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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.

News Staff
Thursday, December 8, 2022
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.

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C-USA honors Red

News Staff
Thursday, December 8, 2022
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

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
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

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Roper resigns

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
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.

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Heavy voter turnout seen in Senate runoff

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
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

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Head Lion leaves post with pride

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
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

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Carlisle retires from Lavonia P.D.

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
  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.

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Local support brings shelter closer to building goal

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
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.
Connie Oliver and her mom Francine Elsner enjoy time together about four years ago. Elsner passed away two years ago, and Oliver recently started a nonprofit named after her.

Connie Oliver and her mom Francine Elsner enjoy time together about four years ago. Elsner passed away two years ago, and Oliver recently started a nonprofit named after her.

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Francine’s House seeks funds to help single moms

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Carnesville — Connie Oliver has a dream to help single mothers. “I had been called by God many, many years ago, and my mom was the only one I shared it with,” Oliver said.
The Franklin Springs City Council had to suspend A&A Royston LLC’s alcohol license Tuesday night after its business, Dixie Dale, was caught selling alcohol to an underage person.

The Franklin Springs City Council had to suspend A&A Royston LLC’s alcohol license Tuesday night after its business, Dixie Dale, was caught selling alcohol to an underage person.

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Council suspends Dixie Dale alcohol license

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Franklin Springs — There will be one less place to purchase alcohol this month in Franklin Springs.