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The Franklin County Citizen Leader’s annual Graduation section is inside this issue.

The Franklin County Citizen Leader’s annual Graduation section is inside this issue.

FCHS to hold graduation Friday

CARNESVILLE – The 62nd annual Commencement Exercise for Franklin County High School will be held Friday at 8 p.m.The location of the ceremony, traditionally at Jeff Davis Field at Ed Bryant Stadium, will be determined today by school system officials.
Two Franklin County commission seats and the fate of an extension of a sales tax for schools will be decided Tuesday in Georgia’s party primary election.

Two Franklin County commission seats and the fate of an extension of a sales tax for schools will be decided Tuesday in Georgia’s party primary election.

Primary Tuesday

From staff reports CARNESVILLE – Two Franklin County commission seats and the fate of an extension of a sales tax for schools will be decided Tuesday in Georgia’s party primary election.Both the Republican and Democratic parties are holding primaries.
Franklin County High School senior Nava Ware (left) takes a selfie with Lavonia Elementary School teacher Cathy Cavin during the Class of 2026’s Graduation Walk Thursday. The seniors are invited to take part in a Graduation Parade around the county Sunday. FCHS graduation is scheduled for May 22. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Franklin County High School senior Nava Ware (left) takes a selfie with Lavonia Elementary School teacher Cathy Cavin during the Class of 2026’s Graduation Walk Thursday. The seniors are invited to take part in a Graduation Parade around the county Sunday. FCHS graduation is scheduled for May 22. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Class of 2026 to parade Sunday

A parade to honor the Franklin County Class of 2026 will make a lap of county’s cities Sunday afternoon,.A graduation parade will begin Sunday at 3 p.m. at FCHS. Lineup will start at 2:30 p.m.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp visited the Franklin Springs Fire Department Thursday on a campaign stop for U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp visited the Franklin Springs Fire Department Thursday on a campaign stop for U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley.

Kemp signs income tax cut, property value increase cap

By Ty TagamiCapitol Beat News Service ATLANTA – Georgia lawmakers started the year with talk of eliminating both the state income tax and the property tax for homeowners.
Franklin County Commissioners delayed action on an animal control ordinance Monday.  Instead, commissioners passed a resolution designating Franklin County Marshals as “dog control officers” under state law.

Franklin County Commissioners delayed action on an animal control ordinance Monday. Instead, commissioners passed a resolution designating Franklin County Marshals as “dog control officers” under state law.

State bailout

By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Commissioners delayed action on an animal control ordinance Monday.Instead, commissioners passed a resolution designating Franklin County Marshals as “dog control officers” under state law.
A head-on collision Monday afternoon on Stone Bridge Road killed one person and seriously injured three others.

A head-on collision Monday afternoon on Stone Bridge Road killed one person and seriously injured three others.

Head-on collision kills one, hurts 3

From staff reports CARNESVILLE – A head-on collision Monday afternoon on Stone Bridge Road killed one person and seriously injured three others.Georgia State Patrol Troopers from Post 52 in Hartwell were dispatched Monday at about 4:35 p.m.
The staff of Beasley Tax and Financial Service, which is celebrating 50 years in business in 2026, includes Tommy Beasley (seated), Rusty Beasley (standing left) and Kelley Schulman. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

The staff of Beasley Tax and Financial Service, which is celebrating 50 years in business in 2026, includes Tommy Beasley (seated), Rusty Beasley (standing left) and Kelley Schulman. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Customer service key to Beasley Tax Service’s 50-year business success

By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer LAVONIA – Although he’s been doing tax returns for more than 50 years in Lavonia, Tommy Beasley of Beasley Tax and Financial Service admits that he never intended to become an accountant.“I didn’t mean to get into accounting,” Beasley said.
Keylan Rutledge was drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

Keylan Rutledge was drafted in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.

Big Red a Texan

By Shane ScogginsPublisher Keylan Rutledge called Coach Paul Sutherland during the 2020 NFL Draft and told the then-Franklin County coach that he would join his Lions football in the fall.“He said, Coach, I am 110 percent in playing football. I’m going to play,” Sutherland remembered Monday.
Among the area firefighters helping to battle the South Georgia wildfires are (from left) Gene Davis, Conner Anderson, Isaac Hall, Benji Jones, Sean Cowan and Brady Roberts. Not pictured are Eli Brown, Ryan Vaughn, Jason Williams, Steve Brown, Zach Neese and Landon Bruce. Five of Franklin County’s fire departments sent tanker trucks to be used in shuttling water to Georgia Forestry Commission brush trucks.

Among the area firefighters helping to battle the South Georgia wildfires are (from left) Gene Davis, Conner Anderson, Isaac Hall, Benji Jones, Sean Cowan and Brady Roberts. Not pictured are Eli Brown, Ryan Vaughn, Jason Williams, Steve Brown, Zach Neese and Landon Bruce. Five of Franklin County’s fire departments sent tanker trucks to be used in shuttling water to Georgia Forestry Commission brush trucks.

Franklin firefighters battle South Georgia blazes

By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer This week, 12 Franklin County and area firefighters joined more than 400 others from all over the country in helping to battle the wild fires in South Georgia.
Candidates for the District 3 and District 4 seats on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners spoke Saturday at a candidates' forum sponsored by the Franklin County Republican Party. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

Candidates for the District 3 and District 4 seats on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners spoke Saturday at a candidates' forum sponsored by the Franklin County Republican Party. (Photos by Shane Scoggins)

County commission candidates speak at GOP forum

Westbrook, Fricks answer questions at Republican forumBy Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Candidates for the District 4 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners provided their platforms and answered questions Saturday.