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Josh Bryson/The Highlander. The Highlands Police Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Department and Highlands Fire and Rescue respond to the swatting incident at the Church of the Incarnation on Dec. 11.

Josh Bryson/The Highlander. The Highlands Police Department, Macon County Sheriff’s Department and Highlands Fire and Rescue respond to the swatting incident at the Church of the Incarnation on Dec. 11.

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‘A very scary day’

News Staff
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
What began as a clear, chilly, ordinary December day in Highlands, N.C. changed dramatically late in the morning. On Thursday, Dec. 11, at 10:40 a.m.
Submitted photo. The LBCA holds an annual Cleanup Day every year in May. The organization works with Georgia Power Company and citizen volunteers for a lake-wide cleanup to help remove debris from Lake Burton.

Submitted photo. The LBCA holds an annual Cleanup Day every year in May. The organization works with Georgia Power Company and citizen volunteers for a lake-wide cleanup to help remove debris from Lake Burton.

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LBCA honored on Georgia Water Coalition ‘Clean 13 Report’

Megan Horn
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
It’s important to be a good steward of the environment to ensure the availability of important natural resources for future generations. The Lake Burton Civic Association (LBCA) and community members are committed to keeping Rabun County clean, especially around waterways like Lake Burton.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Lollipops are featured throughout the Christmas Village of Lights display in Tiger. There’s one more weekend to go inside and support F.A.I.T.H., Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 90 Tiger Connector, Tiger.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Lollipops are featured throughout the Christmas Village of Lights display in Tiger. There’s one more weekend to go inside and support F.A.I.T.H., Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 90 Tiger Connector, Tiger.

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Village of Lights shines for F.A.I.T.H. again this weekend

Megan Horn
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Visitors to Tiger will see another incredible display this weekend at the Christmas Village of Lights on Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 90 Tiger Connector, Tiger.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. K-9 Handler Michael Shedd and those who worked closely with K-9 “Coss” attended a retirement reception for the working canine held at the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 10. That day, K-9 Coss officially retired from active service.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. K-9 Handler Michael Shedd and those who worked closely with K-9 “Coss” attended a retirement reception for the working canine held at the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 10. That day, K-9 Coss officially retired from active service.

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K-9 ‘Coss’ retires from sheriff’s office

Megan Horn
Thursday, December 18, 2025
K-9 “Coss” is officially retired from the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office after years of dedicated law enforcement service. K-9 Handler Michael Shedd and those who worked closely with K-9 Coss attended a retirement reception for the working canine held at the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 10.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Volunteers at the Dec. 16 Food Bank of Northeast Georgia toy drive include James Brim, director of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Mountain Branch; Donna Long; Herman Bunn; Renee Ramsay; Stan Vik; Janet Vik; Cherye Weintraub; Stephen Weintraub; Beth Nelson; Mark Shryock; Brenda Cook; and even Santa Claus himself!

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Volunteers at the Dec. 16 Food Bank of Northeast Georgia toy drive include James Brim, director of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Mountain Branch; Donna Long; Herman Bunn; Renee Ramsay; Stan Vik; Janet Vik; Cherye Weintraub; Stephen Weintraub; Beth Nelson; Mark Shryock; Brenda Cook; and even Santa Claus himself!

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Food Bank of Northeast Georgia gifts holiday cheer to children

Megan Horn
Thursday, December 18, 2025
It’s the season of giving and the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is no stranger to helping those in our Rabun County community get the food and other resources they need to help them thrive. Volunteers helped spread holiday cheer on Tuesday, Dec.
Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton strolls into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss on Oct. 18. Last week, it was announced Stockton finished seventh in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting.

Wesley Branch/The Clayton Tribune. Former Rabun County and current UGA quarterback Gunner Stockton strolls into the end zone for a rushing touchdown in Georgia’s 43-35 win over Ole Miss on Oct. 18. Last week, it was announced Stockton finished seventh in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting.

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Stockton finishes seventh in Heisman voting

Wesley Branch
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Former Rabun County and current University of Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton has had an excellent first season as the full-time starting QB for the Bulldogs – most recently finishing seventh in the coveted Heisman Trophy balloting. Georgia sits at 12-1 and earned the No.
Photos courtesy Tallulah Falls School. Megan Prince creates bracelets for hospital care packages through the National Honor Society. She logged more than 26 service hours during the fall semester.

Photos courtesy Tallulah Falls School. Megan Prince creates bracelets for hospital care packages through the National Honor Society. She logged more than 26 service hours during the fall semester.

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Tallulah Falls School students make impact, surpassing 1,000 community service hours

News Staff
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Tallulah Falls School (TFS) announces that its students have collectively logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours for the 2025–2026 school year. This impressive milestone highlights the dedication, generosity, and leadership of TFS students both on campus and within the broader community.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. It was a winter wonderland in Dillard Saturday, Dec. 13, at the inaugural “Dickens in Dillard” Christmas Festival. Santa, Katelyn See, Beckett See, 1, and Parker See pose on The Dillard House carriage with snow provided by Big Idea Blizzard coming down.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. It was a winter wonderland in Dillard Saturday, Dec. 13, at the inaugural “Dickens in Dillard” Christmas Festival. Santa, Katelyn See, Beckett See, 1, and Parker See pose on The Dillard House carriage with snow provided by Big Idea Blizzard coming down.

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‘Dickens in Dillard’ awakens yesteryear 1800s Christmas

Megan Horn
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Dillard City Hall grounds were transformed into an 1840s Victorian London during the Inaugural “Dickens in Dillard-A Charles Dickens Christmas Festival” event on Saturday, Dec. 13.