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Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Choir Teacher Tessa Backer, left, was selected as the 2025-2026 STAR Teacher by STAR Student Gavin Sharpe, who sits at the piano. Sharpe enjoys playing the piano and composing music, and said Backer has been an influential role model for him in music.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Choir Teacher Tessa Backer, left, was selected as the 2025-2026 STAR Teacher by STAR Student Gavin Sharpe, who sits at the piano. Sharpe enjoys playing the piano and composing music, and said Backer has been an influential role model for him in music.

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Sharpe & Backer in harmony as RCHS STAR Student/Teacher

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Rabun County High School (RCHS) senior Gavin Sharpe struck the right chords during his academic studies and crescendoed to the 2025-2026 STAR Student spot. Sharpe selected Choir Teacher Tessa Backer as his STAR Teacher.

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Unite Rabun earns grant funding for recovery resources

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Unite Rabun is a peer-driven Recovery Community Organization dedicated to providing accessible recovery support services that empower youth, families and adults to achieve wellness and sustain long-term recovery. These support services are free of charge.
Local nonprofit Women of Worth (WOW) Recovery recently received a generous donation that sponsors the very first client for the new women’s residential substance-abuse recovery center in Rabun County. The donation was “In Loving Memory” of Ashley Fricks Blalock. Pictured are WOW Recovery Director Ashley York; Executive Director of F.A.I.T.H. Caroline Wallis; Jasher Blalock, 9; Jaley Blalock, 8; and James Blalock, wearing shirts in honor of Ashley.

Local nonprofit Women of Worth (WOW) Recovery recently received a generous donation that sponsors the very first client for the new women’s residential substance-abuse recovery center in Rabun County. The donation was “In Loving Memory” of Ashley Fricks Blalock. Pictured are WOW Recovery Director Ashley York; Executive Director of F.A.I.T.H. Caroline Wallis; Jasher Blalock, 9; Jaley Blalock, 8; and James Blalock, wearing shirts in honor of Ashley.

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WOW Recovery donation ‘in loving memory’ of Blalock

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Local nonprofit Women of Worth (WOW) Recovery recently received a generous donation from Jasher Blalock, 9; Jaley Blalock, 8; and Jaydynn Cohee “In Loving Memory” of their mother, Ashley Fricks Blalock. Ashley Fricks Blalock passed away on July 23, 2023, from health complications.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Tiger Biscuit Place (BP) General Store, located at the Tiger four-way intersection, could potentially be getting gas pumps if a rezoning request for the adjacent 26 Bridge Creek Road property from Residential to Commercial is approved.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Tiger Biscuit Place (BP) General Store, located at the Tiger four-way intersection, could potentially be getting gas pumps if a rezoning request for the adjacent 26 Bridge Creek Road property from Residential to Commercial is approved.

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Tiger BP pumped about gas possibility

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 12, 2026
It’s been at least 20 years since gas has been sold at the Tiger four-way intersection at 3250 Old Highway 441 South, but that could change if a rezoning request by the owners of Tiger Biscuit Place (BP) General Store is approved by the city.

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Clayton council appointments postponed

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, February 12, 2026
A final decision on the appointments for the current Clayton city council members looks like it will have to wait until the next month. Each year council members are assigned various departments to oversee as a way for the council to be updated on each’s status.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pre-K student Camdyn Darnell, 5, and Rabun County Primary School (RCPS) Principal Carla Truelove pose beside the “RCHS Class of 2039” sign that hangs in the Pre-K hallway. 2026-2027 Pre-K Lottery registration begins March 1 and ends March 13 at 4 p.m.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pre-K student Camdyn Darnell, 5, and Rabun County Primary School (RCPS) Principal Carla Truelove pose beside the “RCHS Class of 2039” sign that hangs in the Pre-K hallway. 2026-2027 Pre-K Lottery registration begins March 1 and ends March 13 at 4 p.m.

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Rabun County Schools Pre-K Lottery March 1-13

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Developing a love for learning is critical at an early age. Pre-K is a great foundation for young students to begin learning the classroom structure and experience school life. Rabun County Schools is holding 2026-2027 Pre-K Lottery registration beginning March 1 until March 13 at 4 p.m.