News

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress Clay County Schools) Superintendent Dale Cole thanks everyone involved in the new primary school from start to finish including former and current county commissioners and school board members.

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress Clay County Schools) Superintendent Dale Cole thanks everyone involved in the new primary school from start to finish including former and current county commissioners and school board members.

Primary school opening soon

Becky Long - publisher
Friday, October 23, 2020
Clay County students in Pre-K through second grade can view their new primary school first-hand within weeks, according to Superintendent of Schools Dale Cole. An “optimistic” time line puts students in their new classrooms by the third week in November, Cole said. Completion of the $13.
(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Clay County Social Work Supervisor of Foster Care and Adult Services Courtney Robertson, on left, has worked in Clay County four years. Nicole Byrnes, Foster Home Licensing and Adoption Social Worker, came to work in Clay County in January, but has worked in child welfare for 13 years.

(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Clay County Social Work Supervisor of Foster Care and Adult Services Courtney Robertson, on left, has worked in Clay County four years. Nicole Byrnes, Foster Home Licensing and Adoption Social Worker, came to work in Clay County in January, but has worked in child welfare for 13 years.

Social workers help foster young lives

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, October 15, 2020
“Be the village for foster kids.” Nicole Byrne quoted as she, Courtney Robertson and Todd Goins explained ways anyone can impact the lives of foster children. Clay County had 12 children enter the foster care program from Oct. 1, 2019 through Sept. 30, 2020.
(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Clay County Chamber of Commerce Director Pam Roman looks over a few of the pumpkins delivered to local businesses recently for the Chamber's pumpkin decorating contest. Chamber board member, David Alsobrook, right, handles the heavy work of unloading them to local businesses participating in the contest.

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Clay County Chamber of Commerce Director Pam Roman looks over a few of the pumpkins delivered to local businesses recently for the Chamber's pumpkin decorating contest. Chamber board member, David Alsobrook, right, handles the heavy work of unloading them to local businesses participating in the contest.

Giant Pumpkin Decorating contest

News Staff
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Every October we look forward to a great time at the Punkin Chunkin Festival put on by the Clay County Chamber of Commerce. Regrettably, this year’s event had to be canceled due to the pandemic, but Punkin Chunkin will be back in 2021, Oct. 16-17.
(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Mayor Harry Baughn was unable to attend the October Hayesville Town Council meeting so Council Chair Joe Slaton acted as mayor pro-tempore.

(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Mayor Harry Baughn was unable to attend the October Hayesville Town Council meeting so Council Chair Joe Slaton acted as mayor pro-tempore.

Zoning approved by Town board

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Hayesville Town Council looked a little different without Mayor Harry Baughn’s presence, but Hayesville Town Council Chair, Joe Slaton, served as mayor protempore for the meeting.
(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Board of Elections Deputy Director, Patty Swanson, prepares a handicap accessible voting booth in preparation for early voting which begins Thursday, Oct. 15. Voters can take advantage of early voting on the square at 54 Church Street.

(Travis Dockery • Clay County Progress) Board of Elections Deputy Director, Patty Swanson, prepares a handicap accessible voting booth in preparation for early voting which begins Thursday, Oct. 15. Voters can take advantage of early voting on the square at 54 Church Street.

Ready, set, vote!

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Early one-stop voting opens Thursday, Oct. 15 at the Clay County Board of Elections office on the square in Hayesville. It continues through Saturday, Oct. 31. Voting hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Saturday hours will are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. except for Oct. 31 when the hours will be 8 a.m.
(Brittany Sullivan • Clay County Progress) An early December opening is planned for Union General Orthopedics at Hayesville. The $2 million state of the art medical building had initially been designated for the relocation of Hayesville Family Practice which will now remain in its Moore’s Plaza offices.

(Brittany Sullivan • Clay County Progress) An early December opening is planned for Union General Orthopedics at Hayesville. The $2 million state of the art medical building had initially been designated for the relocation of Hayesville Family Practice which will now remain in its Moore’s Plaza offices.

New direction for clinic on 69

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, October 15, 2020
A ground-breaking ceremony in September 2019 marked the future site of a new home for Hayesville Family Practice. After a year of construction the $2 million facility is almost ready for occupancy; however, it will house Union General Orthopedics at Hayesville — not the family practice.
(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Towns County Sheriff’s officers and other law enforcement agencies block entrances to Young Harris College Monday afternoon.

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Towns County Sheriff’s officers and other law enforcement agencies block entrances to Young Harris College Monday afternoon.

YHC bomb threat an apparent hoax

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, October 8, 2020
A morning bomb threat canceled classes for Young Harris College students on Monday, Oct. 5. The anonymous bomb threat was made to the Rollins Campus Center, known as the RCC at the four year college. At 8:52 a.m.
Image from Pixabay

Image from Pixabay

Tison in race for commissioner

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, October 8, 2020
  The majority of local candidates running in local races face no contenders and will sail into office with little effort. However, there are three seats open on the county commission board and a fourth candidate is seeking one of those seats.
(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) County attorney Merinda Woody and administrator Betty Bradley wait for commissioners’ Dwight Penland, Scotty Penland and Rob Peck, along with Randy Nichols, not shown, to sign resolutions following the Oct. 1 county commission meeting. Commissioner Clay Logan was not present.

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) County attorney Merinda Woody and administrator Betty Bradley wait for commissioners’ Dwight Penland, Scotty Penland and Rob Peck, along with Randy Nichols, not shown, to sign resolutions following the Oct. 1 county commission meeting. Commissioner Clay Logan was not present.

Economic incentives approved

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Commissioners approved an economic development incentive program that will provide property tax rebates for new and expanding businesses based on the number of employees and amount of investment in Clay County. The board on Oct.