Franklin County Citizen Leader

07/31/2025

07/24/2025

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SUSPECT FROM PRIOR VEHICLE PURSUIT ARRESTED AFTER PROWLER CALL AT QUALITY INN

July 25, 2025 7:00 am

Lavonia, GA — On Friday, July 25, 2025, at approximately 1:58 AM, officers with the Lavonia Police Department (LPD) responded to a report of loitering and prowling at the Quality Inn on Ross Place/Jones Jones Street (Georgia Highway 17). It was reported a male was looking into windows.

As Officer Merck arrived in the area, he observed a white male matching the description of Caleb Key, the suspect who led LPD on a vehicle pursuit the previous afternoon. Upon spotting the marked patrol unit, the suspect fled on foot into the woods behind the LongHorn Steakhouse. Officer Merck initiated a foot pursuit and quickly located Caleb in a wooded area.

Despite repeated commands to stop, Caleb refused to comply. Officer Merck deployed his Taser to bring the suspect into custody.

No injuries were reported to either Caleb or the officer during the arrest.

Caleb Key was transported to the Franklin County Jail, where he is currently awaiting a bond hearing.

Charges from July 24, 2025:
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude
• Speeding
• Tail Light Violation
• Cruelty to Children – 2nd Degree (2 counts)
• Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer

Charges from July 25, 2025:
• Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer
• Loitering and Prowling

For updates on crime and safety in Lavonia, follow us on Facebook at Lavonia Police Department.
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July 24, 2025 3:04 PM

SUSPECT FLEES ON FOOT AFTER VEHICLE PURSUIT, LEAVES JUVENILES UNATTENDED IN VEHICLE

Lavonia, Georgia — A suspect fled on foot following a vehicle pursuit Thursday afternoon, leaving two juveniles unattended in the vehicle.

At approximately 3:04 PM, a marked patrol unit with the Lavonia Police Department (LPD) attempted to stop an SUV for a tail light violation on Georgia Highway 17 near Exit 173. The driver, later identified as Caleb Key (pictured below), refused to stop and accelerated, initiating a pursuit with speeds exceeding 90 MPH.

During the pursuit, Caleb was observed throwing a plastic baggie out of the vehicle’s window. He exited the interstate at Exit 177 into Hart County and turned onto Providence Church Road, where he pulled off the roadway and fled on foot. As the LPD officer approached the vehicle, they discovered two juveniles inside who had been left behind by the suspect. Fortunately, both juveniles were unharmed.

A search of the area was conducted by LPD, Hart County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) K-9 unit, and Georgia State Patrol (GSP); however, the suspect was not located. The scene has since been cleared.

Caleb Key is facing multiple charges, including but not limited to felony fleeing and attempting to elude.

We would like to thank the HCSO and GSP for their assistance during the search.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Caleb Key is urged to contact the Lavonia Police Department at 706-356-4848. Please follow our page Lavonia Police Department for more information.

06/27/2025

Pick up a copy of this week's issue of the Franklin County Citizen Leader, which includes a the summer edition of Lake Living magazine for FREE!

06/18/2025

U.S. Post Offices will be closed Thursday, June 19 for the Juneteenth federal holiday, causing a delay in the delivery of this week's edition of the Franklin County Citizen Leader. Print subscribers who receive their newspaper in the mail should expect to receive it at least one day late.
Copies will be at our office in Lavonia and in stores as usual. E-edition subscribers will also have uninterrupted access to the paper online as normal.
Our office will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Also, our office will close on Friday at 12:30 p.m.

06/01/2025

UPDATE | Homicide Investigation – Subject in Custody

June 1, 2025, at approximately 11:15 pm.

Greata “Nikki” Nichole Thomas (also known as Greata “Nikki” Nichole Mobley) has been taken into custody in Abbeville County South Carolina in connection with the homicide investigation.

A huge thank you to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, Abbeville County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and all other agencies involved for their assistance. We greatly appreciate the support and coordination throughout this case.

