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Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. U.S. Forest Service officials speak to a large crowd on Feb. 18 at the Rabun County Recreation Department for the fourth annual Foothills Landscape Project Stakeholder meeting.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. U.S. Forest Service officials speak to a large crowd on Feb. 18 at the Rabun County Recreation Department for the fourth annual Foothills Landscape Project Stakeholder meeting.

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Foothills Landscape Project meeting sparks community discussion about land usage

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Foothills Landscape Project was a topic of extreme interest on Feb. 18 as Rabun County citizens gathered at the Rabun County Recreation Department to hear U.S. Forestry Service officials speak about proposed tree evaluations and fire treatment plans for 8,500 acres in Rabun County’s Lower...
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Representatives from over 100 local businesses attend the Feb. 19 Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast and networking event for the “ITI Digital Marketing and Event Platform Roll-Out.”

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Representatives from over 100 local businesses attend the Feb. 19 Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast and networking event for the “ITI Digital Marketing and Event Platform Roll-Out.”

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Forward Rabun unveils innovative digital marketing platform

Thursday, February 26, 2026
CLAYTON– In an era where a strong online presence is no longer optional but essential, Forward Rabun decided to take a significant leap forward for our members.
Pictured are Lanita Lloyd,The Salvation Army divisional Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) director for Georgia, left; Jonathan Jones, Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Area 1 Field coordinator; Brian Panell, Rabun County EMA Director; Rabun County Commissioner Kent Woerner with his dog named “New Dog;” The Salvation Army volunteers Marsha Kaufmann and Jim Kaufmann; and Cindy Puryear, The Salvation Army divisional Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) assistant director for Georgia.

Pictured are Lanita Lloyd,The Salvation Army divisional Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) director for Georgia, left; Jonathan Jones, Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) Area 1 Field coordinator; Brian Panell, Rabun County EMA Director; Rabun County Commissioner Kent Woerner with his dog named “New Dog;” The Salvation Army volunteers Marsha Kaufmann and Jim Kaufmann; and Cindy Puryear, The Salvation Army divisional Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) assistant director for Georgia.

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Local relief efforts continue after Winter Storms Fern, Gianna

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Rabun Countians are all about helping neighbors in need. Relief efforts continue following Winter Storms Fern and Gianna, which brought ice and then over 7 inches of snow to portions of Northeast Georgia within one week in late January/early February.

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McCrackin named RAMSHACKLE RISING STAR for 2026

Thursday, February 26, 2026
Clayton, GA – Jake McCrackin, a lifelong Rabun County resident, has been named the “RISING STAR of 2026” for this year’s Ramshackle event. With his band, Blueridge Lonesome, McCrackin performs Southern Rock/Country favorites from the 1970s through today.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Schools Superintendent Steven Cole commended Rabun County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers (SROs) for their commitment to keeping students safe and building relationships during the Feb. 23 BOE meeting. SRO Mike Free was also named the “SRO of the Year.” Pictured are Cole, left; RCPS SRO Lisa Adams; RCMS SRO Michael Rodriguez; Free; and RCHS SRO Lindsey Owens. Not pictured is RCES SRO Ana Contreras.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Schools Superintendent Steven Cole commended Rabun County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers (SROs) for their commitment to keeping students safe and building relationships during the Feb. 23 BOE meeting. SRO Mike Free was also named the “SRO of the Year.” Pictured are Cole, left; RCPS SRO Lisa Adams; RCMS SRO Michael Rodriguez; Free; and RCHS SRO Lindsey Owens. Not pictured is RCES SRO Ana Contreras.

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Rabun County BOE commends officials for efforts during recent storms

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Local organizations and public safety officials were recognized for their community efforts during recent Winter Storms Fern and Gianna at the Monday, Feb. 23, meeting of the Rabun County Board of Education.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia’s Ninth District, right, presents Sky Valley Police Officer Andrew Williams with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol and a certificate designating him as a “Special Georgian of the Ninth” during a special event on Feb. 19 in Sky Valley. Williams was honored by Clyde for rescuing a couple from a Jan. 22 Sky Valley structure fire.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia’s Ninth District, right, presents Sky Valley Police Officer Andrew Williams with a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol and a certificate designating him as a “Special Georgian of the Ninth” during a special event on Feb. 19 in Sky Valley. Williams was honored by Clyde for rescuing a couple from a Jan. 22 Sky Valley structure fire.

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Officer Williams honored by Clyde as ‘Special Georgian of the Ninth’

Megan Horn
Thursday, February 26, 2026
It was God’s perfect timing that put Sky Valley Police Officer Andrew Williams in the right place at the right time when he rescued a couple from a house fire at 1824 Ridgepole Drive in Sky Valley on the evening of Jan. 22.