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File/Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Last January, Clayton and Rabun County received an influx of snow flakes that caused driving issues and power outages. This weekend sleet and snow are in the forecast as temperatures become colder.

File/Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Last January, Clayton and Rabun County received an influx of snow flakes that caused driving issues and power outages. This weekend sleet and snow are in the forecast as temperatures become colder.

Gear up for expected icy weather

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 22, 2026
**This article has been updated since press time** The Rabun County Office of Emergency Management is monitoring a potential winter storm, with the potential for significant icing and snow, that could affect our area over the coming weekend.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Incumbent City of Dillard Mayor Claude Dillard, left, is sworn-in for another term in office by City Attorney Jay Doss to start the Tuesday, Jan. 13, meeting. Doss also was re-appointed as the city’s attorney.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Incumbent City of Dillard Mayor Claude Dillard, left, is sworn-in for another term in office by City Attorney Jay Doss to start the Tuesday, Jan. 13, meeting. Doss also was re-appointed as the city’s attorney.

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Dillard makes 2026 staff appointments

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Dillard city council members began the first meeting of 2026 making staff appointments and conducting other business at Dillard City Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The City of Mountain City council includes Bill Fountain, left; Brenda Hooper; Mayor Grace Watts; Michael Holt and Eric McCrackin (not pictured). Fountain and Hooper hold up official documents from Tammy Whitmire, director of elections, certifying their wins in the Nov. 4, 2025, General Election. Fountain was elected to the Post 3 Council Member seat while Hooper was re-elected to the Post 2 Council Member seat after running unopposed.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The City of Mountain City council includes Bill Fountain, left; Brenda Hooper; Mayor Grace Watts; Michael Holt and Eric McCrackin (not pictured). Fountain and Hooper hold up official documents from Tammy Whitmire, director of elections, certifying their wins in the Nov. 4, 2025, General Election. Fountain was elected to the Post 3 Council Member seat while Hooper was re-elected to the Post 2 Council Member seat after running unopposed.

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Fountain now officially new Mountain City council member

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 15, 2026
The City of Mountain City now has a new but familiar face on its council with the swearing-in of Bill Fountain during the Tuesday, Jan. 13, city council meeting. Fountain took the Oath of Office as it was administered by Mayor Grace Watts.
Submitted photo. The “Vet-to-Vet Cafe” that is sponsored by Forward Rabun is held at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia on the second Tuesday of each month. The gathering at 10 a.m. allows local veterans to connect more.

Submitted photo. The “Vet-to-Vet Cafe” that is sponsored by Forward Rabun is held at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia on the second Tuesday of each month. The gathering at 10 a.m. allows local veterans to connect more.

Veterans find community, connection at Forward Rabun’s ‘Vet-to-Vet Cafe’

News Staff
Thursday, January 15, 2026
CLAYTON, GA – On the second Tuesday of every month, the quiet morning air at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia -- Clayton (Mountain) Branch is replaced by the smell of fresh coffee and the steady hum of shared stories.

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Grand jury true bills 16 indictments

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 15, 2026
A Grand Jury in the Superior Court of Rabun County on Jan. 7 true-billed 16 indictments involving 15 individuals. The cases are scheduled for arraignment on Monday, Feb. 9, at 9 a.m., according to Rabun County Clerk of Court officials.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Retiring Clayton Police Chief Andy Strait shakes the hand of new city council member Channing Watts at the conclusion of Tuesday night’s meeting. Colt Woodall (far left) and Mayor Pro Tem Stacy Fountain watch..

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Retiring Clayton Police Chief Andy Strait shakes the hand of new city council member Channing Watts at the conclusion of Tuesday night’s meeting. Colt Woodall (far left) and Mayor Pro Tem Stacy Fountain watch..

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Strait retiring as police chief

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Clayton Police Chief Andy Strait will retire effective Jan. 31, as the search began this week to name the veteran lawman’s successor following the official announcement made at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Clayton City Council will see new faces in 2026 after newly elected Channing Watts and Colt Woodall both took the Oath of Office to be official council members. Pictured are Woodall, Post 2 council member, left; Mayor Roy Quilliams; Watts, Post 1 council member; and incumbent Council Member Tony Allen.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Clayton City Council will see new faces in 2026 after newly elected Channing Watts and Colt Woodall both took the Oath of Office to be official council members. Pictured are Woodall, Post 2 council member, left; Mayor Roy Quilliams; Watts, Post 1 council member; and incumbent Council Member Tony Allen.

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Watts, Woodall sworn-in as new Clayton council members

News Staff
Thursday, January 8, 2026
The year 2026 is looking to be a fresh start for the City of Clayton as Channing Watts and Colt Woodall were officially sworn-in as council members for Post 1 and Post 2, respectively, by Rabun County Probate Judge Savannah Dixon in her courtroom Monday, Jan. 5.