Local

A sketch of what the proposed library’s exterior would look like. FILE

A sketch of what the proposed library’s exterior would look like. FILE

County greenlights new library

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
by Denise Etheridge Despite dimmed chances for federal funding, the White County Board of Commissioners voted to give the library project a green light during a called meeting on Monday.
The Cleveland City Council proclaimed Sunday Nov. 2 as Retired Educators Day at its Oct. 20 meeting. From left are commissioners CJ McDonald and Jeremy McClure, retired teacher Debbie Petty, Mayor Josh Turner, commissioners Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen (also a retired educator). LINDA ERBELE/WCN

The Cleveland City Council proclaimed Sunday Nov. 2 as Retired Educators Day at its Oct. 20 meeting. From left are commissioners CJ McDonald and Jeremy McClure, retired teacher Debbie Petty, Mayor Josh Turner, commissioners Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen (also a retired educator). LINDA ERBELE/WCN

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Cleveland approves revision to hotel/motel stay appeal

News Staff
Thursday, October 23, 2025
by Linda Erbele The Cleveland City Council, at its meeting Oct. 20, approved a revision to the appeal process to its Hotel/Motel ordinance. In particular, the ordinance doesn’t allow stays beyond 14 days.
TMU is searching for a new president.

TMU is searching for a new president.

TMU launches national search for new president

News Staff
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Truett McConnell University announced this week that the Christian institution has embarked upon a national search for its next president. TMU parted ways with former President Emir Caner in late September. Caner had led the private Christian university for 17 years.
Superintendent Laurie Burkett

Superintendent Laurie Burkett

White County Schools to begin search for new superintendent

News Staff
Thursday, October 23, 2025
The White County Board of Education announced on Monday that the search to find the school system’s next superintendent will soon begin. Board members voted to partner with Pioneer RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) to facilitate the search during a called meeting on Oct. 20.
White County School System leaders, White County High School administrators, metals instructor Mark Adams and welding students celebrate a Top State for Talent Grant award this week. SUBMITTED

White County School System leaders, White County High School administrators, metals instructor Mark Adams and welding students celebrate a Top State for Talent Grant award this week. SUBMITTED

State awards WCHS welding program grant

News Staff
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
By Denise Etheridge   White County High School’s welding program got a boost from a $67,500 grant this week. Jennifer Wood, assistant principal and Director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education, told the News Tuesday that WCHS faced stiff competition for the grant award.
Jamie and Pete Stavros, left and second from right, listen to Derick Canupp, county manager, as he explains how FLOST came to be. Cleveland Director of Economic Development and Planning Tom O’Bryant is far right. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

Jamie and Pete Stavros, left and second from right, listen to Derick Canupp, county manager, as he explains how FLOST came to be. Cleveland Director of Economic Development and Planning Tom O’Bryant is far right. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

County holds open house about FLOST

News Staff
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
By Linda Erbele Just over a dozen citizens came to the public information open house held Tuesday evening at the White County Commissioner’s meeting room.
Eli Palmer, a WCHS graduate, shows off the Golden Ticket he got through American Idol. SUBMITTED

Eli Palmer, a WCHS graduate, shows off the Golden Ticket he got through American Idol. SUBMITTED

Local American Idol qualifier to release single

News Staff
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
by Linda Erbele A White County native was awarded one of the “American Idol” Golden tickets this season. Eli Palmer, a 2020 WCHS graduate and his fiancé Haley Esquinance both made the trip to Hollywood last November. “It was fun,” he said. “Definitely a lot different than we expected.
Randy Kanipe took the photo that won the cover contest for the 2025 fall edition of The Mountain Traveler magazine. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI

Randy Kanipe took the photo that won the cover contest for the 2025 fall edition of The Mountain Traveler magazine. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI

Kanipe credits classes for winning photo

News Staff
Thursday, October 9, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair CNI News Service The Rev. Dr. Randy Kanipe takes one photography class at a time at North Georgia Technical College. And it was while working on an assignment for a class that he captured the photo that won The Mountain Traveler magazine cover contest and earned him $100.
Public Safety Director David Murphy, right, points out the cost of outfitting a firefighter using Assistant Chief Josh Taylor as a model. The tank on his back is a self-contained breathing apparatus. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

Public Safety Director David Murphy, right, points out the cost of outfitting a firefighter using Assistant Chief Josh Taylor as a model. The tank on his back is a self-contained breathing apparatus. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

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Board considers bonds to finance library

News Staff
Thursday, October 9, 2025
By Linda Erbele The White County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation on bond financing to build a new library at its meeting Oct. 6.
The Last Call Honor Guard posts the colors during the grand opening of Cleveland’s new fire station. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

The Last Call Honor Guard posts the colors during the grand opening of Cleveland’s new fire station. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Fire station grand opening features hose-decoupling, truck push-in

News Staff
Thursday, October 9, 2025
The City of Cleveland heralded a new era of public safety last Friday with the grand opening of a new $3.9 million fire station on Underwood Street, across from Freedom Park, and the acquisition of the fire department’s new $2.1 million ladder truck.