For the second time in less than a year, deputies with the Macon County Sheriff’s Office arrested a couple from the Ellijay community for operating a lab used for manufacturing methamphetamine. Authorities were assisted in dismantling the lab last week by the Cullasaja Fire Department and State Bureau of Investigation.

The lab belonged to David Lee Holland, 43, and Pamela Ledbetter Holland, 40, both of Ralph Taylor Road. The couple was arrested Thursday, March 31, at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Franklin hosts hiker celebrations

The Town of Franklin kicked off its first festivities of the year last weekend by celebrating the Appalachian Trail and the thruhikers now passing through Franklin on their northbound trek to Maine. To open the weekend’s celebrations, a special ceremony was held at Town Hall Friday recognizing the AT’s positive impact on Franklin, as well as the individuals involved with the trail.

“Hikers are great,” said Franklin Mayor Joe Collins to more than 40 people at the ceremony. “When they come into town, it’s like a car on empty. They are needing things.”

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Franklin Board of Aldermen paid their respects to former alderman Jerry Evans Monday by presenting a framed memorial to his wife and family.

Alderman Evans passed in February at the age of 55. The memorial plaque recognized Evan’s years of service as an alderman — from 1995-2003, and then again from 2005-2011. Evans served as Vice Mayor of Franklin from 2001-2003.

Evan’s wife, Glenda, and children, Todd, Jeremy, Christopher and Christy Evans were all present to accept the memorial.

Elderly woman waits for hours for assistance after escaping blaze

A 9-1-1 call placed shortly after 7 a.m., Wednesday morning, reported a house fire in progress at 679 Smith Road in Lower Burningtown off of Younce Creek Road. The blaze had apparently been started during a series of direct lightning strikes to the single story, tin-roofed home. The house and a storage outbuilding next to it were completely destroyed in the fire.

The lightning was the result of a severe thunderstorm that brought high winds and heavy rains to several areas in the county and left more than 10,000 residents without power Wednesday morning. Three fires in the county, including one on Watauga Road, were caused by downed power lines.