Part 1 Part 2

Another surge of Arctic air could bring some of the coldest temperatures of the winter to North Georgia and Western North Carolina early next week, according to Mountain Buzz’s official meteorologist, Greg Majewski. Majewski said the American GFS weather model continues to indicate the potential for sub-zero temperatures in parts of the region on Tuesday, Jan. 27, following a storm system expected to move through over the weekend. “The American GFS continues to push out sub-z

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 01/15/26 at 10:20 PM Clay County Lt. Tyler Faggard and Officer Sean Stout conducted a traffic stop of a Toyota truck at the intersection of McDonald Road and NC Highway 69 in Hayesville. Steven Douglas Anderson, 28 years of age from Hayesville, was found to be the driver of the truck. Haley Cheyenne Goode, 27 years of age from Hayesville, was a passenger in the truck. Anderson was known to the Officers to have been on probation fo

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release Back on 08/02/25 Kimberly Curtis Allison, 42 years of age from Hayesville, and James Brandon Taylor, 30 years of age from Hayesville, were arrested in Towns County, GA for a very large quantity of methamphetamine. Based on information from these arrests and additional historical information, Clay County Lt. Tyler Faggard, Investigator Brandon Coker, Officer Sean Stout, and Cherokee County Investigator Sean Myers executed a search war

A major winter storm is forecast to hit portions of North Georgia and Western North Carolina as soon as Friday night, with significant impacts possible through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service and regional meteorologists. Forecasters are warning of a complex system capable of producing snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerous ice accumulations as Arctic air clashes with Gulf moisture.  Storm System Overview Meteorologists describe the approaching system

Clay County Fire and Rescue responded to a total of 18 calls for service during the week of January 12 through January 18, with the majority of those calls related to medical emergencies. According to the department, 12 of the 18 calls were for medical emergencies, continuing a trend that places emergency medical responses as the largest portion of overall call volume. Fire-related incidents during the week included two false fire alarms, one residential structure fire, and o

Photo credit: Valleytown Fire and Rescue Valleytown Fire and Rescue responded to a large commercial structure fire Friday night at the Andrews Valley Poultry Farm, resulting in an estimated $5 million in property damage. According to a press release from Valleytown Fire and Rescue, crews were dispatched at 9:18 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, to a fire at 417 Taylors Creek Road, the location of Dutt and Wagner Inc. and the Andrews Valley Poultry Farm. Firefighters arrived to find one l

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On the morning of 12/22/25 a breaking, entering, and larceny was reported at Anthony Garrett Construction (AGC) located at 603 Jonquil Lane in Hayesville. Clay County Investigator Brandon Coker responded to this location. Garrett reported that he went into his shop this morning and found items from his work truck scattered on the ground. Numerous tool related items were found to have been stolen.  A surveillance camera captured image

Wildlife officials in Tennessee are investigating what could be described as a serial burglary after a bear broke into a Gatlinburg candy store for the fourth time. Glades Homemade Candies said in a social media post that a bear broke into the shop Thursday night, ransacking the store and causing significant damage to both the building and its products. The owners said the latest break-in marks the fourth time a bear has entered the business. “We have nurtured our arts and cr

Clay County Fire and Rescue responded to 35 calls for service between Jan. 5 and Jan. 11, according to weekly activity statistics released by the department. Medical emergencies accounted for the majority of responses, with 25 calls during the seven-day period. Crews also responded to two motor vehicle collisions. Other incidents included one fire alarm activation, one gas leak, one report of a power line down and one public assistance call. In one case, responders found no e

The following information was provided to the Clay County Republican Party and then sent to media outlets as a press release. MARK BUCHANAN Mark is 60 years of age and was born and raised in Sylva, NC. Mark attended Western Carolina University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement in 1983. Mark worked for the Jackson County, NC Sheriff’s Office as a Patrol Officer and Detective for 6- 1/2 years. Mark then began employment with the N

North Carolina voters who requested absentee-by-mail ballots for the 2026 primary election will soon begin receiving them, as county boards of elections start mailing ballots Monday, Jan. 12. The mailing of absentee ballots marks the official start of voting for the state’s March 3 primary election. Election officials say voters who have already submitted a request should expect their ballots to arrive in the coming days. In North Carolina, any eligible voter may request, rec

The Clay County Board of Commissioners have voted unanimously to prohibit commercial data centers from establishing, constructing, expanding or operating in the county, adopting an ordinance that takes effect immediately. The ordinance, approved Jan. 8, 2026, bars commercial data centers with a peak power demand of 2 megawatts or greater from all zoning districts in Clay County’s unincorporated areas. County officials said municipalities within Clay County may choose to adopt

Clay County GOP Press Release The Clay County GOP will host two candidate debates for the Republican Candidates for the Primary Elections for local offices in January. The GOP County Commissioner Primary Candidates will debate on January 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM, in the Beal Center in Hayesville. Also, on January 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM, in the Beal Center in Hayesville, the Clay County GOP will host a debate forum featuring the two declared GOP Primary Candidates for Clay County Sh

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 12/07/25 the burglary of a vacant residence located at 4459 Tusquittee Road in Hayesville was reported. This residence was vacant due to its owners being deceased.  The residence had been ransacked and numerous items of jewelry, wristwatches, power tools, I-Pads, a laptop computer, etc. were reported to have been stolen. Clay County Investigators Steven Smith and Brandon Coker as well as Officers Corey Scroggs and Donovan Burke r

Clay County officials are preparing for a mandatory countywide property revaluation that will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, marking the first full reappraisal since 2018. The process is required by North Carolina law and is intended to update real property values to reflect current market conditions and ensure an equitable distribution of the property tax burden. Commission Chairman Rob Peck emphasized that the revaluation is not designed to increase overall tax revenue. Instead,

As a new year begins, many of us look ahead - scanning the trail for what’s coming next. In the natural world, that act of looking forward often starts with looking more closely at what’s around us right now . Sometimes wildlife announces itself clearly - a flash of bluebird wings, a bugle of an elk, a treefrog chorus at dusk. More often, it’s the quiet moments that tell the story. Tracks in the earth, a path worn through grass, or scattered feathers reveal who passed through

Clay County Fire and Rescue crews stayed busy over the past week, responding to a range of calls including unauthorized burning, a reported structure fire, and numerous medical emergencies. A little after 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, firefighters were dispatched to a fire along West Gumlog Road in the Warne Fire District. Upon arrival, crews found a large pile of debris burning. The property owner advised firefighters they had obtained a burn permit; however, an inspection of

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release Early in the afternoon of 12/28/25, Clay County Officers Donovan Burke and Corey Scroggs were dispatched to 315 River Run Way in Hayesville. A report had been received from this address concerning a physical domestic dispute. Upon their arrival, Officers Burke and Scroggs found family members holding Conner Crews Giles, 30 years of age from Jacksonville Florida, down onto the ground. Family members reported that Giles had been drinki

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On the afternoon of 12/23/25, Clay County Officer Donovan Burke and Investigator Steven Smith responded to 98 Snoozy Park Drive near Brasstown. This response came after a report of a possible overdose by woman undressing in the roadway. Clay County Emergency Management Services (EMS) was also dispatched to this location. The woman was identified as Cassidy Rae Groves, 20 years of age from Brasstown, and was reportedly in possession o