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