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From left, council member CJ McDonald, council member Jeremy McClure, Mayor Josh Turner, White County Chamber of Commerce President Beth Truelove and council member Annie Sutton present the Farm-City Week Proclamation. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

From left, council member CJ McDonald, council member Jeremy McClure, Mayor Josh Turner, White County Chamber of Commerce President Beth Truelove and council member Annie Sutton present the Farm-City Week Proclamation. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Cleveland leaders okay $170K land sale

News Staff
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
by Carly Henderson The Cleveland City Council ended an hour-long meeting Monday night with a land sale. After reconvening into open session following an executive session to discuss real estate and personnel matters, the council took action.
Runners aged 7 to 82 take off from the starting line at the inaugural White County Turkey Trot. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN.

Runners aged 7 to 82 take off from the starting line at the inaugural White County Turkey Trot. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN.

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Gobble Up the Competition

News Staff
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
by Carly Henderson Runners of all ages laced up at Yonah Preserve last Saturday for the inaugural White County Turkey Trot. More than 100 people signed up for the debut event, which organizers hope will become an annual community staple.
From left are Bobby Dyer and Larry Hall, veterans who participated in Helen’s Veterans Day luncheon. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

From left are Bobby Dyer and Larry Hall, veterans who participated in Helen’s Veterans Day luncheon. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

City of Helen offers veterans big thanks

News Staff
Thursday, November 13, 2025
by Carly Henderson Helen paused Tuesday to say “thank you” to the men and women who’ve worn the nation’s uniform, hosting a Veterans Day luncheon that brought together service members from across and outside of White County. The City of Helen hosted the luncheon indoors this year.
A new Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel is under construction in Helen. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

A new Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel is under construction in Helen. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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State of the Cities

News Staff
Thursday, November 13, 2025
by Carly Henderson White County’s two city mayors, Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner and Helen Mayor Cliff Hood, shared optimistic updates and future goals during a “State of the Cities” presentation hosted by the White County Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 5.
fire truck is parked outside a home on Fieldstone Road in Cleveland Tuesday morning. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

fire truck is parked outside a home on Fieldstone Road in Cleveland Tuesday morning. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Firefighters respond to cluster of fires

News Staff
Thursday, November 13, 2025
by Carly Henderson Fire personnel across White County responded to three separate fire incidents within a 24-hour period this past Monday and Tuesday. On Monday at 6:45 p.m., a house fire was reported on Hamilton Drive in Cleveland.
Special Education Director Michele Broadwell presented Erica Owens, a counselor at Jack P. Nix Elementary School, the Service Above Self award during a school board meeting Oct. 30. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Special Education Director Michele Broadwell presented Erica Owens, a counselor at Jack P. Nix Elementary School, the Service Above Self award during a school board meeting Oct. 30. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

White County school board to consider policy changes

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
by Denise Etheridge   The White County Board of Education tabled pro- posed changes to two new school policies during a regular meeting on Oct. 30. The board will revisit the recommended amendments in 30 days.
The Cleveland City Council honored its law enforcement and firefighter veterans at its meeting Nov. 3. From left are Deputy Chief Aaron Weiland, Ofc. Nathan Hill, Council Members C.J. McDonald and Jeremy McClure, Corp. Brandon Wood, Mayor Josh Turner, Ofc. David Bruce, Capt. Stephen Sears, Council Members Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen. Unavailable for the photo were police Sgt. Denton Vaughan, Sgt. Jamie Compton, Ofc. Matt Reeves and Firefighter John Sovine. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

The Cleveland City Council honored its law enforcement and firefighter veterans at its meeting Nov. 3. From left are Deputy Chief Aaron Weiland, Ofc. Nathan Hill, Council Members C.J. McDonald and Jeremy McClure, Corp. Brandon Wood, Mayor Josh Turner, Ofc. David Bruce, Capt. Stephen Sears, Council Members Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen. Unavailable for the photo were police Sgt. Denton Vaughan, Sgt. Jamie Compton, Ofc. Matt Reeves and Firefighter John Sovine. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

City accepts bid for two acres

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
by Linda Erbele The city of Cleve- land, at its regular meeting Nov. 3, agreed to accept a bid for a 2-acre lot on U.S. 129 North. Although the address of the lot is listed as 0 U.S. 129 North, City Manager Kevin Harris described the location of it as “across from the waterworks.
White County voters followed the signs to their assigned polling places on Election Day this past Tuesday. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

White County voters followed the signs to their assigned polling places on Election Day this past Tuesday. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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White County voters say ‘yes’to FLOST

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Carly Henderson and Denise Etheridge   White County voters overwhelmingly approved the Floating Local Option Sales Tax referendum with more than 75% of voters in the county saying yes to FLOST in the Nov. 4 election.
Larry Fricks

Larry Fricks

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Fricks to be honored at Carter Center

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
by Linda Erbele A giant in the field of mental health recovery and a former White County resident will be honored with a Celebration of Life at the Carter Center in Atlanta Nov. 3. Larry Fricks was 75 when he died Aug. 3, 2025, from complications of pneumonia.
Pictured from left are Carson Finley, Volunteer of the Year Barry Vandiver, Kimberly McEntire and GRPA Commissioner Kirk Franz. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Pictured from left are Carson Finley, Volunteer of the Year Barry Vandiver, Kimberly McEntire and GRPA Commissioner Kirk Franz. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Parks and Rec honored by state association

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Staff report White County Parks and Recreation was recognized with top honors at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association’s (GRPA) District 7 Awards Banquet on Oct. 22. The awards program was held at the new Recreation Center at Yonah Preserve.