Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. North Georgia Fireworks held its annual product display show on June 22 at 1957 Highway 441 South in Clayton. This weekend, multiple locations in Rabun County will host fireworks shows.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. North Georgia Fireworks held its annual product display show on June 22 at 1957 Highway 441 South in Clayton. This weekend, multiple locations in Rabun County will host fireworks shows.

Your checklist for Independence Day activities

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

The United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday on Saturday, July 4, and Rabun County is the place to be for days of fun-filled activities. Don’t miss out on all of the exciting Independence Day events that are planned.

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Submitted Photo. Former Rabun County High School teacher and coach Janice Wayne (center) poses with the Rabun County softball team after throwing the first pitch at a game during the 2025 season. Wayne, the first-ever softball coach at RCHS who also assisted athletics in a plethora of ways, passed away on June 24 at the age of 72.

Submitted Photo. Former Rabun County High School teacher and coach Janice Wayne (center) poses with the Rabun County softball team after throwing the first pitch at a game during the 2025 season. Wayne, the first-ever softball coach at RCHS who also assisted athletics in a plethora of ways, passed away on June 24 at the age of 72.

Long-time Rabun coach, teacher Wayne passes

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
A fixture in Rabun County for decades and beloved by the community, Janice Wayne passed away on...
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

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Blalock takes oath of service for Naval Academy

Wesley Branch
Thursday, July 2, 2026
CLAYTON – Recent Rabun County graduate and basketball standout Huey Blalock was administered his...
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Regional

Lake Chatuge Recreation Department. Runners complete the Lake Chatuge Recreation Area loop along the Hiawassee Half Marathon route. The event this year is March 14.

Lake Chatuge Recreation Department. Runners complete the Lake Chatuge Recreation Area loop along the Hiawassee Half Marathon route. The event this year is March 14.

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Hiawassee announces inaugural half marathon & 5K on March 14

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Thursday, January 8, 2026
Looking for a fitness goal to kick off healthy habits in 2026?
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Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. North Georgia Fireworks held its annual product display show on June 22 at 1957 Highway 441 South in Clayton. This weekend, multiple locations in Rabun County will host fireworks shows.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. North Georgia Fireworks held its annual product display show on June 22 at 1957 Highway 441 South in Clayton. This weekend, multiple locations in Rabun County will host fireworks shows.

Your checklist for Independence Day activities

News Staff
The United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday on Saturday, July 4, and Rabun County is the place to be for days of fun-filled activities. Don’t miss out on all of the exciting Independence Day events that are planned. Check the special section in this week’s edition of The Clayton…
Submitted Photo. Former Rabun County High School teacher and coach Janice Wayne (center) poses with the Rabun County softball team after throwing the first pitch at a game during the 2025 season. Wayne, the first-ever softball coach at RCHS who also assisted athletics in a plethora of ways, passed away on June 24 at the age of 72.

Submitted Photo. Former Rabun County High School teacher and coach Janice Wayne (center) poses with the Rabun County softball team after throwing the first pitch at a game during the 2025 season. Wayne, the first-ever softball coach at RCHS who also assisted athletics in a plethora of ways, passed away on June 24 at the age of 72.

Long-time Rabun coach, teacher Wayne passes

Wesley Branch
A fixture in Rabun County for decades and beloved by the community, Janice Wayne passed away on Wednesday, June 24, at the age of 72. Wayne – who many will remember as “Coach Wayne” – moved to Rabun County in 1976 and spent 38 years as a teacher and coach in the Rabun County School District.…
Submitted. Simeon Conjagic works at the AC Milan camp as a coordinator and safeguarding officer.

Submitted. Simeon Conjagic works at the AC Milan camp as a coordinator and safeguarding officer.

