Local

Mayor Lee Moore presents Kevin Thompson with the Franklin Springs Police Chief badge at Thursday’s meeting. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Franklin Springs names Thompson police chief

News Staff

Thursday, July 28, 2022

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer Franklin Springs — The city has a police chief again. Kevin Thompson, who has been serving as officer-in-charge, was named the new police chief during the Franklin Springs City Council meeting Thursday night.

Cadets from Explorer posts sponsored by the Royston Police Department and Stephens and Elbert counties sheriff’s offices took part in a 40-hour academy last week in Royston. (Photos by Scoggins)

Royston Explorers host 40-hour academy

News Staff

Thursday, July 28, 2022

ROYSTON – The Royston Explorers Post Academy taught and tested the next generation of area law officers last week in a 40-hour course. The academy, hosted by Royston Explorer Post 103, also included posts sponsored by the Stephens County and Elbert County sheriff’s offices.

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Residents: Trucks headed to business a problem on street

News Staff

Thursday, July 28, 2022

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer Franklin Springs — Residents of one neighborhood turned to the city for a solution to a problem they are having due to their proximity to a local business. However, there’s not much the city can do for the time being.

Franklin County Schools

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Nominees sought for school councils

News Staff

Thursday, July 28, 2022

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer School Governance Teams at each school in Franklin County are looking for new members. One parent and one community representative are needed to fill spots at each school. Nominations should be sent to school principals.

Attending the Pilot convention from the Lavonia Pilot Club were President Sue Heath, Past President Vonnie Brown, Denise Thompson, Past Georgia District Governor Susan Harbin and Georgia District Governor-elect Avaline Adams.

Lavonia Pilots bring home awards

News Staff

Thursday, July 28, 2022

LAVONIA – The Pilot Club of Lavonia brought home several awards from the Pilot International Annual Convention June 27 through July 2.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources officers place Capt. Stan Elrod’s honor chair between the flags in the lobby of Franklin Springs City Hall as Officer-in-Charge Kevin Thompson looks on. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Honor chair dedicated to fallen officer Elrod

News Staff

Thursday, July 28, 2022

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer Franklin Springs — Capt. Stan Elrod will always have a place in Franklin Springs. An honor chair was dedicated July 20 to Elrod at Franklin Springs City Hall. Elrod, who served part-time on the city’s police department, was killed by a drunk driver Sept.

Franklin County Middle School Assistant Principal Kasey Haley, Principal Jason Swiney and Assistant Principal David Cawthon discuss ideas for a better learning experience. (Photo by Sinclair)

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New leadership takes helm in Franklin schools

News Staff

Thursday, July 28, 2022

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer Carnesville — Several new faces will be in administrative roles in the Franklin County School System this year. While a few are new to Franklin County, others have moved from other positions in the schools.

Ryan Swails

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Farewell to Swails

News Staff

Thursday, July 21, 2022

By Shane Scoggins Publisher CARNESVILLE – Ryan Swails is no longer a county commissioner. Swails resigned his District 3 seat Friday after selling his home. He announced in June that he would be moving to Blairsville to run the Georgia Country Financial office there.

Assistant Lavonia Police Chief Daniel Carson and officers Justin Parten, Jay Thomas and Brian Neal practice a scanning technique for entering a T-shaped hallway during active shooter training Tuesday at Lavonia Elementary School. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Officers go to school on active shooters

News Staff

Thursday, July 21, 2022

By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer Lavonia — The first priority in a school shooting is to stop the threat. The Lavonia Police Department held a training session with school resource officers at Lavonia Elementary School Tuesday morning in order to be more prepared to stop a school shooter.

An article in the July issue of Site Selection spotlights the work of Franklin, Hart and Stephens counties in the Joint Development Authority.

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Magazine: Franklin in nation’s top 50 for economic development

News Staff

Thursday, July 21, 2022

By Shane Scoggins Publisher CARNESVILLE – Franklin County has been recognized as one of the top 50 non-metro communities in the United States for economic development. Site Selection magazine listed Franklin County as one of seven rural Georgia counties in its rankings.