As 2025 comes to a close, residents across North Georgia and Western North Carolina will have no shortage of ways to welcome the arrival of 2026. From lively parties and family-friendly attractions to faith-based gatherings, communities throughout the region are offering a variety of New Year’s Eve celebrations. In Murphy, North Carolina, Chevelles Restaurant & Bar 66, located at 66 Hiawassee Street, will ring in the new year with all-night karaoke and a crowd-pleasing food s

Voters in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District will have an opportunity to hear directly from Democratic candidates later this month during a public candidate forum in Clay County. The NC-11 Democratic Candidate Forum is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. at The Hinton Center, located at 2330 Hinton Center Road. The event is free and open to the public, offering residents a chance to learn more about the candidates and their positions on key i

As talk of snow begins circulating on social media, Mountain Buzz Meteorologist Greg Majewski is urging residents to take long-range winter forecasts with a grain of salt. Majewski said he anticipated the early speculation and cautioned that any snow projections more than seven days out are largely conjecture and unlikely to hold as models update. According to Majewski, recent chatter stems from the European weather model, which has hinted at the possibility of snow across pa

As the candidate filing period for the upcoming 2026 election cycle in Clay County, North Carolina comes to a close, voters are being introduced to the full slate of candidates who will appear on the ballot. The county’s primary election will take place on March 3, 2026 , following the filing period that opened in early December 2025 and wrapped up on December 19, 2025. County Commission Race Draws Broad Field The Clay County Board of Commissioners race — traditionally one

Staff Report Clay County Commission Chairman Dr. Rob Peck has announced he will not seek re-election when his current term ends in December 2026, bringing to a close a 12-year tenure on the Clay County Board of Commissioners. Peck, who has served twice as vice chairman and for the past eight years as chairman, said the decision followed “much thoughtful reflection and prayer.” In a statement to county residents, Peck highlighted a record of fiscal discipline and long-term pla

Staff Report Candidate filings for the 2026 election cycle in Clay County continue to take shape as the filing period heads into its final days. According to the most recent filings, a wide field of candidates has entered races for county commission seats, school board positions, and several countywide offices. The filing period officially closes Friday, Dec. 19. The Clay County Board of Commissioners race has drawn the largest number of candidates so far. Republicans Andy Ja

Staff Report The Clay County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Mark Buchanan, in partnership with Clay County Department of Social Services, is urging parents and caregivers to follow safe sleep guidelines for infants after two sleep-related infant deaths were reported in the county within the past week. Officials say sudden infant death and accidental suffocation are on the rise across North Carolina. Each year, more than 100 infants statewide die suddenly and unexpectedly wh

Staff Report A report circulating from a local media outlet has prompted some confusion about the upcoming Clay County School Board election. According to that report, newcomer Keith Parker was described as directly challenging School Board Chairman Jason Shook. However, election filings show that Parker has simply entered the race for one of the three school board seats that are up for election this cycle and is not specifically running against Shook for the chairman’s posit

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 12/15/25 at 11:04 AM Clay County Sgt Ethan Henderson and Officer JJ Wooten responded to a residence off Qualla Road in Hayesville. A report had been received about a confused woman being in a home where the resident was away at that time. The Officers found Sonya Ann Miller, 60 years of age from Hayesville, inside the residence. Officers learned that Miller had been allowed inside by the homeowner to get out of the cold and to get

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 12/09/25 at 4:22 PM Clay County Investigator Steven Smith stopped a black Nissan truck at the intersection of Pine Log Church Road and Caler Road in Brasstown. The tuck was stopped for having a broken break light, failure to signal a turn, and having an unreadable license plate. Christopher Cody Wiggins, 26 years of age from Brasstown, was found to be driving the truck. Mary Roberson of Brasstown was found to have been a passenger

Staff Report A community is rallying to support a Union County family after a deadly mobile home fire claimed the lives of two young children earlier this week. Union County Fire and Rescue confirmed that two children, believed to be ages three and six, died in a structure fire overnight on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Warren Trailer Park. Firefighters from all county stations responded and found a single-wide mobile home fully involved. The cause of the fire remains under investigatio

