Local

Two seats on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners will be contested in the Republican primary in May.

Two seats on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners will be contested in the Republican primary in May.

Ballot built

By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Two seats on the Franklin County Board of Commissioners will be contested in the Republican primary in May.But three incumbents seeking reelection to the Franklin County Board of Education will not face opposition.Qualifying ended at noon on Friday.
Entertainment districts where visitors can drink alcohol from special open containers may soon be coming to Royston.

Entertainment districts where visitors can drink alcohol from special open containers may soon be coming to Royston.

Royston eyes adding entertainment areas for downtown, park

By Shane ScogginsPublisher ROYSTON – Entertainment districts where visitors can drink alcohol from special open containers may soon be coming to Royston.The Royston City Council placed a new entertainment district ordinance on first reading Tuesday.
Ronnie and Marie Loftis reminisce and laugh with Habitat for Humanity board members before their retirement party Thursday. The Loftises served almost 25 years on the board and were the driving force behind the construction of 10 homes built for needy families in Franklin County. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Ronnie and Marie Loftis reminisce and laugh with Habitat for Humanity board members before their retirement party Thursday. The Loftises served almost 25 years on the board and were the driving force behind the construction of 10 homes built for needy families in Franklin County. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Franklin Habitat honors retiring Loftises

By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer LAVONIA – Ronnie and Marie Loftis are hanging up their hammers after having served almost 25 years on the board of directors of Franklin County Habitat for Humanity.
Franklin County attorney Ken Jarrard speaks to commissioners during a debate Monday over a variance request made by Chairman Courtney Long and her family. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Franklin County attorney Ken Jarrard speaks to commissioners during a debate Monday over a variance request made by Chairman Courtney Long and her family. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Variance approved

By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Franklin County Commissioners approved a setback variance for the family of Chairman Courtney Long by a 2-1 vote Monday.
Qualifying for two Franklin County Commission seats and three school board seats began Monday.

Qualifying for two Franklin County Commission seats and three school board seats began Monday.

Sign ups under way for county elections

By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Qualifying for two Franklin County Commission seats and three school board seats began Monday.
FCHS teacher Brandie Thomas consults with student Charlize Smith during her physical science class. Thomes is one of about one million Americans diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She is sponsoring a fundraising Walk for MS on March 14 at Ed Bryant Stadium. The money raised will go to the National MS Society, which funds research to find a cure. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

FCHS teacher Brandie Thomas consults with student Charlize Smith during her physical science class. Thomes is one of about one million Americans diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She is sponsoring a fundraising Walk for MS on March 14 at Ed Bryant Stadium. The money raised will go to the National MS Society, which funds research to find a cure. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Thomas recruits for MS Walk

By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer CARNESVILLE – March is Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month, and Brandie Thomas knows a thing or two about the progressive autoimmune disease. She has lived with it for the past 12 years.
Qualifying will be held March 2-6 at the Franklin County Board of Elections Office in Carnesville.

Qualifying will be held March 2-6 at the Franklin County Board of Elections Office in Carnesville.

Time to qualify

From staff reports CARNESVILLE – Qualifying for two Franklin County Commission seats and three school board seats will begin Monday.Qualifying will be held March 2-6 at the Franklin County Board of Elections Office in Carnesville.
Hudson Huff (right photo), an FCHS student, demonstrates how the Yondr system works in one of the classrooms testing the program this year. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Hudson Huff (right photo), an FCHS student, demonstrates how the Yondr system works in one of the classrooms testing the program this year. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

FCHS tests school day phone ban

By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer CARNESVILLE – The Franklin County Board of Education has taken the first step toward expanding the current ban on student use of cell phones and other electronic devices in grades K-8, to include the high school next year.
Members of the Northern Judicial Support Task Force Board of Directors are (from left) Doug Forrester, Ike Boyette, Kevin Thompson and Kyle Dodson. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Members of the Northern Judicial Support Task Force Board of Directors are (from left) Doug Forrester, Ike Boyette, Kevin Thompson and Kyle Dodson. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

New group offers support to first responders

By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer FRANKLIN SPRINGS – A new non-profit organization aims to “serve those who serve.”“That’s our mission and our motto,” Franklin Springs Police Chief Kevin Thompson said of the Northern Judicial Support Task Force.
Sid Ginn hugs Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Director Rachel Howington after receiving the Charles E. Bradshaw Citizen of the Year Award.

Sid Ginn hugs Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Director Rachel Howington after receiving the Charles E. Bradshaw Citizen of the Year Award.

Ginn, Ed Murdock Superstores, others honored by Chamber

By Shane ScogginsPublisher FRANKLIN SPRINGS – A long-time Carnesville council member and businessman, a family-owned car dealership that supports an array of community organizations and one of Franklin County’s largest industrial employers were among those honored Thursday at the Franklin County...