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Children will have the chance to play in a foam canon Saturday as part of Lavonia’s second annual Hippie Fest.

Children will have the chance to play in a foam canon Saturday as part of Lavonia’s second annual Hippie Fest.

Second annual Hippie Fest to bring groovy activities to Lavonia Aug. 19

LAVONIA – On Aug. 19, the Lavonia Downtown Development Authority will host its second annual Hippie Fest at the Gazebo in downtown Lavonia. The Hippie Fest will be  from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will offer visitors a chance to take a trip back in time to the days of peace, love and bell bottoms.
Franklin County School students went back to class Friday. Elementary schools held open houses Wednesday of last week. (Photo by Raese)

Franklin County School students went back to class Friday. Elementary schools held open houses Wednesday of last week. (Photo by Raese)

Welcome Back to School

Franklin County School students went back to class Friday. Elementary schools held open houses Wednesday of last week. (Photo by Raese)
Franklin County commissioners voted Monday to settle a lawsuit with developers who wanted to build a townhome development near Exit 160 on I-85.

Franklin County commissioners voted Monday to settle a lawsuit with developers who wanted to build a townhome development near Exit 160 on I-85.

County approves agreement to end suit over rezoning

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Franklin County commissioners voted Monday to settle a lawsuit with developers who wanted to build a townhome development near Exit 160 on I-85.
The Franklin County Health Department will be closed next week due to renovations. Beginning Aug. 21, services will be moved to other locations.

The Franklin County Health Department will be closed next week due to renovations. Beginning Aug. 21, services will be moved to other locations.

Health department to close Aug. 14-21

CARNESVILLE –  The Franklin County Health Department will close temporarily beginning Aug. 14 for renovation to its building. To minimize the disruption of services, the health department is scheduled to reopen Aug.
County Engineer John Phillips presents options last week to the IBA to expand sewer service in the area of Exit 160 on I-85. (Photo by Scoggins)

County Engineer John Phillips presents options last week to the IBA to expand sewer service in the area of Exit 160 on I-85. (Photo by Scoggins)

Options presented to expand sewer in area of I-85 Exit 160

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Three ideas were presented last week to provide sewer service to the area around Exit 160 on I-85.
 High school and middle school students got the opportunity Tuesday to meet teachers, scope out clubs and explore classrooms during open houses held before Friday’s first day of school. Elementary schools held their open houses Wednesday. (Photos by Raese)

High school and middle school students got the opportunity Tuesday to meet teachers, scope out clubs and explore classrooms during open houses held before Friday’s first day of school. Elementary schools held their open houses Wednesday. (Photos by Raese)

Host of new leaders, teachers to welcome students Friday for first day of school

By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – The first day of school for the Franklin County Schools is Friday. It is a very different school system than the one that welcomed students for the first day in 2022.
Georgia Teacher of the Year Michael Kobito spoke to Franklin County faculty and staff members during Monday’s Convocation. (Photo by Raese)

Georgia Teacher of the Year Michael Kobito spoke to Franklin County faculty and staff members during Monday’s Convocation. (Photo by Raese)

Top teacher urges focus on 3 Rs

By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – Monday morning, the Telford Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Auditorium was filled with uplifting feelings of inspiration as Franklin County teachers kicked off the 2023-24 school year at the district’s annual Convocation.
Franklin County principals recognized Teacher and Support Person of the Year winners from their schools during Monday’s Franklin County School System Convocation ceremony. Principal Delina Wester recognized Carnesville winners teacher Mike Schyck and support person Katie Davenport, Principal Kasey Haley recognized Lavonia winners teacher James Tanner and suppport person Elise Johnson, Principal Quowanna Mattox recognized Royston Elementary winners teacher Meridith Jordan and support person Toni Millsaps, Pr

Franklin County principals recognized Teacher and Support Person of the Year winners from their schools during Monday’s Franklin County School System Convocation ceremony. Principal Delina Wester recognized Carnesville winners teacher Mike Schyck and support person Katie Davenport, Principal Kasey Haley recognized Lavonia winners teacher James Tanner and suppport person Elise Johnson, Principal Quowanna Mattox recognized Royston Elementary winners teacher Meridith Jordan and support person Toni Millsaps, Pr

Winners of Teacher, Support Person of Year awards honored at Convocation

By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – Jason Shaver and Elise Johnson were named Teacher and Support Person of the Year for the 2023-24 school year for Franklin County Schools.
Arlen Hart of Carnesville, an automotive technology teacher at Athens Technical College, earned World Class Technician status from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Arlen Hart of Carnesville, an automotive technology teacher at Athens Technical College, earned World Class Technician status from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Athens Tech’s Hart earns World Class status for automotive service

ATHENS – Athens Technical College Automotive Technology Program Chair Arlen Hart on was awarded the World Class Technician status by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Hart, who lives in Carnesville, has been teaching at Athens Tech since 2016.
Lt. Wayne Mitchum (left) and Deputy Chief Daniel Carson (right) received the Lavonia Police Department’s State Certification recently during the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Summer Conference in Savannah.

Lt. Wayne Mitchum (left) and Deputy Chief Daniel Carson (right) received the Lavonia Police Department’s State Certification recently during the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Summer Conference in Savannah.

Lavonia P.D. recertified

LAVONIA – Lt. Wayne Mitchum (left) and Deputy Chief Daniel Carson (right) received the Lavonia Police Department’s State Certification recently during the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Summer Conference in Savannah.