Press Release Sheriff Chris Wood attended the Western Sheriffs’ Meeting yesterday in Waynesville, North Carolina, alongside sheriffs and public safety leaders from across the region. The meeting brought together a wide range of elected officials, state and federal law enforcement representatives, public safety vendors, and civic organizations with a shared goal of strengthening partnerships through networking, problem solving, and relationship building. Special guests include

Hayesville Middle School is gaining recognition for its innovative approach to preparing students for the future. A recent publication is highlighting the outstanding work taking place at the school. The article “How to Move Career Exploration Beyond a Computer Screen” was featured on the District Administration website. It showcases the school’s impactful efforts in career exploration and global competencies. The article was co-authored by HMS Career Development Coordinator

If you’re looking for an underrated fishing adventure that delivers heart-pounding fights, scenic mountain views, and the satisfaction of outsmarting one of freshwater’s strongest fighters, carp fishing on Lake Chatuge and Lake Nottely is hard to beat. These two beautiful TVA reservoirs in the North Georgia mountains—right in the backyard for folks in Young Harris, Hiawassee, and Blairsville—teem with common carp that average around 2 pounds but can push 15 pounds or more. Un

Photo from the UCHS Facebook page. Blairsville, GA – Union County High School highlighted its strong partnership with the University of North Georgia (UNG) as students in the dual enrollment program visited the UNG Blue Ridge campus for a campus tour and orientation. The visit was part of the school’s Dual Enrollment Partner Spotlight Series. Students received a guided tour of the campus and completed their dual enrollment orientation, preparing them for college-level coursew

Press Release Young Harris, Ga. – Blue Ridge Mountain EMC officially unveiled the new brand and logo for its fiber subsidiary, now operating as BRMEMC Fiber, during a community logo reveal event held Monday at the cooperative headquarters. The new branding reflects the cooperative’s continued investment in expanding high-speed fiber internet service across Northeast Georgia and Western North Carolina while reinforcing its connection to the communities it serves. “We wanted a

Hayesville, NC – The Clay County Sheriff's Office is organizing a special handgun shooting event to raise funds for Lieutenant Andy Lundquist and his wife Shannon as Lundquist battles a serious medical condition. Lundquist has dedicated decades of service to Clay County and surrounding communities as a firefighter, rescue squad member, EMT, and Forest Service officer. Known and loved by many for his commitment and character, he now faces significant medical challenges, prompt

MURPHY, N.C. — Braden Rumfelt, the Murphy native who captured hearts on American Idol, is coming back to his hometown for a special free concert as part of the Summer Concert Series. According to Murphy Mayor Tim Radford, Rumfelt will perform with his full band at Konehete Veterans Park on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. “Braden is officially coming home,” Mayor Radford announced. “After making all of us proud on American Idol and performing on one of the biggest stages

HAYESVILLE, N.C. — The Town of Hayesville is inviting residents and visitors to kick off the spring season with a day of shopping, bargains, and community connection at the Mayor’s Yard Sale & Community Day, set for Saturday, May 23 on Hayesville Town Square. The family-friendly event will run from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and features a large community yard sale with vendors, individuals, non-profits, and local groups all welcome to participate and set up around the historic s

MURPHY, N.C. — Road construction crews will begin milling, paving, and related improvements along U.S. 19 Business in downtown Murphy starting Sunday, May 17, according to Mayor Tim Radford. All work is scheduled to occur overnight between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to minimize daytime traffic disruptions for residents and businesses. “Milling operations will start on Hiwassee Street from McDonald’s through the downtown roundabout and continue north on Valley River Avenue,” the mayor’

Residents and visitors are invited to a free summer celebration on Thursday, June 11 at Cupid Falls Park. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will take place at the park’s new structure overlooking the falls. Attendees can enjoy ice cream, fellowship, and nature tours in the scenic outdoor setting. Cupid Falls Park, located in Young Harris, features wooded areas, trails, and the newly built overlook that provides views of the falls. The gathering offers a relaxed opportunity fo