Sheriff Chris Carroll

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On June 1, 2025, the 2008 Honda Accord was located abandoned on Sam Turner Road near Iva, South Carolina.

If anyone has any information in reference to the whereabouts of Greata "Nikki" Nichole Thomas (Greata "Nikki" Nichole Mobley) or a vehicle she may be traveling in, please contact the Hart County Sheriff's Office at 706-376-3114 or dial 911 where you are located.

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On May 31, 2025, at approximately 4:49 PM, deputies with the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, along with Hart County EMS, responded to a report of a shooting at 45 Barton Road, Royston, GA 30662.

Upon arrival, deputies located a female victim suffering from a gunshot wound. She was later pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as Breiana Danielle Johnson, age 34, of Royston, GA.

Investigators are actively searching for Greata Nichole Thomas (Greata Nichole Mobley), a 26-year-old white female, 5’1” tall, weighing 97 pounds, who is wanted for murder in connection with this case.

Thomas may be driving a 2008 grey Honda Accord with Alabama tag 13ABB80.

If you see this vehicle or have any information on the whereabouts of Greata Nichole Thomas (Greata Nichole Mobley), contact the Hart County Sheriff’s Office at 706-376-3114 or dial 911 immediately. Do not approach.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.

HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

The Hart County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene at a residence off Omer Bond Road investigating a homicide. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Please avoid the area to allow investigators to work safely and efficiently.

05/29/2025

Photo contest open for Lake Living magazine

With bright blue skies and cool water, there’s nothing quite like summer on one of Northeast Georgia’s beautiful lakes.
Lake Living magazine is looking for photos that represent this scenic time of year at the lake. The selected photo will be featured on the cover of the magazine’s summer 2025 edition.
Lake Living is a full-color regional guide to Northeast Georgia’s lakes. Local photographers are asked to submit their photographic representations of these lakes.
Subjects could include points of interest, natural features, scenic views or people enjoying the lakes.
The magazine publishes the week of June 27 and will be distributed at visitor centers, chambers of commerce and retail outlets throughout the region during summer.
The winner of the cover contest will receive $100.
Criteria for entering:
• Photograph must be taken at a lake in Elbert, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union or White counties.
• Photographer can submit up to five images.
• Photographer should submit a vertical image.
• Image should be of summer scenery.
• Photographer should send high-quality, high-resolution image files. Photos must not be downsized, and should be no smaller than 1.5MB. Photos should be clear and in focus.
• Photos should have room at the top for the magazine logo.
• Photography must not include a commercial entity.
• Submission of a photo gives Community Newspapers Inc. the right to publish the photo in Lake Living magazine.
• Each entry should include the photographer's name, where and when the photo was taken, and the names of any people in the photo, if possible.
The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Friday, June 13.
For more information or to submit qualifying images, email Kimberly Brown, [email protected]. Please include photographer’s contact information and where and when the photo was taken in your email.

05/28/2025

LAVONIA – The deadline to vote in the 2025 Best of Franklin contest is Tuesday at noon.
Readers of the Franklin County Citizen Leader are encouraged to pick their favorites from a list of 101 categories.
Voting has been ongoing since May 8.
A ballot is on Pages 6-7B.
Those submitting a ballot will be entered into a drawing for $100.
Ballots may be mailed to P.O. Box 580, Lavonia, GA 30553 or brought to 12150 Augusta Road in Lavonia.
Ballots must be received by Tuesday, June 3, at noon.

05/28/2025

*** NEWS RELEASE ***

On Wednesday May 21, 2025 I was contacted in reference to possible criminal activity in our detention center. At this time, we began an internal investigation. On Thursday May 22, 2025 I contacted the GBI and requested their assistance with this investigation. Please see the GBI Press Release below.

Released by: Sheriff Scott Andrews

05/09/2025

Don’t forget….Movie Night tonight!!!!