Local

Colton James walks away the winner

Colton James walks away the winner

Hayesville singer wins Andrews Idol

News Staff
Friday, September 8, 2023
Nicole Wright • Cherokee Scout The first season finale of Andrews Idol rocked the packed house at The Blue Stage with four talents vying for a $1,000 prize. When all was sang and done, Hayesville’s Colton James walked away the winner.
Map provided by NCDOT Division Project Development Engineer Wes Jamison. This project goes from US 64 to Main Street in Hayesville with one roundabout to replace the intersection of US 64 Business, May Street and Hiawassee Street.

Map provided by NCDOT Division Project Development Engineer Wes Jamison. This project goes from US 64 to Main Street in Hayesville with one roundabout to replace the intersection of US 64 Business, May Street and Hiawassee Street.

Plans for Business 64

News Staff
Friday, September 8, 2023
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   Drivers in Clay County will have another round-about in a few years. The new one will alleviate that awkward sharp turn beside Truett Baptist Church in downtown Hayesville.

Recovered baggie leads to man’s arrest

News Staff
Friday, September 8, 2023
Staff Report   A Hiawassee man accused of tossing a baggie containing fentanyl out of a truck window was arrested Aug. 29 by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office after the baggie was recovered on the roadway. Around 10 p.m. Sgt.

Defendants answer lawsuit in Bear Paw shooting case

News Staff
Friday, September 8, 2023
By Randy Foster Cherokee Scout   Cherokee County and Cherokee tribal police officials named in a federal lawsuit over a Dec. 13, 2022 incident in which a tribal SWAT team opened fire on an unarmed Bear Paw man have filed motions requesting to have their cases dismissed.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress Sheriff Mark Buchanan coordinates through his cellphone from the parking lot of First Free Will Baptist Church/Carolina Christian Academy after the pastor received a politically motivated call. No one was threatened or injured in the incident, but the sheriff’s office took precautions and manned the site while tracking down the caller.

Becky Long • Clay County Progress Sheriff Mark Buchanan coordinates through his cellphone from the parking lot of First Free Will Baptist Church/Carolina Christian Academy after the pastor received a politically motivated call. No one was threatened or injured in the incident, but the sheriff’s office took precautions and manned the site while tracking down the caller.

Call causes alarm

News Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
By Becky Long Publisher   An apparent politically motivated phone call to a local church/school on the morning  of Aug. 29 resulted in a flurry of rumors being posted on social media about a possible “escaped convict,” and a “bomb threat.

‘Smooth’ first day of school says Penland

News Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   Interim Superintendent Scotty Penland, presented positive comments at the Clay County Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday night. The Aug. 28 date also coincided with Hayesville’s first day of school. “The principals and staff have done an excellent job.

Labor Day

News Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   For many Americans, the first Monday in September is a day away from work. With kids out of school, it can be a fun time on Lake Chatuge or cooking out with friends. Yet Labor Day began as a way to celebrate the contributions of American laborers.
Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress From left, Karen Scarbrough, daughters, Shelby and Aubrey, relax in the gazebo at Hayesville’s square on Friday, Aug. 25.

Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress From left, Karen Scarbrough, daughters, Shelby and Aubrey, relax in the gazebo at Hayesville’s square on Friday, Aug. 25.

Karen Scarbrough’s labor of love

News Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
By Marcia Barnes Feature Writer   When Karen Scarbrough moved from her native home in Sarasota, Fla. to settle in the mountains six years ago, Scarbrough was unaware she would be living in a community that was a perfect fit.
Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress Pageant winner Caroline Roberts is crowned by 2022 Miss Georgia Mountain Fair Sara Shook accompanied by first runner-up, Cara Heerde and second runner-up, Emily Leonard.

Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County Progress Pageant winner Caroline Roberts is crowned by 2022 Miss Georgia Mountain Fair Sara Shook accompanied by first runner-up, Cara Heerde and second runner-up, Emily Leonard.

Ga. Mountain Fair queen crowned

News Staff
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
By Deby Jo Ferguson Staff Writer   A Clayton, Ga. woman was crowned queen of the Miss Georgia Mountain Fair Pageant on Thursday, Aug. 17 in Anderson Music Hall at the fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Caroline Roberts, 18, is the 2023 reigning queen.

Book bans or education freedom? Trustees get an earful

News Staff
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
By Randy Foster Cherokee Scout   A Murphy woman who wanted local public libraries to remove two books with transgender themes from the children’s section came away from a library board of trustees meeting on Aug. 17 outnumbered and unsuccessful.