News

Photo provided by https://cpsc.gov/

Photo provided by https://cpsc.gov/

Bass Pro Recalls MR. STEAK™ Gas Grills Due to Fire Hazard

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Recall Summary Name of Product: MR. STEAK four and five burner gas patio grills Hazard: The gas regulator hose with attached fuel gauge can melt if it comes in contact with the bottom of the grill's firebox, posing a fire hazard.
(Progress photo by Lorrie Ross) Then NC Governor Pat McCrory made a Sunday morning trip to Clay County to see the fires in person. The forestry department’s incident command personnel point out Shooting Creek firelines from a safe distance.

(Progress photo by Lorrie Ross) Then NC Governor Pat McCrory made a Sunday morning trip to Clay County to see the fires in person. The forestry department’s incident command personnel point out Shooting Creek firelines from a safe distance.

Forest fires three years later

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Three years ago, at the end of 2016, the western North Carolina mountains had finally stopped smoldering. Until then, over a period of several weeks which began in late October, about two dozen forest fires had burned tens of thousands of acres.
(AmeriCorps River 2 team • Photo submitted) AmeriCorps teammember Avery Scully throws wood to a pile at Hintons wood lot. The team worked on the wood lot most Wednesdays with the woodchuckers volunteer woodcutters.

(AmeriCorps River 2 team • Photo submitted) AmeriCorps teammember Avery Scully throws wood to a pile at Hintons wood lot. The team worked on the wood lot most Wednesdays with the woodchuckers volunteer woodcutters.

AmeriCorps hard at work

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, December 19, 2019
That small squad of young people you may have seen around Clay County — the ones wearing matching polo shirts with a distinctive logo, often with cargo pants and combat boots — are members of AmeriCorps.
(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Former sheriff Tony Woody receives congratulations from former sheriff, Vic Davis.

(Becky Long • Clay County Progress) Former sheriff Tony Woody receives congratulations from former sheriff, Vic Davis.

Tony Woody's legacy honored

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Clay County’s longest-serving sheriff, Tony Woody traveled from his farm in Kentucky to a ceremony at the courthouse where a standing-room only crowd gathered to commemorate his history-making tenure in office and decades of service in law enforcement.
Pixabay Image

Pixabay Image

Homeless population increasing

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Clay County has a secret many residents don’t know. The population of homeless people is increasing — even among kids. Many residents are not aware of this because they do not see the homeless sleeping on benches or under bridges, but there are more than one would think.
Pixabay Image

Pixabay Image

Parks may be regulated

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, December 12, 2019
RV and mobile home parks may have to abide by a new set of regulations in 2020 if an ordinance proposed during the Dec. 5 county commission meeting is approved. The ordinance would also apply to tiny home parks.
Pixabay Image

Pixabay Image

Santa Claus is coming to town

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, December 12, 2019
The town square will transform into a sea of holiday sights and sounds when the 32 annual Hayesville Christmas Parade gets underway at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Sponsored by Clay County Progress, the theme for this year’s event is “Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child.
(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Angel Owens presents the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act State Pl

(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Angel Owens presents the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act State Pl

Clay schools climb to top 10 for graduation rate

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Clay County’s Board of Education room was filled as Monday night’s BOE meeting began, but it was not because of any sort of controversy. It was good news. Clay County High School was named in North Carolina’s Top 10 for graduation rate at 93.6 percent, up from 86 percent.
(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Modernization has begun on NC Highway 175, which travels south into Hiawassee, Ga. Construction equipment has been present on that road for several months, especially near the High Bridge where this picture was taken. Expect the heavy equipment to remain on site for a while since the scheduled completion date is not until Oct. 1, 2021.

(Lorrie Ross • Clay County Progress) Modernization has begun on NC Highway 175, which travels south into Hiawassee, Ga. Construction equipment has been present on that road for several months, especially near the High Bridge where this picture was taken. Expect the heavy equipment to remain on site for a while since the scheduled completion date is not until Oct. 1, 2021.

Road work could take a few years

Lorrie Ross - staff writer
Thursday, December 5, 2019
It seems there is road construction happening just about anywhere one drives. Clay County has some major road projects happening now and road construction will continue for at least the next few years. We have compiled a list of the major road projects for readers.
Image from Pixabay

Image from Pixabay

Three file for office

Becky Long - publisher
Thursday, December 5, 2019
Candidate filing startedMonday opening the gate for perspective candidates in the 2020 election. In the first week, three people filed for local offices. All are registered Republican. Clay County Board of Education incumbents Reba Beck and Danny Jones are seeking another term on the board.