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Caitlin Lovingood • Photo Rhet Lovingood was suited up for a ride through the family's backyard in Hayesville on Sunday, March 22. Rhet's gas-powered go-cart is a part of his play routine when weather is permitting.

Caitlin Lovingood • Photo Rhet Lovingood was suited up for a ride through the family's backyard in Hayesville on Sunday, March 22. Rhet's gas-powered go-cart is a part of his play routine when weather is permitting.

The Lovingood family story

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Marcia Barnes Staff Writer Rhet Lovingood is a little boy with a lot of hard work ahead. He is six years old and a kindergarten student at Hayesville Primary School.

Selecting an interim board member commissioner

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
By Becky Long Publisher The Clay County Republican Party Executive Committee is scheduled to meet March 30 to discuss and determine an interim and/or future candidate to fill the remainder of Commissioner Dwight Penland’s term. Penland died March 11, leaving a vacancy on the five-member board.

Gas prices rise again

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer With springtime vacations almost here, drivers may be worried car travel may cost a little more than their travel budget allows. Those are valid concerns since prices at the gas pumps have increased nationwide about 19 cents per gallon compared to last week.
Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Clay County Fire Chief Brian Henderson, left, takes a phone call as assistant fire chief Chris Denton stands by inside Clay’s Corner, which was damaged in a fire Friday afternoon.

Randy Foster/editor@cherokeescout.com Clay County Fire Chief Brian Henderson, left, takes a phone call as assistant fire chief Chris Denton stands by inside Clay’s Corner, which was damaged in a fire Friday afternoon.

Clay’s Corner scorched in Friday fire

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
By Randy Foster editor@cherokeescout.com Fire broke out at Clay’s Corner on Friday afternoon. It was quickly put out by property owners whose top priority was saving a feral cat named Goober.

Henderson earns advanced law enforcement certificate

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Staff Reports Sheriff Mark Buchanan offered congratulations to Clay County Sergeant Ethan Henderson on receiving the Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate from the N.C. Sheriff's' Education and Training Standards Commission in Raleigh.

Board of Commissioners agenda

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
The Clay County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at 6:30 pm. Thursday, April 2 in the multi-purpose room at the Clay County Government Center, 261 Courthouse Drive. The tentative agenda is as follows: • Prayer. • Pledge of Allegiance. • Public comment.

Weekly Criminal Charge Report

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2026
The following warrants were issued through the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for March 15-22. All individuals are considered innocent unless proven otherwise in court. • Nicholas Robert Britton, 43, of Franklin, N.C., true bill of indictment.

Public service, kindness part of Penland’s legacy

News Staff
Thursday, March 19, 2026
By Becky Long Publisher   Clay County bid farewell to its longest serving county commissioner Monday morning. Hundreds of friends, relatives and supporters showed up for visitation and his Monday morning funeral service. Dwight Hunter Penland, 65, died Wednesday, March 11.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress Clay County Board of Election members meet with BOE Director Rebecca Hall and Deputy Director Patty Swanson for a canvass review before certifying the primary election, making the outcome official. Board members are, from left, Sue Yancey, Harold Holbrook, Chairman James Davis, Ed Ashe and Jerry Anderson.

Becky Long • Clay County Progress Clay County Board of Election members meet with BOE Director Rebecca Hall and Deputy Director Patty Swanson for a canvass review before certifying the primary election, making the outcome official. Board members are, from left, Sue Yancey, Harold Holbrook, Chairman James Davis, Ed Ashe and Jerry Anderson.

Primary results are now official Friday canvass canvass

News Staff
Thursday, March 19, 2026
By Becky Long Publisher   The 2026 primary election results are official after the Clay County Board of Elections canvassed the election Friday morning.