Local

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Mark Gerrells supporters campaign and cheer on Main Street as passing vehicles honk on Election Day. Gerrells defeated incumbent Sheriff Chad Nichols in Tuesday’s Republican runoff 1,878 votes to 351.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Mark Gerrells supporters campaign and cheer on Main Street as passing vehicles honk on Election Day. Gerrells defeated incumbent Sheriff Chad Nichols in Tuesday’s Republican runoff 1,878 votes to 351.

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Gerrells barrels past Nichols to be sheriff

Megan Horn
Thursday, June 20, 2024
There will be a new sheriff in town next year. Mark Gerrells outdistanced incumbent Sheriff Chad Nichols in Tuesday’s Republican General Primary runoff election. Gerrells received 1,878 votes, while Nichols, a two-term sheriff, received 351 votes. Currently, Nichols is suspended by Gov.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. RCWSA members review the FY 2025 budget before voting to approve it at the June 11 regular meeting. The water system and wastewater system total budget is $5,646,604.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. RCWSA members review the FY 2025 budget before voting to approve it at the June 11 regular meeting. The water system and wastewater system total budget is $5,646,604.

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Water/sewer rates rising next month

Megan Horn
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority (RCWSA) customers will see a 5 percent increase in their water bill and 8 percent increase in their sewer bill beginning July 1. For RCWSA retail customers, the unit rate for water jumps 5 percent from $9.81 to $10.30 per thousand gallons of water.
Photos courtesy of Rabun County SAR. Rabun County Search and Rescue (SAR), Rabun County Fire Services and the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office participate in National Association of State Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA) Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) training for boat emergency vehicle operations. The EVOC classroom and hands-on training taught many skills including boater safety, navigation, speed control as well as general boater operation and safety tactics.

Photos courtesy of Rabun County SAR. Rabun County Search and Rescue (SAR), Rabun County Fire Services and the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office participate in National Association of State Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA) Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) training for boat emergency vehicle operations. The EVOC classroom and hands-on training taught many skills including boater safety, navigation, speed control as well as general boater operation and safety tactics.

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Public safety trains on Emergency Vehicle Operations

Megan Horn
Thursday, June 20, 2024
It’s that time of year where locals and visitors are headed to the lakes to enjoy recreation on the water with the beautiful backdrop of mountains. Avoiding injury and damages is important on the water with boaters relying on public safety officials to help them in times of need.
Photos courtesy of Rabun County Democrats. Nan and Rick O’Hara enjoy the festivities at the 6th annual Blue BBQ with Kathy and Marcus Booker at the June 15 fundraising event held at the Rabun County Pavilions.

Photos courtesy of Rabun County Democrats. Nan and Rick O’Hara enjoy the festivities at the 6th annual Blue BBQ with Kathy and Marcus Booker at the June 15 fundraising event held at the Rabun County Pavilions.

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Rabun Democrats hold 6th annual Blue BBQ fundraiser

News Staff
Thursday, June 20, 2024
The Rabun County Democrats celebrated their sixth annual Blue BBQ fundraiser Saturday, June 15, at the Rabun County Pavilions. The event featured a down-home BBQ meal, music by Mountain Muse, wonderful silent auction items, guest speakers, and time to mingle and enjoy a gorgeous Rabun evening.
Submitted photo. Carrie Kuehne, North Georgia Credit Union member service representative, awards Rabun County High School 2024 graduate Ashlynn Blackwell with the Rabun County scholarship from the local credit union.

Submitted photo. Carrie Kuehne, North Georgia Credit Union member service representative, awards Rabun County High School 2024 graduate Ashlynn Blackwell with the Rabun County scholarship from the local credit union.

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North Georgia Credit Union announces scholarship recipient

News Staff
Thursday, June 20, 2024
North Georgia Credit Union (NGCU) is pleased to announce the Rabun County High School (RCHS) recipient of its annual scholarship program. The scholarships, awarded annually by NGCU, aim to support local students in their pursuit of higher education and future success.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. With Laura Chastain standing behind him, 101-year-old Ervin Chastain talks with Bluegrass and Company band members Alyssa White, Elijah Ellenburg and Malachi Ellenburg, and also Beth and Jack Knight at a June 15 birthday celebration at Battle Branch Baptist Church.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. With Laura Chastain standing behind him, 101-year-old Ervin Chastain talks with Bluegrass and Company band members Alyssa White, Elijah Ellenburg and Malachi Ellenburg, and also Beth and Jack Knight at a June 15 birthday celebration at Battle Branch Baptist Church.

101 Years Young

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Rabun County resident Ervin Chastain celebrated his 101st birthday with family and friends during a party at Battle Branch Baptist Church on June 15. Chastain turned 101 on June 10. 
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Kermit Rood demonstrates rope making at Foxfire Heritage Days last weekend to youngsters Archer Reinhardt, 8; and Brandt Reinhardt, 6. The event was held June 7 and 8 in Mountain City during the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Foxfire Museum. Heritage Days continue to grow.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Kermit Rood demonstrates rope making at Foxfire Heritage Days last weekend to youngsters Archer Reinhardt, 8; and Brandt Reinhardt, 6. The event was held June 7 and 8 in Mountain City during the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Foxfire Museum. Heritage Days continue to grow.

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Foxfire blazes a trail with Heritage Days

Megan Horn
Friday, June 14, 2024
Appalachian heritage came to life last weekend as locals and visitors alike learned about preserving its cultures and traditions during Foxfire Heritage Days Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8. The fundraising event also marked the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the museum.