News

Submitted photo. Brian Blacklock stands in the sanctuary at Grace Chapel. Blacklock will begin serving as lead pastor on Aug. 3.

Submitted photo. Brian Blacklock stands in the sanctuary at Grace Chapel. Blacklock will begin serving as lead pastor on Aug. 3.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain welcomes new lead pastor Blacklock

Thursday, August 6, 2026
SCALY MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Grace Chapel on High Holly Mountain is pleased to announce that Brian Blacklock will begin serving as lead pastor on Aug.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Moonrise Distillery owner Doug Nassaur, far right, talks to Clayton City Council members on July 14 about delinquent taxes reported by the city. Nassaur addresses (from left) City Manager Kessiah Gipson, Council Member Tony Allen, City Manager Trudy Crunkleton, Mayor Roy Quilliams, City Attorney Mitch Baker, and council members Colt Woodall, Channing Watts and Stacy Fountain.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Moonrise Distillery owner Doug Nassaur, far right, talks to Clayton City Council members on July 14 about delinquent taxes reported by the city. Nassaur addresses (from left) City Manager Kessiah Gipson, Council Member Tony Allen, City Manager Trudy Crunkleton, Mayor Roy Quilliams, City Attorney Mitch Baker, and council members Colt Woodall, Channing Watts and Stacy Fountain.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Payment deadline set in tax dispute

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Clayton city council members voted unanimously July 14 to give local business Moonrise Distillery until Aug. 12 to pay city excise taxes city officials say are delinquent.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Clarkesville hires Streetman as new city manager

Thursday, July 23, 2026
It’s official.The Clarkesville City Council approved and signed the contract for Jason Streetman to be its next city manager July 13. He will start in the position on Aug. 3.“It’s a pleasure to be here,” Streetman said after shaking hands with council members as the room applauded.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Sky Valley City Manager Jason Streetman, left, gives his last report as city manager at the July 21 regular council meeting. Pictured right are Council Member Tony Allred, Council President Beth Pence, Mayor Benita Cotton-Orr, and council members Jesse Price, CareySue Beasley and Jim Curtis. Streetman’s last day as Sky Valley’s city manager is July 31. His start date as Clarkesville city manager is Aug. 3.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Sky Valley City Manager Jason Streetman, left, gives his last report as city manager at the July 21 regular council meeting. Pictured right are Council Member Tony Allred, Council President Beth Pence, Mayor Benita Cotton-Orr, and council members Jesse Price, CareySue Beasley and Jim Curtis. Streetman’s last day as Sky Valley’s city manager is July 31. His start date as Clarkesville city manager is Aug. 3.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Applications streaming in for Sky Valley city manager

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The City of Sky Valley has received a total of 15 applications for the open city manager position, Mayor Benita Cotton-Orr discussed during Tuesday’s July 21 city council meeting.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Clayton approves quotes for trail system, road paving

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Clayton City Council members approved grading and paving quotes for the second phase of a multi-faceted trail system as the money will come from hotel/motel restricted funds. The project includes the construction of an approximate one-mile trail loop around the City Hall property.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Community members are invited to attend National Night Out 2026 hosted by the Sky Valley Police Department and build community partnerships on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 696 Sky Valley Way, Sky Valley. The event and its activities are free to the public.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Community members are invited to attend National Night Out 2026 hosted by the Sky Valley Police Department and build community partnerships on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 696 Sky Valley Way, Sky Valley. The event and its activities are free to the public.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

Sky Valley Police invites community to Aug. 4 ‘National Night Out’ event

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Sky Valley Police Department invites the community to “National Night Out 2026” on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 696 Sky Valley Way, Sky Valley. The event and its activities are free to the public.
Submitted photo. Candidates, NGHI Steering Committee members, and several workshop attendees at the July 11 event in Clarkesville.

Submitted photo. Candidates, NGHI Steering Committee members, and several workshop attendees at the July 11 event in Clarkesville.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

North Georgia Headwaters Indivisible hosts candidate strategy workshop

Thursday, July 23, 2026
CLARKESVILLE, GA — North Georgia Headwaters Indivisible (NGHI) hosted a Candidates Strategy Workshop on Saturday, July 11, at the Habersham County Parks, Recreation & Aquatic Center.

 Exclusive Subscriber Content

LBCA Foundation announces 2026 grant award recipients

Megan Horn
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Lake Burton Civic Association Foundation (LBCAF) recently announced its 2026 grant award recipients. There were 25 grants totaling $101,075 awarded to nonprofit organizations serving the Rabun community. Several received LBCAF support for the first time.