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White County ended 2020 with 685 confirmed COVID-19 cases in December, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Jan. 5 status report.

White County ended 2020 with 685 confirmed COVID-19 cases in December, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Jan. 5 status report.

COVID-19 case count here remains elevated

Stephanie Hill
Thursday, January 7, 2021
White County ended 2020 with 685 confirmed COVID-19 cases in December, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Jan. 5 status report. The previous monthly high had been 363 cases in September. There were 2,025 total confirmed coronavirus cases reported in White County during 2020.
A man was injured after accidentally shooting himself in the leg at Freedom Park on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

A man was injured after accidentally shooting himself in the leg at Freedom Park on Wednesday, Jan. 6.

One injured in accidental shooting at Freedom Park

Stephanie Hill
Thursday, January 7, 2021
A man was injured after accidentally shooting himself in the leg at Freedom Park on Wednesday, Jan. 6. According to Cleveland Police Department Lt. Donna Sims, at 3:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to the park in reference to a male who had been shot in the leg.
School buses, such as this one at the Cleveland Police Department have been set up to offer free WiFi for students. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

School buses, such as this one at the Cleveland Police Department have been set up to offer free WiFi for students. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

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Schools switch to virtual classes

Stephanie Hill
Thursday, January 7, 2021
The White County School System has moved students to virtual classes through Jan. 15, citing an increase in COVID-19 infections and quarantines among faculty and staff. The announcement came Monday afternoon, just as students were set to return from Christmas break Wednesday, Jan. 6.
The White County Health Department was flooded with appointment requests following an announcement late last week that Georgia would expand its list of people eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The White County Health Department was flooded with appointment requests following an announcement late last week that Georgia would expand its list of people eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Georgia widens who is eligible for early vaccine

Wayne Hardy
Thursday, January 7, 2021
The White County Health Department was flooded with appointment requests following an announcement late last week that Georgia would expand its list of people eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
County Board of Elections and Registration Chairman Dwayne Turner leads a Jan. 4 meeting. From left are retired elections superintendent Garrison Baker, board members Louise Nix, Marlon Caldwell, Todd Marks, Russell Mobley and Elections Supervisor Lisa Manning. (Photo/Wayne Hardy)

County Board of Elections and Registration Chairman Dwayne Turner leads a Jan. 4 meeting. From left are retired elections superintendent Garrison Baker, board members Louise Nix, Marlon Caldwell, Todd Marks, Russell Mobley and Elections Supervisor Lisa Manning. (Photo/Wayne Hardy)

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County elections board makes its first moves

Wayne Hardy
Thursday, January 7, 2021
The new White County Board of Elections and Registration held its first meeting Jan. 4, focusing mostly on organizational items. A pair of unanimous votes set Dwayne Turner as chairman and Todd Marks as vice chairman. The selections are for two years, running through Dec. 31, 2022.
Aaron Weiland

Aaron Weiland

Cleveland names interim police chief

Stephanie Hill
Thursday, January 7, 2021
A veteran Cleveland police officer has been named interim police chief while the search for a new department head continues. The Cleveland City Council approved placing Maj. Aaron Weiland in the interim role at a Jan. 4 meeting. Weiland has been with the Cleveland Police Department for 22 years.
Members of the White County Board of Elections worked their first election since being sworn in on Dec. 30. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

Members of the White County Board of Elections worked their first election since being sworn in on Dec. 30. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

White County unofficial runoff results

News Staff
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
The unofficial Jan. 5 runoff election results for White County are: Senator David Perdue (incumbent) – Rep.: 11,067 Jon Ossoff – Dem.: 2,222 Senator Kelley Loeffler (incumbent) – Rep.: 11,014 Raphael Warnock – Dem.: 2,272 Public Service Commissioner Lauren Bubba McDonald, Jr. (incumbent)...
White County School System announced this afternoon that due to a rise in coronavirus cases, classes will go virtual until Jan. 15.

White County School System announced this afternoon that due to a rise in coronavirus cases, classes will go virtual until Jan. 15.

WCSS to go virtual until January 15

Stephanie Hill
Monday, January 4, 2021
The White County School System announced Monday afternoon that all classes will move to virtual learning until Jan. 15 due to a rise in coronavirus cases. Students were set to return from Christmas break Wednesday, Jan. 6.
Tesnatee River Winery & Meadery won six awards - a gold, silver and four bronze medals - in a recent competition. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

Tesnatee River Winery & Meadery won six awards - a gold, silver and four bronze medals - in a recent competition. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

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Local winery and meadery brings home multiple awards

Stephanie Hill
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Tesnatee River Winery & Meadery recently won six awards from the Georgia Trustees Wine & Spirits Challenge. The White County winery and meadery took home a gold medal, a silver medal, and four bronze medals from the challenge for three meads and three wines submitted, said winemaker Lane Williams.
Dennis Gaver

Dennis Gaver

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Former resident accused of child molestation

Stephanie Hill
Thursday, December 31, 2020
A former Cleveland resident has been charged with child molestation in White County. Dennis Gaver, 50, was arrested Dec. 26 on charges of aggravated sodomy and aggravated child molestation, according to White County Sheriff’s Office Captain Clay Hammond.