Local

Fire Safety With Pets

For those of you who have pets, you most likely have a strong relationship with them. Pets can give us unconditional love and comfort. However, did you know that your pet can also cause a fire? According to NFPA, pets and wild animals have had a part in starting about 700 house fires per year.

Tropical Storm Fred causes severe damage to Pisgah Ranger District

On Tuesday, the Pisgah Ranger District experienced extreme weather conditions that have caused severe damage throughout the District. As rain continues to fall throughout the region, water levels remain high.

Temporary traffic pattern change on school campus

This summer Clay County Schools was able to demolish the old elementary school building on our campus through funding partnerships with the Clay County Commissioners and the N.C. Education Lottery Grant.

Health agencies issue more COVID-19 guidance

COVID-19 cases continued to rise in Clay County during a week in which public health officials released guidance on health emergencies and booster shots. Clay County Health Department announced 64 known current active cases of the virus within the county as of Monday, up 11 from a week earlier.

Start of school features variety of changes in Clay

With the 2021-22 academic year set to start on Monday, Clay County Schools will feature a number of changes inside and outside of its buildings.

Governor Cooper Declares Rural Broadband Week to Highlight Digital Inclusion, Innovation

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed Aug. 16–20, 2021, as Rural Broadband Week to call attention to the urgent need to improve broadband access and adoption across our state. Throughout the week, Gov.

State Employees’ Credit Union Board of Directors Announces New President and CEO

The Board of Directors of State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) announced today that Jim Hayes has been selected to succeed Mike Lord as President and CEO of the $50 billion credit union. Hayes is the current President and CEO of Andrews Federal Credit Union (AFCU) based in Suitland, Maryland.

Heritage Day Returns to the Folk Art Center

The 41st annual Heritage Day will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18  at the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center. The free celebration of mountain heritage is held by the Southern Highland Craft Guild and features demonstrations of traditional crafts accompanied by music.

Sam Uhl is featured reader at Mountain Wordsmiths

Sam Uhl, owner and memoirist of "The Cheerful Word," www.cheerfulword.com, will be the guest reader for Mountain Wordsmiths at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 26. This event, sponsored by North Carolina Writers’ Network-West, is being held via Zoom because of COVID concerns.

Gov. Cooper, State Health Leaders Urge Some Schools To Revisit Decisions and Fully Implement Health Protections

Governor Roy Cooper, NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson sent a letter to school boards that have failed to adopt the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit urging them to protect their students and staff in the new school year.