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The Franklin County Lady Lion volleyball team will play Ringgold Saturday at noon in Marietta for a chance to play for a state championship. (Photo courtesy of Summer Thrift)

The Franklin County Lady Lion volleyball team will play Ringgold Saturday at noon in Marietta for a chance to play for a state championship. (Photo courtesy of Summer Thrift)

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Franklin Final Four

News Staff
Thursday, October 23, 2025
High school volleyball squad to play Saturday in state semisBy Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Franklin County High School Volleyball is going to the Final Four.The Lady Lions will face Ringgold Saturday at noon at Pope High School in Marietta in the semifinal match.
The Athens Regional Library’s Franklin County Board of Trustees voted Monday to restore six hours of operation to the Royston and Lavonia libraries and to increase staff starting pay to $11.45 per hour.

The Athens Regional Library’s Franklin County Board of Trustees voted Monday to restore six hours of operation to the Royston and Lavonia libraries and to increase staff starting pay to $11.45 per hour.

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Libraries raise pay, to restore some hours

News Staff
Thursday, October 23, 2025
By Charlie EavensonStaff Writer  The Athens Regional Library’s Franklin County Board of Trustees voted Monday to restore six hours of operation to the Royston and Lavonia libraries and to increase staff starting pay to $11.45 per hour.
Charges against the chairman of the Franklin-Hart Airport Authority have been dropped over the objections of the district attorney’s office.

Charges against the chairman of the Franklin-Hart Airport Authority have been dropped over the objections of the district attorney’s office.

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Case against airport chair dropped

News Staff
Thursday, October 23, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Charges against the chairman of the Franklin-Hart Airport Authority have been dropped over the objections of the district attorney’s office.
Lady Lion Kallie Thrift (No. 14) celebrates with teammates Callie Frady and Avery Burton after winning a point in Franklin County’s Region 8AA semifinal win over Hart County last week. The win qualified Franklin for the state playoffs for the first time in school history. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

Lady Lion Kallie Thrift (No. 14) celebrates with teammates Callie Frady and Avery Burton after winning a point in Franklin County’s Region 8AA semifinal win over Hart County last week. The win qualified Franklin for the state playoffs for the first time in school history. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

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Historic spikes

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher The list of historic accomplishments for the 2025 Franklin County Lady Lion volleyball team continues to grow.Most wins in school history.Highest ever region finish – second place.First team to qualify for the state playoffs.First team to host a state playoff match.
Royston Mayor Keith Turman (right) shakes hands with new Council Member Jared Hightower Tuesday after a swearing-in ceremony at Royston City Hall. Hightower then joined the council for its regular monthly meeting. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Royston Mayor Keith Turman (right) shakes hands with new Council Member Jared Hightower Tuesday after a swearing-in ceremony at Royston City Hall. Hightower then joined the council for its regular monthly meeting. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

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Royston to study adding splash pad, pickleball

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisherand Charlie EavensonStaff Writer ROYSTON – The Royston City Council wants to know if it is feasible for the city to build a splash pad and pickleball court at the Royston Wellness and Community Park.
The new adoption building at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia includes outdoor pens so that dogs can get some sunshine, new kennels inside with glass doors to allow those looking for pets a good look at a new puppy and storage for plenty of food and supplies.

The new adoption building at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia includes outdoor pens so that dogs can get some sunshine, new kennels inside with glass doors to allow those looking for pets a good look at a new puppy and storage for plenty of food and supplies.

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Animal shelter shows off new adoption building

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher LAVONIA – The Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter showed off its new adoption center Thursday to officials from the governments it serves.
The Liberty Bell Project Clete Johnson discusses his plans for the former Royston Elementary School during Tuesday’s school board meeting.

The Liberty Bell Project Clete Johnson discusses his plans for the former Royston Elementary School during Tuesday’s school board meeting.

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Old school, new promise

News Staff
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – The former Royston Elementary School property will soon once again be a hub for education and help for the community and a vital part of the city.
Franklin County will join other counties in seeking a grant to study a regional water partnership, but will not support a legislative effort to form a Northeast Georgia Water Authority.

Franklin County will join other counties in seeking a grant to study a regional water partnership, but will not support a legislative effort to form a Northeast Georgia Water Authority.

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County nixes water authority, says yes to region seed grant

News Staff
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher CARNESVILLE – Franklin County will join other counties in seeking a grant to study a regional water partnership, but will not support a legislative effort to form a Northeast Georgia Water Authority.
Royston Council candidate Bob Adamson spoke Thursday during a political forum in Royston.

Royston Council candidate Bob Adamson spoke Thursday during a political forum in Royston.

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Royston, Canon candidates speak at forum

News Staff
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher ROYSTON – Candidates for the Royston and Canon city councils outlined their platforms Thursday at a forum sponsored by the Franklin County Citizen Leader.
St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia will close its mother/baby unit next month.

St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia will close its mother/baby unit next month.

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Hospital to close mother/baby unit

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
By Shane ScogginsPublisher LAVONIA – St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia will close its mother/baby unit next month.“Like all hospitals across Georgia, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart continues to face significant challenges,” a press release from the hospital last week said.