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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School back in class next week

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Classes begin on Wednesday, Aug. 19, for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School students and the 2026-2027 school year is met with a new Head of School. Robert “Bob” Ahrens was appointed by the Board of Trustees as Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School’s 12th Head of School, according to a press release earlier this year.

Caudell wins Summer Lake Living cover contest

(not verified)
Thursday, August 13, 2026
For the nation’s 250th anniversary, it was a photo of fireworks over Lake Hartwell that won the 2026 Summer Lake Living cover photo contest.The photo was taken by Kim Caudell, a resident of Stephens County and director of the Stephens County School System Nutrition Department.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. An aerial view of the big community turnout for National Night Out (NNO) in Sky Valley on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Over 300 people attended the event set to develop community relationships.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. An aerial view of the big community turnout for National Night Out (NNO) in Sky Valley on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Over 300 people attended the event set to develop community relationships.

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National Night Out brings out community support

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Sky Valley Police Department hosted National Night Out (NNO) on Aug. 4 and it was a great opportunity to strengthen community partnerships. Sky Valley Police Chief Ron Baumes told The Clayton Tribune he was happy with the event turnout.
Photo submitted. These Rabun County Primary School (RCPS) Pre-K students, pictured left to right, are Palmer Coleman, Ellie Hopper, Stormie Carter and Sadie Page.

Photo submitted. These Rabun County Primary School (RCPS) Pre-K students, pictured left to right, are Palmer Coleman, Ellie Hopper, Stormie Carter and Sadie Page.

Pre-K on the first day

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Rabun County Schools Pre-K students were back in the classroom for the first day of the 2026-2027 school year on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Clayton City Manager Trudy Crunkleton (right) prepares to give Kevin Marsteller a hug after the city council unanimously approved the current major with the Corneila Police Department as Clayton’s new police chief. Marsteller will succeed Michael Turner, who has announced his resignation effective Aug. 28.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Clayton City Manager Trudy Crunkleton (right) prepares to give Kevin Marsteller a hug after the city council unanimously approved the current major with the Corneila Police Department as Clayton’s new police chief. Marsteller will succeed Michael Turner, who has announced his resignation effective Aug. 28.

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Cornelia PD major approved as new top law enforcement officer

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 13, 2026
In May, Michael Turner was sworn in as the new police chief in Clayton. He succeeded Andy Strait.Less than three months later, Turner announced his intentions to resign his position as chief, effective Aug. 28.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Sky Valley’s National Night Out (NNO) event on Aug. 4 brought many local law enforcement and other public safety agencies together to build community relationships.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Sky Valley’s National Night Out (NNO) event on Aug. 4 brought many local law enforcement and other public safety agencies together to build community relationships.

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‘National Night Out’ with Sky Valley police fosters community support

Megan Horn
Monday, August 10, 2026
Community partnerships were strengthened during National Night Out (NNO) hosted by the Sky Valley Police Department on Tuesday, Aug. 4. The mission of the Sky Valley Police Department is to protect life and property, uphold the law and strengthen trust through community partnership.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Aaron Hooker plays a worship set during the Choices Pregnancy Center Heartbeat Gala on Aug. 1 at Chota Falls. Gala guests sang along and praised God with hands in the air. The venue was beautifully lit and decorated.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Aaron Hooker plays a worship set during the Choices Pregnancy Center Heartbeat Gala on Aug. 1 at Chota Falls. Gala guests sang along and praised God with hands in the air. The venue was beautifully lit and decorated.

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‘Our clients are the heart of what we do’

Megan Horn
Monday, August 10, 2026
“Life on the Move: Hope That Travels” was the slogan for the 2026 Heartbeat Gala as proceeds supported the mission of Choices Pregnancy Center in expanding services to neighboring counties. The gala was held Saturday, Aug. 1, at Chota Falls.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County middle and high school students mingle in the cafeteria on the first day of school Monday, Aug. 3.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County middle and high school students mingle in the cafeteria on the first day of school Monday, Aug. 3.

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Another Rabun County successful first day back for students & schools

Megan Horn
Monday, August 10, 2026
It was a great day to be a Rabun County Wildcat on Monday, Aug. 3, as students in grades K-12 headed back to the classroom. Pre-K students headed back today, Thursday, Aug. 6. School district officials said the first day went well. “Overall, we had a very smooth first day of school.
Submitted photo. Henry Dumas collects water from Lake Burton, which he will take back to test for E. Coli levels in the IDEXX laboratory on the TFS campus.

Submitted photo. Henry Dumas collects water from Lake Burton, which he will take back to test for E. Coli levels in the IDEXX laboratory on the TFS campus.

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Tallulah Falls School joins effort to help protect local waterways

(not verified)
Monday, August 10, 2026
Protecting North Georgia’s waterways now involves a science lab at Tallulah Falls School.Through a partnership with Savannah Riverkeeper and the Lake Burton Civic Association, TFS is now home to an IDEXX laboratory, one of the most advanced systems available for detecting E. coli in water.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Schools and Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Friday, July 31, to celebrate the opening of the new Rabun County High School Academic Building.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Schools and Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on Friday, July 31, to celebrate the opening of the new Rabun County High School Academic Building.

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Building the next generation of RCHS hallway memories

Megan Horn
Monday, August 10, 2026
New beginnings are in store for students at Rabun County Schools as high schoolers get the opportunity to make new hallways of memories for decades to come in the new Academic Building.