor make regular trips to the south central African country of Zambia as part of their ministry. Bob is the pastor of Canon and Gaines Chapel United Methodist Churches. The people of the country are hungry for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Claytors said.

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Local pastor, wife continue ministry to reach souls in African nation of Zambia

Shane Scoggins
Monday, December 30, 2019
CARNESVILLE – The Rev. Bob Claytor pastors Canon and Gaines Chapel United Methodist churches. But he has another congregation a world away from Franklin County in the African country of Zambia. Bob Claytor has been going to Zambia since 2001.
A county plan to ask voters to approve a sales tax to fix local roads will be delayed until May or November of 2020.

A county plan to ask voters to approve a sales tax to fix local roads will be delayed until May or November of 2020.

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Tax for roads hits speed bump

Shane Scoggins
Monday, December 30, 2019
CARNESVILLE – A county plan to ask voters to approve a sales tax to fix local roads will be delayed until May or November of 2020.
Attending the unveiling of the Franklin County Middle School Leo Club’s Take and Give Box at the Lavonia Police Department are (from left) FCMS Principal C.J. Wilder, Leo Club members Lealyn Day and Tyler Albrecht and Lavonia Lions Club member David Howell. (Photo by Eberhardt)

Attending the unveiling of the Franklin County Middle School Leo Club’s Take and Give Box at the Lavonia Police Department are (from left) FCMS Principal C.J. Wilder, Leo Club members Lealyn Day and Tyler Albrecht and Lavonia Lions Club member David Howell. (Photo by Eberhardt)

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FCMS Club unveils Take and Give Box

Kandice S. Eberhardt
Monday, December 23, 2019
LAVONIA – It’s the season of giving and that’s exactly what some Franklin County Middle School students did during their Christmas break. The students are part of a new club at the middle school called the LEO (Leader Experience Opportunity) Club.
Steve and Angela Whidby completed the adoption Thursday of six siblings who had been in foster care with the family since 2017. Pictured in the courtroom at the Franklin County Courthouse are (front) Angel (holding sign) Felipe, (back) Case Manager Stephanie Tate, Steve Whidby, Edwin, Jennifer, Jose, Emmanuel and Angela Whidby. It was the largest single adoption in county history. (Photo by Scoggins)

Steve and Angela Whidby completed the adoption Thursday of six siblings who had been in foster care with the family since 2017. Pictured in the courtroom at the Franklin County Courthouse are (front) Angel (holding sign) Felipe, (back) Case Manager Stephanie Tate, Steve Whidby, Edwin, Jennifer, Jose, Emmanuel and Angela Whidby. It was the largest single adoption in county history. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Siblings added to Whidby family in largest adoption in county history

Shane Scoggins
Monday, December 23, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Sometime on Christmas Day, the Whidby family may just decide to pile into the family vehicle and head off on a trip to find some snow. The family will have to pack into a 15-passenger van, but at least it won’t have to ask anyone’s permission to do so, Angela Whidby said.
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.