Local

The Sept. 21, 1972, issue of the Franklin County Citizen reports on the opening of the new Lavonia City Hall, with a photo of Margaret Ayers, then Mayor Herman Ayers and former Gov. Ernest Vandiver taking part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Sept. 21, 1972, issue of the Franklin County Citizen reports on the opening of the new Lavonia City Hall, with a photo of Margaret Ayers, then Mayor Herman Ayers and former Gov. Ernest Vandiver taking part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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Ayers shares city hall history

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — Margaret Ayers presented historical information Monday about Lavonia City Hall to celebrate the building’s 50th anniversary. “This facility is 50 years old, and none of you all know anything about it,” she said at the city’s council meeting.
(Photo by Sinclair)

(Photo by Sinclair)

Banker and the bagpiper

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
Lavonia — A bagpiper visited North Georgia Bank Monday morning to honor Margaret Ayers. “Margaret has been my banker for 25 or more years,” said Michael Scott, wearing traditional Scottish dress. “And she’s never made a mistake.
The county’s staff will post updated versions of the map on the county’s website for citizens to view and confirm changes occurred.

The county’s staff will post updated versions of the map on the county’s website for citizens to view and confirm changes occurred.

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Processing the UDC

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – Only farmers whose property was changed from agriculture intensive to agriculture general on a new county zoning map may ask to revert back to their old classification.
The Lavonia City Council gave initial approval for a new hotel to be built on the same parcel as the Cracker Barrel on Ross Place.

The Lavonia City Council gave initial approval for a new hotel to be built on the same parcel as the Cracker Barrel on Ross Place.

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Hotel planned next to Cracker Barrel

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — The first steps to bring a new hotel to the interstate area were taken Monday night. Lavonia City Council members gave initial approval for a four-story hotel to be built on Ross Place, on the same property as Cracker Barrel.
A traffic stop led to charges for a Franklin Springs woman last week and the seizure of a quantity of methamphetamine.

A traffic stop led to charges for a Franklin Springs woman last week and the seizure of a quantity of methamphetamine.

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Traffic stop leads to trafficking charge

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
From staff reports   FRANKLIN SPRINGS – A traffic stop led to charges for a Franklin Springs woman last week and the seizure of a quantity of methamphetamine. On Sept.
Carnesville Elementary School Assistant Principal Delina Wester, Principal Karen Correia and Nurse Norina South are proud of the community for already giving to families in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian. The donations will be driven to Myakka City, Fla., where much of South’s family lives. Donations will be taken at several locations in Franklin County through Friday before they are transported to Florida. (Photo by Sinclair)

Carnesville Elementary School Assistant Principal Delina Wester, Principal Karen Correia and Nurse Norina South are proud of the community for already giving to families in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian. The donations will be driven to Myakka City, Fla., where much of South’s family lives. Donations will be taken at several locations in Franklin County through Friday before they are transported to Florida. (Photo by Sinclair)

School organizes collection to help Florida families

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Carnesville — After a night of crying, praying and feeling helpless, Norina South walked into Carnesville Elementary School and found her other family was already working on a plan to be helpful.
Girl Scout Troop 12821 members learning detective skills from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators Desiree McAdams and David Cochran and Sheriff Stevie Thomas are (from left) Madalyn Chumley, McKenna Gibson, McKinley Goss, Brooke Graham, Serenity Hollis, Rachel Burger, Jenny Ruth Stephenson, Kenzie McDuffie, Brooke Tate, Wynter Barnes and Kinley Echols.

Girl Scout Troop 12821 members learning detective skills from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office investigators Desiree McAdams and David Cochran and Sheriff Stevie Thomas are (from left) Madalyn Chumley, McKenna Gibson, McKinley Goss, Brooke Graham, Serenity Hollis, Rachel Burger, Jenny Ruth Stephenson, Kenzie McDuffie, Brooke Tate, Wynter Barnes and Kinley Echols.

Troop investigates detective work

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
CARNESVILLE – Girl Scout Troop 12821 recently learned about being a detective from Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Investigators David Cochran and Desiree McAdams.
The Spooky Soul Sisters, Ashley Dodd and Kayla Finger, will take people on a haunted history tour of Lavonia this month with stops including the cemetery

The Spooky Soul Sisters, Ashley Dodd and Kayla Finger, will take people on a haunted history tour of Lavonia this month with stops including the cemetery

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Spooky Soul Sisters to lead ghost tours of Lavonia

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — The spooky season is bringing two local podcasters out from behind the microphone to share ghost stories about locations throughout the city.
Ammo Johnson teaches art classes in the back studio next door to Sweet Combs of Honey. (Photo by Sinclair)

Ammo Johnson teaches art classes in the back studio next door to Sweet Combs of Honey. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Artist finds new community to teach after touring country

News Staff
Thursday, October 6, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — Amorette “Ammo” Johnson and her family spent five months living in a trailer and traveling across the country in search of a new place to call home. They finally found their destination in March, and settled down in Lavonia.
Canon city employees Kyle Parris, Terry Whitworth and Justin Henderson unveil a monument honoring Ray Morgan at the new Ray Morgan Field. (Photo by Sinclair)

Canon city employees Kyle Parris, Terry Whitworth and Justin Henderson unveil a monument honoring Ray Morgan at the new Ray Morgan Field. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Ray Morgan Field

News Staff
Thursday, September 29, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Canon — As the tarp was removed from the monument behind the backstop, the crowd clapped and one man could be heard saying, “Man, that’s awesome.” The granite stone marker read “Ray Morgan Field” just under his image.