Local

Candidate filing closes Friday

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
By Becky Long Publisher   Residents planning to file as a candidate for office must have their paperwork turned in to the Clay County Board of Elections Office by 12 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19.
Photo by Ron Wallace

Photo by Ron Wallace

Fun-filled Saturday on Candy Cane Lane

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Clay County heralded in the season in grand style during its nighttime parade that stretched from the courthouse parking lot to the town square in a show of brilliant lights and creativity that delighted spectators along the route.
Angel Owens • Photo Clay County Schools Board of Education recognized five young women in fall sports, from left, Reese Segars, Aaliyah Jackson, Grayson Williamson, Ave Shook and Savannah Burch received awards in women's volleyball; back, from left, board members Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Superintendent Melissa Godfrey and Board Member Josh Ashe.

Angel Owens • Photo Clay County Schools Board of Education recognized five young women in fall sports, from left, Reese Segars, Aaliyah Jackson, Grayson Williamson, Ave Shook and Savannah Burch received awards in women's volleyball; back, from left, board members Danny Jones, Robert Caldwell, Chairman Jason Shook, Superintendent Melissa Godfrey and Board Member Josh Ashe.

Board of Education meeting focuses on youth

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   The regular meeting of Clay County Schools Board of Education highlighted fall sports recognition, Future Farmers of America, a Positive Norms Campaign and approval for a new handicapped accessible activity bus.
From left, Councilman Joe Staton and Harry Baughn, Town Clerk/Finance Officer Suzanne Hedden, Mayor Benita England and Zoning Administrator April England discuss improvements around town hall.

From left, Councilman Joe Staton and Harry Baughn, Town Clerk/Finance Officer Suzanne Hedden, Mayor Benita England and Zoning Administrator April England discuss improvements around town hall.

New mayor unveils her wish list

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
By Lorraine Bennett Staff Writer   Newly elected Hayesville Mayor Benita England led her Town Council meeting Monday evening by offering some suggestions for improvements around the town hall building and the Mayor's Park.
Ledford & Parker won the Mayor’s Choice award in the profi t category with its beautifully decorated candy, gingerbread entry.

Ledford & Parker won the Mayor’s Choice award in the profi t category with its beautifully decorated candy, gingerbread entry.

Candy Cane Lane

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Parade attracts participants, spectators in large numbers to Hayesville square
Christmas Parade

Christmas Parade

Come on down to Candy Cane Lane

News Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025
By Becky Long Publisher   Clay County will usher in the holidays with the traditional Hayesville Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13 on the downtown square. Marking its 38th year, the parade has been sponsored by the Clay County Progress newspaper since its inception in 1987.
Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress More than 300 guests attended the TVA Shooting Creek Proposed Transmission Project Open House on Thursday, Dec. 4. TVA hosted the event to gather comments and answer questions from landowners and residents in the area.

Marcia Barnes • Clay County Progress More than 300 guests attended the TVA Shooting Creek Proposed Transmission Project Open House on Thursday, Dec. 4. TVA hosted the event to gather comments and answer questions from landowners and residents in the area.

Transmission proposal stirs mixed comments

News Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025
By Marcia Barnes Staff Writer   The Tennessee Valley Authority heard comments and answered questions from landowners and residents in the area on the proposed transmission routes which will tie into a new Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation substation on Burnt Schoolhouse Road in...

Commission Board Resolution regarding TVA project

News Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025
WHEREAS, portions of proposed routes may cross or lie adjacent to documented and potential archaeological sites, including Native American habitation areas, historic Cherokee trails and village locations, and possible burial grounds within the traditional Cherokee homeland; construction of...

County wants project halted

News Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025
By Becky Long Publisher   Commissioners agree they “strongly oppose” TVA’s transmission improvement project proposed in the Shooting Creek community in its current form.  County attorney Merinda Woody  drafted a resolution that was unanimously adopted at their Dec. 4 meeting.