Clay County Progress

Last updated
Clay County Progress
The Clay County Progress newspaper office in Hayesville, N.C.jpg
The Clay County Progress newspaper office in Hayesville, N.C.
Type Weekly newspaper
Format Broadsheet
Owner(s) Community Newspapers, Inc.
PublisherBecky Long
EditorBecky Long
FoundedNovember 1951
LanguageEnglish
Headquarters Hayesville, NC, 28904
United States
Circulation 4,600
OCLC number 31885516
Website claycountyprogress.com

Clay County Progress is a weekly newspaper in Hayesville, North Carolina, and Clay County. It covers Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina and Towns County, Georgia. [1]

Contents

The Progress is owned by Athens, Georgia-based Community Newspapers, Inc., which also operates the Cherokee Scout in Murphy, the Graham Star in Robbinsville, and the Smoky Mountain Times in Bryson City, amongst other publications in the southeastern United States. [2]

History

The Clay County Progress was preceded by two other newspapers. The Clay County Courier launched in 1902 and operated through at least 1909. It was published by G.W. Sanderson and edited by G.H. Haigler. [3] [4] The Clay County News launched Sep. 17, 1926. James Andrew Gray began publishing it with his wife as associate editor. Subsequent editors included Alvin Penland (1937-1938), Eula Gray (1938-1939), and Lucille Padgett (1939-1942). L. E. Hollifield, Jr., bought the newspaper in March 1942 and then sold publishing rights to Cross Printing Co., of Clayton, Georgia, by October 1942. At that time L. P. Cross took over duties as editor and the paper was printed in Clayton. The Clay County News stopped printing in 1943, only to be briefly revived by Rev. L. P. Smith, Guy Padgett and Hattie Jarrett in 1947 before closing for good the following year. [5]

The newspaper office in downtown Hayesville from 2003 until 2023 The Clay County Progress newspaper office in downtown Hayesville, N.C. on Nov. 1, 2022.jpg
The newspaper office in downtown Hayesville from 2003 until 2023

In November 1951, Rev. J. K. Hutchings, pastor of a baptist church in Hiawassee, Georgia, and publisher of the Towns County Herald , started the Clay County Progress. [6] Publishing rights were sold to The Cherokee Scout in nearby Murphy in 1961 and the Scout printed a combined Cherokee Scout and Clay County Progress edition between 1961 and 1980. [7] The Progress has been printed on the Scout's press ever since. [8]

The Progress has twice faced competition. In 1975, the Mountain News opened an office in Hayesville. It is uncertain how long the paper printed locally. [5] Between 1987 and January 2012, weekly newspaper The Smoky Mountain Sentinel operated out of Hayesville. The Sentinel had a circulation of 4,000 when it shut down due to the publisher falling ill. [9] [10] Since it closed, the Progress has been the only newspaper in Clay County.

In the 1980s, The Progress was headquartered on the town square at 57 Main Street before moving to Moore's Plaza on Business Highway 64. [11] In 2003, the newspaper moved to a brick building on the square at 43 Main Street. In October 2023, the paper returned to Moore's Plaza but did not explain why it moved. [12]

The Progress has sponsored Clay County's annual Christmas parade since its inception in 1987. [13] The newspaper's website, ClayCountyProgress.com, launched by February 2002. [14] The Progress began publishing "Reader's Choice" awards in 2022. [15]

Publishers

  1. J. K. Hutchings (1951–1952)
  2. Paul G. Cutright (1952–1953)
  3. Lucille Padgett (1953–1954)
  4. Gene Robinson (1954–1957)
  5. Denzle Whitehair (1957–1961)
  6. Cherokee Scout (1961–1980) [5]
  7. Fran Fuller (–1986) [16]
  8. Faith Hall (1986–1987)
  9. Lonnie Britt (1987–)
  10. Becky Long (1992–present) [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Clay County is a county located in the far western part of U.S. state North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the county population was 11,089. The county seat is Hayesville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherokee County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Cherokee County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It borders Tennessee to its west and Georgia to its south. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,774. The county seat is Murphy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrews, North Carolina</span> Town in North Carolina, United States

Andrews is a town in Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 1,667 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murphy, North Carolina</span> Town in North Carolina, United States

Murphy is a town in and the county seat of Cherokee County, North Carolina, United States. It is situated at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Valley rivers. It is the westernmost county seat in the state of North Carolina, approximately 360 miles (580 km) from the state capital in Raleigh. The population of Murphy was 1,608 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayesville, North Carolina</span> Town in North Carolina, United States

Hayesville is a town in Clay County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 311 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Clay County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John C. Campbell Folk School</span> Historic folk arts school in North Carolina, United States

The John C. Campbell Folk School, also referred to as "The Folk School", is located in Brasstown, North Carolina. It is the oldest and largest folk school in the United States. It is a non-profit adult educational organization based on non-competitive learning. The Folk School offers classes year-round in over fifty subject areas including art, craft, music, dance, and nature studies. Established in 1925, the Folk School's motto is "I sing behind the plow".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warne, North Carolina</span> Unincorporated community in North Carolina, United States

Warne ( "worn") is an unincorporated community in Brasstown Township, Clay County, North Carolina, United States. In 2010, Clay County was the fourth least populated county in North Carolina, inhabited by approximately 10,587 people. The region has added considerably to its population, a 20.6% increase since 2000. Warne is closer to the capitals of five other states than to Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tri-County Community College</span> College in Murphy, North Carolina, U.S.

