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Mayor Josh Turner and Lunawood LLC General Manager Matti Koski are all smiles while Lunawood LLC Chairman Arto Halonen and District Representative Stan Gunter shake on the company’s upcoming expansion with Atlanta Hardwood in White County. ERIN ETRIS/WCN

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Atlanta Hardwoods partners with Lunawood

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Staff report In a celebration of international partnership and local growth, representatives from Atlanta Hardwoods and Finland-based Lunawood Ltd. gathered in Cleveland on Tuesday for a ribbon cutting. The ceremony marked the long-term investments made to expand the Cleveland plant.

White County Superintendent Laurie Burkett

Burkett to end tenure in 2026

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

by Denise Etheridge White County News White County Schools Superintendent Laurie Burkett, who guided the district through a global pandemic and oversaw major facility upgrades, will retire in March 2026 after 36 years in education.

Jack P. Nix Elementary School has been named a Georgia Title I Distinguished School. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

WCSS touts 95% four-year grad rate

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

by Denise Etheridge White County News The White County School System is celebrating academic success this week, for a strong graduation rate and an honor bestowed on one of its elementary schools.

Dr. John Yarbrough speaks to reporters at a press conference Friday morning, Sept. 26. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

TMU parts ways with Caner

News Staff

Friday, September 26, 2025

By Denise Etheridge White County News Truett McConnell University has officially parted ways with former TMU President Emir Caner. Newly named Interim President Dr. John Yarbrough informed media representatives during a press conference on Friday, Sept.

Forum on comp plan set for Sept. 29

News Staff

Thursday, September 25, 2025

by Denise Etheridge White County News Residents can help shape White County’s future at a public forum on the joint Comprehensive Plan, set for Sept. 29 in Helen. The forum will begin at 6 p.m., at 25 Alpenrosen Strasse in Helen.

Cleveland’s new fire station will soon be open. ERIN ETRIS/WCN

Cleveland to hold grand opening for new fire station

News Staff

Thursday, September 25, 2025

by Linda Erbele White County News The city of Cleveland will host a grand opening for its new fire station on Friday, Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. “Instead of a ribbon cutting, we will have a hose-decoupling,” said Kevin Harris, city manager.

Truett McConnell University officials will soon give an update on a third-party investigation. FILE/WCN

TMU to provide update on investigation

News Staff

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Staff reports Truett McConnell University Board of Trustees will meet in a closed session today, Sept. 25, to consider taking action once they review progress made on a third-party investigation into sexual abuse and cover-up allegations.

Cleveland author Karen Casey holds a copy of her new book Splash JOY. She will hold a book-signing and workshop on creating tiny tablescapes Sept. 27 in the Roy Ash Community Room. SUBMITTED

Cleveland’s Casey inspires with book

News Staff

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Linda Erbele White County News Cleveland resident Karen Casey has written a book called Splash JOY – Connecting with People One Moment at a Time. It offers tips, stories and ideas to create moments that leave a mark.

Tourism down slightly in Helen

News Staff

Thursday, September 18, 2025

By Linda Erbele White County News Helen City Commissioners, at their regular meeting Sept. 16, heard from Convention and Visitor’s Bureau that travel to the city was down in July and August over last year by about 7 percent, as measured by walk-in visitors to the Welcome Center.

The City of Cleveland proclaimed September as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. From left are commissioners C.J. McDonald and Jeremy McClure, Michelle Black, Resource Development Manager for Circle of Hope, Mayor Josh Turner, Commissioner Nan Bowen and Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

Cleveland reviews lodging waiver process

News Staff

Thursday, September 18, 2025

Linda Erbele White County News The city commission of Cleveland, at its meeting Sept. 15, held a first reading of a new process for hotel/ motel variance appeals. “The purpose is to simplify and improve it to where it’s an administrative process,” City Manager Kevin Harris said.