A ladder truck from the Lavonia Fire Department stretchs across to deposit firefighters on the roof of the Southern Applachian Smokehouse restaurant during a fire Tuesday. (Photos by Charlie Eavenson)

Cohen Finger (center) and Easton Gailey (right) were named co-STAR Students for the Franklin County High School Class of 2026. Both students chose English/language arts teacher Angela Scoggins (left) as STAR Teacher. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Forecasters are warning of a winter storm to hit Franklin County and Northeast Georgia this weekend.

School speed zone signs for South Franklin Elementary School, which has been open a year, have still not been installed.

The law firm of Jarrard and Davis in Cumming has been hired as the new Franklin County attorney.

A chart provided by the Franklin County School System shows the proposed spending breakdown for E-SPLOST VII, an extension of the current special purpose local option sales tax for Franklin County Schools.

Royston Mayor Jason Phillips (left), presiding over his first meeting as mayor, swore in new Council Member Bob Adamson (right) as well as re-elected members Matt Fields and David Pressley (not pictured) during the Royston City Council’s meeting Tuesday at Royston City Hall. (Photo by Shane Scoggins)

An appeal filed to stop the construction of a poultry house by Franklin County Commission Chairman Courtney Long and her husband Jeremy is improper, an attorney hired to represent three other commissioners said Monday.

New Canon Mayor Eli Brown (right) takes the oath of office Monday from Municipal Court Judge David Jordan prior to the Canon City Council’s regular meeting. (Photo by Charlie Eavenson)

Jason Phillips will gavel his first city council meeting as Royston mayor Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Royston City Hall.