Local

Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress The Old Jail Museum, operated by Clay County Historical & Arts Council, shows life the way it may have been in the kitchen of Clay County's sheriff in the mid 1900's. The sheriff and his family lived downstairs in the jail, which is now the Old Jail Museum.

Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress The Old Jail Museum, operated by Clay County Historical & Arts Council, shows life the way it may have been in the kitchen of Clay County's sheriff in the mid 1900's. The sheriff and his family lived downstairs in the jail, which is now the Old Jail Museum.

Focus: Clay County Historical & Arts Council

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   As small as Clay County is, there are many non-profits making a big impact. Clay County Historical & Arts Council is one which has been around for decades- five of them to be exact.
New property owners discovered dynamite that had likely been stored in an old tractor trailer for many years. Law enforcement destroyed it at a remote location.

New property owners discovered dynamite that had likely been stored in an old tractor trailer for many years. Law enforcement destroyed it at a remote location.

Old dynamite found and destroyed

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Staff Reports   The June 26 discovery of old dynamite stored in abandoned tractor trailer on property near Davis Loop led to its removal and eventual disposal, according to a release from Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan.

Couple admires history

News Staff
Thursday, July 3, 2025
By Sandy Zimmerman Guest Writer   Rob and Sandy McKown, of Asheville, N.C., admired quilts and historic items in the HHI Centennial Exhibit recently while visiting Clay County.

Holiday brings rodeo, parade, fireworks

News Staff
Thursday, June 26, 2025
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   The Fourth of July holiday always brings lots of celebrations to local small towns. Locally a parade, festival, fireworks and a rodeo will help create a fun-filled holiday. Hayesville’s Independence Day kicks off with a Fourth of July parade and Freedom Festival.
Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress The low-level outlet passed cascades of water from Chatuge reservoir into the Hiawassee River at 10:08 a.m. Friday, June 20.

Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress The low-level outlet passed cascades of water from Chatuge reservoir into the Hiawassee River at 10:08 a.m. Friday, June 20.

Chatuge reservoir active as summer visitors increase

News Staff
Thursday, June 26, 2025
By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   On Monday, June 23, the generator at Chatuge continued to be in a maintenance outage. However, when possible during the outage, TVA will release flow through the low-level outlet. The water being discharged keeps river temperatures cooler for aquatic habitat.

No tax hike in $27+ million county budget

News Staff
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Becky Long Publisher Clay County adopted a $27,689,610 million budget Monday morning during a continuation of their June 5 meeting. There was no increase to the property tax rate of .43 per $100 valuation.
Photo submitted by Hinton Rural Life Center staff A summer mission team works on an accessibility ramp as part of Hinton’s Safe & Healthy Home Repair ministry.

Photo submitted by Hinton Rural Life Center staff A summer mission team works on an accessibility ramp as part of Hinton’s Safe & Healthy Home Repair ministry.

Hinton Center Part II: Clay County’s oldest nonprofit

News Staff
Thursday, June 26, 2025
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   Clay County’s non-profits provide residents and visitors with lots of chances to help others. Many of them, like Hinton Rural Life Center offer plenty of learning options.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress No Kings protesters line both sides of Old Jailhouse Hill in Hayesville Saturday. The number of local people protesting President Donald Trump’s policies have continually increased over the past few months from the tens to the hundreds.

Becky Long • Clay County Progress No Kings protesters line both sides of Old Jailhouse Hill in Hayesville Saturday. The number of local people protesting President Donald Trump’s policies have continually increased over the past few months from the tens to the hundreds.

Crowd shows up to protest

News Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2025
By Becky Long Publisher Saturday brought a display of flags for the ages. It happened to be Flag Day, but in this case, Old Glory was waving as a symbol of democracy representing Americans with opposing views.