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Seats were set aside for the 13 soldiers killed in Kabul on Aug. 26 during Sunday’s service at Lift Worship.

Seats were set aside for the 13 soldiers killed in Kabul on Aug. 26 during Sunday’s service at Lift Worship.

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Carnesville church honors fallen Marines

News Staff
Thursday, September 2, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — As he read the stories of the 13 soldiers killed during the attack on evacuation operations in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 26, Pastor Bill Thomas felt a connection to one of them. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum of Jackson, Miss.

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Canon man dies in head-on collision

News Staff
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CANON – A head-on collision last week claimed the life of a Canon man. The Georgia State Patrol reports that the accident happened Thursday at 10:20 a.m. on Grady School Road.
George Coker’s dream of building a chapel on his farm has finally come true. It sits on a beloved spot for the family, and the swing is where he proposed to his wife. (Photos by Sinclair)

George Coker’s dream of building a chapel on his farm has finally come true. It sits on a beloved spot for the family, and the swing is where he proposed to his wife. (Photos by Sinclair)

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Cokers’ Mulberry Chapel a realization of 49-year dream

News Staff
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — When he purchased the farm 49 years ago, George Coker dreamed of building a chapel on it. After the first of his grandchildren got engaged last year, he and the family decided it was time to fulfill his dream.
(Photo by Scoggins)

(Photo by Scoggins)

Lions ready to take the field

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
HARTWELL – Chris Goode (No. 2), Keylan “Red” Rutledge (No. 99) and Jontavion “Jo Jo” Hughes (No. 20) lead the Franklin County Lions onto the field Saturday at Herndon Stadium for action in the Lake Hartwell Gridiron Classic football jamboree.
Keith Turman

Keith Turman

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City races on: Turman resigns to run for mayor

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   ROYSTON – Keith Turman has resigned from the Royston City Council in order to run for mayor. Turman announced his decision near the end of Tuesday’s city council meeting. Turman has served on the council for 22 years, 16 of those years a mayor pro tem.

City races on: New faces qualify for election

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
(Updated with information obtained after press time.) By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   Qualifying for city elections had a slow start with only four people signing up Monday to run office in the five cities combined. However, multiple candidates filed Tuesday and Wednesday.
A comparison between Franklin County and state averages of math scores shows local students improved compared to the state average. (Graphic by Sinclair)

A comparison between Franklin County and state averages of math scores shows local students improved compared to the state average. (Graphic by Sinclair)

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Schools celebrate math improvement

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Despite the hardships in education brought by the coronavirus pandemic, Franklin County did well on its Georgia Milestones assessments, and even improved compared to the state’s average. “We were pleased,” Superintendent Chris Forrer said.

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Commissioners roll back millage

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
By Shane Scoggins Publisher   CARNESVILLE – After considering three different options for the county tax rate, Franklin County commissioners voted Thursday to take the middle road and lower the millage rate enough to maintain its current revenue stream.
The 2020-2021 FCMS FFA Officer Team had to be quite creative during the last school year to remain active and relevant for members when travel was limited and safety was top priority, but these FFA officers found success and have been named a 2021 Middle School Model of Excellence program at the national level. LtoR Mason Ruark, Kami Jackson, Ben Roper, Scarlett Killen, Jake Parham, Rylie Sanders, Hallie Ferguson, Darby Roach and Bella Moon.

The 2020-2021 FCMS FFA Officer Team had to be quite creative during the last school year to remain active and relevant for members when travel was limited and safety was top priority, but these FFA officers found success and have been named a 2021 Middle School Model of Excellence program at the national level. LtoR Mason Ruark, Kami Jackson, Ben Roper, Scarlett Killen, Jake Parham, Rylie Sanders, Hallie Ferguson, Darby Roach and Bella Moon.

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FCMS FFA a national finalist again

News Staff
Thursday, August 19, 2021
CARNESVILLE – The Franklin County Middle School FFA chapter was named a 3 Star Chapter for 2021 National Chapter Award and a finalist for 2021 National FFA Middle School Model of Excellence award by National FFA Organization.
Royston Elementary teacher Regina Corn shares a secret with Amiracle Roebuck — she has board games hidden in her third grade classroom. (Photo by Sinclair)

Royston Elementary teacher Regina Corn shares a secret with Amiracle Roebuck — she has board games hidden in her third grade classroom. (Photo by Sinclair)

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Excitement abounds as new school year begins

News Staff
Thursday, August 12, 2021
By Samantha Sinclair Staff Writer   CARNESVILLE — Stacey Bragg was so excited she hardly slept Wednesday night.  She’s had 10 first days of school previously as a paraprofessional and an early education teacher, but Thursday was her first first day as a kindergarten teacher.