New and antique boats will be on display Saturday in downtown Lavonia during the Lavonia Boat Expo.

North Georgia Technical College student Christie Campbell and Adult Education Department instructor Randy Wood were recognized as the 2024 NGTC Adult Education student and instructor of the year at the recent Habersham Rotary meeting. Pictured are (from left) NGTC Vice President of Economic Development Leslie McFarlin, Wood, Campbell, Rotary President Bradley Cook, NGTC Dean of Adult Education Shelby Ward and NGTC President John Wilkinson.

A scaled-back amendment to Franklin County’s comprehensive zoning law was approved unanimously Monday night by commissioners.

Pastor Nate Bunner (left) speaks before praying over the new home of Nikki Blakely (center) during a dedication ceremony Sunday. Blakely’s home was built by Franklin County Habitat for Humanity. It is Franklin Habitat’s ninth home, and Executive Director Mary Lou Jackson (right) said the ministry has room for two more homes on Rainbow Drive in Lavonia. (Photo by Scoggins)

The honor graduates for the Franklin County High School Class of 2024 were honored Friday at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Honors Breakfast. (Photo by Scoggins)

Franklin County Commission Chairman Jeff Jacques and District 2 Commissioner Kyle Foster each said they will not run this year to keep their seats.

Citizens wishing to run for local political office can officially begin launching their campaigns in a little over two weeks. Qualifying for local offices will begin March 4 at 9 a.m. and run through March 8 at noon.

Lavonia Boy Scout Troop 51 members Noah Roberson, Nathan Estrada, Kelsey Bennett and leader Greg Weaver help arborist John Sherouse plant a red Japanese maple at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. The tree was planted in honor of the late Margaret Ayers. (Photos by Scoggins)

Franklin County commissioners will vote Monday on a scaled-down amendment to the Unified Development Code. Commission Chairman Jeff Jacques announced Tuesday during a commissioners’ work session that the board would consider just two changes to the UDC in an amendment concerning residential zoning in the county.

An early morning fire Saturday destroyed the Dill’s Food City location in Royston. (Photo courtesy of the Royston Police Department)