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Clayton, Sky Valley council qualifying starts Monday

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Qualifying for city council seats in Sky Valley and Clayton starts Monday, Aug. 17. Sky Valley has a city General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with two council member seats up for grabs. Those seats are currently held by Tony Allred and Jim Curtis.

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Distillery’s trouble with city still brewing

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The standoff between the City of Clayton and the business Moonrise Distillery continued Tuesday evening at the monthly city council meeting.Moonrise had been required to pay its outstanding taxes by the council at the July meeting.The deadline for payment was Aug. 12 and as of the Aug.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Motorists will notice new signage saying “Welcome to Wellstar Mountain Lakes Medical Center” as the local hospital was officially acquired by Wellstar Health System. Wellstar Health System and Mountain Lakes Medical Center announced on Monday, Aug. 10, Wellstar has completed its acquisition of the hospital.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Motorists will notice new signage saying “Welcome to Wellstar Mountain Lakes Medical Center” as the local hospital was officially acquired by Wellstar Health System. Wellstar Health System and Mountain Lakes Medical Center announced on Monday, Aug. 10, Wellstar has completed its acquisition of the hospital.

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Mountain Lakes Medical Center officially acquired by Wellstar

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Mountain Lakes Medical Center is now officially Wellstar Mountain Lakes Medical Center. Wellstar Health System and Mountain Lakes Medical Center announced on Monday, Aug.

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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School back in class next week

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 19, for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School students and the 2026-2027 school year is met with a new Head of School. Robert “Bob” Ahrens was appointed by the Board of Trustees as Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s 12th Head of School, according to a press release earlier this year.

Caudell wins Summer Lake Living cover contest

(not verified)
Thursday, August 13, 2026
For the nation’s 250th anniversary, it was a photo of fireworks over Lake Hartwell that won the 2026 Summer Lake Living cover photo contest.The photo was taken by Kim Caudell, a resident of Stephens County and director of the Stephens County School System Nutrition Department.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. An aerial view of the big community turnout for National Night Out (NNO) in Sky Valley on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Over 300 people attended the event set to develop community relationships.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. An aerial view of the big community turnout for National Night Out (NNO) in Sky Valley on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Over 300 people attended the event set to develop community relationships.

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National Night Out brings out community support

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Sky Valley Police Department hosted National Night Out (NNO) on Aug. 4 and it was a great opportunity to strengthen community partnerships. Sky Valley Police Chief Ron Baumes told The Clayton Tribune he was happy with the event turnout.
Photo submitted. These Rabun County Primary School (RCPS) Pre-K students, pictured left to right, are Palmer Coleman, Ellie Hopper, Stormie Carter and Sadie Page.

Photo submitted. These Rabun County Primary School (RCPS) Pre-K students, pictured left to right, are Palmer Coleman, Ellie Hopper, Stormie Carter and Sadie Page.

Pre-K on the first day

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Rabun County Schools Pre-K students were back in the classroom for the first day of the 2026-2027 school year on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Clayton City Manager Trudy Crunkleton (right) prepares to give Kevin Marsteller a hug after the city council unanimously approved the current major with the Corneila Police Department as Clayton’s new police chief. Marsteller will succeed Michael Turner, who has announced his resignation effective Aug. 28.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Clayton City Manager Trudy Crunkleton (right) prepares to give Kevin Marsteller a hug after the city council unanimously approved the current major with the Corneila Police Department as Clayton’s new police chief. Marsteller will succeed Michael Turner, who has announced his resignation effective Aug. 28.

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Cornelia PD major approved as new top law enforcement officer

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 13, 2026
In May, Michael Turner was sworn in as the new police chief in Clayton. He succeeded Andy Strait.Less than three months later, Turner announced his intentions to resign his position as chief, effective Aug. 28.