Appalachia Daily Update - February 21, 2026

Final Days of Early Voting Underway in Clay County for March PrimaryEarly voting for the March 3 primary continues through Saturday, February 28 at the Clay County Board of Elections office in Hayesville. Neighbors have weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. available plus Saturday morning hours.News as of: February 19, 2026.Sources:* 2026-02-19 | https://elections.claync.us/current-election-information* 2026-02-12 | https://www.claycountyprogress.com/local-newsletter/early-voting-startsFannin County High School Names 2026 STAR Student and STAR TeacherMadeline Schueneman has been named Fannin County’s 2026 STAR Student and Miranda Roof the STAR Teacher at Fannin County High School. These awards celebrate outstanding students and educators in our regional community.News as of: February 17, 2026.Sources:* 2026-02-17 | https://www.thenewsobserver.com/local-news-newsletter/schueneman-roof-named-fchs-starsClay County Recovery Leaders Honored with Dogwood AwardsDr. Travis Williams and Stacie Ledford of Rock Bottom Recovery received the North Carolina Attorney General’s Dogwood Award. Their work has made a meaningful difference helping families recover from opioid addiction across western North Carolina.News as of: February 19, 2026.Sources:* 2026-02-19 | https://www.claycountyprogress.com/local-newsletter/locals-receive-dogwood-awardsTrail Spotlight Saturday - Chatuge Dam Paved TrailAfter the recent rain, the paved Chatuge Dam Trail near Hayesville is an ideal easy outing. This flat, ADA-accessible path offers beautiful lake and mountain views and stays dry underfoot.News as of: Current local asset.Sources:* Current | https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/chatuge-dam-trail* TVA info via claychambernc.comSupporter SpotlightsBee’s Windows & DesignsBlairsville, GA artist known for custom hand-painted window art and seasonal designs that brighten homes and businesses.River Run Digital AI for Small Business WorkshopPractical, hands-on training to help local small businesses use AI tools effectively. See their Facebook event for details.https://www.facebook.com/events/1640952950676808Where to listenhttps://go.riverrun.digital/ADU-PodcastsNotes, methods, and rightsThis Appalachia Daily Update was created with the help of AI tools working alongside a human editor. All information is drawn from publicly available sources listed above. Rights for the Appalachia Daily Update are reserved by River Run Digital, which produces hyperlocal news for small towns across Appalachia and beyond. To learn more about River Run Digital and its local news projects, visit https://go.riverrun.digital This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adu.riverrun.digital