Local

Commission Chairman Dr. Rob Peck’s message regarding the death of Dwight Penland

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Commissioner Dwight Penland. Dwight dedicated more than 27 years to public service in Clay County — 19 of those as a County Commissioner and eight years on the Board of Education before that.

Weekly Criminal Charge Report

The following warrants were issued through the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for March 9-15. All individuals are considered innocent unless proven otherwise in court. • Barry Richard Grathwhol, 61, of Hiawassee, Ga., driving while impaired. Released on March 12.

Hayesville Inn on the Square

By Becky Long Publisher   It may be hard to imagine what has been called one of the “ugliest” buildings on the square becoming one of the finest, but that’s the goal of the Clay County Communities Revitalization Association.

Council adopts county’s anti-data center ordinance

By Lorraine Bennett Staff Writer   The Hayesville Town Council Monday adopted Clay County’s sweeping ordinance banning data processing centers in the town or its extraterritorial jurisdiction, and appointed Suzanne Hedden as the town’s budget officer.

Rumfelt moves to top 20 on American Idol

Staff Reports   Our community has a hometown star to cheer for and now is the time for all of us to show up and support him. Braden Rumfelt’s American Idol journey continues. In the Ohana Round Monday night, he moved to the top 20.

Rogers receives accreditation for accident reconstruction

Article Submitted   Clay County native, Sergeant Clint Rogers, has recently attained accreditation with the Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction; ACTAR for short.

Clay County Fire and Rescue

Calls for service March 1-7: 41 Medical emergency: 27 Motor vehicle collision: 1 False alarm / smoke investigation: 5 Power line in roadway: 1 Gas leak: 1 Canceled enroute: 4 No incident found: 2

Weekly Criminal Charge Report

The following warrants were issued through the Clay County Sheriff’s Office for March 2-9. All individuals are considered innocent unless proven otherwise in court. • Christian Cade Davies, 21, of Hayesville, written legal order. Released on March 4.

Spring Forward

Dirty Dozen tax scams for 2026: IRS reminds taxpayers to watch out for dangerous threats

The Internal Revenue Service today, Thursday, March 5, announced its annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams for 2026 that threaten the tax and financial information of taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals.