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The Franklin County School System is redoubling efforts to keep students in school after the high school graduation rate slipped below 90 percent for the first time in several years.

The Franklin County School System is redoubling efforts to keep students in school after the high school graduation rate slipped below 90 percent for the first time in several years.

Dip in diplomas

By Charlie Eavenson Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – An unexpected drop in the graduation rate at Franklin County High School “has been a wake up for us,” said Superintendent Melanie Burton-Brown.  After many years of having an overall graduation rate between 91-92 percent, the 2024 rate of 88.
Higher water and sewer rates for Lavonia customers are likely coming, but not as soon as originally planned.

Higher water and sewer rates for Lavonia customers are likely coming, but not as soon as originally planned.

Lavonia delays utility rate increase

By Charlie Eavenson Staff Writer   LAVONIA – Higher water and sewer rates for Lavonia customers are likely coming, but not as soon as originally planned. After voting for a new rate structure to be put in place by November, the city now says it will rethink its approach and shoot for January.
More than a quarter of all active voters in Franklin County have already cast votes in the Nov. 5 election, which will decide the U.S. Presidential race.

More than a quarter of all active voters in Franklin County have already cast votes in the Nov. 5 election, which will decide the U.S. Presidential race.

Local, state turnout heavy for Presidential election

By Shane Scoggins Publisher and Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   CARNESVILLE – More than a quarter of all active voters in Franklin County have already cast votes in the Nov. 5 election, which will decide the U.S. Presidential race. Early voting began Oct. 15 for the election.
Franklin County High School graduates Keylan Rutledge (left) and Brent Honeywell (right) each shined on big sports stages last week.

Franklin County High School graduates Keylan Rutledge (left) and Brent Honeywell (right) each shined on big sports stages last week.

Shining on big stages

From staff reports   LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Brent Honeywell, a Franklin County native, threw three scoreless innings Monday in his postseason debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Honeywell’s performance came in a 7-3 Game 2 loss to the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series.
Early voting began Tuesay in Franklin County. It will continue through Nov. 1.

Early voting began Tuesay in Franklin County. It will continue through Nov. 1.

804 vote on start of early voting

By Shane Scoggins Publisher and Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   CARNESVILLE – More than 800 Franklin County voters took the very earliest opportunity Tuesday to cast ballot in the Nov. 5 election.
Franklin County High School students increased their scores on the SAT test in 2024, compared to the previous year, and gained ground on regional and state marks.

Franklin County High School students increased their scores on the SAT test in 2024, compared to the previous year, and gained ground on regional and state marks.

SAT scores gain ground on region, state marks

By Charlie Eavenson Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – Franklin County High School students increased their scores on the SAT test in 2024, compared to the previous year, and gained ground on regional and state marks.
Franklin County Commission Chairman Jeff Jacques announced Monday that commissioners will vote Nov. 4 on whether or not to build a sewer line to a new Franklin Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Franklin County Commission Chairman Jeff Jacques announced Monday that commissioners will vote Nov. 4 on whether or not to build a sewer line to a new Franklin Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Sizing up sewer options

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE -The immediate future of the Franklin County sewer system will be decided Nov. 4. Franklin County Commission Chairman Jeff Jacques announced Monday that commissioners will vote Nov.
Franklin County voters may begin casting ballots next week for U.S. President.  Early voting for the Nov. 5 election will open Tuesday and continue through Nov. 1.

Franklin County voters may begin casting ballots next week for U.S. President. Early voting for the Nov. 5 election will open Tuesday and continue through Nov. 1.

Early voting begins Tuesday

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Franklin County voters may begin casting ballots next week for U.S. President. Early voting for the Nov. 5 election will open Tuesday and continue through Nov. 1.
Since getting married almost four years ago, Ernest and Martha Crane Gibson have rarely missed a day at the Franklin County Senior Center, where they first met. At 96, Ernest still plays the guitar for sing-alongs.

Since getting married almost four years ago, Ernest and Martha Crane Gibson have rarely missed a day at the Franklin County Senior Center, where they first met. At 96, Ernest still plays the guitar for sing-alongs.

Couple finds love at Senior Center

By Charlie Eavenson Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – There are lots of reasons to attend the Franklin County Senior Center – fun, food, fellowship and informative programs.  Every day is different. One never knows just what they might discover at the center in Carnesville.
Jeremy “Bud” Fulghum and Michael Certain of Line Fire Department, with help from a Franklin County Detention Center work crew, clear a tree that fell over Burgess Road in Franklin County after the remnants of Hurricane Helene blew through the county Thursday night and Friday morning. (Photo courtesy of Ginger Fulghum)

Jeremy “Bud” Fulghum and Michael Certain of Line Fire Department, with help from a Franklin County Detention Center work crew, clear a tree that fell over Burgess Road in Franklin County after the remnants of Hurricane Helene blew through the county Thursday night and Friday morning. (Photo courtesy of Ginger Fulghum)

Helene hangover

From staff reports   FRANKLIN COUNTY – The remains of Hurricane Helene dealt Franklin County a blow as it blew through Georgia Thursday night and Friday morning.