Madi Coker, left, and Kalynn Watkins are two of the key returning players for the WCHS volleyball team. MARK TURNER/WCN
by Mark Turner White County NewsOver the past decade, one of the most successful athletic programs at White County High School has been the Lady Warriors' volleyball team. Lady Warriors have been one of the top Class AAA programs in the state for the past few years, including…
Addy Harris and the WCHS softball team start the 2026 season Aug. 3 against Denmark. MARK TURNER/WCN
by Mark TurnerWhite County NewsWith the start of the 2026 fall sports season just over a month away, things are about to get busy at White County High School. Thanks to the Georgia High School Association's bi-annual region realignment system, WCHS is now in Class AAAA for at least the next…
WCHS lineman Josiah Williams works through a drill during a practice last week. MARK TURNER/WCN
by Mark TurnerWhite County NewsFor the past four weeks, the White County Warriors have been spending a lot of time in the weight room and the turf at Warrior Stadium getting ready for the 2026 high school football season.When the team returns to practice next Monday after getting a week off thanks…
Kathy Church of Smithgall Woods State Park talks with children about spiders, snakes and insects during the Cleveland Library’s “Creepy Crawlies” program on June 24. Church shared facts about the critters and answered questions from attendees. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN
Melanie Harris
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation promoted Melanie Harris to Criminal Justice Compliance Supervisor in the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). Harris will continue to conduct audits while overseeing the personnel within the GCIC Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Compliance…
Nick Mitchell, a White County resident and Democratic candidate for Georgia State House District 8, is shown speaking in Rabun County. SUBMITTED PHOTO
North Georgia Headwaters Indivisible (NGHI) will host a July 11 Candidates Strategy Workshop from 10 a.m.-noon in Clarkesville, offering voters direct access to regional Democratic candidates.The workshop will be held at the Habersham County Parks, Recreation and Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin…
This graphic shows where people can park during the Run for Freedom 5K in downtown Cleveland on July 4. An additional map for local America 250 events can be found on page 7A. SUBMITTED GRAPHIC
By Denise Etheridge Residents and visitors can expect temporary road closures in and around Cleveland’s Freedom Park on July 4. The Run for Freedom 5K, part of the Cleveland-White County America 250 celebration, will begin at 8 a.m. at Freedom Park, 66 E. Kytle Street. The race’s…
Sheriff Rick Kelley
By Denise Etheridge The White County Board of Commissioners tended to some housekeeping ahead of the July 4th holiday by reviewing and approving purchase requests during a work session and called meeting on June 29.White County Sheriff Rick Kelley requested the county buy four 2026 Ford…
Whitlock
By Denise Etheridge In a unanimous vote, the White County Board of Education appointed Erica Whitlock as the new principal of Tesnatee Gap Elementary School following an executive session during the board's regular June 25 meeting.Whitlock succeeds Noel Cochran who served as TGAP's principal…
Bill Hager
By Bill Hager On Friday night, I discovered that the plans I had for Saturday morning were not going to work out, so I decided to go fishing instead. It was too late to hitch up with a fishing buddy, and it would be impertinent to ask permission to fish on someone’s private property at such a…
