Local

Gillian Raese

Gillian Raese

Gillian Raese joins Citizen Leader

LAVONIA – Gillian Raese, a resident of Hartwell, started Monday as a new staff writer for the Franklin County Citizen Leader. Raese has an extensive background in agriculture, growing up on a cattle and chicken farm in Hartwell.
A 50-plus year tradition of celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The celebration included a performance of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech by New Light Baptist Church Pastor the Rev. David Johnson. resumed Monday at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Lavonia. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration resumed after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

A 50-plus year tradition of celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The celebration included a performance of King’s “I Have A Dream” speech by New Light Baptist Church Pastor the Rev. David Johnson. resumed Monday at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in Lavonia. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration resumed after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

MLK Ceremony resumes after two-year hiatus

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   LAVONIA – A Franklin County tradition resumed Monday after being postponed for two years by the COVID pandemic. The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration was held at Fairview Missionary Baptist Church for the first time since 2020.

Lone qualifier

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Josh Smith will be the county commissioner for District 4. Smith was the lone qualifier for the vacant District 4 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. Smith qualified Monday for the seat.
Jeff Jacques presided over his first meeting as chairman of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Monday.

Jeff Jacques presided over his first meeting as chairman of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners Monday.

New chair talks UDC, permits, inspection reforms

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – New Franklin County Commission Chairman Jeff Jacques called Monday for a review of the county’s building inspections and permitting system, as well as its Unified Development Code.
The Royston City Council settled Tuesday on a new water and sewer rate structure that will increase the cost of water for customers to help pay for improvements to the utility systems.

The Royston City Council settled Tuesday on a new water and sewer rate structure that will increase the cost of water for customers to help pay for improvements to the utility systems.

Higher Royston water rates to be based on usage

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – The Royston City Council settled Tuesday on a new water and sewer rate structure that will increase the cost of water for customers to help pay for improvements to the utility systems.
Developer Kenny Whitworth made his case to the Lavonia planning commission Tuesday for a townhome development on Highway 59 in Lavonia. The development (left) would also include single-family subdivisions. The planning commission voted to recommend denial of Whitworth’s request for rezoning to allow the development, and the Lavonia City Council later voted to deny his application. (Photos by Scoggins)

Developer Kenny Whitworth made his case to the Lavonia planning commission Tuesday for a townhome development on Highway 59 in Lavonia. The development (left) would also include single-family subdivisions. The planning commission voted to recommend denial of Whitworth’s request for rezoning to allow the development, and the Lavonia City Council later voted to deny his application. (Photos by Scoggins)

Rezone denied

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   LAVONIA – The Lavonia City Council denied a rezoning request from a developer wishing to build townhomes in the Spring Street area along Highway 59.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner and Franklin County native Pat Wilson has been named Georgian of the Year by Georgia Trend magazine.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner and Franklin County native Pat Wilson has been named Georgian of the Year by Georgia Trend magazine.

Wilson named Georgian of Year

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ATLANTA – Franklin County native Pat Wilson has been named Georgian of the Year by Georgia Trend magazine.
Qualifying opens Monday for candidates in a special election for the District 4 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

Qualifying opens Monday for candidates in a special election for the District 4 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

Qualifying opens Monday for District 4 special election

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Qualifying opens Monday for candidates in a special election for the District 4 seat on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. The election will be held March 21. Qualifying for the post will be held Jan. 9-11. Qualifying will begin at 9 a.m.
Record-setting cold temperatures over the Christmas weekend left both local governments and private citizens fixing broken water lines.

Record-setting cold temperatures over the Christmas weekend left both local governments and private citizens fixing broken water lines.

Record lows cause issues with utilities over holiday weekend

By Shane Scoggins Publisher   Record-setting cold temperatures over the Christmas weekend left both local governments and private citizens fixing broken water lines. The cold snap sent morning temperatures into the single digits and day-time highs below freezing in Franklin County.
A fire on Buttercup Lane in Gumlog destroyed a family’s home and claimed one life on Christmas Eve. (Photo courtesy of the State Insurance Commissioner’s Office)

A fire on Buttercup Lane in Gumlog destroyed a family’s home and claimed one life on Christmas Eve. (Photo courtesy of the State Insurance Commissioner’s Office)

One killed, family left homeless after fire in Gumlog

From staff reports   GUMLOG – One person was killed on Christmas Eve in a house fire on Buttercup Lane. Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced in a press release Tuesday that four others  were injured in the fire, which occurred during the early morning hours.