Local

Helen's 55th annual Oktoberfest is now underway! The long-running festival kicked off last weekend with a parade. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

55th annual Oktoberfest kicks off

News Staff

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Throngs of visitors strolled along every block of Helen’s 2.1 square miles last Saturday when the city’s 55th annual Oktoberfest went into high gear with a parade and tradition- al keg tapping. The festival officially kicked off on Sept. 4.

Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon attends a groundbreaking for a White County fire station. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Couvillon campaigns in White County

News Staff

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

By Denise Etheridge, White County News Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon, who is running against U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde in the 2026 Republican primary race for the Ninth Congressional District seat, made himself visible in White County last Thursday.

Denise Etheridge, left, and Erin Etris, right, have been promoted to managing editor and general manager of the White County News, respectively. MICHELE QUINTAL/WCN

News promotes two staffers

News Staff

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

CNI Regional Publisher Keith Barlow announced Tuesday that marketing specialist Erin Etris and senior reporter Denise Etheridge have accepted key leadership positions at the White County News. Etris will oversee all the day-to-day business duties at the News as general manager.

Amped Kids received an arts grant to continue its mission. SUBMITTED

Fueling creative growth

News Staff

Thursday, September 4, 2025

by Denise Etheridge White County News Two local nonprofits, Amped Kids Foundation and the Sautee Nacoochee Center, have received state arts grants to support youth music programs and community arts initiatives.

Safety, admissions policies get board approval

News Staff

Thursday, September 4, 2025

by Denise Etheridge White County News White County’s school board reviewed a new safety plan and approved changes to its admissions policy last week. Board of Education members were told that the district’s revised safety plan was completed and would go into effect once the board approves it.

Susan Garrity and Mike McMillan display the first edition of the White County News, founded by their father, Henry McMillan. JERRY GRILLO/WCN

From newsman to civic leader

News Staff

Thursday, September 4, 2025

By Jerry Grillo Henry McMillan, who once described himself as, “a No. 2 pencil in a dot com world,” was well ahead of his time in other ways.

Superintendent Laurie Burkett makes her point with School Board Chair Missy Jarrard. JERRY GRILLO/WCN

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Smooth start for local schools

News Staff

Thursday, August 28, 2025

by Jerry Grillo White County News White County students are settling into the new school year with steady academic progress, new faces in leadership, and new rules designed to increase classroom focus.

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Ousted tenants find new shelter

News Staff

Thursday, August 28, 2025

by Linda Erbele White County News The four people who had stayed beyond 14 days at Cleveland’s Knight’s Inn have found other temporary shelter. The city commission, at its meeting Aug.

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No elections for city seats

News Staff

Thursday, August 28, 2025

by Linda Erbele White County News Both the cities of Cleveland and Helen will, in all likelihood, cancel their elections for city council/commission. No one other than the incumbents qualified to run in either city.

A new semester has begun at Truett McConnell University. JERRY GRILLO/WCN PHOTO

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Class in session at TMU as investigation continues

News Staff

Thursday, August 21, 2025

By Jerry Grillo White County News As students and faculty return to classrooms at Truett McConnell University, school officials are touting rising enrollment and the institution’s first doctoral program.