Photo from the Clay County Schools Facebook page. CLAY COUNTY, N.C. — While school buildings may appear quiet during summer break, Clay County Schools staff are hard at work preparing for the new school year and continuing to serve students and families, Superintendent Mellisa Godfrey said in a message released June 25. Godfrey highlighted key summer priorities, including recruiting, hiring and training new employees, processing retirements and resignations, supporting beginn

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Clay County will host its annual Independence Day fireworks celebration Friday, July 3, at the Clay County Rec Park Campground. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. The event will take place at 47 Rec Park Road in Hayesville. The Lions Club Pavilion and beach area will be closed July 3 for the celebration and are set to reopen July 4, according to county officials. In the event of rain, the fireworks will be rescheduled for Saturday, July 4. The fr

CLAY COUNTY, N.C. — With the nation marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, Sheriff Mark Buchanan is urging residents to prioritize safety during holiday barbecues, pool parties and fireworks displays. Law enforcement and first responders typically see an increase in calls for service during major holidays, Buchanan said. He offered several reminders to help families avoid injuries and tragedies around water and fireworks. Water safety tips

(Photo by Pam Roman) Peacock crew member Jim Oliver holds an image of David Heslin (absent to attend the birth of his first grandchild), followed by stage managers Michele Legue, Ali Whitlock, and Kay Thomas. By Harrison Keely Guest Writer While audiences attending 9 to 5 The Musical at Hayesville’s Peacock Performing Arts Center this August will be dazzled by lively musical numbers, colorful costumes and fast-paced comedy, behind the curtain, stage managers and crew are coor

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Sheriff's Office is addressing public concerns over its use of license plate reader technology, saying the systems help solve crimes and locate missing people without collecting personal data from drivers. In a statement released this week, the agency said recent social media chatter has raised worries about privacy, prompting officials to clarify how the systems operate. The license plate readers, or LPRs, capture images of vehicle rears an

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Beal Center will host a bingo night Thursday, June 25, offering residents an evening of games, refreshments and community fun. The event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the center, located at 25 Herbert Street. Tickets cost $20 each and include five bingo cards, drinks and light snacks. Organizers are encouraging early reservations. Attendees can visit https://square.link/u/cll6GjNu or contact bealcenterevents@icloud.com or (828) 415-1623 to secur

Yellow squash multiplies overnight in the Southern Appalachian gardens of North Georgia and Western North Carolina. If your patch is overflowing, here’s how to harvest, use, preserve, and share the bounty. Harvest Tips Pick squash young (4–8 inches) for best flavor and texture. Harvest every day or two during peak summer to keep vines productive. Cut with a knife, leaving a short stem. Fresh Kitchen Ideas Sauté slices with onions, garlic, and fresh garden herbs. Grill or roas

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 06/17/26 at 6:33 PM Clay County 911 Dispatch received a call reporting a breaking and entering in progress at 17 Snoozy Park Drive in Brasstown. Clay County Sgt Will Suggs and Officer Nate Rogers began an emergency response to this location. While enroute, the Officers downgraded their response after learning the call was a dispute over a prior occupant of a residence removing belongings that had been left there. Upon their arriva

Brasstown, NC — Local parents interested in exploring alternative education options are invited to a meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing a micro school in Brasstown. The parents meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30th at 10:30 a.m. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP by contacting Jennifer Kusch at (828) 644-3084, via email at kuschfarm@gmail.com, or by sending a message on Facebook. The gathering will review recent surveys and provide an opport

Hayesville, NC — Clay County Fire & Rescue has expressed deep appreciation to the Clay County Board of Commissioners for their unanimous vote to keep the current fire tax millage rate in place while adopting a revenue-neutral property tax rate for the county budget. In a statement released by the department, officials highlighted the decision as a strong show of support for public safety amid the county’s ongoing growth. “This decision demonstrates the Board’s continued commi