As world watches soccer, TFS grad builds his career in global game

News Staff
When Simeon Conjagic left his hometown of Sabac, Serbia, to attend Tallulah Falls School, he brought with him a passion for soccer, learning, and life itself. That journey has since carried him to Belgium, Italy, and the world of professional soccer. Along the way, he discovered that the…
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Huey Blalock (center) poses with his family for a photo after being administered his oath of service at VFW Post 4570 in Clayton on June 24. Blalock, who is a midshipman candidate, will head to NAPS, the Naval Academy’s 10-month preparatory school. Blalock was an All-State basketball player for Rabun County.

Blalock takes oath of service for Naval Academy

Wesley Branch
CLAYTON – Recent Rabun County graduate and basketball standout Huey Blalock was administered his oath of service to the United States Naval Academy at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4570 in Clayton on Wednesday, June 24. Blalock’s family members, teammates and coaches attended the…
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County campers perform their routine in front of a large crowd inside the Rabun County Elementary School lunchroom on June 25 at the RCHS lil’ Wildcats cheer camp. The Wildcat campers aged 3-13 participated in cheer classes, dance classes, arts & crafts and more during camp.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County campers perform their routine in front of a large crowd inside the Rabun County Elementary School lunchroom on June 25 at the RCHS lil’ Wildcats cheer camp. The Wildcat campers aged 3-13 participated in cheer classes, dance classes, arts & crafts and more during camp.

Wildcat Cheer hosts summer camp, camp showcase for community

Wesley Branch
TIGER – The Rabun County cheer program hosted its “Lil’ Wildcats Cheer Camp” last week at Rabun County Elementary School from June 22-25, as a record 88 campers attended.The total was the largest turnout the camp has ever had, Rabun County High School head coach Cristina Weber said. The four-…
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebackers Kaylan Brown (left) and Praise Chane (right) close in on a Christ School ball carrier in the Eagles’ 42-0 regular season win over the Greenies on Oct. 17, 2025. Brown announced his commitment to East Tennessee State last week and Chane announced his commitment to Navy.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun Gap linebackers Kaylan Brown (left) and Praise Chane (right) close in on a Christ School ball carrier in the Eagles’ 42-0 regular season win over the Greenies on Oct. 17, 2025. Brown announced his commitment to East Tennessee State last week and Chane announced his commitment to Navy.

Four Rabun Gap football seniors announce college commitments

Wesley Branch
Four more Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School rising seniors announced their college football intentions last week as the peak of recruiting season continues. The Eagles’ football program now has seven rising seniors who have committed to Division I programs, with more collegiate decisions still…
File Photo

File Photo

Independence road races at lakes Saturday

News Staff
Saturday, July 4, Rabun Ramble Road Race, 5K and 10K races begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Lake Rabun Pavilion. Registration opened on April 1 at Active.com. It is now $45 from until July 3; and $50 on July 4, which is race day. Details: rabunramble.com.Saturday, July 4, Lake Burton Fun Run &…

Clayton launches inaugural LEADS leadership program

Anonymous
For the first time in its rich history, the City of Clayton is offering Clayton LEADS, a community leadership development program designed to educate, connect and inspire current and emerging leaders who are committed to the future of the City of Clayton. Facilitated by the City of Clayton…

Visit The Dillard House to dine this momentous holiday

Megan Horn
America celebrates 250 years of freedom this Saturday, July 4, and there are many patriotic and family-friendly activities for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. Officials with The Dillard House: A Mountain Farm Resort recently published a message regarding the annual City of Dillard…

North Georgia Arts Guild’s annual Painted Fern Art Festival upcoming

Anonymous
The North Georgia Arts Guild will host its members’ show, Painted Fern Art Festival, in the Rabun County Civic Center, 201 W. Savannah Street, Clayton, on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Forty guild members will be showcasing their varied…

RabunYES concludes work June 30

Anonymous
Ecclesiastes 3; v1: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.”The time has come for RabunYES (Youth Educational Support) to conclude its work. With no buildings to close or paid staff to release, the organization has always operated entirely through volunteers.…
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