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Shan Ash

Shan Ash

Ash resigns as Cleveland mayor

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 30, 2019
Shan Ash resigned as Cleveland mayor on Monday, Dec. 30. In his resignation letter, Ash said it had been an honor to serve as mayor, but he would be stepping down from the post effective immediately due to “unforeseen recent events.
Authorities are looking for this man who set fire to Solid Rock Baptist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 25. (Photo courtesy White County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities are looking for this man who set fire to Solid Rock Baptist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 25. (Photo courtesy White County Sheriff's Office)

Man sought after setting fire at church night of Christmas

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 30, 2019
The White County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man who set a fire at Solid Rock Baptist Church on Christmas. Surveillance video from the church showed an unidentified white male going to the backside of the church, tossing gas on the building and lighting it between 9:40 p.m. and 9:47 p.m.
A crowd turned out for last year’s annual Helen New Year’s celebration. (Submitted photo)

A crowd turned out for last year’s annual Helen New Year’s celebration. (Submitted photo)

Edelweiss Drop kicks off new year

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 23, 2019
Have you ever seen an edelweiss drop? Well, now you can on New Year’s Eve at the seventh annual Dropping of the Edelweiss at the Helen Festhalle. This family-friendly event starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, said Renee Green, Chamber executive director.
Participants revel in the cold at last year’s Winter Bear Plunge. (File photo/Wayne Hardy)

Participants revel in the cold at last year’s Winter Bear Plunge. (File photo/Wayne Hardy)

Brave the chill at Winter Bear Plunge

Wayne Hardy
Monday, December 23, 2019
There’s still time to make one more memorable moment in 2019 with a “cool” way to celebrate the year ahead. The annual Winter Bear Plunge is set for this Saturday, Dec. 28, at Unicoi Beach in Unicoi State Park.
White County High School

White County High School

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What do you do when school gets locked down?

Wayne Hardy
Monday, December 23, 2019
“The school’s on lockdown.” Those words popping up in a text message from a child at school or spread on social media can often send a parent’s mind racing, especially when reports of campus intruders seemingly have become more prevalent throughout the nation. “Why is it locked down?
Flu activity remains high throughout Georgia, and state public health officials are encouraging those who haven’t gotten a flu vaccine to avoid putting it off any longer.

Flu activity remains high throughout Georgia, and state public health officials are encouraging those who haven’t gotten a flu vaccine to avoid putting it off any longer.

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High flu activity runs throughout state

Wayne Hardy
Monday, December 23, 2019
Flu activity remains high throughout Georgia, and state public health officials are encouraging those who haven’t gotten a flu vaccine to avoid putting it off any longer.
Francesca Smith, school crisis interventionist, Mary Kay Berry, director of student services, and Lindsey Oliver, school social worker, spoke to the school board Dec. 19 about efforts to help students with mental health. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

Francesca Smith, school crisis interventionist, Mary Kay Berry, director of student services, and Lindsey Oliver, school social worker, spoke to the school board Dec. 19 about efforts to help students with mental health. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

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Outreach addresses student mental health needs

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 23, 2019
Over the past year, multiple initiatives have launched in an effort to reach out to students at White County Schools about their mental well-being. School crisis interventionist Francesca Smith recapped the year of activity in a report presented at the Dec.
Bobby Levesque

Bobby Levesque

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Information still sought on missing Cleveland man

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 23, 2019
There are no new leads in the case of a missing Cleveland man, Bobby Levesque, who was reported missing three months ago. On Friday, Dec. 20, White County Sheriff’s Office Captain Rick Kelley said law enforcement had followed up on several tips, but they haven’t turned into anything.
A three-car wreck on Friday, Dec. 20, resulted in one person being transported with suspected serious injury.

A three-car wreck on Friday, Dec. 20, resulted in one person being transported with suspected serious injury.

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Three vehicles involved in Friday wreck

News Staff
Monday, December 23, 2019
A three-car wreck on Friday, Dec. 20, resulted in one person being transported with suspected serious injury. All three vehicles were traveling on U.S. 129 South near Memory Drive, according to a White County Sheriff’s Office accident report.
Firefighters were kept busy with a trio of calls within 24 hours over the weekend.

Firefighters were kept busy with a trio of calls within 24 hours over the weekend.

Firefighters respond to multiple calls

News Staff
Monday, December 23, 2019
Firefighters were kept busy with a trio of calls within 24 hours over the weekend. Fire stations for White County, Cleveland and Helen were dispatched to Yonah Burger just after 9 a.m. Sunday for reported smoke coming from the ceiling.