News Flash • Clayton, NC • CivicEngage

Clayton Plans for Two New Public Safety Facilities

The Town of Clayton is in the process of designing two new joint-use public safety facilities to improve emergency response.  

According to Clayton Fire Chief David Ranes, the department responded to a record-breaking 3,500 calls last year, a numb…

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Government Communicators Day – Spotlight on Daniel Bizzell

In celebration of Government Communicators Day on Feb. 21, the Town of Clayton is highlighting Visual Communication Specialist Daniel Bizzell, whose primary role is to help share important information and stories with the community through engaging video …

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Protecting Clayton’s Waterways with Engineering Innovation

When rain falls in Clayton, most people don’t think about where that water goes. But for Engineering Technician Joshua Cotten, managing stormwater is a daily responsibility – one that plays a crucial role in protecting the environment and keeping the Town…

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Clayton Friends of the Library Host Spring Book Sale

Spring into reading with amazing deals and a fresh selection of books and movies. The Clayton Friends of the Library is excited to host its 2025 Spring Book Sale, offering thousands of gently-used materials at unbeatable prices. 

Join the fun from…

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Clayton Invests in the Next Generation of Workers

CLAYTON, NC – As part of National Apprenticeship Week (February 10-16), the Town of Clayton is celebrating the value of hands-on training and welcoming Nash Ellis, the newest apprentice in the Electric Department.  

According to Electric…

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Town of Clayton names new Economic Development Director

The Town of Clayton has hired Joseph Stallings as its new Economic Development Director. With more than a decade of experience in economic development and public administration, Stallings brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Clayton.  

As…

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Book Lovers Find Their Match at Clayton Library

CLAYTON, NC – This Valentine’s Day, Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library is adding a little mystery to the season of romance by offering Blind Date with a Book, where readers can fall head over heels for a surprise read.  

This un…

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Public Art Advisory Board Call to Yarns

Call To Yarns: The Public Art Advisory Board is thrilled to announce plans for another exciting community-focused knitting project and is seeking the active participation of our citizens!

If you would like to knit single chain pre-made pieces, th…

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Meet Us Monthly – Nicholas Bishop

It is the first Monday of February, and that means it’s time for another #MeetUsMonthly feature. This month, we’re spotlighting Firefighter Nicholas Bishop, who joined the Clayton Fire Department just over a month ago. 

As a fi…

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FY26 Budget Prioritization Survey

We’re excited to launch the FY26 Budget Survey, and we need your input!
The annual budget is the foundation for town services, infrastructure, and public safety. Your priorities help us make informed decisions that shape our future.

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Town of Clayton Honors its Customer Service Champions

CLAYTON, NC – In celebration of Customer Service Day on Friday, January 17, the Town of Clayton is acknowledging its exceptional Customer Service Team for their continued hard work and dedication. From assisting with billing concerns to helping visitors n…

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New Little Free Library Installed at Clayton Area Ministries

The Public Art Advisory Board has installed a new Little Free Library at Clayton Area Ministries, located at 780 Durham St, Clayton, NC 27520.

This “Double Door Cottage” design is perfect for books of all sizes, including children’s books, with a…

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Clayton Fire Advances Firefighter Safety Research

The Clayton Fire Department is partnering with the University of North Carolina (UNC) to improve firefighter safety and health, shaping better practices for fire services nationwide. This collaboration is part of an 18-month research study focused on redu…

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Sister Hazel Live On April 10

Experience the iconic sounds of Sister Hazel, the band behind the late-90s platinum hit “All for You.”

Known for blending rock, alternative and country, the band boasts 7 Billboard hit singles, 11 Billboard chart-topping albums across multiple ge…

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2025 Youth Athletics Registration – Happening Now!

This spring we will be offering:

• Coed T-Ball
• Baseball – 8U Coach Pitch, 10U, 12U, 15U
• Girls Softball – 8U, 10U, 12U, 15U
• Flag Football – 7/9 coed, 10/12 coed, 13-15 Boys, 13-16 Girls
• Beginner Tennis – 7U, 10U, 15…

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Town of Clayton Helps Residents Weather Arctic Blast

An arctic blast is bringing frigid conditions to the region, and the Town of Clayton is focused on supporting residents as they navigate this cold snap. To help the community stay safe and manage their energy use, both the Clayton Fire Department and Util…

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Welcome Back to School: Drive Safely, Clayton!

