Legacy of Legends: Tallulah Gorge ‘91 golfers Skywalk Celebration win state tickets discounted SEE PAGE C1 SEE PAGE A10 The Clayton Tribune n THURSDAY, June 4, 2015 theclaytontribune.com Vol. 118, No. 23 $1.00 Rabun Beach reopens difficult. Detecting coliforms Excessive amounts of fecal coliform is relatively inexpensive and used as an indicator because of their known association with closes area for nearly two weeks other pathogens. Forest Service spokeswom- By Mat Payne Coliforms do not pose a dan- an Judy Toppins said water Staff Writer ger to people, according to the quality samples are taken at The swimming area at U.S. Environmental Protection the site once a week to test Rabun beach reopened yes- Agency. They can indicate the for contaminants. If two tests terday after the U.S. Forest presence of other disease-caus- show contamination levels of Service last month shut down ing bacteria, such as those fecal coliform greater than swimming and wading due associated with typhoid, dys- the allowed 200 colony form- to test results that indicated entery, hepatitis A and cholera. ing units per 100 milliliters of there was a presence of fecal Because those bacteria gen- water, Toppins said the service Megan Studdard/The Clayton Tribune coliform 25 times greater than erally do not live long outside closes the recreation area until A sign warns swimmers to stay out of the water at Rabun Beach on Thursday. what is generally considered the body of animals, detecting The U.S Forest Service closed the beach after fnding high levels of fecal coliform safe. their presence in water can be Please see BEACH, A11 bacteria in the area. The beach reopened Wednesday. Veterans convoy on Highway 441 coming Saturday Staff Reports Rabun County veterans will have the oppor- tunity to line up in formation one more time Saturday as they are the special passengers in an Honor Our Veterans convoy. The event is to pay tribute to men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States armed forces and timed to coincide with the 71st anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944. On that day, Allied troops stormed the deadly beaches of Normandy, France, as the vanguard of an invasion force that would months later help end World War II in Europe. Participating veter- ans on Saturday will encounter appreciation from residents waving flags rather than bullets from the enemy as their convoy winds through Rabun County. The exact number of vet- erans expected for Saturday is not yet known, but orga- nizers are encouraging all to participate. World War II veterans are especially asked to join the convoy, as time and age contin- ue to thin their ranks. Veterans who wish to join the convoy should gather at Terrora Park in Tallulah Falls before 9 a.m. Saturday, where they will be lined up in vehicles. After leaving Tallulah Falls at about 10 a.m., the convoy will travel up Highway 441 to Highway 246 in Dillard, then turn right on Kelly’s Creek Road before ending at the Rabun Business Park for refreshments and reminisc- ing. Classic cars are still needed to use for driving Mat Payne/The Clayton Tribune the 11 expected World War II vets. If interested, Members of the Rabun County High School Class of 2015 throw their caps in celebration as they are declared graduates Friday night at Frank call Cissy Henry at Clayton City Hall, 706-782- Snyder Stadium. 4512 or 706-982-4000, or Doug Wayne at 706-782- 2152. Those veterans who are able should register Rabun County HigH SCHool in advance so that the vehicle in which they are riding can be identified by the branch of service in which the veteran served. Katheryn Gran- berg, who brainstormed the event with Tammy Whitmire, said veterans can call her at 706-782- 1938 to register or for more information. “We really want the community to turn out to honor, thank, wave a flag or sign, etc., along 441 CLASS OF 2015 GRADUATES to show these heroes how much we appreciate By Mat Payne See more graduation photos of the Wildcat Nation, graduates their sacrifices for our freedoms,” Granberg Staff Writer filed onto the field from the east wrote in an email. “You’ll want to be on the pas- he ranks of Rabun PAGE B1 stairwell and paused for a moment senger side of the road for the best interaction County High School to touch the Wildcat Rock one last with the vets.” alumni swelled Friday 159-member Class of 2015 graduates time as the sun set on their high Flags for waving are available from Emma night when Principal at Frank Snyder Stadium. Chastain of Woodmen of the World, 706-490-4122, T Joi Woods declared the Dressed in the red and white Please see CLASS, A11 and at Wild Bill’s Army-Navy store in Wiley. 