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Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured are Allen Blair, RCHS assistant principal; Kelsey Thompson, RCHS assistant principal; Cindi Dean, chief financial officer; Matt Remillard, RCSS assistant superintendent; Scott Horton, school board member; Bailey Weber, RCHS student, Class of 2027; Justin Spillers, RCHS principal; Steven Cole, RCSS superintendent; Steven Cabe, school board chair; Jonathan Welch, RCHS athletic director; Kelly McKay, RCSS assistant superintendent; Jason Hogan, RCSS facilities director.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured are Allen Blair, RCHS assistant principal; Kelsey Thompson, RCHS assistant principal; Cindi Dean, chief financial officer; Matt Remillard, RCSS assistant superintendent; Scott Horton, school board member; Bailey Weber, RCHS student, Class of 2027; Justin Spillers, RCHS principal; Steven Cole, RCSS superintendent; Steven Cabe, school board chair; Jonathan Welch, RCHS athletic director; Kelly McKay, RCSS assistant superintendent; Jason Hogan, RCSS facilities director.

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RCHS breaks ground on new Academic Center

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 9, 2025
The mission of Rabun County Schools is to “lead our students to achieve their potential through high academic and ethical standards in a disciplined and nurturing environment.” The official groundbreaking of the new Rabun County High School (RCHS) Academic Center on Jan.
Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart (left) and father Sonny (right) share a heartfelt moment after a Bulldog victory. (Dean Legge/Dawg Post).

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart (left) and father Sonny (right) share a heartfelt moment after a Bulldog victory. (Dean Legge/Dawg Post).

The Consummate Coach: Remembering Sonny Smart

Wade Cheek
Saturday, January 4, 2025
Sonny Smart, the father of Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart and Rabun County resident and former Wildcat coach, passed away due to hip surgery complications after falling in New Orleans, La., early on Saturday, Jan. 4.

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BOE opens door to opt out of ‘floating’ homestead

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Rabun County Board of Education members intend to opt out of a new specific bill, HB 581, that establishes a base amount allowed to be collected on homesteaded property and limits annual increases in those property taxes to the rate of inflation. Georgia House Bill 581 went into effect Jan.
Submitted photo. Beautiful flowers were a site to see at the Clayton Flower Bed, especially during the summer months. These pictures taken in June 1996 display the colorful flowers.

Submitted photo. Beautiful flowers were a site to see at the Clayton Flower Bed, especially during the summer months. These pictures taken in June 1996 display the colorful flowers.

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Bedding Down Retirement

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 2, 2025
After 52 years as owner of the Clayton Flower Bed, Bobbie Darnell announced her retirement and the closing of her business on Dec. 31, 2024. Darnell said she is the oldest original shop owner left in downtown Clayton.

National day of mourning held for President Carter

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
ATLANTA – Flags flew at half-staff across the nation Monday, a day after former President Jimmy Carter died at age 100 at his home in Plains. Gov. Brian Kemp issued two executive orders following the passing of the longest living ex-president, one ordering all U.S.

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‘There’s Hope for the Hungry’

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Everyone can use a little bit of hope. That hope can come in many different forms, including through food distributions in Rabun County. “There’s Hope for the Hungry” is an organization based out of Cumming, Ga.
File Photo/Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. RCWSA Finance Director Traci Adams hands paperwork to Jarrard & Davis, LLC Attorney Jeffrey M. Strickland. The sale and closing on the water and sewer system between the City of Clayton and RCWSA was a significant event in 2024.

File Photo/Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. RCWSA Finance Director Traci Adams hands paperwork to Jarrard & Davis, LLC Attorney Jeffrey M. Strickland. The sale and closing on the water and sewer system between the City of Clayton and RCWSA was a significant event in 2024.

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Say ‘Bye’ to 2024 & ‘Hello’ to 2025

Megan Horn
Thursday, January 2, 2025
The Year 2024 was filled with many newsworthy events. City governments saw new council members and police chiefs; the City of Clayton and Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority (RCWSA) closed on water and sewer consolidation; and the Dillard family sold The Dillard House Inn and Restaurant.
Submitted photo. Karen Bacon, Club Foundation Chair for Clayton Rotary, presents Chris DiNofrio, Treasurer for American Legion Post 220, with a check for $6,200 to support the American Legion Food Distribution Program.

Submitted photo. Karen Bacon, Club Foundation Chair for Clayton Rotary, presents Chris DiNofrio, Treasurer for American Legion Post 220, with a check for $6,200 to support the American Legion Food Distribution Program.

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Clayton Rotary Foundation donates $6,200 to support American Legion for food distribution

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
The Clayton Rotary Club Foundation recently donated $6,200 to American Legion Post 220 to support the Food Distribution Program. This Food Distribution Program works with the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia to help distribute food to those in need throughout the year.
Photo submitted. Rabun County Farm Bureau member Stephanie Harden Branch accepts a gift from Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall during the organization’s 87th annual convention on Jekyll Island in recognition of her serving as chairwoman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee in 2024.

Photo submitted. Rabun County Farm Bureau member Stephanie Harden Branch accepts a gift from Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall during the organization’s 87th annual convention on Jekyll Island in recognition of her serving as chairwoman of the Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee in 2024.

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Branch honored for leading Georgia Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2025
MACON, Ga. – Rabun County Farm Bureau (RCFB) member Stephanie Harden Branch was recognized during the 87th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) Convention held Dec. 8-10 on Jekyll Island for chairing the GFB Women’s Leadership Committee the past year.