Area briefs: Commerce parade canceled, Franklin Co Sheriff retiring

The Board that is overseeing operations of Athens’ historic Taylor-Grady House is holding weekend open house activities, 2 til 5 Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the home on Prince Avenue.

Athens Salvation Army Commander Sheldon Greenland is looking for volunteers to ring bells during the holiday season. Greenland says there are, on an average day, about a dozen bell ringing sites around Athens. Volunteers can register at www.registertoring.com

Today is the last day for early voting in City Council runoffs in Winder and Hartwell: the runoffs—leftover business from municipal elections held on November 7—will be decided next Tuesday.

Commerce cancels its Christmas parade: the parade that had been scheduled for Saturday in Commerce has been called off because of the threat of rain. Meantime, Watkinsville’s Christmas parade is still scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

Nathan Franklin says he is stepping down as Superintendent of Schools in Walton County, retiring at the end of the current school year.  Franklin has headed the Walton County School District for the past eight years.

Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas says he is not seeking reelection in 2024. Thomas says he is retiring after 44 years in law enforcement, the last twenty serving as the Sheriff in Franklin County.

Pleading guilty in Gainesville: Danny Grindle was sentenced in Hall County Superior Court. He gets five years in prison, his punishment for possession of methamphetamine.

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