Clay County Fire and Rescue Press Release On June 9, just after 7:30 p.m., Clay County Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the Recreation Park Campground for a report of a man who had fallen from a kayak and was in distress. Firefighters, paramedics from Clay County EMS, deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, rescue swimmers, and the department’s rescue boat arrived within minutes. Upon arrival, responders were advised that the victim had gone underwater and had not been

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Press Release On June 6, 2026, at approximately 2:48 p.m., Deputy Michael Webb was dispatched to a residence on Hyatt Creek Road in Marble to conduct a welfare check. Upon arrival, Deputy Webb made contact with Danny Walter Cochran and advised him that he was checking on his well-being at the request of a concerned family member. During the brief conversation, Cochran suddenly and without provocation assaulted Deputy Webb, striking him in the

Andrews, NC - The Town of Andrews is rolling out the red, white, and blue for a full day of family-friendly fun as it celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary with its annual 4th of July Celebration on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The patriotic event will take place at Andrews Rec Park (160 Park Street, Andrews, NC 28901) and promises something for everyone in the community. Festivities kick off with an 11 a.m. Opening Ceremony. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy food trucks

Blairsville, GA — The Safe Pet Project, in partnership with Notteley Oaks Animal Hospital, is bringing back the beloved “Dog Days of Summer” event to the Mountain Village Shopping Center on Saturday, June 20th. The family-friendly gathering promises a full morning and afternoon of canine fun, education, and community connection from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 307 Cleveland Street. The festive day kicks off earlier with the Pet Parade at 9 a.m., starting at Blairsville City Hall. Or

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Clay County Historical & Arts Council (CCHAC) is gearing up to celebrate its 45th Annual Festival on the Square, a beloved community tradition that transforms the lawn of The Beal Center’s historic courthouse into a vibrant hub of music, art, food, and culture. The free festival runs Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12, 2026, and promises something for everyone across three days of family-friendly entertainment. Friday Night Street Dance The weekend

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Under perfect weather conditions, Hayesville High School will bid farewell to its Class of 2026 tonight as 104 graduates walk across the stage at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium on the HHS campus. The commencement ceremony is a non-ticketed event scheduled for Friday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. This year’s graduating class marks a notable increase from the 81 graduates in the Class of 2025, reflecting continued growth and achievement at the school. Yellow Jacket s

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect following an investigation into a pursuit involving a stolen motorcycle that occurred on May 11, 2026. On May 11, a Narcotics Agent with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black dual-sport motorcycle traveling on West U.S. Highway 64. The operator failed to stop and fled, leading deputies on a pursuit that reached speeds of appr

Photo from the John C. Campbell Folk School Facebook page. BRASSTOWN, N.C. — The John C. Campbell Folk School has announced a successful conclusion to its Spring Appeal, surpassing its fundraising target thanks to the generosity of 202 donors who contributed a total of $64,689. In a message shared with supporters, the Folk School expressed deep gratitude for every gift, noting that the funds will directly support campus improvements, youth programs, and the preservation of li

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The popular Enchanted Music on the Square concert series continues this weekend with a high-energy performance by the Whiskey Mountain Band on Saturday, June 6. The free concert, which relies on donations from attendees to keep the music playing, is scheduled for 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hiawassee Town Square, located at 19 S. Main Street. The Whiskey Mountain Band consists of seasoned professional musicians who first honed their sound in a cabin on the slope

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — The Union County Fire Department announced that Firefighter Conner Cook has successfully completed an intensive 8-hour Water Mapping course at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC). The specialized training focused on modern fire behavior and the critical role that firefighting tactics and water application techniques play during interior fire operations. Participants received both classroom instruction and hands-on practical training, studying

MURPHY, N.C. — The Town of Murphy and Cherokee County Tourism Development Authority are inviting families across the region to join in a patriotic weekend full of free community events as the nation prepares to mark its 250th birthday. The America 250 Celebration Weekend gets underway Thursday, July 2, at Konehete Veterans Park with a free kids' movie night featuring Disney’s “Zootopia 2.” Bounce house fun begins at 5:00 p.m., with the movie scheduled to start at approximatel

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release This week, the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association hosted sheriffs and their personnel from all corners of the state for their annual Legislative Day at the General Assembly in Raleigh. Sheriff Wood of Cherokee County was proud to be able to attend the event. Commenting on the experience, Sheriff Wood said, “The decisions being made in Raleigh have a real impact on public safety in our counties, so I am grateful to be able to be

BRASSTOWN, N.C. — Get ready for an action-packed evening of dirt track racing as Tri-County Racetrack returns to the spotlight on Friday, June 12, with a full slate of competitive divisions and exciting on-track action. The event, promoted with a dramatic “Bull vs. Racer” theme, promises intense competition across six divisions: Limited Late Models, 602 Late Models, Rookie Sportsman, Pony, Front Wheel Drive, and Crown Vic. Fans can expect close racing, roaring engines, and pl

Young Harris, GA — With warmer weather arriving and more people spending time outdoors across the North Georgia mountains and Western North Carolina, local authorities are reminding residents that producing moonshine — even in small amounts for personal use — is illegal under both state and federal law. Despite the rich Appalachian heritage and folklore surrounding homemade liquor, distilling spirits at home continues to be strictly prohibited in both Georgia and North Caroli

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer, and Union County Fire & Rescue is calling on community-minded individuals ready to answer that call. The department has officially opened its volunteer firefighter application period, which began in May and will close on Monday, June 15. Those interested in serving their neighbors during emergencies are encouraged to apply now. Applications are available at Union County Fire & Rescue Headquarters/Stati

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — Clay County Fire and Rescue handled a total of 30 calls for service between May 24 and May 30, according to the latest weekly activity report. Medical emergencies made up the overwhelming majority of responses, with crews dispatched to 27 medical calls during the seven-day period. The remaining calls included: 1 Motor Vehicle Collision 1 Utility Fire 1 Smoke Investigation The data reflects the department’s continued focus on emergency medical services, whic

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Press Release MURPHY, N.C. — Agents with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Union County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia), concluded a joint narcotics investigation on June 1, 2026, resulting in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of trafficking quantities of methamphetamine. During the investigation, Agents conducted surveillance on a residence in Cherokee County. The operation led to a traffic stop along NC

Artificial intelligence is transforming home gardening, helping growers boost harvests, reduce waste, and solve problems faster. Here’s how you can use AI to get more from your garden. Key Ways AI Helps 1. Smart Planning & Plant Selection AI garden planners analyze your location, climate, and space to recommend the best crops, layouts, and companion planting. Apps like Planter, VegPlotter, or AI chatbots (Grok, ChatGPT) create personalized planting schedules and succession p

Cherokee County, NC – The Hanging Dog Fire Department is reaching out to residents with an urgent plea for help as the all-volunteer organization faces a critical shortage of members that could impact its ability to serve the community and maintain favorable insurance rates. In a message to citizens of the Hanging Dog Fire District, department leaders emphasized that while they have solid equipment and resources in place, “equipment alone cannot serve our community.” They nee

Despite recent showers, persistent drought conditions continue across Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina, with cracked soils and low water levels still common in many areas. Despite several rounds of rainfall in recent weeks, including beneficial showers across parts of the southern Appalachians and Piedmont, the severe to exceptional drought gripping Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina shows no signs of ending anytime soon. According to the latest U.S. Dro