Hayesville, N.C. — The Hayesville High School (HHS) Men’s Basketball program is inviting rising 3rd through 8th graders to participate in its 7th annual Boys Youth Basketball Skills Camp on June 11th and 12th at Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium. The two-day camp, running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day, focuses on developing fundamental skills and building the future of Yellow Jacket basketball. Participants will receive instruction in ball handling, passing basics, shooting funda

Hayesville, N.C. — The Clay County Board of Education is selling five individual residential building lots located off West Cherry Road in Hayesville by sealed bid. The properties, which range in size from just under one acre to 1.15 acres, are being offered “as is” and are subject to all current easements and restrictions. All five lots have access to community water. Lots available: Lot 2: 1.03 acres Lot 3: 0.97 acres Lot 4: 0.98 acres Lot 6: 1.15 acres Lot 7: 1.00 acres Th

Blairsville, GA — The Union County Recreation Department is inviting residents to dive into a refreshing fitness routine with its new Water Aerobics classes, set to begin next month at Meek’s Park Pool. The program offers two convenient session schedules designed for all fitness levels, emphasizing fun, low-impact exercise ideal for staying active during the warmer months. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes will be led by instructor Deborah from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., r

Press Release Murphy - On the afternoon of May 20, 2026, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office conducted a saturation patrol operation in the Andrews area. Members of the Patrol Division, General Investigations Division, Narcotics Investigations Division, and Administrative Staff participated in the operation. During the patrol, Sheriff Chris Wood and Patrol K-9 Sergeant Timothy Leslie conducted a vehicle stop involving a Lexus passenger vehicle in the parking lot of the State

Murphy, NC – Murphy Mayor Tim Radford announced that Braden Rumfelt’s free hometown concert, originally postponed, has been officially rescheduled for Thursday, June 11 at Konehete Veterans Park. The celebration will kick off with food trucks and merchandise sales beginning at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to settle in for an evening of live music as the local American Idol alum returns home. “

Generic Photo Press Release On 05/14/26 at 10:05 AM Clay County Lt. Investigator Brandon Coker and Investigator JJ Wooten stopped a 1999 red Ford Escort at the intersection of US Hwy 64 West and Fort Hembree Road in Hayesville. The Escort was stopped because Eugene Joshua Ashe, 45 years of age from Hayesville, was noted to be a passenger within the car. Ashe had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for Felony Uttering Of A Forged Instrument. Ashe and the driver were told the

Tyler Osborn Guest Writer The Towns County Historical Society is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 matching grant from The 1772 Foundation, administered in partnership with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, to support continued restoration work at the historic Berrong-Oakley House in downtown Hiawassee. The grant funds will be used to help restore the home’s exterior foundation from continued spalling and install drainage improvements along the house. T

Towns County, Ga. — Volunteers have made notable strides in recent weeks restoring the Berrong-Oakley House, a 121-year-old landmark that continues to showcase exceptional early 20th-century craftsmanship while adapting for future generations. A dedicated team focused on repairing a section of the porch ceiling damaged by a leak from the previous roof. During the work, crews discovered remarkably little rot in the structure—an encouraging sign of the home’s original quality a

Photo from the Union County Fire/Rescue Facebook page. Blairsville, Ga. – A dedicated group of volunteers has completed Union County Fire Department’s (UCFD) rigorous Recruit Class 108, earning certification as Georgia Certified Firefighters and strengthening the department’s ranks at a time when more volunteers are urgently needed. The recruits finished their training and passed all required testing on Saturday, May 9, according to a UCFD announcement. The class represents m

MARBLE, N.C. — The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office is inviting local children to cast their lines at the annual Kid’s Fishing Day, set for Saturday, May 30, at the Sheriff’s Office Firing Range in Marble. The family-friendly event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until the fish stop biting, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. Organizers say the day will proceed rain or shine, though the start time could be delayed in the event of heavy rain or storms. The event will take p

Birds are voracious predators of garden pests. Many species consume hundreds of insects per day, especially during nesting season when they need protein to feed their young. This natural biological control reduces the need for chemical pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects and soil life. Birds also play roles in pollination and seed dispersal, and their droppings supply gentle, slow-release nutrients to the soil. By creating bird-friendly habitats—adding native plants

MURPHY, N.C. — The Braden Rumfelt concert originally scheduled for Thursday in Murphy has been postponed because of an approaching threat of severe weather, according to Murphy Mayor Tim Radford. In a statement released Tuesday, Mayor Radford cited forecasts calling for a 75% chance of rain, with up to a half-inch of precipitation possible along with thunderstorms. Organizers decided to act early given the large crowd expected and the complex logistics involved with the event

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Farmers Market is set to open for its 2026 season on Thursday, May 21, and will run every Thursday through September 24, giving residents and visitors 18 weeks to enjoy fresh local produce, handmade goods, and community connection. The market will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. each Thursday at the Hayesville Town Square. Organizers encourage attendees to “support local farmers, savor delicious foods, and embrace sustainable living” in

Young Harris, GA — The Towns County Sheriff’s Office is inviting upcoming 9th through 12th grade students to participate in its 2025 Summer Cadet Program, offering hands-on experience in law enforcement, first responder skills, and community service. The program, running on Mondays from June 8 through June 29, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, will be held at the Towns County Sheriff’s Office located at 4070 GA Highway 339, Young Harris, GA 30582. Under the theme “Learn. Lead. S

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Towns County Sheriff’s Office marked National Police Week by emphasizing ongoing growth, regional collaboration, and investments in the future of public safety, while announcing key leadership changes and new community initiatives. In a statement, Sheriff Coleman and agency leadership expressed sincere gratitude to Towns County citizens and community partners for their steadfast support of the men and women who serve the community daily. Community Support

Press Release Cherokee County, NC — Today, Sheriff Chris Wood presented the prestigious Medal of Valor to five outstanding public safety professionals who demonstrated exceptional courage during a dangerous incident on September 10, 2022. The honorees are: • Captain Sean Myers, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office • Lieutenant Drew Payne, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office • Lieutenant Nathan Henderson, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office • Detective Cody Williams, Murphy Police Depar

Warne, N.C. — The Clay County Republican Party will hold its 7th annual Law Enforcement Appreciation event on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at West Tubing Company, 6175 Old US Highway 64 West, Warne, NC 28909. The gathering aims to honor local law enforcement officers serving in Clay County, including members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Highway Patrol troopers, and other local LEOs. Organizers describe the event as a way for Repub

Press Release Sheriff Chris Wood attended the Western Sheriffs’ Meeting yesterday in Waynesville, North Carolina, alongside sheriffs and public safety leaders from across the region. The meeting brought together a wide range of elected officials, state and federal law enforcement representatives, public safety vendors, and civic organizations with a shared goal of strengthening partnerships through networking, problem solving, and relationship building. Special guests include

Hayesville Middle School is gaining recognition for its innovative approach to preparing students for the future. A recent publication is highlighting the outstanding work taking place at the school. The article “How to Move Career Exploration Beyond a Computer Screen” was featured on the District Administration website. It showcases the school’s impactful efforts in career exploration and global competencies. The article was co-authored by HMS Career Development Coordinator

If you’re looking for an underrated fishing adventure that delivers heart-pounding fights, scenic mountain views, and the satisfaction of outsmarting one of freshwater’s strongest fighters, carp fishing on Lake Chatuge and Lake Nottely is hard to beat. These two beautiful TVA reservoirs in the North Georgia mountains—right in the backyard for folks in Young Harris, Hiawassee, and Blairsville—teem with common carp that average around 2 pounds but can push 15 pounds or more. Un