A request to rezone 3.59 acres (bordered in white) on Rose Conley Road from Rural Residential to Heavy Industrial zoning was denied Monday by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. (Map courtesy of the Franklin County Tax Assessor’s QPublic webpage)

The trial of Rayfondia Rashon Craft for the murder of Sam Harbin will continue into a second week beginning July 8, following a week-long break for the Independence Day holiday.

Franklin County reminded its water customers this week to continue to conserve water.

As of July 1, Lake Hartwell is no longer under a recreational water watch due to the presence of harmful algal blooms. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) continues to monitor locations on the Georgia and South Carolina sides of the lake. (Graphic courtesy of the SCDES)

The trial of Rayfondia Rashon Craft for the 2016 murder of Lavonia businessman Sam Harbin began Monday in the Franklin County Courthouse.

Franklin County Citizen Leader Staff Writer Charlie Eavenson won first place for News Photograph and second place for serious column in the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

Retiring Royston Fire Chief Matt Elrod (left) was honored Tuesday with a reception at the Royston Depot. Mayor Keith Turman presented Elrod with a plaque commemorating his 33 years of service.

Franklin County commissioners got details Tuesday on efforts to raise the pay of sheriff’s deputies and jailers and were asked for more money for the county’s libraries.

Franklin County Schools nutrition employees prepare about 2,000 meals per day for the summer meal program. A grant from the No Kid Hungry program helped with the start-up costs, according to Nutrition Director Kandice Browning. The food is prepped at South Franklin Elementary School and then delivered by two bus drivers to several locations around the county. (Photos by Eavenson)

Franklin County School Superintendent Melanie Burton-Brown announced Tuesday that the final decisions on all hardship appeals regarding elementary school assignments have been made and communicated to the parents.