Local

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.
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.

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‘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.

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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.

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‘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.

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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.