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Photo courtesy Pamela Martin of Casablanca Photography. Stetson Branch takes his Ewe named Snowflake to visit Santa at the Merry Market and Fundraising Jolly in Clayton last weekend.

Photo courtesy Pamela Martin of Casablanca Photography. Stetson Branch takes his Ewe named Snowflake to visit Santa at the Merry Market and Fundraising Jolly in Clayton last weekend.

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Christmas season begins with busy weekend in Clayton

Megan Horn
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
CLAYTON-- COVID didn't stop Christmas from coming to Clayton last weekend.  The bustle of shoppers and diners filled with holiday spirit resonated in downtown Clayton as people from all around flooded the streets for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Sgt. Riley Owens, right, assists Amber Owens with loading her gun at the Level 3 Firearms Course organized by the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office last weekend.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Sgt. Riley Owens, right, assists Amber Owens with loading her gun at the Level 3 Firearms Course organized by the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office last weekend.

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Citizens complete firearms safety course offered by RCSO

Megan Horn
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
TIGER-- The Rabun County Sheriff's Office held its Level 3 firearms safety course at the training center in Tiger on Saturday.  The class is free and offered as a service to the community. Lt.

Ways to conquer the holidays blues

Megan Horn
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
The holiday season is here with Thanksgiving and Christmas just around the corner.  It's a time to gather together and spend time as a family sharing meals and making memories.
File photo. A fatal accident in Dillard on December 30, 2019 closed down traffic on Highway 441 for several hours as emergency personnel worked the scene. Two women were killed and one teenager was airlifted following the high-speed crash.

File photo. A fatal accident in Dillard on December 30, 2019 closed down traffic on Highway 441 for several hours as emergency personnel worked the scene. Two women were killed and one teenager was airlifted following the high-speed crash.

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Buford man indicted for fatal Dillard accident

Megan Horn
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
CLAYTON--A Rabun County Grand Jury indicted a Buford man on numerous charges involving a fatal accident that killed two women following a high-speed crash in Dillard on December 30, 2019.  The grand jury met in session for 35 cases on November 17, 2020 in Rabun County Superior Court.

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Sky Valley adopts millage for 2021 budget

Megan Horn
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
SKY VALLEY-- The city of Sky Valley adopted its millage rate and 2021 budget at a council meeting last Thursday.  Sky Valley's Fiscal Year runs January to December.  The city's budget is $1,121,273 and the millage rate is 15.608 mills.
Photo courtesy Rabun County Schools.

Photo courtesy Rabun County Schools.

Pilgrims gather

News Staff
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Lisa Brown's kindergarten class at Rabun County Primary School made their own butter and bread last week as they prepared for Thanksgiving. 
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Mary Baer, left, and Meg Starzec help decorate a Christmas tree and set up for the Merry Market and Fundraising Jolly happening Friday and Saturday.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Mary Baer, left, and Meg Starzec help decorate a Christmas tree and set up for the Merry Market and Fundraising Jolly happening Friday and Saturday.

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Festival of Trees set for this weekend

Megan Horn
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
CLAYTON-- The coronavirus pandemic can’t stifle the holiday spirit in Rabun County. Holiday festivities begin tomorrow with the annual Festival of Trees event.  It will be held Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rabun County Civic Center.
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Board of Education Chairman Steve Cabe, left, presents an award to Tax Commissioner Sandy Smith at last Thursday’s meeting. The award was presented on behalf of Board of Education members to thank Smith for her hard work during her career. Her department’s tax collections contribute to the amount of funding Rabun County Schools receives, Superintendent April Childers explained. Smith is retiring at the end of the year.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Board of Education Chairman Steve Cabe, left, presents an award to Tax Commissioner Sandy Smith at last Thursday’s meeting. The award was presented on behalf of Board of Education members to thank Smith for her hard work during her career. Her department’s tax collections contribute to the amount of funding Rabun County Schools receives, Superintendent April Childers explained. Smith is retiring at the end of the year.

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Board honors Sandy Smith's service

Megan Horn
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
TIGER-- Tax Commissioner Sandy Smith was honored at the Rabun County Board of Education last Thursday. Board members presented Smith with an award thanking her for her contributions to the school system.  Superintendent April Childers announced that they have a 98.
Submitted photo. Lake Burton Civic Association President Mike Hammer, left, presents a check to Jeanie Cook Camp Evergreen.

Submitted photo. Lake Burton Civic Association President Mike Hammer, left, presents a check to Jeanie Cook Camp Evergreen.

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Lake Burton Foundation gives $5,000 to Camp Evergreen

News Staff
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Lake Burton Civic Association Foundation (LBCAF), a 501c3 charity organization, today announced an LBCAF Grant Award Recipient in the amount of $5,000. The grant recognizes charitable organizations that are making an important community impact in Rabun County or the surrounding area.
Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Captain Sam Jones, from left, and Chief Deputy Scott Cheek have been appointed by Sheriff Chad Nichols to be part of his command staff at the Rabun County Sheriff's Office.

Megan Broome/The Clayton Tribune. Captain Sam Jones, from left, and Chief Deputy Scott Cheek have been appointed by Sheriff Chad Nichols to be part of his command staff at the Rabun County Sheriff's Office.

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Nichols announces new leadership at sheriff's office

Megan Horn
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
CLAYTON-- The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office will be under the guidance of Sheriff Chad Nichols for another four years.  And he’s chosen fresh faces as part of his new leadership team.  Along with Capt.