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Candidates for Lavonia mayor and city council talk with moderator Bill Hogan (second from right) before Thursday's Lavonia Chamber of Commerce forum at the Lavonia Depot. (Photo by Scoggins)

Candidates for Lavonia mayor and city council talk with moderator Bill Hogan (second from right) before Thursday's Lavonia Chamber of Commerce forum at the Lavonia Depot. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Lavonia candidates give views at chamber forum

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, October 24, 2019
LAVONIA – The candidates for mayor and three posts on the city council stated their platforms and answered questions Thursday in a forum sponsored by the Lavonia Chamber of Commerce.
A large pile of wood will be burned to create electricity at the GRP Franklin plant, county officials learned on a tour Monday. Water runoff from the wood pile was the source of recent pollution in Indian Creek.

A large pile of wood will be burned to create electricity at the GRP Franklin plant, county officials learned on a tour Monday. Water runoff from the wood pile was the source of recent pollution in Indian Creek.

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County officials tour renewable energy facility

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, October 17, 2019
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Franklin County officials were given a tour the Georgia Renewable Power (GRP) plant on Highway 198 Monday morning as part of a visit to get answers about environmental concerns at the plant.
GRP Franklin Plant Manager David Groves (center) leads a group of county officials on a tour of the plant Monday. (Photos by Scoggins)

GRP Franklin Plant Manager David Groves (center) leads a group of county officials on a tour of the plant Monday. (Photos by Scoggins)

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GRP Plant officials own up to creek runoff

Shane Scoggins
Thursday, October 17, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Operators of an energy plant near Carnesville apologized for recent pollution of Indian Creek and said they are working to prevent it from ever happening again.
Candidates for political office in the city of Lavonia will speak and answer questions at forum Thursday at the Lavonia Depot.

Candidates for political office in the city of Lavonia will speak and answer questions at forum Thursday at the Lavonia Depot.

Lavonia candidate forum to be held Thursday

News Staff
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
LAVONIA – The Lavonia Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public to a town hall forum tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Lavonia Depot. The candidates for the offices of mayor and city council will present their platforms at the forum. In the mayor’s race, Courtney Umbehant and Harold Harbin are running.
The annual fireworks show at the Royston Fall Festival will put a cap on the day-long event scheduled for Saturday.

The annual fireworks show at the Royston Fall Festival will put a cap on the day-long event scheduled for Saturday.

Royston Fall Festival returns Saturday to downtown with a bang

News Staff
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
ROYSTON – The annual Royston Fall Festival will return to downtown Saturday for a day-long celebration of the season. The festival will be held from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. along Railroad Street and Bowers Street downtown.
The Georgia State Patrol responded to a motorcycle accident Sunday that claimed the life of a local pastor.

The Georgia State Patrol responded to a motorcycle accident Sunday that claimed the life of a local pastor.

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Pastor killed in motorcycle crash with deer

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
FRANKLIN SPRINGS – A local pastor was killed Sunday night after a motorcycle he was driving struck a deer. Justin Lee Baskins, 37, of Carnesville died of injuries suffered in the crash after he was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital in Greenville, S.C.
Mark Gibson shows county commissioners Monday a bottle of water taken from a polluted Indian Creek. (Photo by Scoggins)

Mark Gibson shows county commissioners Monday a bottle of water taken from a polluted Indian Creek. (Photo by Scoggins)

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‘Something’s got to be done,’ residents say

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Tax Commissioner Bobby Martin sent the GRP Franklin energy plant a tax bill recently for more than $1 million.
Residents along Indian Creek in northern Franklin County found stinking, black water in the creek Saturday and dead fish. It has been determined that the pollution came from runoff from fire suppressing efforts at the new energy plant on Highway 198.

Residents along Indian Creek in northern Franklin County found stinking, black water in the creek Saturday and dead fish. It has been determined that the pollution came from runoff from fire suppressing efforts at the new energy plant on Highway 198.

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Indian Creek polluted by runoff

Shane Scoggins
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Stinking black water that killed fish in Indian Creek over the weekend has been linked to a new energy plant on Highway 198. Residents and county officials notified the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Saturday after the pollution was found.
A renewable energy plant on Highway 198 is drawing complaints from neighbors for noise and emissions.

A renewable energy plant on Highway 198 is drawing complaints from neighbors for noise and emissions.

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Information sought on noise, emissions from energy plant

News Staff
Thursday, October 3, 2019
CARNESVILLE – Franklin County officials have passed along a list of questions and concerns to the operators of a renewable energy plant on Highway 198.
King Henry will be on the grounds at the Lavonia Renaissance Festival Saturday.

King Henry will be on the grounds at the Lavonia Renaissance Festival Saturday.

The Renaissance comes to Lavonia Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, October 3, 2019
LAVONIA – A festival like none Franklin County has ever seen will be at Lavonia Memorial Park Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. with a grand processional. The Lavonia Renaissance Festival will make its debut with entertainment, vendors, costumes and other activities straight out of the Renaissance.