Opinion & Editorial

Joy and peace are rightly common themes for Christmas messages in churches and cards this time of year.

Joy and peace are rightly common themes for Christmas messages in churches and cards this time of year.

‘Fear not’ and ‘rejoice’

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Joy and peace are rightly common themes for Christmas messages in churches and cards this time of year.Those emotions or states of being are reiterated time and again in the scriptural telling of the birth of Jesus.Joy can be seen in the reaction of the shepherds and in the story of the wise men.
Celebrate Christmas by recalling favorite Christmas memories along with these Franklin County citizens.

Celebrate Christmas by recalling favorite Christmas memories along with these Franklin County citizens.

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Recalling favorite Christmas memories

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Collected byCharlie EavensonStaff Writer Trill FarrowWhen our two boys, Rod and Matt, were little, we always had fruitcake and eggnog to leave out for Santa.
A small pill bottle containing eight pieces of gravel serve as a reminder that in local journalism, you will never see it all.

A small pill bottle containing eight pieces of gravel serve as a reminder that in local journalism, you will never see it all.

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A journalism journey paved with experimental gravel

News Staff
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
By Shane ScogginsI tend to hold onto things that spark memories of cherished people or interesting places or incidents I would like to remember.One of those little treasures is in my desk here at work.It’s an old pill bottle from Pruitt Drug Store in Toccoa.
Think for a moment where our Franklin County community would be without a locally-focused newspaper.

Think for a moment where our Franklin County community would be without a locally-focused newspaper.

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Where would we be without a newspaper?

News Staff
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Next week, Oct. 5-11, is National Newspaper Week.In this age of electronic media, social media and self-publication, there are some who think the newspaper should go the way of the horse and buggy.
Franklin County’s commissioners and school board will each hold two hearings today to listen to their constituents about “tax increases.”

Franklin County’s commissioners and school board will each hold two hearings today to listen to their constituents about “tax increases.”

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Save some for a rainy day

News Staff
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Franklin County’s commissioners and school board will each hold two hearings today to listen to their constituents about “tax increases.
Georgia Power employs thousands of outstanding, dedicated people. It is a major contributor to our state’s healthy economy. We need Georgia Power, but that shouldn’t entitle it to do whatever it wants.

Georgia Power employs thousands of outstanding, dedicated people. It is a major contributor to our state’s healthy economy. We need Georgia Power, but that shouldn’t entitle it to do whatever it wants.

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Georgia Power is leading us in a race backwards with coal

News Staff
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
By Dink NeSmith From the campaign stump, Donald Trump vowed he could end the Russia-Ukraine War on his Day One in the White House.Months after taking office, he admitted, “That was an exaggeration.”In 2019, Georgia Power announced it was shutting down its coal-fired plants in favor of more solar.
A statewide election to elect two new members of Georgia’s Public Service Commission (PSC) in districts 2 and 3 is now underway.

A statewide election to elect two new members of Georgia’s Public Service Commission (PSC) in districts 2 and 3 is now underway.

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Plenty of reasons for PSC vote

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
From The Hartwell Sun A statewide election to elect two new members of Georgia’s Public Service Commission (PSC) in districts 2 and 3 is now underway.Early voting began May 27 and will last until Friday, June 13. Election Day is Tuesday, June 17.
The great Ray Charles sang, “Georgia, Georgia The whole day through (the whole day through) Just an old sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind) ….”

The great Ray Charles sang, “Georgia, Georgia The whole day through (the whole day through) Just an old sweet song Keeps Georgia on my mind (Georgia on my mind) ….”

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Georgia, what’s on your mind?

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
By Dink NeSmith If you asked me to name my 10 favorite songs, the answer wouldn’t be instantaneous. But I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you my top pick, “Georgia on My Mind.” Ray Charles sings it best. Willie Nelson is my runner-up.Indeed, Georgia is always on my mind.
The time to settle political disputes is in regularly-scheduled elections.

The time to settle political disputes is in regularly-scheduled elections.

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Political differences no reason for recall

News Staff
Friday, May 30, 2025
An effort to recall Franklin Springs Mayor Lee Moore hit a road block recently when an application to start the process was denied by the Franklin County Elections Board.

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Integrity and politics once went hand-in-hand

News Staff
Friday, May 30, 2025
By Diane Toney I understand politics.  I do.   And I understand integrity.  I do.But for the sake of being absolutely clear, here are brief definitions:  integrity is honesty, pure and simple.Politics is more complicated: groups  (often government) with a mission and power.