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FCHS junior Jon Erik Tripp was selected for the All-State Band after recent auditions.

FCHS junior Jon Erik Tripp was selected for the All-State Band after recent auditions.

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A Tripp to All-State Band

News Staff
Thursday, January 20, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — Jon Erik Tripp has accomplished something few have — he was selected as a member of the All-State Band. This year’s rate of acceptance across the state was 8.

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Gateway Sewer Project nears start of construction

News Staff
Thursday, January 20, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — A sewer project to improve inefficiencies and provide for increased industrial and residential growth at and near the Gateway Industrial Park is finally entering its final stages after about a decade of work.

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Franklin County COVID cases still climbing

News Staff
Thursday, January 20, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   COVID cases continued to climb in Franklin County, reaching a seven-day average of 39.6 cases per day on Monday, a high for the pandemic. On Thursday alone, the county had 68 cases reported, according to data from the state Department of Public Health.
Volunteers organize food for distribution in the back parking lot of Lavonia Church of God during the mobile food pantry. (Photo by Sinclair)

Volunteers organize food for distribution in the back parking lot of Lavonia Church of God during the mobile food pantry. (Photo by Sinclair)

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First food pantry at new location goes 'very smoothly'

News Staff
Thursday, January 20, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   LAVONIA — The mobile food pantry, while it served fewer families than usual, was a success in its new location last week. Cars started lining up at the Lavonia Church of God hours before distribution was set to begin Thursday at 8 a.m.
Franklin County Schools' COVID data as of Jan. 11.

Franklin County Schools' COVID data as of Jan. 11.

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County sees spike in COVID cases

News Staff
Thursday, January 13, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   As last week closed, Franklin County was one of several area counties that saw the highest peaks in COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic, and cases remained high as this week began. Between Jan.
The board adopted a resolution Tuesday for a $21.7 million bond to build a new elementary school to replace the aging Royston Elementary School.

The board adopted a resolution Tuesday for a $21.7 million bond to build a new elementary school to replace the aging Royston Elementary School.

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$21.7 million for new school

News Staff
Thursday, January 13, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — The Franklin County Board of Education is ready to fund the construction of a new elementary school even though board members haven’t decided where they want to put it yet. The board adopted a resolution Tuesday for a $21.
(Photo courtesy of Melanie Burton-Brown)

(Photo courtesy of Melanie Burton-Brown)

Franklin County runs red for the Dawgs

News Staff
Thursday, January 13, 2022
A large contingent of Franklin County fans made the trip Monday to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., to cheer the Georgia Bulldogs’ football team on to the national championship. Georgia defeated Alabama 33-18 to win the school’s first national title in 41 years.
John Sullivan (left), founder of Mayberry Tire & Wheel, stands with new owner Sam Donaldson (right). Sullivan is preparing to retire from the cornerstone business in downtown Royston. (Photo by Scoggins)

John Sullivan (left), founder of Mayberry Tire & Wheel, stands with new owner Sam Donaldson (right). Sullivan is preparing to retire from the cornerstone business in downtown Royston. (Photo by Scoggins)

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Preparing to leave Mayberry

News Staff
Thursday, January 13, 2022
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – A customer walked up to the counter at Mayberry Tire & Wheel recently to ask for prices on tires. He told John Sullivan the size and type he needed.
Agriculture teacher Trey Harris and FFA students Chloe Pulliam, MaCaylee Childs, and Sarah Pulliam talk with Brent Lemond about the FFA program during a meet and greet after the Franklin County Board of Education meeting Thursday night. (Photo by Sinclair)

Agriculture teacher Trey Harris and FFA students Chloe Pulliam, MaCaylee Childs, and Sarah Pulliam talk with Brent Lemond about the FFA program during a meet and greet after the Franklin County Board of Education meeting Thursday night. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Lemond to be new CTAE head next year

News Staff
Thursday, January 13, 2022
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Franklin County High School will have a new Career, Technical and Agricultural Education director next school year. The Franklin County Board of Education approved the hire of Brent Lemond to the position Thursday night.