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Emmanuel University President Greg Hearn was honored Thursday as the 2024 recipient of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Charles E. Bradshaw Good Citizen Award at the chamber’s annual Gala and Awards at the Swails Center. Rachel Howington, the chamber’s executive director, presented the award. Hearn is a longtime active community and business leader and was named president of Emmanuel last year.

Emmanuel University President Greg Hearn was honored Thursday as the 2024 recipient of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Charles E. Bradshaw Good Citizen Award at the chamber’s annual Gala and Awards at the Swails Center. Rachel Howington, the chamber’s executive director, presented the award. Hearn is a longtime active community and business leader and was named president of Emmanuel last year.

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Chamber honors local businesses at annual Gala

News Staff
Thursday, February 15, 2024
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   FRANKLIN SPRINGS – Greg Hearn, Pinnacle Bank, Northeast Georgia Pools, Atlanta Rod and Harmony House were each honored Thursday at the annual Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Gala and Awards.
The Royston City Council voted Tuesday to appropriate $37,000 for new playground equipment at Tony Jones Park. (Rendering courtesy of City of Royston)

The Royston City Council voted Tuesday to appropriate $37,000 for new playground equipment at Tony Jones Park. (Rendering courtesy of City of Royston)

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Royston approves funds for Tony Jones Park playground

News Staff
Thursday, February 15, 2024
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – Tony Jones Park in Royston will soon see some upgrades. The Royston City Council voted Tuesday to spend $37,000 on new playground equipment for the park.
Franklin County High School Assistant Principal Kevin Compton won the Administrator Showdown Saturday at the Franklin County Local Livestock Show. Also participating in the show were Franklin County School Superintendent Melanie Burton-Brown; school board members Alan Mitchell, Kent Hall and Gary Minyard; Assistant Superintendent Carl Dekker; Deputy Superintendent Karen Correia; FCHS Assistant Principal Natalie Erskine; Franklin County Middle School Assistant Principal Meredith Kilgore; Lavonia Elementary P

Franklin County High School Assistant Principal Kevin Compton won the Administrator Showdown Saturday at the Franklin County Local Livestock Show. Also participating in the show were Franklin County School Superintendent Melanie Burton-Brown; school board members Alan Mitchell, Kent Hall and Gary Minyard; Assistant Superintendent Carl Dekker; Deputy Superintendent Karen Correia; FCHS Assistant Principal Natalie Erskine; Franklin County Middle School Assistant Principal Meredith Kilgore; Lavonia Elementary P

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FCHS’ Compton wins Administrator Showdown

News Staff
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – Kevin Compton was the lucky winner of a belt buckle and the title of Administrator Showdown Champion at the Franklin County Local Livestock Show Saturday.
Riley Moon (left) and Presley Whitworth (right) were crowned Mr. and Miss Lion Tuesday night at the Lion’s Den. Mr. and Miss Lion and their court are chosen by their peers as students who possess good character, integrity, school pride and leadership.

Riley Moon (left) and Presley Whitworth (right) were crowned Mr. and Miss Lion Tuesday night at the Lion’s Den. Mr. and Miss Lion and their court are chosen by their peers as students who possess good character, integrity, school pride and leadership.

Mr. and Miss Lion crowned

News Staff
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
CARNESVILLE  – Riley Moon (left) and Presley Whitworth (right) were crowned Mr. and Miss Lion Tuesday night at the Lion’s Den. Mr. and Miss Lion and their court are chosen by their peers as students who possess good character, integrity, school pride and leadership.
Franklin Springs City Clerk Jackie Yearwood has been elected as a district director for the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association.

Franklin Springs City Clerk Jackie Yearwood has been elected as a district director for the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association.

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Yearwood sworn in as officer in clerks group

News Staff
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
FRANKLIN SPRINGS – Franklin Springs City Clerk Jackie Yearwood has been elected as a district director for the Georgia Municipal Clerks Association. Yearwood was sworn in as director for District 2 Monday at the association’s annual business meeting in Jekyll Island.
Lavonia Police Chief Shane Edmisten recognized four officers Monday for their promotions and the hard work of the department during his first year at the Lavonia Police Department.

Lavonia Police Chief Shane Edmisten recognized four officers Monday for their promotions and the hard work of the department during his first year at the Lavonia Police Department.

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Lavonia P.D. honors promoted officers

News Staff
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
LAVONIA – Lavonia Police Chief Shane Edmisten recognized four officers Monday for their promotions and the hard work of the department during his first year at the Lavonia Police Department.
The Franklin County Board of Education honored Heather Elo (center) Tuesday for being named the Georgia Engineering and Technology Education Association’s (GETEA) 2023-24 Middle School Teacher of Excellence at the GETEA conference Feb 2-3.

The Franklin County Board of Education honored Heather Elo (center) Tuesday for being named the Georgia Engineering and Technology Education Association’s (GETEA) 2023-24 Middle School Teacher of Excellence at the GETEA conference Feb 2-3.

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FCMS’ Elo wins state award for teaching excellence

News Staff
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
CARNESVILLE – The Franklin County Board of Education honored Heather Elo (center) Tuesday for being named the Georgia Engineering and Technology Education Association’s (GETEA) 2023-24 Middle School Teacher of Excellence at the GETEA conference Feb 2-3.
Franklin County native Carson Bridges (center) poses with her court after winning the Miss University of Georgia pageant. (Photos courtesy of the Miss UGA Competition)

Franklin County native Carson Bridges (center) poses with her court after winning the Miss University of Georgia pageant. (Photos courtesy of the Miss UGA Competition)

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Franklin’s Bridges wins Miss UGA

News Staff
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   When the master of ceremonies announced Carson Bridges as the new Miss University of Georgia, it took a moment for it to sink in. “It didn’t register in my brain that they called my name,” Bridges said. “It was like an out of body experience.
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the amendment Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Justice Center and then consider a vote at their regular meeting that follows at 6 p.m.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the amendment Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Justice Center and then consider a vote at their regular meeting that follows at 6 p.m.

BOC chairman lays out reasoning behind proposed amendment

News Staff
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
UPDATE:   By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – A public hearing scheduled for Monday on proposed changes to residential regulations in the county’s Unified Development Code has been canceled. Commissioners also no longer to consider the changes at its regular meeting Monday.
The Lavonia City Council plans to consider an ordinance Monday that would allow open containers of alcohol, in city-issued cups, in a new Entertainment District downtown.

The Lavonia City Council plans to consider an ordinance Monday that would allow open containers of alcohol, in city-issued cups, in a new Entertainment District downtown.

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New Lavonia law would allow open alcohol cups

News Staff
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   LAVONIA – The Lavonia City Council will consider an Entertainment District ordinance Monday that will allow patrons to walk around downtown with open containers of alcoholic beverages.