Local

Hazel Harker (left), pictured with her grandmother Pam Milligan, recently wrote a letter to Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas about drug issues in Gumlog. (Photo by Sinclair)

Hazel Harker (left), pictured with her grandmother Pam Milligan, recently wrote a letter to Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas about drug issues in Gumlog. (Photo by Sinclair)

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Methamphetamine an ongoing issue in Gumlog

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
• Second in a series   By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Gumlog — Hazel Harker wants to be a mortician when she grows up, but she needs to survive living in Gumlog first. The 15-year-old knows who sells meth, how to make it, and how to use Narcan. But, she has no plans to use the drug.
A student found in possession of gun at Franklin County Middle School last week has been charged with a felony.

A student found in possession of gun at Franklin County Middle School last week has been charged with a felony.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Student found with gun faces felony charge

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Carnesville — A student found in possession of gun at Franklin County Middle School last week has been charged with a felony. Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas reported the student was charged with possession of a firearm on campus.
Information about public comment at Franklin County Board of Education meetings is posted on the door of the meeting room in addition to on the board's webpage. (Photo by Sinclair)

Information about public comment at Franklin County Board of Education meetings is posted on the door of the meeting room in addition to on the board's webpage. (Photo by Sinclair)

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

BOE revises policy on comments at meetings

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Carnesville — Those wishing to speak at Franklin County Board of Education meetings will have new rules to follow soon. The board’s policies on public participation in board meetings are being revised to reflect changes to state law.

Water, sewer top SPLOST list in Franklin Springs

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Franklin Springs — With its four percent of the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST), Franklin Springs could get a couple new vehicles, expand water service and have a small portion of the funds needed for its wastewater treatment expansion project.
The Lavonia VFW is now being led by Duane Hakes, Junior Vice Commander Josh Hattaway, Vic Therou, Commander Corey Payne (with son Asa), Senior Vice Commander Chad Chase and Jonathan Merck.

The Lavonia VFW is now being led by Duane Hakes, Junior Vice Commander Josh Hattaway, Vic Therou, Commander Corey Payne (with son Asa), Senior Vice Commander Chad Chase and Jonathan Merck.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lavonia VFW post aims to move on after former commander pleads

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — Several Veterans of Foreign Wars members from local posts watched as Gabrielle Beutler pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges she faked her military service.
A pair of handcuffs owned by Jonathan Merck that were owned by a friend who was killed in Iraq were used to secure Gabrielle Beutler after she was arrested on charges of making up her veteran status and other charges. Merck wears a bracelet with the name of his friend, SPC Daniel Lucas Elliott.

A pair of handcuffs owned by Jonathan Merck that were owned by a friend who was killed in Iraq were used to secure Gabrielle Beutler after she was arrested on charges of making up her veteran status and other charges. Merck wears a bracelet with the name of his friend, SPC Daniel Lucas Elliott.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Fallen soldier's cuffs used during arrest of fake veteran

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Lavonia — Throughout his entire law enforcement career, Lavonia Police Officer Jonathan Merck has used handcuffs with SPC Daniel Lucas Elliott’s name inscribed on them. The handcuffs once belonged to Elliott, who was a military police officer.
Franklin comes into Friday’s game after a 48-0 loss to Lumpkin County on the road in Dahlonega.

Franklin comes into Friday’s game after a 48-0 loss to Lumpkin County on the road in Dahlonega.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lions face Banks for Homecoming

News Staff
Thursday, September 8, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   The Franklin County Lions football team will face its third undefeated team in a row Friday when Banks County comes to Carnesville for the 2022 Homecoming game.
Dustin Tyler Burgess (left) and Uriel C. Mendoza (right) are facing a number of charges after a methamphetamine lab was busted last week on New Franklin Church Road in Canon.

Dustin Tyler Burgess (left) and Uriel C. Mendoza (right) are facing a number of charges after a methamphetamine lab was busted last week on New Franklin Church Road in Canon.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Millions in meth

News Staff
Thursday, September 1, 2022
From staff reports   CANON – A lab capable of making more than $7.8 million in methamphetamine was busted by state and local law enforcement agencies last week. Two men, one from Ellijay and the other from Copperhill, Tenn., were arrested during the bust.
Franklin County commissioners may delay a vote on a new zoning map under the county’s new Unified Development Code over concerns by farmers that their lands are being classified as agriculture (dark green areas) instead of agriculture intensive (light green areas).

Franklin County commissioners may delay a vote on a new zoning map under the county’s new Unified Development Code over concerns by farmers that their lands are being classified as agriculture (dark green areas) instead of agriculture intensive (light green areas).

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

County may delay UDC map

News Staff
Thursday, September 1, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – The final step to implement the Unified Development Code (UDC) in Franklin County may be pushed back due to the concern of local farmers over how their property is classified.
Beverly Folsom is working to reclaim Gumlog, where she lives, from a variety of problems that have beset the community. “It’s my little piece of paradise,” she said of her home. (Photo by Sinclair)

Beverly Folsom is working to reclaim Gumlog, where she lives, from a variety of problems that have beset the community. “It’s my little piece of paradise,” she said of her home. (Photo by Sinclair)

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Community aims to Reclaim Gumlog

News Staff
Thursday, September 1, 2022
• First in a series   By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Gumlog — As she drives down Highway 328, Beverly Folsom comments on the nice country roads and rolling hills. But, she knows things are different down some of the roads branching off the highway.