Local

(Submitted • Brett Graves) The HMS Yellow Jackets celebrate their Smoky Mountain Conference championship. From left, Micheal Mauney, Cannon Brewer, Eli Chandler, Kendall Boyer, Chance Hughes, Kyle Shaheen, Tate Roberts, Johan Webb, Parker Hughes, Kenyon Rogers, Landon Trout, Tyler Fuller, Nick Wilson and Daniel Allen.

(Submitted • Brett Graves) The HMS Yellow Jackets celebrate their Smoky Mountain Conference championship. From left, Micheal Mauney, Cannon Brewer, Eli Chandler, Kendall Boyer, Chance Hughes, Kyle Shaheen, Tate Roberts, Johan Webb, Parker Hughes, Kenyon Rogers, Landon Trout, Tyler Fuller, Nick Wilson and Daniel Allen.

HMS adds SMC championship

The Smoky Mountain Conference held its middle school track and field championship Saturday, May 22 in Murphy.
(Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress) Marsha Lee Baker and Tom Baker stand outside the Clay County Progress building on their recent visit to Hayesville.

(Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress) Marsha Lee Baker and Tom Baker stand outside the Clay County Progress building on their recent visit to Hayesville.

Tom Baker: warrior and veteran with a mission

Tom Baker’s easy smile and demeanor are at the forefront as he talks about his novel, “The Hawk and The Dove” and his days as a parachute rigger with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.
Picture courtesy of Rob Peck

Picture courtesy of Rob Peck

Thursday marks opening of sports complex

Clay County's state-of-the-art baseball and softball complex is ready for its first pitch. The facility will open with a special pregame ceremony at 3:45 p.m. Thursday, May 27 with the Clay County School Board and the county board of commissioners all taking part in the event.
(Jared Putnam• Clay County Progress) Hayesville Mayor Harry Baughn, left, speaks with town council member Joe Slaton during the monthly meeting on May 10.

(Jared Putnam• Clay County Progress) Hayesville Mayor Harry Baughn, left, speaks with town council member Joe Slaton during the monthly meeting on May 10.

Town Council preps 2021-22 budget

The exact look of Hayesville's 2021-22 budget will largely depend on timing. The Hayesville Town Council council approved a motion to repave Sanderson Street during the monthly meeting on May 10, adding to a short list of projects that have been passed but are not yet underway.

Stamey goes out on podium

On Tuesday, May 11, Hayesville golfers Jala Stamey and Madison Logan competed in the 1A/2A state championship at Pinehurst Golf Course. The pair represented HHS well with Stamey tying for third and Logan tying for sixth.
Pixabay Image

Pixabay Image

Gas shortages continue to ease

With each passing day, you're less likely to find plastic bags over pump handles at the gas station. According to fuel-tracking website: www.Gasbuddy.com, 43 percent of North Carolina's gas stations were without fuel as of 4 p.m.
Jared Putnam • Clay County Progress Clay County Commissioners Scotty Penland, Clay Logan, Rob Peck and Randy Nichols look on as Stacie Ledford, president of Rock Bottom Recovery, receives the 2021 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for Clay County during the board of commissioners meeting on May 6 in Hayesville.

Jared Putnam • Clay County Progress Clay County Commissioners Scotty Penland, Clay Logan, Rob Peck and Randy Nichols look on as Stacie Ledford, president of Rock Bottom Recovery, receives the 2021 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award for Clay County during the board of commissioners meeting on May 6 in Hayesville.

Ledford receives Governor’s Volunteer Service Award

Substance use and fatal overdoses have surged across the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clay County Commissioners Scotty Penland, Clay Logan, Rob Peck and Randy Nichols listen as Clay County Attorney Merinda Woody explains the details of the Residential Park Development Ordinance during a hearing on May 6 in Hayesville.

Clay County Commissioners Scotty Penland, Clay Logan, Rob Peck and Randy Nichols listen as Clay County Attorney Merinda Woody explains the details of the Residential Park Development Ordinance during a hearing on May 6 in Hayesville.

County adopts Residential Park Development Ordinance

After more than 18 months of work and review, Clay County now has a Residential Park Development Ordinance in place. The Clay County Board of Commissioners approved the ordinance — also referred to as a "Mobile Home & RV Ordinance" — following a public hearing on Thursday in Hayesville.
Jason Matheson is escorted by Sheriff Kenneth Henderson of Towns County.

Jason Matheson is escorted by Sheriff Kenneth Henderson of Towns County.

Matheson enters not guilty plea

A local man accused of shooting his estranged wife multiple times has pleaded not guilty to the charges related to the incident.