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Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County Marching Wildcat Band performs for the RCHS student body on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 4, inside the Fine Arts Building with pyrotechnics going off on the sides of the stage. This year’s band has grown in numbers up to 83.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. The Rabun County Marching Wildcat Band performs for the RCHS student body on the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 4, inside the Fine Arts Building with pyrotechnics going off on the sides of the stage. This year’s band has grown in numbers up to 83.

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Rabun County students have successful first day of school

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 7, 2025
***This article has been updated since press time*** Students at Rabun County Schools were back in the classroom on Monday, Aug. 4, and the campus was bustling with activity from eager and excited students, parents, administrators, faculty and staff members.
Derek Dooley speaks at the Rotary Club of Clayton meeting on July 19.

Derek Dooley speaks at the Rotary Club of Clayton meeting on July 19.

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Kemp’s pick, Dooley, considers Senate run

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, July 31, 2025
The wheels of the political cycle continue to pick up speed as indicators point toward Clayton resident and former college and pro football coach Derek Dooley potentially seeking the Republican nomination to face Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia later this year.
File photo/The Clayton Tribune. Members of the 1949 Rabun County football team served as honorary captains before the Oct. 23, 1998, Wildcat game on “Alumni Night.” The head coach of the first RCHS football team, Richard Burrell, passed away last at the age of 97. Burrell, a history teacher, also coached baseball and boys and girls basketball at RCHS.

File photo/The Clayton Tribune. Members of the 1949 Rabun County football team served as honorary captains before the Oct. 23, 1998, Wildcat game on “Alumni Night.” The head coach of the first RCHS football team, Richard Burrell, passed away last at the age of 97. Burrell, a history teacher, also coached baseball and boys and girls basketball at RCHS.

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First Wildcat football coach passes away

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Rabun County’s first high school football coach whose foundation of leadership has led to generations of winning Wildcat programs passed away at the age of 97 in Lilburn, Ga., on July 25 as he was surrounded by his family.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Officer Hammock with the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division instructs Transportation Department employees on driver education safety with a driving simulator. Rabun County Schools held its back to school meeting on July 29 at the Rabun County Board of Education.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Officer Hammock with the Georgia Department of Public Safety Motor Carrier Compliance Division instructs Transportation Department employees on driver education safety with a driving simulator. Rabun County Schools held its back to school meeting on July 29 at the Rabun County Board of Education.

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Rabun pupils back to classes Monday

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Rabun County Schools will educate every child for success in life. That mission continues on Monday as county students head back to the classroom for the 2025-2026 school year.

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Fallen tree blocks Rickman Street

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 31, 2025
The roadway on Rickman Street just behind Boles market in Clayton was temporarily blocked Tuesday morning, July 29, around 9 a.m. due to a large tree across the roadway and in power lines.

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Hokkie Asian Kitchen holds ribbon cutting

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon-Cutting and Grand Opening Event on Friday, July 25, at 1 p.m. for its newest Silver Business Member, Hokkie Asian Kitchen, located at 596 US Hwy. 441 South, Clayton. This event was well-attended.
Submitted photo. Mountain Lakes Medical Center was announced as “Best Outstanding Healthcare Provider” during the Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce “2025 Awards Hoedown” on May 31. Pictured are Kristy Hall,CEO of Mountain Lakes Medical Center, left, and Mickey Duvall, business and economic development strategist for Forward Rabun, Inc. Hall recently accepted the award on behalf of the hospital.

Submitted photo. Mountain Lakes Medical Center was announced as “Best Outstanding Healthcare Provider” during the Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce “2025 Awards Hoedown” on May 31. Pictured are Kristy Hall,CEO of Mountain Lakes Medical Center, left, and Mickey Duvall, business and economic development strategist for Forward Rabun, Inc. Hall recently accepted the award on behalf of the hospital.

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Mountain Lakes Medical Center named ‘Best Outstanding Healthcare Provider’

News Staff
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Mountain Lakes Medical Center is proud to announce it was voted “Best Outstanding Healthcare Provider” during the “2025 Awards Hoedown” presented by Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured before serving a four-course meal on July 25 are Tara Shryock; Kitchenettes Volunteer Annette Branan; Chef Ryan Miller, culinary and partnerships coordinator for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Mountain Branch; Kitchenettes Volunteer Nancy Parrott; Tessa Stuckey; Kitchenettes Volunteer Laura Josephson; Hank Stuckey; Chris Woodall; Brantley Lavender; Kitchenettes Volunteer Joanne Baumgartner; and Katie Pitts.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured before serving a four-course meal on July 25 are Tara Shryock; Kitchenettes Volunteer Annette Branan; Chef Ryan Miller, culinary and partnerships coordinator for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia Mountain Branch; Kitchenettes Volunteer Nancy Parrott; Tessa Stuckey; Kitchenettes Volunteer Laura Josephson; Hank Stuckey; Chris Woodall; Brantley Lavender; Kitchenettes Volunteer Joanne Baumgartner; and Katie Pitts.

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Serving up healthy options at Teaching Kitchen

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Food is a daily necessity in sustaining life and having a nutritious and balanced meal is key in staying healthy and active. The Teaching Kitchen at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia strives to educate the community on how to prepare healthy meals while providing fresh food in Rabun County.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. More than 200 people attended the watch party on the Clayton Baptist Church property to celebrate Bryner, the Blue Hound Barbecue and Grill owner.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. More than 200 people attended the watch party on the Clayton Baptist Church property to celebrate Bryner, the Blue Hound Barbecue and Grill owner.

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Mountain King

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Rabun County’s “Mountain Man” became king of the mountain Sunday night as he edged two of the nation’s top chefs for the coveted “Master of ‘Cue” on season six of the Food Network’s “BBQ Brawl.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Gretchen Roach displayed her mixed-medium illustrations featuring fairies and gnomes during the Guild’s “Members’ Show and Tell” program July 17. She said her focus is to produce something positive in her creations.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Gretchen Roach displayed her mixed-medium illustrations featuring fairies and gnomes during the Guild’s “Members’ Show and Tell” program July 17. She said her focus is to produce something positive in her creations.

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North Georgia Arts Guild members ‘show and tell’ their creative processes

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Members of the North Georgia Arts Guild are artists in many mediums ranging from painting, photography, pottery, jewelry, fiber, glass, metal and much more. Several Guild members presented projects they are currently working on during the “Members’ Show and Tell” program on July 17.