Franklin County Citizen Leader

Career opening Are you looking for something more than just a job? The Franklin County Citizen Leader has an opening for a career position with an award-winning paper, a company that promotes from within and all in a community atmosphere. The Citizen Leader, a weekly newspaper, is seeking a journalist for a full-time reporter position. The ideal candidate will have a college degree, enjoy writing on a wide variety of subjects, have photography skills and hold a genuine curios...ity about his or her community. A journalism degree is a plus but not a necessity. Duties will include covering local events and governmental activities, taking photos of happenings throughout Franklin County and sports coverage. Duties will be tailored to the strengths of the candidate who is hired. This is a 40-hour-per-week, full-time job, but the hours will be irregular, with work in the evenings and on weekends when required. The Franklin County Citizen Leader is a past winner of the Georgia Press Association’s General Excellence Award. Its staff members have won numerous awards from the press association and parent company Community Newspapers Inc. (CNI). CNI is a progressive company with competitive benefits and a history of promoting from within. Those interested should send a resume, clips and references to Shane Scoggins at [email protected]; 706-356-2008 (fax); P.O. Box 580, Lavonia, GA 30553; or by hand to 12150 Augusta Road in Lavonia. Calls with questions are welcome. Ask for Shane at 706-356-8557. See more

Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeated Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in Tuesday's special runoff election. For complete details with statewide and local vote results, click on the link below. (Subscription required)

Friday will be senior night in the Lions' Den! Come out and see the Lions take on a very talented Monroe Area team! There will only be 2 games. Monroe's girls ...are in quarantine so our girls won't play. However, the Lady Lions seniors will still be honored in our senior night festivities so please come out and show your support for this special group of seniors! 5:45 - JV Boys 6:45 - Senior Night festivities 7:00 - Varsity Boys Go Lions and God bless!

Unofficial U.S. Senate and Public Service Commission runoff election results from Franklin County, as reported to the Georgia Secretary of State's website at sos.ga.us, shows the county went heavily for Republican incumbent Sen. David Perdue, Sen. Kelly Loeffler and PSC Commissioner Lauren "Bubba" McDonald Jr. For complete details that include statewide results, pick up a copy of the Jan. 7 issue of the Franklin County Citizen Leader.

Polls open today for Senate, PSC runoff elections CARNESVILLE Regular polling places are open today to decide two U.S. Senate seats from Georgia and a state Public Service Commission post. Republican U.S. Senate incumbents David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler are facing Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, respectively, for the senate seats. Incumbent Republican Lauren "Bubba" McDonald Jr. is facing Democrat Daniel Blackman for a seat on the Georgia Public Service Commission. Polls will be open until 7 p.m.

A majority of the Franklin County Board of Education said Tuesday they wanted the school superintendent to pursue property between Highway 145 and Bryant Park Road in Franklin Springs for a new Royston Elementary School. For complete details, click on the link below (subscription required) or pick up a copy of this week's issue of the Franklin County Citizen Leader.

Franklin County Family, After much discussion and prayer, I have decided that we will have in person school tomorrow. Our COVID numbers (in the chart below) lo...ok fairly stable. I am confident in the accuracy of our staff data, but believe that there may be additional numbers for students. If the numbers change, I will of course let you know and post an updated chart. This is no one's fault, it is just difficult to verify student data when it is self-reported and you haven't seen students in person in 16 days. I do want you to know that as always our goal is to be as transparent as possible and allow you to make informed decisions for your children. I am well aware that several surrounding districts have moved to online learning, and some of you would like Franklin County to do the same. It is my sincere belief that there is no "right" decision during this time. All anyone can do is look at the data, pray about it, and do what they think is in the best interest of students. Please know that I do not take these decisions lightly, and I will continue to monitor our COVID data. Even though we are going to be open tomorrow, that could change at any time. Student safety is, and will always be our top priority. I also understand if ANY parent feels that sending their child to school is unsafe, and wants to keep them home, I will completely support that decision. Please contact your child's school to make alternate arrangements. Thank you as always for your continued support of Franklin County Schools, and all that you do to keep our students safe. Chris

Carnesville Community Meeting on Growth Postponed

A notice sent this morning from the Franklin County School System.

Foothills Education Charter High School to hold open house A new option to obtain a high school diploma will be available beginning next week for Franklin County students. Foothills Education Charter High School will begin holding classes Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. The school will host an open house Thursday from 4-6 p.m. at Franklin County High School. Foothills is a public charter school that offers students an opportunity to earn a diploma, in a non-traditional setting at a Georgia... Department of Education-approved school, like FCHS. Families who are interested in exploring the school are invited to attend the open house to obtain more information about this non-traditional charter school and its contemporary learning environment. While the school is at FCHS, it is not a part of the Franklin County School System. For more information, visit www.foothillscharter.org. See more

BREAKING NEWS: A majority of the Franklin County Board of Education -- members Alan Mitchell, Kent Hall and Gary Minyard -- said tonight that they will vote to move ahead with plans to build a new Royston Elementary School on property in Franklin Springs. A final vote is expected in February. For complete details, see this week's issue of the Franklin County Citizen Leader.