Local

Hooray for Ray

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
By Gary Corsair Sports Writer   Wrestlers who discovered the sport in grade school may find it hard to believe that Hayesville’s first state wrestling champion Rayland Martinez didn’t step onto a mat until he was in high school.
Angel Owens • Photo Clay County Schools students and teachers are, front, from left, Will Jennings, Lily McClure, Zach Moral, Teacher Michelle Rhinehardt, Jadyn Kimber, Marleigh Lowe, Teacher Kayla Clonts, Jasmin Brooks, Madison Sullivan and Ava Moore. They were recognized during the Board of Education meeting on Monday, Feb. 23. School board members are, back, from left, Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Board Member Kelly Crawford, Superintendent Melissa Godfrey and Board Member Josh Ash

Angel Owens • Photo Clay County Schools students and teachers are, front, from left, Will Jennings, Lily McClure, Zach Moral, Teacher Michelle Rhinehardt, Jadyn Kimber, Marleigh Lowe, Teacher Kayla Clonts, Jasmin Brooks, Madison Sullivan and Ava Moore. They were recognized during the Board of Education meeting on Monday, Feb. 23. School board members are, back, from left, Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Board Member Kelly Crawford, Superintendent Melissa Godfrey and Board Member Josh Ash

Board of Education recognizes athletes and certified students

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
By Marcia Barnes  Staff Writer   Clay County Schools Board of Education highlighted football athletes, career and technology education students and Hayesville's students who recently received certifications at the Monday, Feb. 23 meeting.

Board of Commissioners agenda for March 5

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Clay County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at 6:30 pm. Thursday, March 5 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, February 26, 2026
The following warrants were issued through the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for Feb. 15-22. All individuals are considered innocent unless proven otherwise in court. • Brandon Michael Pickens Sr., 41, of Asheville, N.C.
Hinton Rural Life Center volunteers at work in its “Safe & Healthy Housing” ministry.

Hinton Rural Life Center volunteers at work in its “Safe & Healthy Housing” ministry.

Hinton Center accepting home repair applications

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
By Hannah von Hof Guest Writer   Hinton Rural Life Center is now accepting applications for its “Safe & Healthy Housing” ministry in preparation for summer 2026 volunteer groups.
Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress Election worker Dr. Gail Criss signs in an early voter Tuesday at the Clay County Board of Elections.

Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress Election worker Dr. Gail Criss signs in an early voter Tuesday at the Clay County Board of Elections.

Final days of early voting underway

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
By Becky Long Publisher   Early voting in Clay County could be on track with the previous mid-term election in 2022. Records show 325 votes cast as of Wednesday morning. Four years ago the final tally for early voting in 2022 was 1,480, according to Elections Board Director Rebecca Hall.
Photo submitted Clay County residents, Dr. Travis Williams and Rock Bottom Recovery and Support founder Stacie Ledford, received the North Carolina Attorney General's Dogwood Award for their exemplary work in western North Carolina opioid recovery work.

Photo submitted Clay County residents, Dr. Travis Williams and Rock Bottom Recovery and Support founder Stacie Ledford, received the North Carolina Attorney General's Dogwood Award for their exemplary work in western North Carolina opioid recovery work.

Locals receive ‘Dogwood’ awards

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   Clay County residents Stacie Ledford and Dr. Travis Williams trekked halfway across the state to Raleigh last week.
Angel Owens • Photo Newly National Board Certified teachers, front, from left, Christy McClure, third grade; Meghan Taylor, second grade; Tara Roberts, second grade; Katie Danner, third grade; Susan Rexroad, third grade and Adrianna Deaver, second grade were recognized at the Board of Education meeting. Board members, back, from left, Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Josh Ashe, Kelly Crawford and Superintendent Melissa Godfrey congratulate the teachers.

Angel Owens • Photo Newly National Board Certified teachers, front, from left, Christy McClure, third grade; Meghan Taylor, second grade; Tara Roberts, second grade; Katie Danner, third grade; Susan Rexroad, third grade and Adrianna Deaver, second grade were recognized at the Board of Education meeting. Board members, back, from left, Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Josh Ashe, Kelly Crawford and Superintendent Melissa Godfrey congratulate the teachers.

Telepsych Grant with UNC approved for Clay County Schools

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   Clay County Schools Board of Education moved into a regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10 that had been rescheduled twice due to winter weather. Chairman Jason Shook called the meeting to order and welcomed back Board Member Kelly Crawford.

Weekly Criminal Charge Report

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The following warrants were issued through the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for Feb.8-15.  All individuals are considered innocent unless proven otherwise in court. • Jackie Lynn Anderson, 46, of Warne, N.C., extradition/fugitive of other state. Released on Feb. 13.
Candidates

Candidates

Early voting starts

News Staff
Thursday, February 12, 2026
By Becky Long Publisher Early voting gets underway at the Clay County Board of Elections, Thursday, Feb. 12. Voting will be held at the BOE office, 75 Riverside Circle, Feb. 12-28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28.