Clay County Progress

03/02/2025

With a multi-room fitness center, a full-size basketball court, a racquetball court, pickleball courts, and sports fields, we have what you need to stay active and fit!

30/01/2025

I am so excited to announce it is INFORAMTION GUIDE time again!
This is our best seller and most requested special that we do.
The information guide answers all the questions anyone has in mind for all things Clay County.
From local realtors to where can you rent a boat to what events are happing in the area. Your car breaks down? We even have the answer for that... This will be our biggest edition to date! If you have not already, contact me today! You do not want your business left out.

27/01/2025

Please keep the family in your prayers for the days and weeks to come. A terrible tragedy and young man gone to soon. We will be praying for comfort and peace during such a difficult time.There is a Go fund me set up to help with burial expenses.  If you feel led to help this family we will have it linked below.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-tanya-heal-from-devastating-loss?attribution_id=sl:e75987ab-2ce1-4156-b595-1990a2c5df57&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=sms

Clay County Schools is saddened to hear of the passing of one of our former students and member of the HHS Class of 2015, Christian Rhoades.
Our deepest condolence to his family and all those who loved him. ❤️🙏🏻❤️

24/01/2025

NCDHHS Livestream Fireside Chat and
Tele-Town Hall: NC Crisis Services — Get Help 24/7

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss how people can support their mental well-being, find resources and get help for themselves or someone else experiencing a mental health crisis.

Event participants include:

Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS
Cherene Caraco, CEO & Chief Global Strategist, Promise Resource Network
Joy Brunson-Nsubuga, MA, MBA, LMFT, LCAS, CCS, Chief Operating Officer, Recovery Innovations Inc.
Nearly 1 in 4 adults in North Carolina have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Help is available. Mental health crisis services offer non-judgmental, confidential and compassionate care to connect North Carolinians with resources and support — available at little or no cost — to get help with social or family situations, depression, anxiety, thoughts of su***de, substance use or if they just need someone to talk to.

The fireside chat will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 119232 #. Fireside chat and tele-town hall panelists will discuss:

Ways to support and improve mental well-being
When to get help for yourself or a loved one
What NC crisis services are and how to access them
Where to find mental health information and resources
NCDHHS recently launched a new Crisis Services page available in English and Spanish to describe and connect people to services, includes a searchable map to find community crisis centers, and has a zip code search to find a mobile crisis team. If you or someone you love is feeling overwhelmed, NC crisis services are here to help:
Call, text, or chat with 988 for immediate support, 24/7
Talk to someone with lived experience through the Peer Warmline: 855-PEERS-NC
Have help come to you — trained mobile crisis teams will meet you in a safe place at low or no cost
Visit a community crisis center for fast, in-person help from licensed clinicians

22/01/2025

Arctic blast brings beauty and the beast

Thanks to local photographer Sandra Hollified who took this beautiful photo of Fires Creek Wildlife after a blanket from Sunday’s snowfall was followed by frigid temperatures with the low recorded at 10 degrees.The photo runs on the front page of this week's Clay County Progress print edition. Major roadways were mostly clear. School reopened Tuesday after the holidays, a bad weather hiatus and a day off for Martin Luther King Day on Monday. It’s expected to warm up on Saturday but temps are forecasted to dip down to 12 on Sunday.

22/01/2025

Wow!😲 35,319 megawatts of electricity!

TVA Sets New Power Demand Record During Winter Freeze

As the Tennessee Valley battled the coldest temperatures of the season, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) achieved a historic milestone, meeting the highest power demand in its 91-year history.

On Wednesday, January 22, TVA delivered a record-breaking 35,319 megawatts of electricity at 8 a.m. Central Time as the system temperature hit a frigid 11 degrees. This surpassed the previous peak of 34,577 megawatts set during Winter Storm Heather on January 17, 2024. Despite the intense demand, TVA’s power system remained stable and reliable throughout the event.

TVA attributes its success to significant investments in infrastructure and preparation. In fiscal year 2024 alone, TVA invested $430 million to enhance the reliability and resiliency of its power generation fleet, which includes natural gas, coal, and hydro facilities. Thousands of winter-readiness activities, including inspections and procedural upgrades, were implemented based on lessons learned from previous cold weather events.