The Clay County Master Gardeners will hold their Annual Plant Sale on May 15–17, 2026, at the Downtown Discovery Garden, offering a wide selection of plants and gardening expertise to support local green spaces and community projects. Located just a short walk from Courthouse Square behind the County Extension Office at 25 Riverside Circle, the garden is maintained by the Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers of Clay County The event runs Friday and Saturday, May 15–16, from

The Clay County Sheriff's Office is inviting community members to participate in its upcoming Citizens Academy, with Session #11 scheduled to begin on Monday, June 1, 2026. In response to feedback and a desire to boost participation, organizers have condensed the program into a more accessible four-day format spread over two weeks. Classes will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from June 1 through June 9, running from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. each session. The Citizens Academy pr

Following a thorough investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services Division, Ashley Tonya Crisp, 33, of Murphy, has been charged with multiple animal welfare violations. On February 26, 2026, Animal Services received a report of an abandoned animal at a residence on Lunsford Road which belonged to Crisp. On March 18, 2026, deputies responded to a breaking-and-entering call at a vacant residence on US 64 West in Murphy. Inside the home, they discovered

North America’s only marsupial, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), often gets a bad rap. With their rat-like tails, nocturnal habits, and occasional “playing dead” routine, many homeowners view them as pests. But the truth is far more impressive: opossums are gentle, beneficial neighbors that provide free ecosystem services. From tick control to cleanup duty, these quiet workers help keep yards, gardens, and forests healthier. Here’s why you might actually want them

The Beal Center, one of the area’s most distinctive historic venues located in downtown Hayesville, is inviting motivated college students and recent graduates to apply for a paid summer internship that offers hands-on experience in events, marketing, hospitality, and nonprofit operations. The position is ideal for students pursuing degrees or careers in marketing, events management, hospitality, communications, tourism, or related fields. Interns will gain valuable real-worl

Carpenter bees are large, robust insects that many homeowners mistake for bumblebees at first glance. But look closer: unlike the fuzzy, all-over-hairy bumblebee, carpenter bees have a distinctive shiny, hairless black abdomen (earning them the nickname “shiny hiney” bees). They are solitary bees, meaning they don’t live in hives or colonies. Instead, females do the heavy lifting—literally—by boring perfectly round holes about half an inch in diameter into untreated or weathe

The Clay County Community Redevelopment Association (CCCRA) continues its 2026 Summer Concert Series this Friday, May 15, with the return of crowd favorite Southern Vantage to the Hayesville Square. The free concert kicks off at 7 p.m. on the Square in downtown Hayesville. Southern Vantage, a North Georgia native band, is known for their tight three-part harmonies and high-energy performances that blend classic and modern rock and country favorites. Their set list features so

Clover, often dismissed as a common "weed" in lawns, is a powerhouse plant from the legume family (Trifolium species) with far-reaching advantages. White clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) stand out as the most common types. From fixing nitrogen in the soil to supporting pollinators and offering potential health benefits, clover delivers value across agriculture, ecology, gardening, and wellness. Agricultural and Forage Benefits Farmers have long va

Honeysuckles (Lonicera species) enchant with their sweet, nectar-rich blooms and intoxicating fragrance. These climbing vines or shrubs appear in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows worldwide. While not all parts suit consumption—berries of many species prove toxic—the flowers of several common varieties offer edible, medicinal, and practical applications. Identification and Safety First Focus primarily on the flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and common/Europ

Elaine Williams & Joyce Frick clean the original kitchen area of the jail, where the Sheriff’s wife once prepared many meals for the inmates By: Tyler Osborn Towns County Historical Society President Members of the Towns County Historical Society have been hard at work preparing the Old Rock Jail Museum in downtown Hiawassee for its grand reopening and 90th anniversary celebration. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at 12 p.m. and will include guest speakers, mu