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Speaking at the event were (right photo, from left) State Rep. Alan Powell, Lavonia VFW Post Commander Vic Therou, Willie Neal, Lavonia Housing Authority Director Rick Whitworth and Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant.

Speaking at the event were (right photo, from left) State Rep. Alan Powell, Lavonia VFW Post Commander Vic Therou, Willie Neal, Lavonia Housing Authority Director Rick Whitworth and Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant.

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Ceremony to return dog tag lost in 1970s honors area veterans

News Staff
Thursday, April 24, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher LAVONIA – A dog tag lost decades ago and rediscovered recently by accident brought together people from Franklin County and neighboring communities Friday to celebrate those who have served in the United States armed forces.
Brock Fowler (left), as Ren, dances as Taylor Haley, as Willard, watches in a scene from “Footloose, The Musical,” which will be on stage at the Telford Center for the Fine and Performing Arts beginning tonight.

Brock Fowler (left), as Ren, dances as Taylor Haley, as Willard, watches in a scene from “Footloose, The Musical,” which will be on stage at the Telford Center for the Fine and Performing Arts beginning tonight.

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Weekend offers chance to cut Footloose, rock with Elvis

News Staff
Thursday, April 24, 2025
From staff reports Another eventful weekend in Franklin County will offer musical entertainment from the 1950s through the 1980s and a chance to see classic cars and feel emergency vehicles.
Franklin Springs wastewater operator Brandon Fitzgerald holds up a small vial (left photo) to show the amount of pollution left in treated wastewater that is discharged and runs in to the Broad River, versus the amount of pollution found in the river itself (right photo).

Franklin Springs wastewater operator Brandon Fitzgerald holds up a small vial (left photo) to show the amount of pollution left in treated wastewater that is discharged and runs in to the Broad River, versus the amount of pollution found in the river itself (right photo).

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Franklin Springs presents basics of wastewater process

News Staff
Thursday, April 17, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher FRANKLIN SPRINGS – Brandon Fitzgerald held up a vial during Tuesday’s Franklin Springs City Council meeting containing some small grains of pollution found in water released after it was treated at the current Franklin Springs wastewater treatment plant.
A $1 million Appalachian Regional Commission grant to the City of Lavonia will be used to implement a streetscape plan for downtown Lavonia. The city will match the federal money with more than $1 million of its own.

A $1 million Appalachian Regional Commission grant to the City of Lavonia will be used to implement a streetscape plan for downtown Lavonia. The city will match the federal money with more than $1 million of its own.

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Lavonia receives $1 million grant for downtown

News Staff
Thursday, April 17, 2025
From staff reports LAVONIA – The City of Lavonia and its Downtown Development Authority (DDA) have received a $1 million matching grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to fund a transformative Downtown Streetscape Improvements Project.
The Royce debuted with a performance recently by Aaron Tanner during the Cut A Block cruise-in event in downtown Royston. (Photo by Rose Scoggins)

The Royce debuted with a performance recently by Aaron Tanner during the Cut A Block cruise-in event in downtown Royston. (Photo by Rose Scoggins)

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The Royce raises downtown music from the ashes of historic theater

News Staff
Thursday, April 17, 2025
By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer ROYSTON – “This is sort of my Field of Dreams,” Kelley Tamplin said, when talking about why she wanted to have a music venue adjacent to her restaurant, The Old Corner Hardware Store in Royston. “If you build it, they will come.
An estimated 220 people came to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday at the Franklin County Justice Center. Seating in the meeting room were full and people stood in the hallway and the parking lot. (Photo by Scoggins)

An estimated 220 people came to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday at the Franklin County Justice Center. Seating in the meeting room were full and people stood in the hallway and the parking lot. (Photo by Scoggins)

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River resolution passes; sewer pact under scrutiny

News Staff
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Commissioners approved a resolution Monday calling for the state to protect the Broad River from industrial developments, particularly those reportedly planned in Franklin Springs.
Courtney Umbehant

Courtney Umbehant

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Lavonia mayor challenges BOC to ‘stand up and lead’

News Staff
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisherand Tanner HowardCorrespondent LAVONIA – Lavonia Mayor Courtney Umbehant challenged Franklin County commissioners Monday “to lead this county” and “condemn the blatant character assassination campaigns” coming from citizens posting on Facebook.
The Canon City Council tabled an ordinance Monday that would have limited access to city property.

The Canon City Council tabled an ordinance Monday that would have limited access to city property.

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Canon tables law to limit access

News Staff
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer CANON – The Canon City Council tabled an ordinance Monday that would have limited access to city property.Council members Eli Brown, Dale Garner and Cullen Morgan voted to table the proposed ordinance, while Bobby Locke abstained.
A group of about 30 citizens from Franklin and other counties attended the Franklin County Industrial Building Authority’s meeting Wednesday seeking answers about a reported rendering plant planned for property owned by the City of Franklin Springs. And they came with a list of demands.

A group of about 30 citizens from Franklin and other counties attended the Franklin County Industrial Building Authority’s meeting Wednesday seeking answers about a reported rendering plant planned for property owned by the City of Franklin Springs. And they came with a list of demands.

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Citizens ask officials for resignations

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – A group of about 30 citizens from Franklin and other counties attended the Franklin County Industrial Building Authority’s meeting Wednesday seeking answers about a reported rendering plant planned for property owned by the City of Franklin Springs.
Madison County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to approve a resolution calling for special protections for the Broad River.

Madison County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to approve a resolution calling for special protections for the Broad River.

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Madison Commission passes river resolution

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher DANIELSVILLE – Madison County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to approve a resolution calling for special protections for the Broad River.