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German exchange student Felicia Falk got to visit New York City with her Clay County host family, Dr. Jackie Gottlieb and Lauren Gottlieb.

German exchange student Felicia Falk got to visit New York City with her Clay County host family, Dr. Jackie Gottlieb and Lauren Gottlieb.

From Germany to Hayesville

News Staff
Thursday, January 5, 2023
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   Last week, the Clay County Progress featured two of the three Hayesville High School exchange students honored during the Clay County Board of Education’s December meeting.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress A simple hand-written note says “Closed, sorry,” on the window at the Hardee’s drive-thru in Hayesville. The restaurant has permanently closed its doors

Becky Long • Clay County Progress A simple hand-written note says “Closed, sorry,” on the window at the Hardee’s drive-thru in Hayesville. The restaurant has permanently closed its doors

End of an era

News Staff
Thursday, January 5, 2023
By Becky Long Publisher   After more than three decades Clay County’s oldest fast-food restaurant closed it doors on Friday, Dec. 30. “We found out on Thursday and we closed on Friday,” said Manager Richard Gauthier.

New sheriff outlines the transition

News Staff
Friday, December 16, 2022
By Becky Long Publisher   Sheriff Mark Buchanan has been on the job about two weeks and in addition to getting organized and setting in to his new office, he has had to deal with flu which kept him under the weather for several days.
The Hayesville Marching Band brought an upbeat holiday tempo to Saturday’s Hayesville Christmas Parade and proved to be one of the highlights of the event. The band was among a large number of participants in the 2022 parade which appears to have been the largest in its history.

The Hayesville Marching Band brought an upbeat holiday tempo to Saturday’s Hayesville Christmas Parade and proved to be one of the highlights of the event. The band was among a large number of participants in the 2022 parade which appears to have been the largest in its history.

Christmas parade largest ever

News Staff
Friday, December 16, 2022
Lauren Tucker, left, shows Project Director Karen Coker baby sleepwear she is about to wrap during a gift wrapping event on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Catalyst Church in Hayesville.

Lauren Tucker, left, shows Project Director Karen Coker baby sleepwear she is about to wrap during a gift wrapping event on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Catalyst Church in Hayesville.

The heart of Christmas, a story of giving

News Staff
Friday, December 16, 2022
By Marcia Barnes Feature Writer       It’s a few days before Christmas with a chill in the air and heavy amounts of rain falling in the mountains of North Carolina. More rain is forecast and night temperatures are expected to dip below freezing.
Becky Long • Clay County Progress Susie Brechbill continues to crochet items while working at her booth during the Made in the Mountains event where local vendors could sell their wares from the historic courthouse on Black Friday.

Becky Long • Clay County Progress Susie Brechbill continues to crochet items while working at her booth during the Made in the Mountains event where local vendors could sell their wares from the historic courthouse on Black Friday.

Made in the Mountains

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
By Becky Long Publisher   Hayesville was abuzz with activity and sales on Black Friday thanks to many shoppers throwing their support and dollars to local businesses. The Historic Courthouse/ Beal Center served as a venue for unique gift items during Friday’s Made in the Mountains market.

Legendary jurist supports Clay educators

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
By Gary Corsair Staff Writer   Clay County’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence has not gone unnoticed in the hallowed halls of the state capitol. That was obvious Monday night in Hayesville when former Associate Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court Willis P.
Firemen on the mountain during the Boteler Fire in November of 2016.

Firemen on the mountain during the Boteler Fire in November of 2016.

Keeping Clay County’s homes safe from wildfire

News Staff
Thursday, December 1, 2022
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   Six years ago, tens of thousands of acres of western North Carolina were on fire, including parts of Clay County. More than 20 fires consumed a lot of woodlands, some meadows and a few structures in the region.
Investigator Todd Wingate conducts the traditional transfer of the firearm and badge worn by Sheriff Bobby Deese.

Investigator Todd Wingate conducts the traditional transfer of the firearm and badge worn by Sheriff Bobby Deese.

Sheriff Bobby Deese honored ahead of Dec. 5 retirement

News Staff
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
By Becky Long Publisher   Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese will be retiring from his office when the new sheriff, Mark Buchanan, is sworn in on Dec. 5. In the meantime, Deese’ staff honored his work and community service from the past four years with a retirement dinner on Friday, Nov. 4.
Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress A REACH Thrift Store display shows the variety of items available.

Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress A REACH Thrift Store display shows the variety of items available.

Shopping ‘thrifty’ can help others

News Staff
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
By Lorrie Ross Staff Writer   Christmas is only one month away. Yet prices of almost everything are on the rise, which stretches gift-giving dollars for most people more than ever.