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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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.