White County News, Cleveland, Georgia

BOE may dip into reserves to balance rising costs in budget

The White County Board of Education may dip into its fund balance to cover a nearly $1 million general fund deficit in the 2019-2020 school system budget. A tentative budget presented to school board members last month showed estimated general fund...

Grants funding denied for longtime after-school program

White County will be without the 21st Century after-school program for the first time in 13 years after federal grant funding was not approved. “I am very disappointed we did not receive the grant,” said White County School Superintendent Dr. Laurie...

Panel talks Helen’s ‘building boom’

The building “boom” of Helen from 1986 to 2000 was the most recent topic at the Coffee and Conversation series. The speakers at this program were Sue Williams, David Wilkins, Mully Ash and Hue Rainey, all of whom discussed different businesses...

News wins state press awards

The White County News picked up five more awards in the Georgia Press Association Better Newspaper Contest. The newspaper’s accolades included third place for business writing and second place for lifestyle coverage. “I really love the content of...

Police chief alarmed after traffic study finds rampant speeding near school

The results are in for a traffic study conducted May 15 in front of Jack P. Nix Elementary School – and Cleveland Police Chief John Foster is not happy about what it revealed. “People are not paying attention at all to school zones, school crossings...

County sets short-term rental rules

After months of controversy and debate, on June 4 the White County Board of Commissioners adopted new rules allowing local regulation of short-term rental properties (such as those offered on websites like Airbnb). Rather than create a separate law...

PET TIPS: What an old dog knows

I love celebrating with my dog. We celebrate her birthday, and we celebrate Christmas – even though, for her, those two events occur just three days apart.

By Debbie Gilbert

Influx of feral cats factored in sharp rise in euthanasia rate at county Animal Control

White County public safety director David Murphy recently published a progress report on all of the agencies under his jurisdiction, and while there’s plenty of info on fire stations and the 9-1-1

By Debbie Gilbert

Helen changes business rules for Christmas lights decoration

Christmas decorations in Helen are a popular attraction, and city commissioners want to clarify language in its ordinance to make sure all commercial buildings are participating in the seasonal loo

By Stephanie Hill

Helen sees growth in proposed budget

Revenue growth could help the City of Helen balance its estimated $3.3 million 2019-2020 budget.

By Stephanie Hill

Cleveland adopts $3.7 million budget

On June 10, the Cleveland City Council voted 4-0 to adopt the draft budget for fiscal year 2020, with a general-fund total of $3,778,251 and a separate water/sewer fund of $2,490,875.

By Debbie Gilbert

Former TMU star scores in loss to soccer power Real Betis

A former Truett McConnell University soccer star is making a name for himself in a professional league.

Joao Costa has played for the Chattanooga Football Club for two seasons and most recently scored against one of the best football clubs in the world, Real Betis, during a friendly earlier this month. Real Betis posted a 4-3 win over CFC in the match.

Highest Honors

A trio of Truett McConnell University athletes received some national honors this week from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Karley Hobbs (softball), Matt Smith (golf) and Josh Johnston (baseball) all received All-American recognition for their stellar performances this spring.

Franklin earns All-American track honors

Truett McConnell's men's track team made a splash last week during the trip to the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Obituaries

Harold Spahr Riley

Harold Spahr Riley of Cleveland, Georgia, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2019, at the age of 90.

Thomas Augustus Hutto

Dr. Thomas Hutto, botanist, educator, poet, and outdoorsman passed away on Nov. 12, 2018, at his home in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia.

Ruby Ash Nix

Ruby Ash Nix passed away on March 6, 2019, at the age of 97 years. She was born to the late Joseph Marion Ash and Ila Mae Young Ash on Sept. 30, 1921, in White County.