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Franklin County emergency responders EMTs Jim Crisp, Teryn Mize and Tyler Lanier; First Responders Curtis Ream and Ricky Maddox of the Gumlog Fire Department; Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Mitch Murphy; and dispatchers Teresa Boudway and Donna Maisonett were recognized by EMS Director Terry Harris Tuesday for their life-saving efforts for a patient in September. (Photos by Scoggins)

Franklin County emergency responders EMTs Jim Crisp, Teryn Mize and Tyler Lanier; First Responders Curtis Ream and Ricky Maddox of the Gumlog Fire Department; Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Mitch Murphy; and dispatchers Teresa Boudway and Donna Maisonett were recognized by EMS Director Terry Harris Tuesday for their life-saving efforts for a patient in September. (Photos by Scoggins)

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Life-saving heroes honored at commissioners’ meeting

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Two sets of Franklin County heroes were recognized Tuesday during a meeting of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.
Royston Elementary School Principal Quowanna Mattox and teachers Katlyn Mitchum, Krista McRee and Rebecca Blackmon are pictured with Ron Clark, founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. The Royston educators spent their winter break attending classes at the school and going to workshops to learn about how the successful academy works.

Royston Elementary School Principal Quowanna Mattox and teachers Katlyn Mitchum, Krista McRee and Rebecca Blackmon are pictured with Ron Clark, founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. The Royston educators spent their winter break attending classes at the school and going to workshops to learn about how the successful academy works.

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Royston educators attend workshop at Ron Clark Academy

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   ROYSTON– The Royston Elementary’s school governance team decided to use some of its charter funds to allow administration and teachers from the school to visit Ron Clark Academy over winter break.
A photo included in a Powerpoint presentation Tuesday at a school safety forum shows new weapon detection devices like the ones that will be purchased and installed by the Franklin County School System. (Photo by Raese)

A photo included in a Powerpoint presentation Tuesday at a school safety forum shows new weapon detection devices like the ones that will be purchased and installed by the Franklin County School System. (Photo by Raese)

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Details on school safety outlined at forum

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Schools held a safety forum Tuesday to answer questions submitted anonymously concerning the school system’s current and future school safety measures.
Mayor Courtney Umbehant and Lavonia City Council members Michael Schulman, Jeremy Madden, Eddie Floyd and Andrew Murphy led a town-hall forum last week at the Spring Street Gym about code enforcement and the future of the Spring Street Park. (Photo by Raese)

Mayor Courtney Umbehant and Lavonia City Council members Michael Schulman, Jeremy Madden, Eddie Floyd and Andrew Murphy led a town-hall forum last week at the Spring Street Gym about code enforcement and the future of the Spring Street Park. (Photo by Raese)

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Spring Street view

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   LAVONIA – The Lavonia City Council hosted a town hall meeting Thursday to discuss the development of Spring Street Park and other community issues. Mayor Courtney Umbehant and city council members led the meeting at the Spring Street Community Center.
A photo in Geneva Butler’s home shows her with her Bible. Butler said her life motto is “Do what all I can for the Lord, while I can.” Reading her Bible is a favorite pasttime, she said. (Photo by Raese)

A photo in Geneva Butler’s home shows her with her Bible. Butler said her life motto is “Do what all I can for the Lord, while I can.” Reading her Bible is a favorite pasttime, she said. (Photo by Raese)

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95-year-old Butler’s faith remains strong

News Staff
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
By Gillian Raese Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE– “I have seen a lot over the years coming up,” 95-year-old Geneva Butler said, “things are so different now.” A native of Franklin County, Butler may have seen a lot of changes in the world, but her faith has remained steady to this day.
A bill in the Georgia General Assembly would allow Royston voters to approve a one-cent sales tax to pay for water and sewer system improvements.

A bill in the Georgia General Assembly would allow Royston voters to approve a one-cent sales tax to pay for water and sewer system improvements.

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Going after the MOST

News Staff
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – A bill in the Georgia General Assembly would allow Royston voters to approve a one-cent sales tax to pay for water and sewer system improvements. The bill, House Bill 146, gives cities like Royston the chance to impose a municipal option sales tax (MOST).
Developers Gunter Vickery Properties LLC has resubmitted a plan to build townhomes on Spring Street at the intersection with Vickery Street. The area was included in a previous plan(pictured) turned down by the Lavonia City Council in January.

Developers Gunter Vickery Properties LLC has resubmitted a plan to build townhomes on Spring Street at the intersection with Vickery Street. The area was included in a previous plan(pictured) turned down by the Lavonia City Council in January.

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Developers resubmit townhome plan for Spring Street project

News Staff
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   LAVONIA – A developer whose request was denied to rezone property on Spring Street for a townhome development has reapplied. Gunter Vickery Properties LLC reapplied Jan. 31 to the City of Lavonia to rezone 7.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce President Raymond Fitzpatrick (right) presents Christopher Forrer with a plaque honoring late Franklin County School Superintendent Chris Forrer as the chamber’s Charles Bradshaw Citizen of the Year. The award was presented at the chamber’s Membership Gala Thursday at the North Georgia Tech Currahee Campus.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce President Raymond Fitzpatrick (right) presents Christopher Forrer with a plaque honoring late Franklin County School Superintendent Chris Forrer as the chamber’s Charles Bradshaw Citizen of the Year. The award was presented at the chamber’s Membership Gala Thursday at the North Georgia Tech Currahee Campus.

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Franklin County Chamber presents awards at Gala

News Staff
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
From staff reports   EASTANOLLEE – The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce handed out awards and celebrated its members at the group’s 2023 Awards Gala.
Coach Chuck Holland, a Franklin County native and long-time coach of multiple sports, was named Tuesday to lead the FCHS football program.

Coach Chuck Holland, a Franklin County native and long-time coach of multiple sports, was named Tuesday to lead the FCHS football program.

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Holland's Pride

News Staff
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – For the first time in more than two decades, a Franklin County native will lead the Lions football program. Alumnus Chuck Holland has been named the new head football coach at Franklin County High School.
Changes to Franklin County’s building inspections and permitting system will come, but not for another month

Changes to Franklin County’s building inspections and permitting system will come, but not for another month

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County to replace inspections system March 6

News Staff
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Changes to Franklin County’s building inspections and permitting system will come, but not for another month.