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Submitted Photo. The murder of Herman Wilder was front page news in the May 30, 2001, edition of The Dahlonega Nugget newspaper.

Submitted Photo. The murder of Herman Wilder was front page news in the May 30, 2001, edition of The Dahlonega Nugget newspaper.

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Cold case cleared with DNA evidence

Thursday, November 13, 2025
After 24 years, a baffling local cold case has been closed and cleared. It was a case that began on the evening of May 25, 2001, with the awful murder of Dahlonega resident Herman Wilder just outside Golden Hills Apartments.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. abun County Middle School eighth graders and new REACH scholars Kinley Burtch, Paytn Sharkey, Jasmine Nelson, Neyli Aguilar and Ana Espitia Martinez pose for a photograph at the conclusion of their Nov. 10 signing ceremony.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. abun County Middle School eighth graders and new REACH scholars Kinley Burtch, Paytn Sharkey, Jasmine Nelson, Neyli Aguilar and Ana Espitia Martinez pose for a photograph at the conclusion of their Nov. 10 signing ceremony.

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Middle schoolers earn opportunity to REACH higher

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, November 13, 2025
While Rabun County students are looking to better themselves academically for college aspirations, five middle school eighth graders were notified Monday if they continue to push, scholarships await them through the REACH program.
Submitted Photo. The Rabun County FFA Chapter earned a three-star ranking to put the chapter among the nation’s best.

Submitted Photo. The Rabun County FFA Chapter earned a three-star ranking to put the chapter among the nation’s best.

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Rabun County FFA receives honors on national stage

News Staff
Thursday, November 13, 2025
The Rabun County FFA Chapter of Tiger has been recognized as a recipient of the 2025 National Chapter Award Program from the National FFA Organization. They earned a three-star ranking, which is truly a mark of their exceptionalism.
Submitted Photo. The “Kingston” depot constructed in Otto, N.C., for filming of Disney movie “The Great Locomotive Chase.”

Submitted Photo. The “Kingston” depot constructed in Otto, N.C., for filming of Disney movie “The Great Locomotive Chase.”

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Disney brings Hollywood to North Ga., Otto, N.C.

Thursday, November 13, 2025
On the heels of Franklin’s centennial celebration in 1955, came the announcement that Walt Disney Productions was planning to film its second live-action movie on the Tallulah Falls Railroad, following their success with “Davy Crockett,” which starred Fess Parker.
Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Newly elected mayor of Sky Valley Benita Cotton-Orr (right) takes a photo of the election results on Tuesday night at the Rabun County Elections Office in Clayton as CareySue Beasley and Beth Quarles Pence look at their winning totals as well in the Sky Valley city council race. Jesse Price also won a spot on the council.

Enoch Autry/The Clayton Tribune. Newly elected mayor of Sky Valley Benita Cotton-Orr (right) takes a photo of the election results on Tuesday night at the Rabun County Elections Office in Clayton as CareySue Beasley and Beth Quarles Pence look at their winning totals as well in the Sky Valley city council race. Jesse Price also won a spot on the council.

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Changes made on Sky Valley council

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Sky Valley has a new mayor and a new look to its city council.

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Sunday package sales passes by 700 votes

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, November 6, 2025
While municipalities were casting votes for elected officials, all of Rabun County’s registered voters could render their thoughts on a referendum concerning Sunday package sales of alcoholic beverages and the voters have opted to take a drink.

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$$$ for roads coming thanks to T-SPLOST approval

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Rabun County will implement its second-ever T-SPLOST to help maintain and improve roads throughout the county and in the municipalities after voters Tuesday favored the measure. The Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or T-SPLOST, passed 1,921 votes to 1,078.