Tri-County Community College is a public community college in Murphy, North Carolina. It was founded in 1964 to serve Cherokee, Clay, and Graham counties and is part of the North Carolina Community College System.

<i>Cherokee Scout</i> Weekly newspaper in Murphy, North Carolina

The Cherokee Scout is a weekly newspaper in Murphy, North Carolina, and Cherokee County. It is one of the largest newspapers in far-west North Carolina.

<i>Graham Star</i>

The Graham Star is a weekly newspaper based in Robbinsville, North Carolina covering Graham County, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hayesville High School</span> American public school in North Carolina

Hayesville High School is a school located in Hayesville, North Carolina and is part of the Clay County School District. It is the only public high school in Clay County. As of 2024, the school's enrollment is 371 students and it has 33 teaching staff members. That is an average of 10.27 students per teacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brasstown, North Carolina</span> Unincorporated community in North Carolina, United States

Brasstown is an unincorporated community located mostly within Clay County, North Carolina, United States, though roughly one third of Brasstown is within the adjacent Cherokee County. Brasstown Creek travels through the community and separates the two counties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murphy High School (North Carolina)</span> American public school in North Carolina

Murphy High School (MHS) is a public high school in Murphy, North Carolina. It serves grades 9–12 and is one of only three high schools in the Cherokee County Schools system. The MHS campus is sandwiched between U.S. Route 19 and the Valley River. The high school shares its campus with Murphy Middle School and the Cherokee County Schools Bus Garage. As of 2007 the school had a full-time teaching staff of 42 teachers giving an average of 12 students per teacher. It has a GreatSchools rating of 5/10 and an average community rating of 4/5 stars. In the 2024-25 school year, 437 students were enrolled. The school has a capacity of 746 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay County School District (North Carolina)</span> School district in North Carolina, United States

Clay County Schools (CCS) manages the public school system in Clay County, North Carolina. It is the only school district in Clay County and covers all of the county with about 1,320 students attending a total of 4 separate schools located on a central campus in Hayesville. After county government, Clay County Schools is the county's largest employer with a staff of 205 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital</span> Hospital in North Carolina, United States

Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital is a hospital located in Murphy, North Carolina certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It is the only hospital in the state west of Bryson City and Franklin. The hospital is licensed for 191 beds. Of the 191 beds, 120 are nursing home beds, 57 are general beds, and 14 are beds for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

<i>Smoky Mountain Times</i>

Smoky Mountain Times is a weekly newspaper based in Bryson City, North Carolina. It is published on Thursdays and has served the people of Swain County, North Carolina since 1883.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay County Courthouse (North Carolina)</span> United States historic place

The Clay County Courthouse is located on Main Street in Hayesville, Clay County, North Carolina. The T-shaped two-story brick building was built in 1888, and is a prominent local example of vernacular Italianate architecture. Its most visible feature is a three-story square tower, which projects for half its width from the main facade, and through which entry to the building is gained.

Community Newspapers, Inc. is an American publisher of newspapers and advertising-related publications throughout the southeastern United States. The company was formed in 1967 by Newton Jerue Babb, and is based in Athens, Georgia. It owns and operates about 25 newspapers. As of 2023, approximately ten employees work at the company's headquarters in Athens. Another 500 work at other locations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peachtree, North Carolina</span> Community located in Cherokee County, North Carolina

Peachtree is a community located in Cherokee County, North Carolina. It is named after the numerous peach trees found in the area.

<i>The Franklin Press</i> Weekly newspaper in Franklin, North Carolina

The Franklin Press is a weekly newspaper in Franklin, North Carolina, and Macon County. It is one of the largest and oldest newspapers in far-west North Carolina.

References

  1. ↑ "Clay County Progress". Clay County Progress. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Locations". Community Newspapers, Inc. Accessed January 16, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Clay County Courier (Hayesville, N.C.) 1902-19??". Directory of U.S. Newspapers in American Libraries. Library of Congress. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  4. ↑ "The Clay County News (Hayesville, N.C.)". DigitalNC Newspapers. DigitalNC. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  5. 1 2 3 Padgett, Guy (1976). A History of Clay County, North Carolina. Clay County Bicentennial Committee.
  6. ↑ "About Clay County progress". Chronicling America – Historic American Newspapers. National Endowment for the Humanities. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  7. ↑ "The Cherokee Scout and Clay County Progress (Murphy, N.C.) 1961-1980". Directory of U.S. Newspapers in American Libraries. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2023-08-25.
  8. ↑ "Open House: Come see how your newspaper is made". Cherokee Scout. Murphy, N.C. 1964-10-22. p. 3A.
  9. ↑ "Smoky Mountain Sentinel". mondotimes. Mondo Code LLC.
  10. ↑ "Twitter". 2012-01-17.
  11. 1 2 Dockery, Travis (2021-11-15). "Your Story: Becky Long". YouTube. Clay Progress. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
  12. ↑ "We're moving... but not very far". Clay County Progress. Hayesville, N.C.: Community Newspapers, Inc. 2023-09-21. p. A3.
  13. ↑ Long, Becky (2023-12-07). "Santa's coming to town Saturday". Clay County Progress. Hayesville, NC: Community Newspapers, Inc. p. A1.
  14. ↑ "ClayCountyProgress.com". 2002-02-06. Archived from the original on 2003-02-12. Retrieved 2023-09-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  15. ↑ "Archive issues". Special. Clay County Progress. 2022-09-29.
  16. ↑ "Progress editor hospitalized". Clay County Progress . 1985-05-02. p. 1.


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.