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (CCCRA) invites the community to the Historic Hayesville Square for an evening of classic rock with a fresh twist as part of its popular 2026 Summer Concert Series. “Don’t Tell Danny!” — a female-fronted band based in Atlanta — will take the stage Friday, June 26, starting at 7:00 p.m. The high-energy group blends classic rock favorites with elements of pop and dance music, drawing from hits across the

Photo from the Clay County Schools Facebook page. Clay County, NC — Local fans, saddle up and get ready to cheer on one of our own! Rising freshman Bronc Woody is representing Clay County Schools on the national stage this week at the 2026 National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR) in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Bronc is competing in the bull riding championship at the prestigious Lazy E Arena, where more than 1,000 of the top junior high rodeo athletes from across the United States an

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Board of Commissioners has approved a balanced budget for fiscal year 2026–2027 that maintains current service levels while reducing the county’s property tax rate. In accordance with the North Carolina Local Government Budget and Fiscal Control Act, the budget totals $29,415,358.13, with estimated revenues and other financing sources fully matching proposed appropriations. Following the countywide reevaluation of real property, the new prop

HAYESVILLE, NC — Clay County 4-H is inviting local youth ages 5-12 to dive into the exciting world of robotics this summer with a hands-on Summer Robotics Camp. The three-day camp will run June 29th through July 1st from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 25 Riverside Circle, Hayesville, NC. Through interactive projects and engaging activities, participants will build creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork skills in a fun, supportive environment. “Through hands-on learning and interac

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 06/08/26 at 11:19 AM Clay County Lt. Investigator Brandon Coker stopped a white Dodge van with a Georgia license plate at the entrance to the United Community Bank in Hayesville. Lt. Coker noted that the driver of the van was not wearing his seat belt and the van’s signal light to be barely visible. The driver of the van was found to be Levis Wayne Gerrell, 52 years of age from Hiawassee. After checking Gerrell’s status through C

Clay County, NC — After last week’s discussion about phones taking unexpected “road trips” from vehicle roofs, hoods, tailgates, and truck beds — sometimes automatically dialing 911 after mistaking a hard landing for a crash — Clay County Fire & Rescue is highlighting another important cell phone feature that can be a true lifesaver: Text-to-911. While calling 911 should always be the first choice in an emergency, there are situations where a voice call simply isn’t possible.

Hayesville, NC – Clay County GOP Chair June West has announced that Jim Rich, Executive Director of the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, will serve as the guest speaker for the group’s monthly meeting on Thursday, June 18th. The meeting will take place at the Clay County Community Center, located at 25 Riverside Drive in Hayesville. Attendees are invited to enjoy light refreshments, snacks, and desserts beginning at 6:30 PM, with the formal business meeting starting at 7:00 P

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Hinton Rural Life Center has received a $40,000 Mission Development Grant from the SECU Foundation, providing a significant boost to its ongoing efforts to serve rural communities across Western North Carolina and North Georgia. The grant will strengthen the organization’s missions department, enabling it to enhance organizational support and build long-term sustainability. This funding comes as Hinton continues to welcome churches, mission teams, volunteer

Brasstown, NC — Construction on the new Brasstown Fire Station is nearing completion, marking a major step forward in fire protection and emergency services for the Cherokee County portion of the Brasstown Fire District. The project represents a significant investment in community safety. Officials announced that, effective July 1 at 12:00 AM, Peachtree Fire & Rescue will officially assume fire protection responsibilities for the area. “We are honored to continue the proud tr

(Photo by Deango Motorsports Photography) Eventual Limited Late Model feature winner Shawn Chastain turns practice laps at Tri-County. BRASSTOWN, NC — A quick shower rolled through the North Georgia mountains on Friday, June 12, but it couldn’t dampen the excitement at Tri-County Racetrack. Fans and drivers stuck it out for a full night of thrilling dirt-track racing that included makeup races from the rain-shortened Memorial Day event. The evening delivered close competitio