Local

Drugs found from the scene of traffic stop on March 1 leads to approximately 504 grams of fentanyl along with other drugs confiscated.

Drugs found from the scene of traffic stop on March 1 leads to approximately 504 grams of fentanyl along with other drugs confiscated.

Interdiction operation leads to major drug arrest

Staff Reports   At 6 p.m. Saturday, March 1 Clay County Sheriff’s Lt. Tyler Faggard, DEA Task Force Officer, was working on a highway interdiction operation similar to the many that have previously been reported.
Photo contributed by Ginger Scerri From left, Will Jennings, 11th; Abigail McClure, 11th;  Emillia Lackey, 10th; Ann Gibson, 11th, and Grace Gibson, 11th, are the high school mentors who will travel with the Second Global Studies Annual Independent Experiential Educational Trip Abroad.

Photo contributed by Ginger Scerri From left, Will Jennings, 11th; Abigail McClure, 11th; Emillia Lackey, 10th; Ann Gibson, 11th, and Grace Gibson, 11th, are the high school mentors who will travel with the Second Global Studies Annual Independent Experiential Educational Trip Abroad.

Clay County teens traveling abroad

n a few months, 27 young people from Clay County plan to take a once-in-a-lifetime overseas trip. The teens, representing grades eight through 11, will travel to Italy and Greece from Monday-Wednesday, June 9-18.

Two-car accident claims man’s life

By Becky Long Publisher   A Clay County man who was described as a “steadfast servant of the Lord and passionate curator of knowledge and theology,” in his obituary died Wednesday, Feb. 26 as a result of a two-car accident on Highway 64. Dr.
Angel Owens • Clay County Progress Staff and students of the Hayesville Elementary School Busy Beans Program, front, from left, Emily Hensley, Krysta English, Mily Ledford, Rejonie Gailley, Carly Anderson, Gabe Garcia, Bentley Smith, Gabe Canup, River Denton, Cayce Ledford and Kay Sprinkles, served drinks to the Clay County Board of Education, back, from left, Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Superintendent Melissa Godfrey, Kelly Crawford and Josh Ashe Monday’s meeting.

Angel Owens • Clay County Progress Staff and students of the Hayesville Elementary School Busy Beans Program, front, from left, Emily Hensley, Krysta English, Mily Ledford, Rejonie Gailley, Carly Anderson, Gabe Garcia, Bentley Smith, Gabe Canup, River Denton, Cayce Ledford and Kay Sprinkles, served drinks to the Clay County Board of Education, back, from left, Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Superintendent Melissa Godfrey, Kelly Crawford and Josh Ashe Monday’s meeting.

Board of education tables decision on Pre-K tuition

By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   Before the doors closed and the Clay County Board of Education meeting began, a handful of smiling Hayesville Elementary School students who are part of the Busy Beans Program took orders for coffee and drinks from board members and attendees.

Sheriff provides detailed 2024 county responses

Sheriff Mark Buchanan Guest Writer   The calendar year 2024 turned out to be a busy one for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Combined research through Clay County 911 Dispatch and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, yielded some notable statistics for 2024.

Flu makes a comeback

Clay County Health Department Director Clarissa Rogers answers editor Becky Long’s questions surrounding this year’s rise in flu cases. When is the typical peak of flu season? Flu season typically occurs in the fall/winter months.
From left, Karen Dudley, Hannah Miller, Mary Jo Dyer, State Farm Marketing Director and Superintendent Melissa Godfrey signify the inclusion of Clay County Schools in the Go the Extra Mile Shoe Fund on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

From left, Karen Dudley, Hannah Miller, Mary Jo Dyer, State Farm Marketing Director and Superintendent Melissa Godfrey signify the inclusion of Clay County Schools in the Go the Extra Mile Shoe Fund on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Go the Extra Mile

By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   On any given day a student’s shoe can fall apart. One scenario might be the energetic middle school student who returns to the classroom from the playground with the sole of a shoe flapping open, socks or toes exposed.
Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Coach Darryl McClure holds helps hold the banner naming the gymnasium in his honor for a stellar career as girls’ high school basketball coach. He is surrounded by family members including his wife, Linda (helping hold the banner).

Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Coach Darryl McClure holds helps hold the banner naming the gymnasium in his honor for a stellar career as girls’ high school basketball coach. He is surrounded by family members including his wife, Linda (helping hold the banner).

Legendary Coach McClure honored

By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   The Hayesville High School gym will forever be known as the Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium after a ceremony Tuesday dedicating the hometown hardwood to the legendary coach who led the Lady Yellow Jackets to six consecutive state championships (1987-’93).
June York, right, is joined by long-time associate Clara Reffi tt in the earlier years of banking

June York, right, is joined by long-time associate Clara Reffi tt in the earlier years of banking

York retires after more than 40 years of service in banking

By MacKenzie Del Rio Guest Writer   Nantahala Bank announces the retirement of June York, who concluded her esteemed career in banking in early 2025, after more than 40 years of dedicated service.