3 sections, 24 pages INDEX WEATHER Calendar .................................B6 Obituaries ..............................A6 High 76-81 Church ....................................B4 Police Blotter ..........................A9 Low 60-65 Classifeds ..............................C4 Sports ....................................C1 NASCAR ..................................C3 Your Pet ..................................A8 Thunderstorms. Opinion ..................................A4 Weather ...............................A10 See page A10. Jacky Jones Automotive Group Hayesville, NC Murphy, NC Hayesville, NC Franklin, NC jjfordhayesville.com jackyjonessuperstore.com jackyjoneschryslerdodgejeep.com smokymountainchevy.com 888.342.2282 888.614.8960 888.384.3145 800.452.2438 A2 June 4, 2015 The Clayton Tribune RABUN COUNTY CONTACT US Lawrence to RCHS grads: ‘Look for God’ Main Line: 706-782-3312 Fax: 706-782-4230 Mail: 120 North Main St., P.O. Box 425, By Megan Studdard God. He read several scriptures, Clayton, GA 30525 Staff Writer including John 3:16. Email: thetribune@theclayton Avery Lawrence can typical- “You gotta be looking for God. tribune.com ly be found teaching math to Don’t reject Him. I’ve tried it Website: www.theclaytontribune.com students at Rabun County High without God and it don’t work,” School. But two days before Lawrence said. ADMINISTRATION graduation, the preacher-teach- Lawrence also reminded stu- er stood behind the pulpit at dents they are cared for by their Publisher Liberty Baptist Church to relay teachers and families. He said a group of teachers at RCHS prays Michael Leonard a message from God to the Class [email protected] of 2015. for students every Monday Lawrence spoke to a crowd morning. He also pointed to the of around 200 May 27 at the sacrifice many parents in the Accounting annual baccalaureate service. audience made to get their child Heidi Cook He shared the gospel and gave to graduation. [email protected] advice for graduates to carry “You don’t see the nights that into their futures. Among his your parents are lying in bed, Customer Service many life lessons were “make for some of you, wondering how Jeri McCall good decisions” and “don’t let they’re going to pay graduation [email protected] mistakes define you.” fees or how they’re going to buy “Your life is a blank book. You a new suit or a new dress,” he ADVERTISING get to color in the pages. You said. get to write your own story,” Lawrence ended his speech Sales Associate he said. “I encourage you to do with motivation for the Class of Debbie Martin something with your life.” 2015. Megan Studdard/The Clayton Tribune [email protected] Lawrence told attendees he “If God be for us, who can be The Rev. Avery Lawrence, also a math teacher at Rabun County High School, speaks to left his thriving construction against us?” he said. “You’ve the graduating class at a baccalaureate service May 27 at Liberty Baptist Church. Sales Associate business when God called him got a big, bright future ahead of Becky Berliner to teach. He’s been a math you. I encourage you to paint a performance of “See You Again” “Joyful, Joyful,” “Some Nights” [email protected] instructor at RCHS for the past pretty picture.” by Wiz Khalifa. Senior members and “Omnia Sol.” Duncan four years. After describing how The RCHS Chorus and Encore sang the modern hit while Tay- Wheeler gave the invocation and n God worked in his life, he urged groups sang several songs at lor Beck played the box drum. Ross Lunsford concluded with To place a display or graduates to seek the Son of the service, highlighted by a The musicians also performed the benediction. classifed advertisement, call 782-3312. Graphic Design DA named to state medical cannabis committee [email protected] NEWSROOM By Klark Byrd tetrahydrocannabinol Permanently serving “The thing about low cigarette. News Editor cannabis oil for people on the 17-person commit- THC cannabis oil that Deal spokeswoman Jen News Editor Already a member of living with certain medi- tee are the commission- gets lost on some people is Talaber said Monday in Klark Byrd the Georgia Board of cal conditions. er of public health, the that it’s just that,” Rick- an email the governor is [email protected] Public Safety, Mountain “The issue is what director of the Georgia man confident Rickman and lines to draw and where Bureau of Investigation, said. Judicial Circuit District the commission’s mem- to draw them,” he said. the director of the Geor- “The News Attorney Brian Rickman bers are highly qualified Signed by Deal on gia Drugs and Narcotics canna- Mat Payne is no stranger to serving and capable of carrying April 16, House Bill 1, Agency, the commission- bis oil [email protected] the state at the request of out the work the com- also known as Haleigh’s er of agriculture, the that Gov.