Local

Spectators line the streets of Hayesville waiting for the 12 p.m. tractor parade to begin. The rain held off until the parade was over and many visited the tractors parked on the square.

Spectators line the streets of Hayesville waiting for the 12 p.m. tractor parade to begin. The rain held off until the parade was over and many visited the tractors parked on the square.

Annual Ag Day & Tractor Parade draws crowd

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
By Tyler Osborn Clay County Agriculture Agent   Tractors once again took center stage in downtown Hayesville on Saturday, Sept. 27 for the 19th annual Ag Day & Tractor Parade. Despite damp weather, the event drew a strong crowd eager to celebrate Clay County’s agricultural traditions.

Break-in occurs at local newspaper

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
By Becky Long Publisher   Clay County Progress was the target of a break-in which apparently occurred sometime Sunday evening or early Monday morning. On Monday a neighboring business called one of the Progress associates around 8:20 a.m.

Commission Board meeting agenda

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
The Clay County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2 in the multi-purpose room located at 261 Courthouse Drive.  The tentative agenda is as follows: Oct. 2, 2025 • Prayer. • Pledge of Allegiance.

Weekly Criminal Charge

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
The following warrants were issued through the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for Sept. 21-28. All individuals are considered innocent unless proven otherwise in court. • David William Murrin, 41, of Warne, N.C., two counts of failure to appear on a felony. Released on Sept. 23.

Myers honored on 100th

News Staff
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Submitted by Rondal Brown and Betty Bradley   A birthday celebration was held on Saturday, Sept. 13 to honor Ralph Myers hosted by Allison-Bristol VFW Post 6812 and Auxiliary. There were approximately 80 in attendance. There are a few WWII Veterans living today that were from Clay County.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress American Legion members Rondall Brown and Phil Cantley conduct the Flag Folding ceremony for Thursday’s 9/11 Patriot’s Day remembrance event at the sheriff’s office.

Becky Long • Clay County Progress American Legion members Rondall Brown and Phil Cantley conduct the Flag Folding ceremony for Thursday’s 9/11 Patriot’s Day remembrance event at the sheriff’s office.

9/11 service reflects on day of tragedy, heroism

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
By Becky Long Publisher   The anniversary of 9/11 was observed Thursday on a clear, sunny day in Clay County, much like the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists attacked the United States killing 2,976 people and injuring thousands more.
Gracie Taylor • Clay County Progress Varsity Jackets escort Rhet Lovingood and Cooper Godfrey onto the field Friday evening during Youth Night at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium. From left are Will Brown, Lovingood, Tre Graves, Jameson Dawson, Godfrey and Rayland Martinez

Gracie Taylor • Clay County Progress Varsity Jackets escort Rhet Lovingood and Cooper Godfrey onto the field Friday evening during Youth Night at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium. From left are Will Brown, Lovingood, Tre Graves, Jameson Dawson, Godfrey and Rayland Martinez

Youth night draws support from Jackets of all ages

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   "No Child Should Fight Alone" was the theme of youth football night at the Hayesville High School football games on Friday, Sept. 12.
The tower on The Beal Center, formerly Clay County's Courthouse may be seen from several places around Hayesville. Bob Hanson, of the Courthouse Restoration Committee, explained, "The gray on the tower house is new because that color was revealed under the layers of paint that were removed. We tried to make the historical restoration as best we could to be historically accurate.

The tower on The Beal Center, formerly Clay County's Courthouse may be seen from several places around Hayesville. Bob Hanson, of the Courthouse Restoration Committee, explained, "The gray on the tower house is new because that color was revealed under the layers of paint that were removed. We tried to make the historical restoration as best we could to be historically accurate.

Nonprofit series continues with spotlight on the Beal Center

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   From silent movies projected on the walls, to roller skating on the sidewalks around the old courthouse until the lumber mill whistle blew, many longtime Clay County residents have fond recollections about the Historic Clay County Courthouse.