Local

White County voters followed the signs to their assigned polling places on Election Day this past Tuesday. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

White County voters followed the signs to their assigned polling places on Election Day this past Tuesday. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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White County voters say ‘yes’to FLOST

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Carly Henderson and Denise Etheridge   White County voters overwhelmingly approved the Floating Local Option Sales Tax referendum with more than 75% of voters in the county saying yes to FLOST in the Nov. 4 election.
Larry Fricks

Larry Fricks

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Fricks to be honored at Carter Center

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
by Linda Erbele A giant in the field of mental health recovery and a former White County resident will be honored with a Celebration of Life at the Carter Center in Atlanta Nov. 3. Larry Fricks was 75 when he died Aug. 3, 2025, from complications of pneumonia.
Pictured from left are Carson Finley, Volunteer of the Year Barry Vandiver, Kimberly McEntire and GRPA Commissioner Kirk Franz. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Pictured from left are Carson Finley, Volunteer of the Year Barry Vandiver, Kimberly McEntire and GRPA Commissioner Kirk Franz. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Parks and Rec honored by state association

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Staff report White County Parks and Recreation was recognized with top honors at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association’s (GRPA) District 7 Awards Banquet on Oct. 22. The awards program was held at the new Recreation Center at Yonah Preserve.
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.