Local

Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County ProgressFirst Freewill Baptist Church and Carolina Christian Academy show off their patriotism with a beautiful red, white and blue float complete with Uncle Sam during Tuesday’s Fourth of July Parade on the Hayesville town square. Crowd size appeared much larger than in previous years. Visitors enjoyed games, music, food and the parade procession which included cars, extravagant floats and a slew of spectators on the sidelines. The day marked America’s 247th birthday. In the

Deby Jo Ferguson • Clay County ProgressFirst Freewill Baptist Church and Carolina Christian Academy show off their patriotism with a beautiful red, white and blue float complete with Uncle Sam during Tuesday’s Fourth of July Parade on the Hayesville town square. Crowd size appeared much larger than in previous years. Visitors enjoyed games, music, food and the parade procession which included cars, extravagant floats and a slew of spectators on the sidelines. The day marked America’s 247th birthday. In the

Star spangled Fourth of July

News Staff
Wednesday, July 5, 2023

Bidding farewell to a WWII ‘hero’

News Staff
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
By Becky Long Publisher   Tuesday’s July Fourth Parade served as a venue to honor the service and memory of decorated World War II veteran William “Bill Dailey,” who died Saturday, July 1 at the age of 98.
Mark Runge and Randy Fletcher performed the traditional cutting of the cake with a saber.

Mark Runge and Randy Fletcher performed the traditional cutting of the cake with a saber.

Newspaper among veteran honorees

News Staff
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Staff Reports   It was a big night at the June meeting of American Legion Post 532. During the meal prior to the meeting, Post 532 celebrated the Army’s birthday. The oldest solider present, Mark Runge and the youngest, Randy Fletcher, performed the traditional cutting of the cake with a saber.
Happy Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July

Rodeo, parade, fireworks to ring in 4th

News Staff
Thursday, June 29, 2023
By Becky Long Publisher   Clay County residents and visitors have many options to celebrate the nation’s independence during the weekend leading up to Tuesday’s  Fourth of July holiday.
Little Mermaid cast from left: Kitty Kelly, Gracie Miller, Kaylee Hamilton, Lilly Martin, Gemma Lawrence, Violet Faulk, Eli George, Arlen Myers, Olivia Petty, Natalie George, Logan Kelly, Gracey Rodriquez, Darby Lawrence, Emma Rhodes, Lucy Hopple, Isla Hatfield, Maddy Goddard, Miles Collum, Pella Fuerch and Lincoln Carpenter.

Little Mermaid cast from left: Kitty Kelly, Gracie Miller, Kaylee Hamilton, Lilly Martin, Gemma Lawrence, Violet Faulk, Eli George, Arlen Myers, Olivia Petty, Natalie George, Logan Kelly, Gracey Rodriquez, Darby Lawrence, Emma Rhodes, Lucy Hopple, Isla Hatfield, Maddy Goddard, Miles Collum, Pella Fuerch and Lincoln Carpenter.

Little Mermaid makes a splash

News Staff
Thursday, June 29, 2023
By Terrie Kelly Guest Writer   June 17 and 18, the annual children’s theater camp at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville culminated in the production, “Our Little Mermaid” to sold out audiences.

Proposed USFS Jackrabbit fee targets mountain bikers

News Staff
Thursday, June 29, 2023
By Becky Long Publisher   The U.S. Forest Service is proposing fee changes at two recreation areas that would include a $5 rider fee to the Jackrabbit Mountain Bike Trail System. The proposal includes an option for a $30 annual pass.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress Commissioners’ Scotty Penland and Clay Logan look over the 2023-24 budget which comprises several hundred pages. Commissioners had been studying the budget for several weeks before approving it on June 15,

Becky Long • Clay County Progress Commissioners’ Scotty Penland and Clay Logan look over the 2023-24 budget which comprises several hundred pages. Commissioners had been studying the budget for several weeks before approving it on June 15,

Commission approves $24 plus million county budget

News Staff
Thursday, June 22, 2023
By Becky Long Publisher   A $24 million-plus county budget ordinance was unanimously approved by commissioners following a public hearing on July 15. The budget reflects an increase over the last fiscal year, but the tax rate will not change.
George Leduc was honored by veterans, employees and friends as he leaves care center in Bryson City and heads to Colorado to be closer to his family.

George Leduc was honored by veterans, employees and friends as he leaves care center in Bryson City and heads to Colorado to be closer to his family.

Veteran George Leduc honored

News Staff
Thursday, June 22, 2023
By Robert Seibert Guest Writer   Thursday, June 15, local veterans said good-bye to veteran George Leduc. Due to health problems, he is being transferred from the care facility in Bryson City to one near family in Colorado.

Firm selected to conduct search for school supt.

News Staff
Thursday, June 22, 2023
By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   A Special Called Meeting of the Clay County Board of Education opened at 5 p.m., Wednesday, June 14 as Chairman Jason Shook asked for approval of the agenda. The agenda included approval of The Masonboro Group.

Penland returning to Clay Schools on interim basis

News Staff
Thursday, June 22, 2023
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   When Clay County Commissioner Scotty Penland left as Clay County Schools Interim School Superintendent in 2019, he did not utter Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous movie catchphrase, “I’ll be back.” Perhaps he should have.