Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured are Laura Lane, awarded the J.C. Dover Award; Amy Hulett, awarded the Gold “R” Award; Ashley York, awarded The Wheel Award; Captain Josh Bleckley, 2026 Fireman of the Year; Tate Nichols, 2026 EMT/Paramedic of the Year; Caroline Wallis, awarded The Wheel Award; Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Rodriguez, 2026 Police Officer of the Year; and Sky Valley Police Department Lt. David Edwards, 2026 Police Officer of the Year.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Sky Valley citizen Jerri Smith addresses council members during a May 26 city council Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing. Smith filed an appeal for an administrative interpretation with the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals following a March 5 decision by the council to adopt an amendment to the Sky Valley Zoning Ordinance that adds language allowing full-time and part-time residents to be appointed to serve on the Sky Valley Planning and Zoning Commission.

Photos courtesy of Rotary Club of Clayton. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Clayton, the American Red Cross, and Rabun County Fire Services participated in the Sound the Alarm campaign, canvassing more than 200 homes and installing 57 smoke alarms in 15 households throughout Rabun County. The event was inspired by the memory of Rachel Thorn, whose legacy continues to promote fire safety awareness, preparedness, and the importance of working smoke alarms in every home.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Laura Ivey paints the face of Kayla Hughes during a Community Celebration held at the pavilions behind the Rabun County Civic Center last weekend. The free event was sponsored by the Rabun County Association of Southern Baptist Churches. It featured bouncy games, balloon animals, car show and ice cream.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Wellstar is in the process of acquiring Mountain Lakes.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Concert-goers to Ramshackle in downtown Clayton on Saturday, June 6 perform the Electric Slide dance while headliner Grady & The Vegabonds perform live music on the Main Stage.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Mountain City Mayor Grace Watts, right, shakes hands and congratulates C.L. Faulkenberry as the newest council member on June 9.

Photo courtesy Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce. Patterson Family Smiles Dental held a Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for their new location on Friday, May 29th at Noon at their new location: 303 Warwoman Rd., Clayton. Member businesses congratulated the Patterson Family and networked with other business representatives. Refreshments were served.