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(Jared Putnam • Clay County Progress) Hayesville Elementary School counselor Quincey PattersonRickett speaks while Hayesville Middle School counselor Emily Hedden looks on during the Clay County Board of Education meeting on Monday in Hayesville. PattersonRickett and Hedden spoke to the board about a school-based mental health policy.

(Jared Putnam • Clay County Progress) Hayesville Elementary School counselor Quincey PattersonRickett speaks while Hayesville Middle School counselor Emily Hedden looks on during the Clay County Board of Education meeting on Monday in Hayesville. PattersonRickett and Hedden spoke to the board about a school-based mental health policy.

Taking steps to enhance communication

News Staff
Thursday, December 17, 2020
In an unprecedented school year, teachers and staff at Clay County Schools have a variety of new tools at their disposal as they try to keep up with challenges in and out of the classroom.
Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress Pickleballer Fred Sickel shows off his Senior Games gold medal and the paddle that helped him earn it.

Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress Pickleballer Fred Sickel shows off his Senior Games gold medal and the paddle that helped him earn it.

Sickel earns championship gold

Travis Dockery
Thursday, December 10, 2020
When Fred Sickel heard about the North Carolina Senior Games going virtual due to COVID-19 regulations, he figured he might as well give it a shot. That shot was a bullseye that landed him a pickleball state championship.
Pixabay Image

Pixabay Image

Fun ways to experience the holidays apart

News Staff
Thursday, December 10, 2020
While the holidays are often associated with joy, this time of year can bring depression and sadness to some people. Even more people will be alone for the 2020 holiday season due to the COVID-19 pandemic raging around the world and social distancing required around the country.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress While they didn’t get to serve the public in person, this trio served the public by preparing hundreds of take-out plates during Saturday’s dinner. They are Sheriff’s Auxiliary members, Hank and Joyce Bomberger and long-time volunteer, Marie Thompson.

Becky Long • Clay County Progress While they didn’t get to serve the public in person, this trio served the public by preparing hundreds of take-out plates during Saturday’s dinner. They are Sheriff’s Auxiliary members, Hank and Joyce Bomberger and long-time volunteer, Marie Thompson.

Sheriff ’s dinner feeds 300-plus

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Saturday’s annual Sheriff’s Christmas Dinner offered the traditional meal of turkey with all the trimmings, but this year it was served in an untraditional manner. “This year has been so strange and out of sorts with COVID looming over us,” said Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese.
Public Health Nursing Supervisor Clarissa Rogers explains COVID numbers.

Public Health Nursing Supervisor Clarissa Rogers explains COVID numbers.

Holidays behind rise in virus

News Staff
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Much like the rest of the state and the country, Clay County was not immune to a post-Thanksgiving spike in COVID-19 cases. Clay County Health Department reported 24 active cases on Monday, down slightly from the 26 reported on Dec.

Fall system brings winter preview

News Staff
Friday, December 4, 2020
A low pressure system moved through the tri-state area earlier this week bringing with it the first wintry weather of the season. The system moved in Sunday night as rain but by mid-afternoon Monday, snow flakes mixed in.

Those who feed our neighbors

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Friday, December 4, 2020
More than 50 million Americans now face hunger. According to: www.feedingamerica.org report, rising unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, has also created more food insecurity. Clay County residents have two important resources available for food assistance.
(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) We won’t get to dance in the streets with the Grinch this year, but he will return to the Hayesville square in December 2021.

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) We won’t get to dance in the streets with the Grinch this year, but he will return to the Hayesville square in December 2021.

No parade this year

Becky Long - publisher
Friday, December 4, 2020
The Grinch is not stealing Christmas, but COVID-19 has stolen the parade. Normally by this time of year, full page ads would have ran for a month in advance promoting the 33rd annual Hayesville Christmas Parade.
Get your chances to win a gift basket valued at $100 by shopping local this weekend and until Saturday, Dec. 5 when the drawing for winners will be held.

Get your chances to win a gift basket valued at $100 by shopping local this weekend and until Saturday, Dec. 5 when the drawing for winners will be held.

Shop small, shop local impacts businesses in a positive way

News Staff
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Holiday shopping on Black Friday will have new meaning for 2020 as shoppers try to find those special gifts while also maintaining safe distances. Why not enjoy shopping close to home and support local businesses at the same time? On Friday and Saturday, Nov.