HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Peacock Performing Arts Center is set to enrich the Western North Carolina and North Georgia region this May with a diverse slate of performances spanning comedy, jazz, songwriting, and classic country tributes. The month kicks off with the hilarious farce “It Runs in the Family” by renowned British playwright Ray Cooney. Directed by David Layfield, the production will run over two weekends: May 8–10 and May 15–17. Audiences can catch the show on Friday

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Union County, Georgia, near Blairsville and just below Brasstown Bald, lies the Track Rock Gap Archaeological Area. This 52-acre site in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest holds one of the Southeast’s most significant collections of Native American petroglyphs—ancient rock carvings etched into large soapstone boulders. The Rocks and Their Markings The site features six prominent table-sized soapstone boulders covered with hundreds

As backyard poultry keeping surges in popularity across the United States, health officials are urging owners to take extra precautions following a recent multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chickens and ducks. While the active investigation centers on Salmonella Saintpaul (which has sickened 34 people across 13 states, with 13 hospitalizations), experts note that E. coli and other bacteria pose ongoing risks to both flocks and human handlers. Backyard birds can c

If you want to help pollinators but don’t have time for traditional beekeeping, mason bees are an excellent choice. These gentle, solitary native bees are highly efficient pollinators that require very little work. Why Choose Mason Bees? They pollinate up to 95% of the flowers they visit (vs. ~5% for honeybees) and are especially effective for fruit trees like apples, cherries, and blueberries. One mason bee can do the pollination work of roughly 100 honeybees for certain cro

(Photo Credit: Pam Roman) First row, left to right, Ed Legue, Ashley Eller, Sherrie Keely, Ryleigh Elver. Second row: Jeremy Bonilla, Ben March, Janice Lessard, David Cady, Kai Naihe, Kay Thomas. Missing: Dylan Mason, Isabelle Studley. By Harrison Keely Guest Writer Local audiences, take note: the diagnosis is laughter—and the prognosis is unstoppable. The Peacock Performing Arts Center’s latest production, It Runs In the Family, opens next Friday, launching two weekends of r

Residents of Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina and Towns and Union counties in Georgia are increasingly turning to over-the-air (OTA) antennas to cut expensive cable and satellite bills, but many are discovering that free broadcast television comes with major headaches in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The region’s steep ridges, deep valleys, and thick forests create a perfect storm for poor TV reception. Most major network signals originate from distant broadcast tower

Photo courtesy of Deango Motorsports Photography After a season plagued by repeated rainouts and mounting uncertainty about its future, Tri-County Racetrack is set to return to action in 2026 with new promoter Randy McCoy leading the charge. The high-banked clay oval, a beloved destination for race fans and drivers in the tri-state area, faced serious questions earlier this year when last season’s promoters announced they would not return. The persistent weather woes of 2025

In the misty hollows and ancient forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where North Georgia meets Western North Carolina, whispers of Bigfoot persist. The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO) has logged over 144 reports from Georgia and more than 100 from North Carolina, with many clustered in Rabun, Lumpkin, Fannin, and White counties in Georgia, and Macon, Haywood, and McDowell counties in North Carolina. One of the strongest accounts dates to May 23, 1998, at Minneh

The cold, clear mountain streams of North Georgia and Western North Carolina are world-class trout fisheries. From the rushing waters of the Chattahoochee National Forest to the wild brook trout hideouts in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests, these Appalachian streams support rainbow, brown, and native brook trout. Yet these fragile cold-water habitats face threats from sedimentation, warming waters, and human impact. As anglers, we have a direct role in protecting them. B

Tomatoes and basil are a match made in culinary heaven—and in the garden. This classic companion planting combination goes far beyond creating fresh Caprese salads. Gardeners and researchers alike have found that growing these two plants side by side delivers real, measurable benefits for plant health, pest control, yield, and even flavor. Natural Pest Control Without Chemicals One of the strongest reasons to pair basil with tomatoes is its powerful pest-repelling properties.

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Communities Revitalization Association (CCCRA) is launching its 2026 Summer Concert Series with a high-energy performance from crowd favorite Run Katie Run on the historic Hayesville square. Known for their roots-rock and Americana sound, Run Katie Run brings soaring vocal harmonies, driving rhythms, and storytelling that blends raw emotion with upbeat energy. Fronted by a dynamic lead vocalist and supported by a tight, experienced band, the

As warmer weather settles into the Southern Appalachians, hummingbirds are beginning their seasonal migration into Western North Carolina and North Georgia—bringing with them a burst of color, motion, and energy to backyards across the region. Experts say attracting the tiny birds, most commonly the ruby-throated hummingbird in this area, is less about luck and more about providing the right combination of food, shelter, and habitat. Feeders: A Simple Starting Point One of th

It's a debate as old as suburbia itself: Should you scalp your lawn for that pristine, golf-course look, or let it grow a bit longer? The answer isn't one-size-fits-all, but science and decades of turfgrass research provide clear guidance. Mowing height dramatically affects lawn health, water use, weed pressure, and overall appearance. Get it right, and your grass thrives. Get it wrong, and you invite stress, disease, and more work. The Golden Rule: Never Remove More Than One

Ozone-generating machines, often marketed as air purifiers or odor eliminators, can cause rapid and severe respiratory distress in both animals and humans when used improperly. A recent incident in Clay County underscores these dangers: On the afternoon of April 21, K-9 “Luca,” a 7-year-old drug-detection dog assigned to Investigator Steven Smith, was accidentally exposed to an ozone machine that had been inadvertently turned on while he was crated inside the Clay County Sher

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — The Enchanted Spring Fling will bring music, art, vendors, and family fun to Main Street in Young Harris on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free community event features live music at Cable’s and the YH Wing House, mural painting for all ages with Papa Doc’s Nature Art, kids’ activities including face painting, a raffle, and plenty of local shopping. Vendors will offer handmade jewelry, nature art, plants, crafts, food from the VFW boo

Nestled in the Appalachian foothills of Clay County near Hayesville, Chatuge Dam harnesses the Hiwassee River to produce clean, renewable electricity. Operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the dam creates the scenic 7,000-acre Chatuge Lake, which straddles the North Carolina-Georgia border. Built primarily for flood control in 1942, a single hydroelectric unit was added in 1954. The facility has a nameplate capacity of about 13.2 megawatts (MW) and a summer net de

Skyrocketing home prices are driving a resurgence of family compounds, where relatives with enough land pool resources to build shared communities. Affordable tiny homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are making these setups practical and cost-effective. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, multigenerational homes accounted for about 14-17% of purchases in recent years, with cost savings and caregiving as top motivations. High median home prices—near recor

April and May bring a burst of life to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ruby-throated hummingbirds return, bumblebee queens wake up, and native bees begin foraging. Your backyard can become a vital oasis for these pollinators during this key spring window. 1. Plant Native Spring Bloomers Focus on local natives timed perfectly for our mountain climate (zones 6b–7a). Plant in clusters in April and May: Eastern Redbud – Pink-purple flowers in early April for bees. Serviceberry – Whit

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