Local

Mount Yonah, popular with hikers, is currently the scene of an investigation by the White County Sheriff's Department. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Mount Yonah, popular with hikers, is currently the scene of an investigation by the White County Sheriff's Department. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Two bodies discovered on Mount Yonah

By Carly Henderson UPDATE - Sept. 14, 2026: White County Sheriff Rick Kelley notified the White County News Monday that the autopsies for the two sets of remains discovered on Mount Yonah Wednesday, Sept. 9 have been pushed back from Monday to Tuesday morning, Sept. 15.
An SUV sits in a deep ditch along Highway 129 South in Cleveland following a single-vehicle crash Thursday morning, Sept. 10. PHOTOS BY ERIN ETRIS/WCN

An SUV sits in a deep ditch along Highway 129 South in Cleveland following a single-vehicle crash Thursday morning, Sept. 10. PHOTOS BY ERIN ETRIS/WCN

Vehicle ends up in ditch along Highway 129

An 82-year-old woman was involved in a single-vehicle crash Thursday morning along Highway 129 South in Cleveland.The crash was reported around 9:42 a.m. near O'Reilly Auto Parts at 1776 Highway 129 South, according to a White County Sheriff's Office CAD alert.
School buses bring students to Jack P. Nix Elementary School on Aug. 7. FILE PHOTO

School buses bring students to Jack P. Nix Elementary School on Aug. 7. FILE PHOTO

No injuries reported in school bus accident

A White County school bus was involved in a minor accident at the Highway 115 and Old Clarkesville Road intersection on Tuesday afternoon.
Füssen resident Marcel Blankenburg rides the first official keg in the 2025 Oktoberfest parade in Helen. FILE PHOTOS

Füssen resident Marcel Blankenburg rides the first official keg in the 2025 Oktoberfest parade in Helen. FILE PHOTOS

Füssen visitors to lead Helen Oktoberfest parade

By Carly Henderson Helen’s Oktoberfest will kick off Sept. 10 with a special connection to the German city that has been its sister city for more than four decades.Füssen Mayor Maximilian Eichstetter and seven other residents of Füssen, Germany, will travel to Helen for the 2026 Oktoberfest...
Glistening face jugs by potter Heather Elyse Head were on display inside the Historic Gym last Saturday. PHOTOS BY DENISE ETHERDGE/WCN

Glistening face jugs by potter Heather Elyse Head were on display inside the Historic Gym last Saturday. PHOTOS BY DENISE ETHERDGE/WCN

Hundreds attend 18th annual Folk Pottery festival

By Denise Etheridge Hundreds of locals and visitors attended the 18th annual Folk Pottery festival on the grounds of the Sautee Nacoochee Center on Sept. 5, despite record-breaking heat.
Standing in front of the Community Helping Hands Clinic are Dr. James Murphey, left, and clinic executive director Gene White. FILE PHOTO

Standing in front of the Community Helping Hands Clinic are Dr. James Murphey, left, and clinic executive director Gene White. FILE PHOTO

Community Helping Hands Clinic announces trivia night, free CPR training

By Carly Henderson Community Helping Hands Clinic is preparing for a night of trivia and announcing a new opportunity for White County residents to receive free CPR and AED training.The clinic will host a trivia night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at Yonah Mountain Vineyards in...
A temporary green at Valhalla Golf Club allows golfers to continue playing while the club works to improve course conditions. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON

A temporary green at Valhalla Golf Club allows golfers to continue playing while the club works to improve course conditions. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON

Valhalla Golf Club working to improve course conditions

By Carly Henderson Valhalla Golf Club is working to improve course conditions while keeping the golf course open for members and guests.The Helen golf club has placed nine temporary greens on the course while work is underway, allowing golfers to continue playing as the club addresses areas of the...
County commissioners inspect Joe Franklin Road in late July. From left: Chairman Travis Turner, White County Manager Derick Canupp and Commissioners Shan Ash, Ed Nix and Craig Bryant. FILE PHOTO

County commissioners inspect Joe Franklin Road in late July. From left: Chairman Travis Turner, White County Manager Derick Canupp and Commissioners Shan Ash, Ed Nix and Craig Bryant. FILE PHOTO

Commission approves road list for 2027 state grant

By Denise Etheridge The White County Board of Commissioners met in a called meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss  the roads they believe are most in need of repair and add these roads and estimated repair costs to a project list.
A view of the mine and Ga. Hwy 115 West from the top of Long Mountain. ERBELE/WCN

A view of the mine and Ga. Hwy 115 West from the top of Long Mountain. ERBELE/WCN

SRM Materials addresses mining concerns

By Linda Erbele Many people driving along Ga. 115 West are concerned by the mining visible from the road. More bare cliffs on Long Mountain are visible east of the highway just a few miles out of Cleveland than have been visible in previous years.