As winter approaches, the community in Southwest Virginia is coming together to ensure everyone stays safe and warm during the cold months.

Rocky Mount town officials are working to improve emergency access to a problematic Franklin County road where limited access has contributed to multiple fatalities.

The Moneta Volunteer Fire Department announced Tuesday night that it was working a fire at the Bridgewater Condos Tuesday night.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that 17-year-old Anthony Dalton was sentenced in connection with an incident that occurred at Franklin County High School in April this year, where he was found in possession of a loaded gun on school grounds.

A proposed multimillion-dollar solar project has sparked debate among Franklin County residents, with the community divided over the installation of solar panels on local farmland.

Franklin County High School announced Wednesday evening that a celebration of life will be held on Sunday in remembrance of Tony Gill.

Another new corporate facility is brewing in the Roanoke region.

A spring cold snap wiped out half the peach crop at Woods Farm in Franklin County, but the peaches that survived are now thriving in the summer heat.

Franklin County Public Schools are facing a growing shortage of bus drivers, with the district currently needing three elementary drivers and six drivers for middle and high school routes.

This weekend, a historic milestone is being honored in Franklin County. The Booker T. Washington National Monument is commemorating 160 years since his emancipation. The event showcases how the monument is bringing Washington’s story to life through reflection, music, and education.

Agricultural heritage takes center stage this weekend as the Southwest Virginia Antique Farm Days celebrates its 22nd year of connecting generations through historic machinery and rural traditions.

The victim of a drowning incident at Smith Mountain Lake has been identified as 54-year-old James Lavender, of Roanoke.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office announced in a social media post Tuesday that it was issuing an amber alert for a missing six-day-old infant.

Franklin County Public School officials made a statement on Facebook saying that, while prior approval had been given for some "celebratory activities," the event expanded into unauthorized area

Dozens of people came out in force at the Franklin County Government Center Thursday. They were protesting potential cuts to various social programs.

Franklin County Public Schools announced Sunday that they will be holding a Code 10 virtual day on Monday, Feb. 17. All but one school will require large-scale disposal of spoiled food, FCPS said.

A third person has been arrested in relation to the murder of Brandon Holland which occurred in December of last year, according to the Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Crews are making progress in containing a Franklin County brush fire that they’ve been fighting since Wednesday afternoon, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

A 27-year-old Franklin County man was arrested after an investigation and a search warrant, according to the Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Office.

Scruggs Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Dempsey Moore says he’s seen a lot in 28 years with the department, but nothing quite like this.

A local Marine was honored today for saving a woman’s life after a serious car crash.

A Franklin County bus driver was arrested and charged on Monday on charges related to sexual acts with a minor, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Franklin Co. Sheriff’s Department announced that it had arrested a local high school teacher on charges related to sexual acts with a student.

The VSP is currently investigating a single-vehicle crash that resulted in a fatality in Franklin Co. on Sunday.

The office said that Brightspeed is reporting that 7,781 customers in Rocky Mount may not be able to dial 911 from their wireline landline.

A former Franklin County Sheriff’s Office employee who was found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl is seeking an acquittal or alternatively, a new trial.

The sentencing date has been pushed for a former Franklin County Sheriff’s Office employee who was found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl.

The game’s final score was 18-10.

Franklin County wins a wild one, 26-22.

Magna Vista took the win, 41-21.

The Franklin County Animal Shelter is hosting a pet adoption event in hopes of finding new homes for some of the animals.

The Colonels quarterback had a monster game in locking down a playoff berth for William Fleming.

FRANKLIN CO., Va. – On Saturday the Franklin County Communications Center received a 911 call at around 9:00 pm alerting of a subject in the river in distress. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and Franklin County Public Safety responded to the incident in the 5000 block of Brooks Mill Road. Rescue searches were conducted, but officials were unable to locate the subject and rescheduled the search to Sunday morning. Franklin County deputies and Public Safety responded. If anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.

Published: April 9, 2020, 6:37 am Updated: April 9, 2020, 10:04 amROANOKE, Va. – UPDATE, 10 A.M.Thousands are still without power as of 10 a.m. Thursday. Here is the latest county-by-county breakdown of outages in our region:Patrick Co.: 3,907Henry Co.: 2,245Montgomery Co.: 2,123Pulaski Co.: 625Giles Co.: 548Franklin Co.: 265Floyd Co.: 231Pittsylvania Co.: 210Roanoke City: 119Carroll County: 106Galax: 38ORIGINAL STORYThousands are in the dark Thursday morning as severe weather makes its way through southwest Virginia. According to Appalachian Power, 12,622 households are without power as of 6:30 a.m. Here is a county-by-county breakdown of outages in our region:

FRANKLIN CO., Va. – A 40-year-old Callaway man died Friday in a head-on crash on Route 40 in Franklin County, Virginia State Police said. John R. Bates, Jr. died at the scene of the crash, according to a news release from State Police. Just before 7:30 a.m., Bates -- who was behind the wheel of a 1991 Toyota Tacoma, heading west on Route 40 about three quarters of a mile west of Colonial Turnpike -- crossed the center line and hit a 1997 Ford F-250, troopers said. Troopers said Clock and Bates were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. The crash remains under investigation.