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White County deputies Erin Thomas, with her K9 Henzo, and John Thomas, with his K9 Skuter, recently joined the White County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies and the K9s are pictured above with Sheriff Rick Kelly. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

White County deputies Erin Thomas, with her K9 Henzo, and John Thomas, with his K9 Skuter, recently joined the White County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies and the K9s are pictured above with Sheriff Rick Kelly. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

New K9s, deputies join WCSO

The White County Sheriff’s Office recently added a pair of four-legged members – and their deputies. Deputy Erin Thomas, with K9 Henzo, and deputy John Thomas, with K9 Skuter, give the WCSO a dual-purpose K9 teams. Henzo is a 6-year-old Belgian Shepherd, and Skuter is a 4-year-old German Shepherd.
The White County Board of Education board room was filled with citizens listening to what some residents claims about critical race theory in the school system during the BOE meeting on Tuesday, July 27. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

The White County Board of Education board room was filled with citizens listening to what some residents claims about critical race theory in the school system during the BOE meeting on Tuesday, July 27. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

Critical race theory concern aired before school board

Several White County residents voiced their concerns about critical race theory in the school system at the July 27 White County Board of Education meeting.
The annual Stuff the Bus event is set to take place July 23-Aug. 3. Pictured is Darren Sledge, transportation director, Dr. Laurie Burkett, superintendent, and Scott Justus, assistant superintendent, with the bus in 2020. (File photo)

The annual Stuff the Bus event is set to take place July 23-Aug. 3. Pictured is Darren Sledge, transportation director, Dr. Laurie Burkett, superintendent, and Scott Justus, assistant superintendent, with the bus in 2020. (File photo)

Ready to stuff the bus

Will you help stuff the bus? The community is invited to donate school supplies for White County students from July 23 to Aug. 3, when a school bus will be parked in front of Walmart in Cleveland.
With new budgets approved, local governments will soon set their millage rates that are used in calculating property taxes.

With new budgets approved, local governments will soon set their millage rates that are used in calculating property taxes.

Millage rate hearings set to begin

With new budgets approved, local governments will soon set their millage rates that are used in calculating property taxes. The White County Board of Education and cities of Cleveland and Helen are advertising lowering of their millage rates.
Repairs to Ridge Road in Helen has been delayed slightly due to recent rain.

Repairs to Ridge Road in Helen has been delayed slightly due to recent rain.

Ridge Road repair work continues

Repairs to Ridge Road in Helen has been delayed slightly due to recent rain. Helen City Manager Jerry Elkins said that they hope to get the bank stabilized within the next 10 days, as long as the weather cooperates. Following that, a curb will be installed and the street repaved.
Jeremy Black

Jeremy Black

Grand Jury indicts 38 defendants

The White County Grand Jury returned 33 true bills indictments, and one no bill, when they met on July 12. There were 38 individuals indicted, among them a Cleveland man accused of involuntary manslaughter following the death of a Mableton resident.
The city of Helen plans to study possibly increasing base pay for its police officers to aid in recruitment and retention.

The city of Helen plans to study possibly increasing base pay for its police officers to aid in recruitment and retention.

Helen to examine police base pay

The city of Helen plans to study possibly increasing base pay for its police officers to aid in recruitment and retention. Commissioner Steve Fowler broached the issue at the city’s July 20 meeting. He said the police department is short-staffed and wanted to look at solutions.
The Cleveland City Council will have two seats up for election.

The Cleveland City Council will have two seats up for election.

City election qualifying on horizon

The cities of Cleveland and Helen are set to hold elections later this year. Qualifying for those elections is scheduled for Aug. 16-20. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 2. *** Cleveland The Cleveland City Council will have two seats up for election.
David Foster

David Foster

Three new directors elected during Habersham EMC annual meeting

by Brian Wellmeier CNI News Service   Habersham Electric Membership aCorporation (HEMC) elected new leaders during a July 15 business meeting held at the Habersham County Ninth Grade Academy. HEMC President Bryan Ferguson spoke to the crowd in attendance before the votes were counted.