School is back in session on Monday, January 6, and the Clayton Police Department wants to remind everyone to stay safe on the roads. With more traffic during school hours, it’s important to drive carefully and watch out for students, walkers, b…

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Clayton Police Serve Holiday Joy to Those in Need

This holiday season, the Clayton Police Department brought joy and hope to children, families, and seniors in need through its annual Christmas with a Cop program. With support from Walmart and generous community contributions, officers and staff delivere…

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Page through Town of Clayton’s Top Reads for 2024

As we say goodbye to 2024, the Town of Clayton looks back at the books that captivated the attention of nearly 10,000 library cardholders over the past year.  

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library is excited to share the most-circulated books from it…

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Clayton Police Warn of Holiday Delivery Risks

As the holiday season approaches, the Clayton Police Department is reminding residents to protect their packages and personal information. With online shopping at its peak, porch piracy and holiday scams are on the rise. According to SafeWise, a safety re…

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Ann Austin Named 2024 Christmas Spirit Award Winner

The Downtown Clayton Christmas Committee is proud to announce Ann Austin, affectionately known as “Ms. Ann,” as the recipient of the 2024 Christmas Spirit Award. A beloved figure in the community, Ms. Ann’s contributions over the past …

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Celebrate a Season of Free Holiday Fun in Clayton

The Town of Clayton shines with holiday magic this season, offering free, family-friendly events that bring residents, their families, neighbors, and visitors together to celebrate the festive spirit. 

From twinkling lights to joyful gatherings, t…

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Town of Clayton Hires New Engineering Director

The Town of Clayton has named Donald Perry, PE, as its new Engineering Director. Perry brings an extensive background in civil engineering and leadership, with more than 25 years of experience in managing complex infrastructure projects and teams.&nbs…

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Melissa Poole to Lead New Chapter of Clayton Library

The Town of Clayton has hired Melissa Poole as the new Library Manager of Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library.  

Poole, with more than 10 years of library experience and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the Univers…

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Time to Check Your Smoke Detectors

As we set our clocks back one hour at 2 a.m., Sunday, November 3, to end Daylight Saving Time, the Clayton Fire Department has a friendly reminder: this is a perfect time to check your smoke detectors. While we all enjoy the extra hour of sleep, it&rs…

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Costumes and Candy Fill Downtown Clayton

Halloween was a blast in Downtown Clayton where little ghouls and goblins came out to celebrate! 

On October 31, families joined the Town’s Parks and Recreation Department for the annual Trick-or-Treat Main Street event. From 1 – 3 p.m.,…

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Spooky Stories and Treats Haunt Clayton Library

On October 30, families gathered at the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library for All Hallows Read: An Evening of Spooky Stories. The library transformed into a cozy, haunted space with eerie decorations and plenty of fall treats, creating the perfect atmosph…

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The Clayton Friends of the Library Host Fall Book Sale

It’s a chance to harvest some great steals and rare finds while adding to your book, music, and movie collections. The Clayton Friends of the Library are preparing to host the 2024 Fall Book Sale. 

Explore thousands of gently-used materials for ch…

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Celebrate the Season: Nominate Your Holiday Champion

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer! The Town of Clayton is seeking nominations for the 2024 Christmas Spirit Award. This award honors individuals, couples, families, and organizations who embody the spirit of giving, kindness, and community involvemen…

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Veterans Recognition Ceremony set for Nov. 4

American Hero Army Staff Sergeant Charles Eggleston will be the guest speaker at this year’s Veterans Recognition Ceremony. He joined the Army in 1992 and during his third deployment was critically injured by an IED that required more than 70 surgeries.

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Rockin’ Fall Adventures: Experience Reading in Nature

As the cooler temperatures of fall settle in, it’s the perfect time to immerse yourself in nature and enjoy the beauty of the season at one of our great parks. 

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library is excited to feature a new book as part o…

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Clayton Police Collecting Items for Western NC

In response to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, the Town of Clayton and the Clayton Police Department are partnering with other Johnston County agencies to host a donation drive to support our neighbors in need. Johns…

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Clayton welcomes new Deputy Town Manager

The Town of Clayton welcomes Courtney Tanner as the newest addition to its leadership team, where she will serve as Deputy Town Manager. Tanner brings more than 20 years of experience in municipal planning, budgeting, and community development to the role…

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Town of Clayton Supplies Back-to-School Resources & Safety Tips

As students and parents close the books on the first day of school, the Town of Clayton has some grade-A tips to keep everyone on track and ensure a smooth transition into the new academic year.