Because the Tennessee Valley’s population is growing three times faster than the national average, TVA is planning for the future by investing nearly $16 billion over the coming years. This includes adding 3,500 megawatts of additional generation, 1,400 megawatts of which were completed last year, along with 800 megawatts of secured solar energy.

https://www.tva.com/news-media/releases/tva-sets-new-all-time-power-demand-record--thanks-tennessee-valley-region

20/01/2025

School opens tomorrow!

After thoroughly assessing road conditions this afternoon, we are pleased to share that most roads are completely dry, and any remaining moisture has been heavily treated, making them safe for travel.

We are excited to welcome all of our students back to campus tomorrow on a regular schedule!

Please note that temperatures will be in the teens tomorrow morning, so we encourage all students to bundle up and dress warmly. Interestingly, the hour-by-hour forecast shows that it will actually be slightly warmer at our regular bus departure time (6:00 AM) compared to a delayed schedule (8:00 AM). Therefore, a delay would not provide any benefit in terms of temperature.

As always, we encourage families to use discretion when driving or allowing student drivers to travel, particularly if conditions in your local area differ from the general report.

We cannot wait to see everyone tomorrow! Stay safe and warm!

20/01/2025

Yes, it's cold out there! Send us your best photo that depicts the Arctic weather we are experiencing... icicles, snow blankets, etc. Email to: [email protected] by 5 p.m. Tuesdays. When emailing be sure to include photographer's name and a short description of who or what we're seeing in the photo. Keep 'em coming all winter long! We enjoy printing your photos.

20/01/2025

20/01/2025

Flying U.S. and N.C. Flags on Inauguration Day
Return to Half-Staffed Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025


TO: Cabinet Secretaries; Council of State Members; Office of the UNC President; Administrative Office of the Courts; Office of Administrative Hearings; General Assembly; North Carolina Community College System; Governor’s Mansion; Governor’s Office

FROM: Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza

Governor Josh Stein ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to fly at full staff on Monday, January 20 for Inauguration Day. Flags were previously ordered to fly at half-staff for a period of 30 days beginning December 30 in honor of the nation's 39th U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, who passed away last month.

Flags will resume flying at half-staff from sunrise, Tuesday, Jan. 21 until sunset, Wednesday, Jan. 29 in accordance U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, §7.

Statement from Governor Stein

"I am pleased to raise flags in North Carolina on Inauguration Day to honor the new presidency and the peaceful transition of power, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Flags will resume flying at half-staff Tuesday to continue the mourning period for President Jimmy Carter."

Join us
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.

Background
North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.
Click for the NC State Government Flag Guide.
Sign up for the North Carolina Flag Alert list.

ncadmin.nc.gov

20/01/2025

We're open for business at the Clay County Progress until 5 p.m. today. We'll resume regular hours tomorrow, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bundle up, stay warm and be safe out there.

20/01/2025

Clay County Progress office will be closed Monday morning. The weather situatiion will be assessed and then we will post our hours of operation. Thank you and please be safe.

17/01/2025

The Supreme Court upholds the law banning TikTok beginning Sunday if it’s not sold by its Chinese parent company.
AP News report link below:

The Supreme Court on Friday unanimously upheld the federal law banning TikTok beginning Sunday unless it's sold by its China-based parent company, holding that the risk to national security posed by its ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the...

17/01/2025

Good folks are easy to find in our area.

Macon County Care Network is holding its first-ever “Plunge for a Purpose” to help the McMahan family pay off $30,000 in loans they had to take out to repair their home after Hurricane Helene. The event starts today, Jan. 17, and runs through Jan. 31. Leading the kickoff for the Plunge are Caleb Peters from Chick-fil-A and Katy Huscusson from H&H Farmstand.

“Our goal is to erase this family’s remaining debt and help provide heat and resources to other families in need this winter,” said Tim Hogsed, executive director of CareNet. “Together, as a community, we can make a huge difference.”

For more details and to give, visit the CareNet website at www.maconcarenet.org.

CareNet is holding the “Plunge for a Purpose” rather than its traditional Cold for a Cause this year.

13/01/2025

Good afternoon everyone, many secondary roads throughout the county continue to be hazardous. The DOT is working hard to address these areas but the melting and refreezing makes it more difficult. Therefore, Clay County Schools will be closed tomorrow (1/14/25) for students. It will be an optional workday for staff. Thank you for understanding. Everyone be safe.

13/01/2025

10/01/2025

We hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying the snow ❄️ please post snow pictures we would love to see them ❄️❄️❄️❄️