Local

Submitted photo. Max Watts, center, served as a Rabun County Commissioner for 24 years.

Submitted photo. Max Watts, center, served as a Rabun County Commissioner for 24 years.

Long-time commissioner dies at age 87

Long-time Rabun County Commissioner Max Watts is remembered as a great leader and true public servant who dedicated his time to helping the people of Rabun County. Watts, 87 of Tiger, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at his residence. He was born on March 19, 1935, in Rabun County.

Governor announces superior court appointment

Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp recently announced the appointment of William “Bill” Ray Oliver to the Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court, effective Jan. 1, 2023. This vacancy was created by the passage of Senate Bill 395 during the 2022 legislative session.
Submitted photo. Anthony Lampros, right, receives a certificate from National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Horne in recognition of over 20 years of service for weather observation in the area.

Submitted photo. Anthony Lampros, right, receives a certificate from National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Horne in recognition of over 20 years of service for weather observation in the area.

Local earns award from National Weather Service

Rabun County local Anthony Lampros recently was honored for his service and received a certificate from National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Horne in recognition of more than 20 years of service for weather observation in the area.
Photo courtesy of Trudy Crunkleton. The iconic Christmas candle located in downtown Clayton was brought back as a decoration after over 35 years. This replica of the original candle is 18-19 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. The original candle was displayed at the main intersection in the heart of Downtown Clayton. It was suspended every year around the holidays until 1987. After that, the traffic light signal changed and it was no longer hung until it was brought back as a decoration in 2022.

Photo courtesy of Trudy Crunkleton. The iconic Christmas candle located in downtown Clayton was brought back as a decoration after over 35 years. This replica of the original candle is 18-19 feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds. The original candle was displayed at the main intersection in the heart of Downtown Clayton. It was suspended every year around the holidays until 1987. After that, the traffic light signal changed and it was no longer hung until it was brought back as a decoration in 2022.

Shining a light on history during Christmas Season

CLAYTON– The city of Clayton is shining a light on history as the iconic Christmas candle is back after a 35-year absence as part of the cheerful and festive decorations beaming brightly in downtown during the holidays.
Submitted photo. NGHS held a groundbreaking for its newest Medical Plaza, located in Bethlehem Dec. 1.

Submitted photo. NGHS held a groundbreaking for its newest Medical Plaza, located in Bethlehem Dec. 1.

Northeast Georgia health system breaks ground on new medical plaza in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, Ga. – Barrow County will soon have even greater access to health care close to home at Northeast Georgia Health System’s (NGHS) newest Medical Plaza, located in Bethlehem. Community and health system leaders gathered yesterday, Dec.
Submitted photo.

Submitted photo.

Danielsville fire kills one victim

ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced that a residential fire in Madison County has killed one victim. Just after 6 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, a passing motorist reported a structure fire on Shiloh Fort Lamar Road to Madison County authorities.

Rabun County under local state of emergency

The Rabun County Office of Emergency Management and Rabun County Board of Commissioners issued a local state of emergency for Rabun County on Thursday at noon. The declaration for the local state of emergency was ordered Thursday, Dec. 22, at noon and expires on Monday, Dec.