“To promote a safe environment around schools, the …

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Clayton Fire Department’s Meet Us Monthly Feature: August 2024

It is the first Monday of August, which means we are recognizing another valued member of our team during #MeetUsMonthly.  

Engineer Brian Ruksznis is a fixture within the Clayton Fire Department, having had a part-time position since 2007 and the…

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Celebrating the Town’s Summer Interns on National Intern Day

The Town of Clayton is proud to recognize its dedicated summer interns in celebration of National Intern Day on July 25. 

We’re committed to offering a hands-on approach with our interns, ensuring they gain the skills needed to prosper in their ch…

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Clayton Clovers Recognize Top Summer Reading Challenge Stars

As we reflect on the amazing accomplishments of this summer’s Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library Summer Reading Challenge, we’re thrilled to celebrate our top readers! The Clayton Clovers baseball team joined in the fun by recognizing t…

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Clayton Fire Department Names New Fire Marshal

The Town of Clayton is excited to announce the hiring of Michael Tatum as the new Fire Marshal. Following a thorough and comprehensive selection process, Tatum emerged as the top candidate, bringing over 14 years of extensive experience in fire code enfor…

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Battle of the Badges Recap: Clayton Fire vs. Police

Bragging rights were on the line as the Clayton Fire Department competed against the Clayton Police Department in the Battle of the Badges. It ended in a friendly 5-5 tie, a real “nail-biter” that showcased camaraderie and sportsmanship between …

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Town of Clayton FY25 Budget

The Town Council unanimously adopted the FY25 Budget on May 20, 2024. Included in the budget is an updated Comprehensive List of Fees and Charges . This has been a collaborative effort, and we appreciate the involvement from our residents in this process.

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Clayton’s Library Aims to Combat Summer Learning Loss

As the school year ends, Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library encourages children, teens, and adults to keep their minds active and engaged. The 2024 Summer Reading Challenge, which runs from June 15 through July 31, has interactive elements for the entire f…

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Discover Free Family Fun in Clayton This Summer

As the unofficial start to summer kicks off, the Town of Clayton is sharing an array of activities that boast free family fun.

Children, teens, and adults can make the most of their time outdoors, enjoying warmer days and more daylight, by visiting differe…

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Deputy Fire Chief Retires after 30 Years

The Town of Clayton is saying goodbye to a devoted employee who has protected and supported the community for three decades. Deputy Fire Chief Tony Atkinson officially retires Saturday, June 1. “I’ll miss it… I will,&rdq…

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Town of Clayton Names New Water Resources Director

The Town of Clayton has hired Joshua Baird as its new Water Resources Director. Baird brings a wealth of experience and expertise in water resource management and will be pivotal in ensuring the Town’s water systems are efficient, sustainable, an…

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Water Resources Department Recognized by NCRWA

The Town of Clayton is thrilled to announce that our Water Resources Department was recognized at the 2024 North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA) Annual Conference and Exhibition, which took place May 14-16 at the Benton Convention Center in Winst…

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Clayton Fire Department’s Meet Us Monthly Feature – May 2024

It is the first Monday of May, which means we are recognizing another valued member of our team during #MeetUsMonthly. 

Battalion Chief Mark Morris is a veteran of the Clayton Fire Department and honored to say he has spent his entire career here….

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Modern Trailblazing Women Leave Mark on Clayton’s History

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library collaborated with the Clayton Historical Association to feature the past, current, and future achievements of leading ladies from the Town of Clayton.

The organizations held an event, titled Trailblazing Women of Clayton: …

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Clayton’s Old Town Hall Getting Modern Twist

A monumental revitalization effort is underway to breathe new life into a century-old structure, previously serving as the Town Hall.  

Known as “The Station,” this ambitious project, receiving unanimous approval from the Town Council on…

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Proof of ID: Get (Library) Carded at Clayton Brewery

Different kinds of identification cards are distilling at Deep River Brewing Company. Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library partnered with the local business to host “Get (Library) Carded” from 5 – 8 p.m., Thursday, March 7. 

