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Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Mud Creek Falls and the Mud Creek Trail will no longer be accessible to the public effective May 8. Merrill Trust Group, who owns more than 500 acres of property in Sky Valley, sent notice to city officials it was terminating its leases.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Mud Creek Falls and the Mud Creek Trail will no longer be accessible to the public effective May 8. Merrill Trust Group, who owns more than 500 acres of property in Sky Valley, sent notice to city officials it was terminating its leases.

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Property owners plan to sell 500 acres

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Officials with the Merrill Trust Entities said the company and Sky Valley have been good partners, but were disappointed how the sewage system project was halted.“Sky Valley is such a beautiful community and has so much potential,” Marshall Merrill Jr.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Newly hired Clayton Police Chief Mike Turner (center) talks with council member Channing Watts, Planning and Zoning Administrator Richard Moncus and interim Police Chief Lt. Matt Thomas at the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting at city hall. Turner’s start date in Clayton is May 1.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Newly hired Clayton Police Chief Mike Turner (center) talks with council member Channing Watts, Planning and Zoning Administrator Richard Moncus and interim Police Chief Lt. Matt Thomas at the conclusion of Tuesday’s meeting at city hall. Turner’s start date in Clayton is May 1.

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Clayton ‘turns’ to new chief

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, April 16, 2026
A law enforcement veteran with 47 years of experience was officially approved Tuesday evening by the Clayton city council to become the new police chief.Mike Turner will leave from his current employment as the police chief of Hiram, Ga., and will assume the duties of chief in Clayton on May 1.

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Fountain resigns as Mountain City council member

Megan Horn
Thursday, April 16, 2026
City of Mountain City Council Member Bill Fountain announced the resignation of his post during Tuesday’s April 14 council meeting. The announcement came after a brief executive session for personnel and real estate at the end of the meeting.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured in front of the new van are Jessica Rojas, McDonald’s district supervisor, left; Kim Levitt, McDonald’s general manager; WOW Recovery Director Ashley York; Karen Bacon, Clayton Rotary Foundation chair; Laura Seberg, Rotary Club of Clayton president-elect; and Matt Freeman, Rotary Club of Clayton president.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured in front of the new van are Jessica Rojas, McDonald’s district supervisor, left; Kim Levitt, McDonald’s general manager; WOW Recovery Director Ashley York; Karen Bacon, Clayton Rotary Foundation chair; Laura Seberg, Rotary Club of Clayton president-elect; and Matt Freeman, Rotary Club of Clayton president.

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Putting wheels behind the WOW

Megan Horn
Thursday, April 16, 2026
McDonald’s of Clayton and the Rotary Club of Clayton Foundation teamed up to help Women of Worth (WOW) fund a van that will transport women to work and other necessary locations.
Photo courtesy of Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce. Community members and the Majors celebrate the 20th anniversary on Cannonwood Retirement Home in Tiger. The Majors also own the Tiger Drive-In which is next door to Cannonwood.

Photo courtesy of Forward Rabun/Rabun County Chamber of Commerce. Community members and the Majors celebrate the 20th anniversary on Cannonwood Retirement Home in Tiger. The Majors also own the Tiger Drive-In which is next door to Cannonwood.

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Cannonwood celebrates 20 successful years in business The Tiger Drive-In celebrates 22 successful years!

(not verified)
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Congratulations to Tom and Cheryl Majors on 20 wonderful years of dedication and compassion at Cannonwood Retirement Home in Tiger. Their commitment to providing a warm, caring environment for residents has touched countless lives and strengthened the heart of our community.
Submitted photo. Forward Rabun Youth Leadership members pose as a group outside Georgia Power’s Tallulah Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Plant on April 14. This visit was the last of the group’s current curriculum.

Submitted photo. Forward Rabun Youth Leadership members pose as a group outside Georgia Power’s Tallulah Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Plant on April 14. This visit was the last of the group’s current curriculum.

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Forward Rabun Youth Leadership Program concludes ‘powerfully’

(not verified)
Thursday, April 16, 2026
The Forward Rabun Youth Leadership Program wrapped up its current class curriculum Tuesday with an immersive tour of Georgia Power’s Tallulah Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Plant — one of the region’s most storied industrial landmarks.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune.

Step in right direction

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, April 16, 2026
City of Clayton officials and members of the community held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday afternoon on the city hall property to signify the start of construction of the new walking path as the financing will come from hotel/motel restricted funds.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Edventures Resource Center and its young entrepreneurs will be hosting a Kids’ Market in at 19 English Street, Tiger, on Tuesday, May 5, and Thursday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday, May 6, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the market is free.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Edventures Resource Center and its young entrepreneurs will be hosting a Kids’ Market in at 19 English Street, Tiger, on Tuesday, May 5, and Thursday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday, May 6, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the market is free.

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Support young entrepreneurs at Edventures Resource Center Kids’ Market

Megan Horn
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Support young entrepreneurs by visiting the Edventures Resource Center Kids’ Market on Tuesday, May 5, and Thursday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesday, May 6, from noon to 4 p.m. Edventures is hosting a market presented by its young entrepreneurs.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Sky Valley Scenic Overlook is one of the most sought-after views in Rabun County. Effective May 8, any access to the location will be cut off after Merrill Trust Group sent notice it wanted to terminate its leases with the City of Sky Valley.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Sky Valley Scenic Overlook is one of the most sought-after views in Rabun County. Effective May 8, any access to the location will be cut off after Merrill Trust Group sent notice it wanted to terminate its leases with the City of Sky Valley.

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Merrill Trust terminates leases with Sky Valley

Megan Horn
Thursday, April 16, 2026
City of Sky Valley officials received formal notice from Merrill Trust Group on April 8 that all leases and permissions for city use of its properties will be terminated in 30 days, effective May 8. Merrill Trust Group owns over 500 acres of property in Sky Valley.