After more than 43 years in publishing, Meryl Whitledge will retire Oct. 31 from The Clay County Courier, closing a remarkable career that began in 1982 and continued through the company’s transition to CherryRoad Media over the past four years.
On October 18, an officer with the Corning Police Department arrested a driver following a highspeed pursuit that ended in a rollover crash on Highway 211.
The Corning School District met on Monday, October 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm in the library with all members present. First the board approved the September minutes and the financial report as presented. Following the approval of the financial report, the board approved the adoption of the Proposed Budget of Expenditures with Tax Levy for Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2027 to and including June 30, 2028 and approved all related election documents. Next, the board adopted the Clay County Hazard Mitigation Plan, and approved the policy changes and updates as presented. Later, the board approved the Annual Equity Compliance documents and the renewal of ASBA Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage. The board discussed the Pee Wee Basketball Program and approved the employment of Katie Cole as the new director of pee wee basketball program. Mrs. Woolard shared information concerning the district’s participation in the Districtwide PLC Process through Solution Tree as it pertains to improving student achievement. The next item on the agenda was the approval of various inventory deletions including obsolete technology, various gym fixtures, and two lawn mowers traded in for newer models. Superintendent Woolard shared updates concerning the construction project and the annual ASBA Conference in December. The CM is waiting on clarification from companies concerning their bids. When that information is provided, the board will call a special meeting to approve the GMP for construction. The special meeting has been tentatively set for Thursday October 22 at 5:00, but Mrs. Woolard will finalize the date and time once she hears from CR Crawford concerning the bid clarifications. Finally the board entered into executive session for personnel matters. Upon returning from executive session, with there being no further business, President Scobey adjourned the meeting.
Park Elementary School will host its Scholastic Book Fair in the school library next week, giving students and families the chance to stock up on great reads while supporting the school.
Current-Gaines Baptist Association celebrates 50th anniversary of Gainesville, Current River merger associations
Stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid distractions like headphones or phones that prevent you from hearing and seeing potential threats.
The October Corning Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon was called to order by VP Molly Jett at Market 602 on October 9. An invocational prayer was offered by Mike Vinson following which VP Jett announced that the scheduled guest speaker, Bridgette Branson of Black River Technical College, was unable to attend. VP Jett then took the opportunity to introduce Barry Sellers, a new Chamber member with Triple Oak Power, a wind farm company based out of Portland, Ore. Sellers, a former Corning resident, served as the President/CEO of the Corning Area Chamber of Commerce from January of 2005 to June of 2009. He spoke about where and what he and his family have been up to since leaving Corning.
The Clay County Quorum Court met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 20 at the courthouse in Corning with justices Dennis Haines, Patrick Patterson, David Hatcher, Randy Kingston, Brad Green, David Cagle and Jody Henderson present. Justices George Lowe and Neil Smith were absent.
A Corning Police Department officer arrested a parolee Thursday after responding to a disturbance call at a residence on the 900 block of Southwest 2nd Street.
On Saturday evening at 6 p.m. the community came together to mourn the loss and celebrate the memory of Isabella Brasfield, Tara Calhoun, and Michelle Braman at a candlelight vigil in Wynn Park. The vigil was organized by Heather Hodge and officiated by Bro. Douglas Dobbins of First Free Will Baptist Church.