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Characters, front from left, Meredith Legg-Grady and David Layfield. Back, Joshua Sellers, Richard Cary, Jon Jordan, Renee Lamance, Max Beard and Larry Johnson practice for “Out of Order.”

Characters, front from left, Meredith Legg-Grady and David Layfield. Back, Joshua Sellers, Richard Cary, Jon Jordan, Renee Lamance, Max Beard and Larry Johnson practice for “Out of Order.”

Play features both first-time and veteran actors

News Staff
Thursday, February 27, 2020
New faces will grace the stage for the 2020 season opener at the Peacock in Hayesville. It’s the first Peacock appearance for four cast members — and two of them are making their acting debut in the British farce, “Out of Order.
(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) HMS student Lauren Gottlieb (left front) by Hayesville Middle School AIG program director Kim Worley (right front) Gottlieb received a scholarship through the North Carolina Association for Gifted and Talented to do a suicide prevention awareness youth rally. She plans to host “It’s Permanent” Youth Rally on May 31.

(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) HMS student Lauren Gottlieb (left front) by Hayesville Middle School AIG program director Kim Worley (right front) Gottlieb received a scholarship through the North Carolina Association for Gifted and Talented to do a suicide prevention awareness youth rally. She plans to host “It’s Permanent” Youth Rally on May 31.

Students’ endeavors applauded by board

News Staff
Thursday, February 27, 2020
A few dozen students and their families filled the boardroom Monday evening as the Clay County School Board meeting was about to start. Since there was no public comment, the meeting began with awards and accolades, as has become the norm.
Image by Jackie Ramirez from Pixabay

Image by Jackie Ramirez from Pixabay

Primary election is Tuesday

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Only a few days remain to vote early at the Clay County Elections Board. One stop is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. the rest of the week and the final day of early voting will be 8 am. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 at theBOE office in Hayesville.

Clay County manager update

News Staff
Friday, February 21, 2020
Clay County is one step closer to having a new county manager. Clay County Administrative Assistant Betty Bradley said the application process closed Friday, Feb. 14. Commission chair Dr. Rob Peck said 14 applications were received for the open position of county manager.

Clay School not immune to flu

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Friday, February 21, 2020
Clay County Schools have seen an increase in absences over the past few weeks, mostly because of illness. On Feb.  5, Clay Schools nurse Joanna Padgett confirmed our schools are experiencing higher rates of absentee students.
(Pam Roman • Clay County Progress) Patty Callahan, actor Max Beard, Diana Lappin and Landi Marrella decide on what to wear for “Out of Order.”

(Pam Roman • Clay County Progress) Patty Callahan, actor Max Beard, Diana Lappin and Landi Marrella decide on what to wear for “Out of Order.”

Peacock costumes provide just the right touch

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Costumers at the Peacock Performing Arts Center have their work cut out for them as they put together attire for the comedy, “Out of Order.” Volunteers Diana Lappin, Landi Marrella and Patty Callahan are enthusiastic about the task.
Flooding in Peachtree.

Flooding in Peachtree.

Rainfall amounts causes flooding, school closures

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, February 13, 2020
While some Clay County residents reported last week’s rainfall total from 4-6 inches or more, others were sharing videos and photos of flooded driveways and homes. On top of that, Saturday’s snow reports ranged from 4-7 inches. A flash flood watch closed schools early Thursday, Feb.
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay

Early voting begins Thursday

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2020
The in-person early voting period for the 2020 primary election begins Thursday, Feb. 13 and ends Saturday, Feb. 29. Clay County Board of Elections, at 54 Church Street on the square in downtown Hayesville. The office will be open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, FEb. 28, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese hands out reports to the commission board including Chairman Rob Peck during a Feb. 6 meeting. Deese provided a statistical update of his first year in office.

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese hands out reports to the commission board including Chairman Rob Peck during a Feb. 6 meeting. Deese provided a statistical update of his first year in office.

Patrol behind solid crime stats

News Staff
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Clay County Sheriff Bobby Deese reported that the amount of property crimes were cut in half during 2019. He attributed this in large part to high visibility patrol. “That’s a huge reduction in crime,” he said. “That’s 90 percent patrol.
"People were leaving the farms and needed jobs — men and women,” said Herman Swanson.

"People were leaving the farms and needed jobs — men and women,” said Herman Swanson.

Manufacturing industry gains momentum here in ‘50s

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Before Southwire, it was Coleman Cable and before that, the manufacturing plant just off Tusquittee Road was American Components Inc. The Pennsylvania based company, ACI served Clay County many years and brought a multitude of jobs that had not been previously available.