The race for key local offices in Clay County is heating up as a robust list of candidates has filed their intent to run, promising a competitive election season. The growing roster of hopefuls for positions on the County Commission, School Board, and other essential roles suggests high public interest and potentially lively campaigns across the county. A total of eleven candidates have announced their bids across five offices so far, with the Board of County Commissioners ra

(Photo from Granny's Attic) Recipients, front row left to right: Lori McClure - The Still Place , Debbie Graham - New Digs for Dogs, JoAnna Atkisson - Clay County Communities Revitalization Association , Sue Lynn Ledford - Four Square Community Action, Jeanne Strack - Puppies Under Protection, Robin Sinay - Wonderland Animal Sanctuary , Reba Beck - Clay County Historical and Arts Council . Second Row: Hannah Miller - Clay Co Community for Students, Jacquine - Hinton Center,

Tyler Osborn Guest Writer Have you thought of growing a garden, but don’t know where to start? Join our upcoming Seed to Supper course and learn how to grow food at a low cost. This seven-week series teaches how to plant, grow, harvest, and prepare delicious produce in small and medium-sized gardens. Please plan to attend all 7 classes. Participants get a free gardening book, seeds, and other goodies as available. Classes are on Thursdays, January 22 – March 12, at 5:00 p.m.

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 12/02/25 around 8:00 PM Clay County Lt. Tyler Faggard, Investigator Steven Smith, Investigator Brandon Coker, and Officer Sean Stout stopped a blue Ford Edge near the intersection of NC Hwy 175 and Jack Rabbit Road in Hayesville. This vehicle was known to be driven by Richard Frederick Willis, 38 years of age from Hayesville, who had a suspended driver’s license. The vehicle was also found to have an expired registration plate. Wi

Clay County Schools is delighted to announce that six dedicated educators from Hayesville Elementary and Hayesville Primary Schools have successfully achieved the rigorous National Board Certification in Early Childhood Generalist . This advanced certification is a testament to their mastery of teaching practice and their profound commitment to student success. The newly certified teachers are: Mrs. Katie Danner , 3rd Grade Teacher at Hayesville Elementary School, a 10-year

The Clay County Board of Commissioners passed a Resolution Opposing the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation (BRMEMC) Proposed Transmission Line Project in Clay County, North Carolina. The resolution was APPROVED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE AND ADOPTED this 4th day of December 2025 . Key Reasons for Opposition The resolution outlines several "WHEREAS" clauses detailing the reasons for the board's strong opposition: Inconsistency wit

Mountain Buzz Staff Report Santa Claus is coming to town this weekend as the annual Candy Cane Lane Christmas Parade returns to downtown Clay County on Saturday, Dec. 13. The parade will step off at 6 p.m., with Santa serving as the grand finale. Before the parade, Santa will take part in his traditional meet-and-greet beginning at 4:45 p.m., giving families an opportunity for early holiday photos and visits. Parade participants are asked to line up at the Clay County Courtho

Travis Dockery Mountain Buzz Residents and passersby along Highway 64 east in Hayesville had been scratching their heads for days over a large Atlas Van Lines moving truck parked beside scenic Lake Chatuge. With no visible activity and the truck sitting idle through the Thanksgiving holiday, concerned citizens flooded the Clay County Sheriff’s Office with calls and messages. On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Sheriff’s Office put the speculation to rest with a lighthearted social media

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 11/26/25 around 9:00 AM Clay County Investigator Brandon Coker stopped a Ford Escape on NC Hwy 69 near the Tri County Office Supply in Hayesville. The Escort was stopped because Investigator Coker learned from Clay County Dispatch that it had an insurance stop and the assigned license plate that was revoked. Investigator Coker was also familiar with the registered owner of the Escort, Thomas Walter Stewart, 58 years of age from Ha