Courthouse Shuttered Through Labor Day Week for Roof Repairs
Franklin County Courthouse to resume normal operations Tuesday, September 8; Clerk's Office reachable by telephone in the meantime.
The Franklin County Courthouse in Carnesville is closed from Monday, August 31 through Monday, September 7 while crews repair the roof, according to a notice posted by the county on August 28. The county states that the courthouse "shall resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 8, 2026." Residents needing assistance during the closure are directed to the Clerk's Office at 706-384-2514.
One wrinkle worth a phone call: the county calendar still lists tomorrow's Board of Equalization meeting for 9:00 a.m. Thursday in the Jury Room of the courthouse. Whether that meeting proceeds in the building, moves, or is rescheduled was not stated in either notice as of this morning.
Sources: Franklin County News Flash, Franklin County Calendar
The Weather
| Tonight | Mostly clear, low 74 |
| Thursday | Sunny, hot, high 96 |
| Friday | Sunny, hot, high 95 |
Source: National Weather Service
Walmart to Build $1.3 Billion Fulfillment Center in Carnesville, 1,000 Jobs Promised
Governor's office says construction at the Franklin 85 Logistics Center is expected to begin late this year.
The Governor's office announced August 27 that Walmart will build a 1.5 million square foot automated fulfillment center at the Franklin 85 Logistics Center in Carnesville, an investment the state puts at $1.3 billion with 1,000 jobs. The facility is meant to expand same-day and next-day shipping in the region. Franklin Springs Mayor Lee Moore called it "a significant milestone for our community," and Franklin County Industrial Building Authority president Tonya Powers said the decision "demonstrates the competitive advantages we offer." Construction is expected to begin in late 2026. Neither the county's website nor the city's had posted anything about it as of this morning.
Source: Office of the Governor
Board of Assessors Meets
The Franklin County Board of Assessors holds its regular meeting today. The agenda was posted to the county's Agenda Center. The calendar entry gives no start time.
Farmers Market at the Gazebo
The Lavonia Depot Farmers Market runs Wednesday and Saturday mornings through October at the Lavonia Gazebo, with live music on Saturdays from 9 to 11. The DDA page describing the schedule refers to the 2025 season, so a first-time visitor may want to confirm before driving in. Confirm
Library Open Late
The Lavonia-Carnegie Library keeps its long hours today. Note it is closed Thursdays, and open Friday 10 to 4. Weekend hours: closed.
School Board: Budget Hearing and Called Meeting
Franklin County Schools holds its second budget hearing at 5:30 p.m., followed by a called meeting at 6:00. The board's regular meeting of Tuesday, September 8 is listed as cancelled. Meeting materials are posted through the district's eBoard portal.
Board of Equalization
Scheduled by notice dated August 25. The county is also taking applications for appointment to the Board of Equalization.
Downtown Development Authority
The DDA lists its regular meeting on the first Thursday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the Depot, "following the Regular City Council Meeting." The City of Lavonia's website does not publish a 2026 agenda page, so the council's own date and time could not be verified this morning. Confirm
Lions Carry 2-0 Record to Madison County
Franklin County travels to Madison County on Friday night after opening the season with a 64-0 win over Chestatee and a 55-14 win at East Hall. The Lions have outscored opponents 119 to 14. Next home dates: Crescent on September 18 and Stephens County on September 25.
Saturday Market with Music
The Saturday edition of the farmers market includes live music from 9 to 11 a.m.
Labor Day, Monday
County offices observe the holiday, and Franklin County Schools are out. The courthouse closure runs through this day as well.
Georgia Bulldogs
Preseason: ranked No. 3, two-time defending SEC champion, 65-7 since 2021.
Roster: seven starters back on offense behind fifth-year QB Gunner Stockton with backs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens; eight back on defense including KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV. Six of the top seven receivers left for the NFL; London Humphreys is the leading returnee.
- Smart says Drew Bobo and Gabe Harris are healthy on the line and nine or ten linemen will play Saturday. Ethan Barbour is back from injury at tight end. Georgia Athletics
- First meeting ever between the programs. TSU arrives 0-1. Game is sold out; tickets listed $45 to $85. Georgia Athletics
- Next up: Western Kentucky, Sept. 12 in Athens; then at Arkansas, Sept. 19. Schedule
Clemson Tigers
Preseason: LB Sammy Brown a first-team All-American by CBS, ESPN, USA Today and Walter Camp; CB Ashton Hampton, DE Will Heldt, S Jerome Carter III and WR Bryant Wesco Jr. first-team All-ACC picks.
Watch lists: Brown and Hampton on the Bednarik list (top defensive player); Brown also Butkus and Walter Camp; Hampton on the Thorpe list; a receiver named Moore on the Biletnikoff list.
- Clemson announced its 2026 radio broadcast team on Aug. 28. Clemson Athletics
- Next up: Georgia Southern, Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m. on ACCN; North Carolina, Sept. 19 at noon on ESPN. Schedule
- Injury and transfer news: nothing posted on the official site this week. No news
U.S. Takes Stake in Venezuelan Oil Fields Under New Agreement
A White House fact sheet describes an agreement with North American Blue Energy Partners under which the Department of War's Office of Strategic Capital receives a 35 percent equity stake and the State Department gains rights to buy 20 percent of production at cost. The company receives 100-year concessions on 17 Venezuelan fields holding about 65 billion barrels of proven reserves, with up to $100 billion in planned investment.
Executive Order Renames Lake Ontario "Lake America"
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Board on Geographic Names, to update federal geographic databases and remove references to the prior name within 30 days.
Homeland Security Subpoenas 13 Georgia Voter Files
The Department of Homeland Security subpoenaed 13 voter files from the Secretary of State's office as part of an immigration investigation into possible noncitizen voting. State official Gabe Sterling called the request small against Georgia's roughly 8 million registered voters and said the state is complying.
Commissioners Meet September 14
The Board of Commissioners holds a public hearing followed by its regular meeting. A work session follows on Tuesday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. The Planning Commission meets Thursday, September 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Justice Center, 7085 Highway 145.
Fall Festival Set for September 26
Billed as "Fall in Love with Lavonia: Sweet Tea & Falling Leaves," this year's festival asks vendors for hands-on activities, games, photo ops and demonstrations rather than booths alone. The general vendor deadline is September 15, but applications are already wait-list only and organizers expect spaces to sell out. Rain or shine.
Hartwell Lake Restrictions to Continue
The Army Corps of Engineers will keep Hartwell Lake capped at 662 feet with a year-round target of 656 feet while it studies seepage at the Clemson Lower Diversion Dam Saddle Dike. Two virtual public meetings are promised; dates have not been announced. Questions: CESAS-HartwellPoolrestriction@usace.army.mil.
Other Recent Notices
Franklin County adjusted convenience center fees effective August 10. The county posted an AED reporting form under the Mason Sells Act on August 19. Franklin County Schools has an electronic device policy out for public review, a high school cell phone pilot presentation, and a new Pre-K class. The City of Lavonia's most recent live-feed post, about a month old, reported water restored on Sexton Lane after a line break. Fall Break for the schools is October 5 through 9.
County News Flash · Franklin County Schools · City of Lavonia Live Feed