HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Sheriff's Office is reminding residents that a medication drop box located outside its front door is intended only for certain types of prescription drugs and controlled substances. According to the sheriff’s office, the drop box is designed to collect controlled substances and prescription pills that could be harmful if they fall into the wrong hands. Officials said the box is not intended for insulin syringes or any type of sharp objects,

CLAY COUNTY, N.C. — Deputy Sean Stout and his K-9 partner Freya have earned national certification through the North American Police Work Dog Association (NAPWDA), marking a major milestone for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Mark Buchanan praised the accomplishment, highlighting the teamwork, dedication, and perseverance that led to the certification. “Sean and Freya have bonded and grown into an absolute dope-finding machine in just over four months,” said Buchan

HAYESVILLE — Hayesville Elementary School bid farewell to one of its cherished educators this week. Mrs. Cathy Moore celebrated her final day at HES on Friday, Feb. 27, marking the end of a remarkable career dedicated to teaching and inspiring students. The school community expressed heartfelt gratitude for Mrs. Moore’s years of service, praising her commitment, kindness, and positive impact on generations of students. “We are going to miss her more than she knows,” the scho

Shortly before 1 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 27 , Clay County Fire & Rescue responded to a reported recreational vehicle fire in the 5000 block of Old Highway 64 East in the Shooting Creek Fire District. Engine 6, Tender 6, Tender 1, Rescue 1, and Command 1 were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, crews found the RV fully involved. The vehicle was a total loss, officials said. No injuries were reported. Fire officials noted that recreational vehicles are not built to the same sta

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Sheriff's Office announced that Sgt. Ethan Henderson is expected to receive an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate through the state’s Professional Certificate program. The program is administered by the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Education and Training Standards Commission under the North Carolina Department of Justice. According to the commission, the Professional Certificate program recognizes sheriffs and deputies for formal education, p

(Photo taken by Waynesville ABC staff) Waynesville ABC store manager, Mark Strugnell, welcomes Mountain Projects Prevention Manager Libby Ray, as she places a display rack for alcohol locks. Mountain Projects gave away more than 1,500 free locks for bottles, cabinets and refrigerators around western NC during 2025. This prevention strategy is meant to reduce access to alcohol for those who are underage. By Lorrie Ross Mountain Strong Prevention team Locking up beer, wine, a

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office announced this week that it has received a generous donation of 10 Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs) from the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association. The kits include critical lifesaving tools such as tourniquets, face shields, and wound packing materials designed to provide immediate care for gunshot wounds. The donation strengthens the sheriff’s office’s emergency preparedness, particularly in active shooter situation

The Clay County Schools Board of Education recognized student athletes, staff and career-focused students during its regular meeting held Monday, Feb. 23. The board honored members of the Hayesville High School varsity football team for earning postseason honors in the Smoky Mountain Conference following the 2025 season. Recognized players included Tre Graves, named SMC All-Conference Back of the Year; Will Brown, SMC All-Conference defensive lineman; and All-SMC Honorable Me

Clay County Fire & Rescue responded to 26 calls for service between Feb. 15 and Feb. 21, according to the department’s weekly activity report. The majority of the calls — 18 in total — were medical emergencies. Crews also responded to two motor vehicle collisions and provided assistance to citizens on two occasions during the reporting period. The remaining calls included two false alarms and two incidents that were canceled while units were en route. The calls were spread t

Clay County residents will soon have access to a new emergency preparedness resource as Clay County Fire & Rescue launches a pilot program offering free TenderID cards. The department is partnering with Tendercare to distribute TenderID cards, which are wallet-sized cards featuring a QR code that links to a secure profile with critical medical information. The profile can include medications, allergies, medical conditions and emergency contacts. An optional home decal is al

Hayesville, N.C. — Families caring for children with mental health challenges now have a new local resource. A community support group called Daily Mental Challenges is launching this month in Hayesville to provide parents, grandparents, and caregivers with a safe space to share experiences, gain support, and access helpful information. The group is designed to assist families managing conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and s

Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina’s Rural Infrastructure Authority has approved 12 grant requests totaling nearly $5.9 million to support infrastructure and economic development projects in rural communities across the state. The grants are expected to help create 277 jobs, including 71 previously announced positions, and leverage more than $43 million in additional public and private investment. “When rural North Carolina wins, all of North Carolina wins,”

Screenshot from Google Maps. HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Residents on Hiawassee Street in Hayesville will experience a temporary water outage starting Monday, February 23, at 4 p.m. The outage is expected to last until 7 a.m. Tuesday, February 24. The Clay County Water and Sewer Department said the interruption is necessary to install a new water line along the street. Customers are advised to plan accordingly and ensure they have enough water during the outage period. For questions

A full slate of officers filled the training room today as the Sheriff’s Office began its 2026 mandatory in-service training, a two-day session focused on maintaining professional standards and preparedness. According to the agency, today’s group represents just the first wave of personnel scheduled to complete the required training. Additional groups of officers will rotate through in-service sessions over the coming weeks to ensure all staff meet annual certification requir

The Union County–Blairsville Chamber of Commerce announced the return of The Big Dance, an annual fundraiser set to take place at the HARP Center on the campus of Young Harris College. The event will be held at the HARP Center at Young Harris College, bringing back a night of music, dancing and community celebration after a hiatus. Organizers say this year’s event will be larger than past editions, with an emphasis on both entertainment and philanthropy. Proceeds from The Big

Clay County residents have a chance to turn an invasive problem into a positive change for their landscape through the 2026 Bradford Pear Bounty. N.C. Cooperative Extension in Clay County and the Clay County Master Gardeners are partnering with state and conservation organizations to help property owners remove Bradford pear trees and replace them with native alternatives. Once planted across neighborhoods for their early white blooms and bright fall color, Bradford pears (Py

The playground at the Clay County Recreation Center will temporarily close starting Monday, Feb. 16, as work begins on a major renovation project expected to run through late April. County officials say the closure is necessary to allow for a full replacement of the existing playground, not a short-term repair. The project includes removal of the old equipment, sub-surface repairs, drainage and grading improvements, and installation of new, modern play structures. When comple

Clay County Fire & Rescue responded to two separate single-vehicle crashes Monday, Feb. 16 on U.S. 64 East near the Buck Creek Road area. Officials said both incidents occurred around the same time and involved icy road conditions. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been notified of the hazardous conditions. Fire and rescue crews remained on scene working the crashes early Monday morning. No immediate information was released on injuries. Motorists traveling

Clay County Fire and Rescue responded to 35 calls for service between Feb. 8 and Feb. 14, with the majority involving medical emergencies, according to the department’s weekly activity report. Medical-related incidents accounted for 23 of the calls during the seven-day period, continuing to make up the largest share of the department’s workload. Firefighters also responded to two motor vehicle collisions and three brush fires. Crews handled three false alarms and assisted one

Firefighters have reached 90% containment on the Winding Stairs Alpha Fire burning in the Nantahala National Forest, according to officials. The wildfire has burned approximately 230 acres. Crews made significant progress Tuesday, building handlines and dozer lines along the western edge of the fire while conducting mop-up operations on the northeastern perimeter. Firefighters also completed a small, carefully planned firing operation along U.S. Highway 64 to strengthen the h