News

Submitted photo. Aleta Yates, Kirk Yates, and Christie McDowell have recently been sworn in as CASAs by the Chief Juvenile Court Judge of the Mountain Judicial Circuit. They will be speaking up to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care in Banks, Stephens, Habersham and Rabun counties.

Submitted photo. Aleta Yates, Kirk Yates, and Christie McDowell have recently been sworn in as CASAs by the Chief Juvenile Court Judge of the Mountain Judicial Circuit. They will be speaking up to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care in Banks, Stephens, Habersham and Rabun counties.

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Northeast Georgia CASA has three new CASA volunteers

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Each year in Northeast Georgia, more than 300 children experience the trauma of being removed from their home and placed into foster care due to neglect or abuse by their parents/caregivers.
Submitted. Ray Mayer leads an informative discussion about the judicial system in Rabun County during the July 14 General Meeting of the Rabun County Democrats. Mayer is on the Democrats’ Executive Board and is the assistant district Attorney of the Mountain Judicial Circuit in Banks County. Mayer previously served in the same role in Rabun County.

Submitted. Ray Mayer leads an informative discussion about the judicial system in Rabun County during the July 14 General Meeting of the Rabun County Democrats. Mayer is on the Democrats’ Executive Board and is the assistant district Attorney of the Mountain Judicial Circuit in Banks County. Mayer previously served in the same role in Rabun County.

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Rabun County Democrats invite community for fellowship

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
“Yes, there are Democrats in Rabun County” is the proud slogan of the local Rabun County Democrats. According to Chair Don Martin, “we’re welcoming new members every day.” The group meets on the second Monday of each month in the Community Room at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.
Submitted. letcher Wolfe of Sky Valley greets former members of the Atlanta Boy Choir at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church at a Sunday concert. Wolfe founded and directed the choir for 60 years.

Submitted. letcher Wolfe of Sky Valley greets former members of the Atlanta Boy Choir at Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church at a Sunday concert. Wolfe founded and directed the choir for 60 years.

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Atlanta Choir Boy concert with Thomas at Rabun Gap

News Staff
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The pastor of Rabun Gap Presbyterian Church cautioned Sunday afternoon that the church windows may rattle. “They may even blow out.” But the audience of 175 likely would have helped Don Barber sweep up the glass.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rick Story, director of development for Rabun County, discusses at Tuesday’s Aug. 26 Rabun County Board of Commissioners meeting potential grant funding Rabun County could receive from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The final proposal for the BEAD program is currently in a seven-day public comments phase before being submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for final approval.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rick Story, director of development for Rabun County, discusses at Tuesday’s Aug. 26 Rabun County Board of Commissioners meeting potential grant funding Rabun County could receive from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The final proposal for the BEAD program is currently in a seven-day public comments phase before being submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for final approval.

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$5 million expansion for Rabun broadband

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Rabun County along with neighboring Habersham County have been included in the Georgia Technology Authority’s (GTA) final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program grant funding.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Declan Alexander, 4, has fun playing on this farm tractor presented by Marty Franklin during the Aug. 16 “Touch-A-Truck” event. The family-friendly event allowed kids with their families to climb, “touch,” and explore many vehicles that represent our community heroes.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Declan Alexander, 4, has fun playing on this farm tractor presented by Marty Franklin during the Aug. 16 “Touch-A-Truck” event. The family-friendly event allowed kids with their families to climb, “touch,” and explore many vehicles that represent our community heroes.

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‘Touch-A-Truck’ community event builds support for affordable housing

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The Rabun County Fuller Center for Housing is building a better world one house at a time and that mission is possible thanks to local community support.

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Elections qualifying continues through Friday

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Qualifying for local offices in the cities of Clayton, Mountain City, Dillard, Sky Valley and Tallulah Falls continues through this week as some already have submitted paperwork. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

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Road work until Halloween 2027

Enoch Autry - Publisher
Thursday, August 28, 2025
The four-laning of Highway 441 has created challenges for motorists – both local and visitors – and more of those driving delays will be part of this construction journey that is projected to continue until Halloween 2027.
File photo/Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Boy Scouts of America Troops 6 and 19 present flags representing each branch of public safety including law enforcement; EMS; fire; dispatch; corrections; and search and rescue during last year’s Rabun County First Responders’ Appreciation Dinner. This year’s event is Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Rabun County Civic Center, 201 W. Savannah Street, Clayton.

File photo/Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Boy Scouts of America Troops 6 and 19 present flags representing each branch of public safety including law enforcement; EMS; fire; dispatch; corrections; and search and rescue during last year’s Rabun County First Responders’ Appreciation Dinner. This year’s event is Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Rabun County Civic Center, 201 W. Savannah Street, Clayton.

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Support our first responders

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
It’s important to recognize Rabun County’s heroes and thank our first responders for their service to the community. The third annual 2025 Rabun County First Responders’ Appreciation Dinner is coming up Thursday, Aug. 28, and the community is invited to attend.

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Help name mascot for a Place of Hope

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Local nonprofit Place of Hope (POH) North Georgia’s primary focus is to support and care for children entering and living in the foster care system in our area. There are many ways the community can support the faith-based organization including donating and volunteering.
Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Georgia gubernatorial Republican candidate Chris Carr, center, speaks with members of the community during a Friday, Aug. 15, Meet-and-Greet event. Pictured are Benita Cotton-Orr, left; Joan Carr (wife); Carr; and Rabun County Sheriff Mark Gerrells.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Georgia gubernatorial Republican candidate Chris Carr, center, speaks with members of the community during a Friday, Aug. 15, Meet-and-Greet event. Pictured are Benita Cotton-Orr, left; Joan Carr (wife); Carr; and Rabun County Sheriff Mark Gerrells.

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Carr drives campaign into Clayton

Megan Horn
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Georgia gubernatorial Republican candidate Chris Carr held a campaign Meet-and-Greet event in Clayton on Friday, Aug. 15, with several members of the community in attendance. Carr visited Rabun County with his campaign staff and wife, Joan.