The Lavonia Church of God’s current building was built in 1971 and has been expanded through the years.

Building inspections will continue in Franklin County, but commissioners are working to tweak the county law to exempt more structures from inspection requirements, give builders options and adjust fees.

An amended rezoning request for a planned townhome development (above) on Vickery Street at Spring Street was recommended for approval Tuesday.

Franklin County emergency responders EMTs Jim Crisp, Teryn Mize and Tyler Lanier; First Responders Curtis Ream and Ricky Maddox of the Gumlog Fire Department; Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Mitch Murphy; and dispatchers Teresa Boudway and Donna Maisonett were recognized by EMS Director Terry Harris Tuesday for their life-saving efforts for a patient in September. (Photos by Scoggins)

A photo included in a Powerpoint presentation Tuesday at a school safety forum shows new weapon detection devices like the ones that will be purchased and installed by the Franklin County School System. (Photo by Raese)

Mayor Courtney Umbehant and Lavonia City Council members Michael Schulman, Jeremy Madden, Eddie Floyd and Andrew Murphy led a town-hall forum last week at the Spring Street Gym about code enforcement and the future of the Spring Street Park. (Photo by Raese)

A photo in Geneva Butler’s home shows her with her Bible. Butler said her life motto is “Do what all I can for the Lord, while I can.” Reading her Bible is a favorite pasttime, she said. (Photo by Raese)

A bill in the Georgia General Assembly would allow Royston voters to approve a one-cent sales tax to pay for water and sewer system improvements.

Developers Gunter Vickery Properties LLC has resubmitted a plan to build townhomes on Spring Street at the intersection with Vickery Street. The area was included in a previous plan(pictured) turned down by the Lavonia City Council in January.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce President Raymond Fitzpatrick (right) presents Christopher Forrer with a plaque honoring late Franklin County School Superintendent Chris Forrer as the chamber’s Charles Bradshaw Citizen of the Year. The award was presented at the chamber’s Membership Gala Thursday at the North Georgia Tech Currahee Campus.