Local

Submitted photo. Sara Jones, left, Joy Ruhe, Rose Hricko, Rebecca Bilbrey, Julie Harris and Elizabeth Truax during the first weekend’s production of Steel Magnolias.

Submitted photo. Sara Jones, left, Joy Ruhe, Rose Hricko, Rebecca Bilbrey, Julie Harris and Elizabeth Truax during the first weekend’s production of Steel Magnolias.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘Steel Magnolias’ blooms at NGCP Dillard

News Staff
Thursday, February 12, 2026
North Georgia Community Players’ 2026 season opened February 6 at the Dillard Theater with an all-ladies production of “Steel Magnolias,” the hit play by Louisiana playwright Robert Harling. The origin of this much-loved play is bittersweet.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Joe and Angela Luke have been married for 46 years and say they are “best friends.” Respecting one another is a key to their successful marriage along with their strong faith. They are pictured holding a photo from their wedding day on May 19, 1979, in Pompano Beach, Fla.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Joe and Angela Luke have been married for 46 years and say they are “best friends.” Respecting one another is a key to their successful marriage along with their strong faith. They are pictured holding a photo from their wedding day on May 19, 1979, in Pompano Beach, Fla.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Blessings in 46 years of marriage

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Finding that one person to spend the rest of your life with is truly a blessing, and that’s just how Joseph “Joe” Luke III and Angela Luke describe their marriage of 46 years. “If you look, you’ll find a sign every day there’s a God,” Joe said.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘It was God’s divine providence’

Megan Horn
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
There’s something to be said for being in the right place at the right time, and that expression bodes true for Sky Valley Police Department Officer Andrew Williams after rescuing a couple from a house fire at 1824 Ridgepole Drive in Sky Valley on the evening of Jan. 22.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Spillers named second asst. superintendent

Megan Horn
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Justin Spillers has been the principal at Rabun County High School (RCHS) for the past seven years, but on July 1 he will step into a new leadership role as assistant superintendent of Secondary Student Achievement and Operations for the Rabun County School System.
Submitted photo. North Georgia Credit Union sponsors F.A.I.T.H. Sweetheart Ball. Pictured are Kelsey Taylor, F.A.I.T.H. director of outreach services; Carrie Kuehne, Clayton assistant branch manager; Katie Fowler, member service representative and Brooke Cannon, F.A.I.T.H. CFO, displaying the $500 check.

Submitted photo. North Georgia Credit Union sponsors F.A.I.T.H. Sweetheart Ball. Pictured are Kelsey Taylor, F.A.I.T.H. director of outreach services; Carrie Kuehne, Clayton assistant branch manager; Katie Fowler, member service representative and Brooke Cannon, F.A.I.T.H. CFO, displaying the $500 check.

North Georgia Credit Union sponsors F.A.I.T.H. Sweetheart Ball

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
North Georgia Credit Union is proud to be a sponsor of the upcoming Fight Abuse In The Home (F.A.I.T.H.) Sweetheart Ball on Saturday, Feb. 14, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is an annual fundraiser that supports F.A.I.T.H., Inc.
Photo courtesy of Conner Horn. This semi-truck overturned on Highway 441 in Lakemont Jan. 22 and caused traffic delays in the area. Personnel remained on scene for several hours. Multiple local crashes have been reported recently.

Photo courtesy of Conner Horn. This semi-truck overturned on Highway 441 in Lakemont Jan. 22 and caused traffic delays in the area. Personnel remained on scene for several hours. Multiple local crashes have been reported recently.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Tractor trailer crashes on Highway 441 in Lakemont

Megan Horn
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
A crash on Jan. 22 in Lakemont caused a semi-truck to overturn on Highway 441 and resulted no apparent injuries. The crash occurred at approximately 5:08 a.m. just past the business Mama Gail’s/Señor Pastor Mexican Cuisine. Emergency personnel could still be seen at the crash site around 10 a.m.