The event was designed to…

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Meet Us Monthly: Michael Duffy

It is the first Monday of February, which means we are recognizing another valued member of our team during #MeetUsMonthly.  

Please join us in welcoming Firefighter Michael Duffy, who is a newcomer within the Clayton Fire Department. He is recogn…

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FY25 Budget Survey

Your voice matters! We are excited to launch the FY25 Budget Survey, and we want YOU to play a crucial role in shaping the future of our town.

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The Town of Clayton Announces 2024 Special Events.

Clayton annually hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including outdoor concerts, street festivals, and numerous holiday celebrations.

The Town looks forward to working with partners, sponsors, and local businesses to bring these events to life f…

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Local Runners Take Steps to Protect Clayton Police K9

The Clayton Police Department has an additional safeguard for one of its officers, thanks to the generosity of a local club. Clayton Area Runners (CAR) presented a K9 ballistic vest to Master Officer Stephen Carter and K9 Officer Tim on Thursday, January …

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Clayton’s Art Scene Is the “Best Kept Secret”

Clayton Visual Arts is illustrating a new concept. “You don’t think of Clayton and arts, and that’s something we want to change,” says Val Taylor, the organization’s vice president. 

Comprised of creators, educators, enthusiasts and volunteers, Cl…

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Clayton’s Library Is Stepping Up Its Game

Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library is moving some new pieces into its collection. More than 30 board games are available for cardholders to choose from, check out, and take home.

Their names may be of surprise. Instead of gearing toward mass market options …

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Meet Clayton’s New Public Works Director

The Town of Clayton has named Tim Robbins as its new Public Works Director.  

With nearly 20 years of experience in local and state government, Robbins brings a wealth of knowledge to the position, particularly surrounding the management of public…

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Clayton Welcomes Conrad Olmedo as New Planning Director

The Town of Clayton has hired Conrad Olmedo as its new Planning Director. 

Olmedo, who served the past three years as the Planning Manager for the City of Burlington, brings with him 17 years of local government planning experience. He is replacin…

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Connect with Clayton Newsletter

Connect with Clayton is the quarterly newsletter included with town utility bills. These newsletters contain key updates on crucial projects, community events, and other exciting news that is shaping the town’s future.

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Town of Clayton Names New Fire Chief

The Town of Clayton has hired Chief David Ranes to serve as the next leader of the Clayton Fire Department. 

Chief Ranes, who will officially begin his new role on Oct. 16, was selected from more than 70 applicants from across the nation and bring…

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National Intern Day 2023

Today is National Intern Day!

Internships are a great way for students and recent graduates to gain real-world experience and explore potential career paths. The Town of Clayton is proud of its intern program and is thrilled to acknowledge the dedication a…

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Langston Named Director of The Clayton Center

Steven Langston, an essential leader of The Clayton Center and Cultural Arts Department for 19 years, has recently been selected as the Cultural Arts Director for the Town of Clayton.  

Langston has been serving as the interim Cultural Arts Direct…

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Regional Skills Analysis

Clayton is joining a region-wide effort and reaching out to local businesses and industry partners in Johnston County to complete a workforce survey. The goal is to gather 130 survey responses.

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National Parks and Recreation Month

Did you know that July is National Parks and Recreation Month?  

In celebration of Clayton’s parks, Community Center, and miles of greenways here are 5 things you can do this summer thanks to Clayton’s Parks and Recreation facili…

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Clayton artist captures first place ribbon

Local artist, Val Taylor, has won first place in this year’s Clayton Visual Arts Paint the Town Competition. The winning piece, titled Clayton Painter, is now on display at Town Hall.   

Annually, Clayton Visual Arts holds the Pa…

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Clayton Utility Tracker

The Town of Clayton is proud to offer its customers a powerful tool to keep track of their utility usage in real-time. Activate your tracker and learn more about this tool!

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24th Annual NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo

The Clayton Electric Department was excited to take part in the 24th Annual NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo, which was held at the Greenville Convention Center from May 16-18. 

Our skilled Linemen demonstrated their expertise in various events, including t…

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Municipal Park Groundbreaking

Clayton residents will soon see the beginning stages of construction on the new Municipal Park in Downtown Clayton.

Municipal Park, located at 325 McCullers St., is the Town’s first and oldest park, with many of its current features dating back to the earl…

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