Hayesville High School alumni gathered for their 86th annual banquet Saturday at Hillsdale High School where 13 classes were represented Attendees enjoyed a Swiss steak dinner prepared by the Hillsdale Music Department The evening began with Judy (Van Gilder) Weaver leading the Pledge of Allegiance and the school song Barb (Sparr) Spaid provided the invocation and benediction The oldest class present was the class of 1948 who received a potted plant in recognition of her attendance Peg (Bell) Stanley and Kathryn (Koegler) Hall Sparr provided an update on the Hayesville-Jeromesville Scholarship report the committee awarded two scholarships of $3,591 each to Erica Van Slee and Mariah Atterholt the committee plans to award two scholarships of $3,616.50 each The current balance of the scholarship fund as of May 2 was $210,271 The group expressed hopes of eventually awarding three scholarships each year it was announced both the president and vice president had resigned Barb (Clark) Dalton volunteered to take on the role of vice president No other nominations were made for president so the current officers will continue to serve in that capacity unless someone else volunteers The current officers are: Vice President Barb (Clark) Dalton Secretary Bill Glass; Assistant Secretary Barb (Sparr) Spaid Assistant Treasurer Kay (Seiss) Pauly and Historian Judy (Van Gilder) Weaver The group honored nine members added to the "In Remembrance" list Former Schoolteacher and Superintendent Gene Yeater attended the banquet whose father was a teacher and coach at Hayesville High School with Gary Sparr winning $127 and choosing to donate the money back to the scholarship fund Community businesses contributed gifts for door prizes The meeting concluded with plans for the next alumni banquet scheduled for May 2 Extended Search Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress All eyes are on the prize as Hayesville shortstop Tate Roberts camps under a high pop-up that also caught the attention of Michael Mauney Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville's Dawson Devane does a Peter Rose slide into home ahead of the throw during the Yellow Jackets comeback against Franklin Gary Corsair • Clay County Progress Hayesville second baseman Michael Mauney applies the tag on a stolen base attempt by Franklin Premium Content is available to subscribers only. Please login here to access content or go here to purchase a subscription Read Clay County Progress, Hayesville, North Carolina © 2025 Clay County Progress by Marisa Sardonia & Ruby Annas HAYESVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A wildfire in Clay County called the Webb Creek Fire has burned 150 acres and is 70% contained, per the North Carolina Wildfire Public Viewer The fire is located alongside Webb Cove Road which is situated between South Carter Cove Road and Old Highway 64 West BEE ROCK BRANCH FIRE MAINTAINS SIZE OVERNIGHT; HIGH FIRE DANGER FORECASTED Clay County Fire and Rescue confirmed via Facebook that the North Carolina Forest Service will work on containment lines Wednesday Officials say they expect heavy smoke during backburning operations Clay County Fire and Rescue also confirmed there is no current risk of structure endangerment in the area of the fire Stay updated with firefighting operations at this link Extended Search Black Knights golf ends championship drought the Robbinsville Black Knights soak in the reality of their first Smoky Mountain Conference golf championship in 25 years The team clinched the title Monday at Mountain Harbour Golf Course in Hayesville at the conclusion of the two-day league tournament Photo by Kevin Hensley/sports@grahamstar.com Premium Content is available to subscribers only. Please login here to access content or go here to purchase a subscription Read The Graham Star, Robbinsville, North Carolina We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money David Stanley DuPriest Sr., 82, of North Augusta, SC and Hayesville, NC passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on February 14, 2025. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday morning, February 23 at 11 o’clock from Friendship... View Obituary & Service Information created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Made with love by funeralOne (WLOS) — After winning the Smoky Mountain Conference title the girls' basketball team at Cherokee High School were faced with a memory they wish to forget they were met with obscene hand gestures and remarks online from the opposing school's fanbase “Our team didn’t get to celebrate their championship win,” said Lori Rogers who has two daughters who play for Cherokee High School You think it’s a great time and it will be a great time but that was nothing of what we expected.” CHEROKEE RUNNER'S CROSS-COUNTRY JOURNEY TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY What seemed like another championship win was anything but that As the Cherokee girls celebrated another conference title fans inside the Hayesville gym could be seen making inappropriate hand gestures towards the winning team combined with comments made on social media about the team caused a reaction from Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks He wrote the following statement to News 13: WORK BEGINS TO FIND PERMANENT HOUSING FOR PEOPLE DISPLACED BY CHEROKEE MOTEL FIRE Hicks also released a statement on Facebook Monday in part: "Despite the hostility they faced and proved what it means to be a champion – on and off the court We are incredibly proud of them and will always stand behind them." Clay County Schools, which includes the opposing team Hayesville, also released a statement on Facebook “Even that night as the comments were coming in that night These kids have put a lot of work into what they’ve mastered.” this is about continuing to push for change while also thriving on the court SEEING GREEN: CHEROKEE POT SALES SURGE, LOCAL IMPACT AND FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED “We stand as family,” Rogers said. “We stand together. We’ve done that for decades. That’s why we’re still here. We strive to be better, get educated and help other communities because this tribe does help the surrounding communities. We’re teaching everybody to support each other, help each other and build each other.” The Cherokee girls' basketball team return to action Tuesday night at Cherokee High School. They take on Bradford Preparatory School in the first round of the state playoffs.