Local

A special election will be held next year – likely in March – to fill the District 4 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

A special election will be held next year – likely in March – to fill the District 4 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

No appointment necessary

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – There will be a special election to determine the next Franklin County commissioner for District 4. County Attorney Dale “Bubba” Samuels said Monday a special election to fill the seat will be necessary and would likely be held in March.
(from left) Miss FCHS 2022 Eryshia Thomas, Miss Echo 2022 Chaislyn Stratton and Miss Echo 2022 Aslinn Brown

(from left) Miss FCHS 2022 Eryshia Thomas, Miss Echo 2022 Chaislyn Stratton and Miss Echo 2022 Aslinn Brown

We three queens

CARNESVILLE – The largest field of contestants ever led to an unprecedented Miss Echo and Miss FCHS Pageant Saturday at the Telford Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.
Smiles – human and canine alike – abounded Saturday and Sunday as the Canon and Lavonia Christmas Parades were held. The Royston Parade of Lights will round out the parade schedule this Saturday at 5 p.m. (Photos by Scoggins)

Smiles – human and canine alike – abounded Saturday and Sunday as the Canon and Lavonia Christmas Parades were held. The Royston Parade of Lights will round out the parade schedule this Saturday at 5 p.m. (Photos by Scoggins)

Royston Parade of Lights set for Saturday at 5 p.m.

ROYSTON – The Royston Christmas Parade will highlight this weekend’s public holiday celebrations. The Parade of Lights will be Saturday beginning at 5 p.m.
Former Franklin County Lion Keylan “Red” Rutledge received his state shot put championship ring in a ceremony Thursday in the Lion’s Den. Rutledge won the Class AAA state shot put title in May with a throw of 53’4” on his last attempt. The throw was 2’5” farther than Rutledge had ever thrown. Rutledge, who was also a standout football and basketball player for the Lions, is now a starting offensive lineman for Middle Tennessee State University, where he was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.

Former Franklin County Lion Keylan “Red” Rutledge received his state shot put championship ring in a ceremony Thursday in the Lion’s Den. Rutledge won the Class AAA state shot put title in May with a throw of 53’4” on his last attempt. The throw was 2’5” farther than Rutledge had ever thrown. Rutledge, who was also a standout football and basketball player for the Lions, is now a starting offensive lineman for Middle Tennessee State University, where he was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.

C-USA honors Red

From staff reports   Former Franklin County High School multi-sport star Keylan “Red” Rutledge has been named to the Conference USA All-Freshman football team. Rutledge is a student-athlete at Middle Tennessee State University, where he received a football scholarship.
(Photo by Scoggins)

(Photo by Scoggins)

Christmastime is here

Franklin County’s Christmas celebrations began this week with tree lightings in Canon, Royston and Lavonia. They will continue tonight with tree lightings in Carnesville and Franklin Springs, both at 6 p.m., followed Saturday by the Canon Christmas Parade at 11 a.m.
Cole Roper

Cole Roper

Roper resigns

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Cole Roper will not take office in January  as the new commissioner from District 4. Roper resigned as commissioner-elect on Monday.

Heavy voter turnout seen in Senate runoff

By Shane Scoggins Publisher and Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service   Franklin County voters are returning to the polls in bunches for the U.S. Senate runoff election between incumbent Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker.
Jason Oliver

Jason Oliver

Head Lion leaves post with pride

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   As “game administrator,” Franklin County Athletic Director Jason Oliver huddled with basketball coaches, players and officials Tuesday night in the Lion’s Den before the boys’ basketball game between Franklin County and Commerce.
Bruce Carlisle

Bruce Carlisle

Carlisle retires from Lavonia P.D.

  By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — Lavonia will have to begin its search for its new chief of police earlier than expected. Chief Bruce Carlisle was set to retire in January, but his last day was Wednesday due to a new opportunity.
The community has shown its support for the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter through a gourmet dinner and silent auction fundraiser at Sweet Combs of Honey on Nov. 15 (above) as well as a Yappy Hour including The Plant Peddler at Southern Origin Meadery on Nov. 17.

The community has shown its support for the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter through a gourmet dinner and silent auction fundraiser at Sweet Combs of Honey on Nov. 15 (above) as well as a Yappy Hour including The Plant Peddler at Southern Origin Meadery on Nov. 17.

Local support brings shelter closer to building goal

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — Through donations, fundraisers and grants, the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter has raised about $30,000 towards a $75,000 matching grant it was awarded in October to fund the construction of its new adoption center.