Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Hayesville Roadless Rule Meeting Draws Local Voices
About three dozen neighbors gathered Thursday at the Historic Courthouse Beal Center in Hayesville for a public meeting on the federal Roadless Rule. Mountain True’s Resilient Forests Director Josh Kelly presented, and the discussion centered on protecting untouched areas in the Nantahala National Forest. These roadless zones are exactly where many of us hike and find quiet. Clay County residents made it clear they want a say in keeping our backcountry special.
Nantahala Trail Access & Spring Conditions
Planning a weekend hike? Connely Creek Road (NFSR 86) in Macon County remains closed until October 2026 for major improvements between Cowee Bald Road and Barkers Creek. Access to Cowee Bald is still possible from the other side. Overall spring trail conditions across the Nantahala Ranger District are improving – drier paths and emerging wildflowers make it a great time to get out, but always check current USFS alerts before heading up.
Swain County Passes Data Center Moratorium
Swain County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to impose a 12-month moratorium on new data centers. The move follows a packed March 31 public hearing where residents raised concerns about water use (some facilities need hundreds of thousands of gallons daily), energy demands, noise, and visual impact on the landscape. A local fly-fishing guide spoke up about protecting the outdoor economy that draws visitors to the area. Swain now joins Clay County and other WNC communities in pausing development to study smarter long-term rules. Commissioner Tanner Lawson emphasized getting any future ordinance “as perfect as we can get it.”
Local Track & Field Teams Deliver Strong Results
Hayesville’s track athletes shone at the recent 15-school meet in Swain County. The Jackets baseball team defeated Swain County 10-0, and the girls soccer squad earned a solid victory. Andrews Wildcats and Murphy Bulldogs also posted strong performances. Our kids continue to make us proud on the field and the track.
Union County Farmers Market Opens May 2
Mark your calendars – the Union County Farmers Market opens Saturday, May 2 with the theme “Where the Community Meets.” It’s a great spot for fresh local produce and neighborly connection just over the Georgia line. Perfect way to kick off the spring market season in our extended mountain region.
Partnership Shout-out
North Georgia Technical College (in partnership with River Run Digital) is offering a hands-on AI Workshop: Practical Uses in the Workplace on May 18–19 at their Clarkesville campus. Six hours of real-world training on tools that help small teams automate tasks, create content, and make smarter decisions. Participants receive a personalized “Workflow Pack” to use immediately. Full details in the show notes.
Sources
Clay County Progress (April 23, 2026)
U.S. Forest Service – National Forests in North Carolina alerts (April 2026)
Mountain Xpress (April 21–22, 2026)
Union County News Leader (April 2026 edition)
Where to listen
Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTube • adu.riverrun.digital
Produced by River Run Digital – hyper-local news for the greater Andrews/Murphy area and the surrounding Appalachian communities.
