As spring planting season hits full stride across the country, many gardeners are facing an all-too-familiar foe: hungry white-tailed deer. These graceful but voracious animals can decimate vegetable patches, flower beds, and ornamental shrubs overnight, turning a season of anticipation into frustration. Deer populations have surged in many suburban and rural areas, drawn by tender new growth and the lack of natural predators. While no single method is 100% foolproof—deer are

With warmer weather drawing people outdoors for hiking, gardening, and recreation, the Clay County Health Department is reminding residents and visitors that tick season is in full swing. Ticks are most active this time of year, particularly in wooded and grassy areas common across the North Georgia and Western North Carolina mountains. While most tick bites are harmless, some can transmit serious illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-bo

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Students, volunteers, and local partners rolled up their sleeves recently to transform the Mayor’s Garden in downtown Hayesville, planting more than 50 new plants in a hands-on project that combined education, environmental stewardship, and community pride. The North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Clay County Center, NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Clay County, the Town of Hayesville, and Hayesville High School’s agriculture class joined

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — A trustee inmate at the Clay County Detention Center who absconded from a roadside mowing crew on April 16, 2026, was captured without incident the following afternoon, according to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Thomas Daniel Ware, 49, was participating in the inmate work crew program when he and another inmate were mowing grass near the Clay County Transfer Station on Hinton Center Road in the early afternoon of Thursday, April 16. While momentarily o

Hayesville, N.C. — A trustee inmate walked away from a supervised mowing crew Thursday afternoon in Clay County, prompting a multi-agency search that continued into the evening without locating him. Thomas Daniel Ware, 49, was assigned to the inmate work crew program at the Clay County Detention Center. He was being held pending trial on charges unrelated to threats or injury to any person. In the early afternoon of April 16, 2026, Ware and another inmate were mowing grass al

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Staff members from Clay County Schools are inviting the public to their annual yard sale this weekend, featuring items from more than 20 participating educators and school employees. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th , from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Hayesville Primary School Parking Lot . Organizers are asking attendees to respect the “No Early Birds Please!” policy. Shoppers can expect a wide variety of gently used goods, including clothin

CLAY COUNTY, N.C. — Clay County Fire & Rescue responded to 47 calls for service between April 5 and April 11, according to a weekly report released by the department. Medical emergencies accounted for the majority of responses, with 27 calls during the reporting period. Fire crews also handled 11 incidents involving outside or brush fires, illegal burning, or smoke investigations, reflecting an active week for fire-related calls. In addition, firefighters responded to three

BRASSTOWN, N.C. — Residents and visitors in Brasstown will have a fresh opportunity each week to shop local as the Brasstown Farmer’s Market opens its doors every Wednesday. The market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 10596 Old Highway 64 West, offering a variety of locally sourced items. Shoppers can expect to find plants, fresh vegetables, handmade crafts, and a selection of homemade goods. Organizers say the weekly event aims to support local growers, artisans, and small

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain vigilant after a 79-year-old man fell victim to a scam that drained $48,000 from his cryptocurrency account. According to authorities, the incident was reported Friday, April 10, 2026, at approximately 9:37 a.m. The victim told deputies he received a letter in the mail instructing him to submit information via Bitcoin to “increase his security.” The letter included a QR code, which the man sca

Press Release The John C. Campbell Folk School is offering a discount for local residents on select summer classes for sign-ups from April 13-May 31. The Summer Local Discount (50%) applies to the following areas/counties listed on our website: North Carolina: Cherokee, Clay, Macon, Swain, Jackson, and Graham. Georgia: Fannin, Towns, Union, Gilmer and Rabun. Tennessee: Polk. Those looking to receive a local benefit are required to present one of the following, sho

The U.S. Postal Service is proposing a postage rate increase while taking steps to cut costs, including temporarily suspending certain retirement contributions, as it works to stabilize its finances. The agency announced it is seeking approval to raise the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp by 4 cents, from 78 cents to 82 cents. If approved, the increase would take effect July 12. At the same time, USPS has suspended its employer contributions to a federal pension prog

Clay County, N.C. — A reported residential fire in the Trillium Heights subdivision prompted a response from Clay County Fire & Rescue on Friday evening, but crews ultimately found no active flames. Just before 8 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a home in the Fires Creek Fire District after reports of a structure fire. Upon arrival, crews encountered light smoke inside the residence. During their investigation, firefighters discovered a tripped breaker in the electrical

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 04/01/26 around 10:38 AM Clay County Sheriff’s Lt. Bruce Moore, Sgt. Ethan Henderson, and Investigator JJ Wooten responded to the Hot Spot Convenient Store in Hayesville after receiving a report of a woman passed out in a car at the drive-thru window. Carolina Star Nicholson, 33 years of age from Hayesville, was found to be at that location and in the driver’s seat of Nissan Altima with a Texas license plate. Nicholson was removed

Press Release A joint investigation conducted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of a significant methamphetamine supplier operating within both counties. Rennie Davenport, 63, of Hayesville, NC, was taken into custody at his residence on April 2, 2026. At the time of his arrest, Davenport was found in possession of more than 300 grams of methamphetamine. Investigators have identified Davenport as a major source

Hayesville Primary School has officially opened the application process for its PreK program for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. According to the school, PreK applications are now available for pickup at the Hayesville Primary School (HPS) office. Families can obtain the forms Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. To be eligible for the PreK program, a child must turn 4 years old on or before August 31st, 2026, and must be a resident of Clay County. "PreK

As North Carolina mountains burst into spring greenery, Clay County Fire and Rescue is reminding homeowners that yard work can do more than improve curb appeal — it can save lives by ensuring firefighters can reach properties quickly in an emergency. In a recent social media post, the department encouraged residents enjoying their spring cleaning to pay special attention to driveways and access paths. “We love seeing folks cleaning up limbs, brush, and getting things looking

The Clay County Community Revitalization Association is bringing an evening of bluegrass and Americana music to The Peacock on Saturday, April 11, 2026, with the band Unspoken Tradition headlining a special fundraiser to support the historic venue’s roof replacement campaign. The concert, titled “Raise the Roof,” will feature Unspoken Tradition performing at The Peacock, located at 301 Church St. in Hayesville, North Carolina. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with local artist Tommy

On 04/02/26 at 5:36 PM, Clay County Lt. Investigator Brandon Coker stopped a Toyota truck being driven at a high rate of speed at Hinton Center Road in Hayesville. The driver was found to have been Jacob Zachary Jefferies, 32 years of age from Young Harris, Georgia. Lt. Coker noted a rifle between the seats of the truck. Lt. Coker also saw Jefferies trying to push an orange zippered bag under the seat. When asked, Jefferies told Lt. Coker he would consent to the search of his

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 03/03/26 the Towns County Sheriff’s Office notified Clay County Investigator Steven Smith of a statutory sexual assault of a minor. The Towns and Rabun County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Offices began this investigation by receiving detailed information, disclosures, and forensic evidence from a 14-year-old female. It was discovered during their investigation, however, that the assault had actually occurred in Clay County. The suspect was

Pet owners in Clay County and surrounding areas will have a convenient opportunity to vaccinate their dogs and cats on Saturday, April 11, 2026, thanks to a drive-thru vaccine clinic organized by Big Bear Veterinary Clinic in partnership with the Clay County Health Department. The event is scheduled from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Clay County Health Department, located at 345 Courthouse Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904 . Presented by Dr. Lawlor and Dr. Flynn of Big Bear Veteri