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White County Agri-Fest & Country Market will return from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26. SUBMITTED

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Agri-Fest returns to downtown Cleveland Sept. 26

News Staff

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Mark your calendars for Sept. 26 when the sights, sounds and flavors of the country come to downtown Cleveland from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.

A “Magic Treehouse” is now the hub of the media center at Mt. Yonah Elementary School. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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School officials updated on magic treehouse, reduced absenteeism

News Staff

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

By Denise Etheridge White County Board of Education members were briefed on school projects and enrollment data at last week's school board meeting.Mt. Yonah Elementary School principal Juliana Dean and Media Specialist Jason Thomas updated the board on the recently finished “Magic Treehouse,”...

Bradley Reynolds

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Former TMU VP scheduled for trial

News Staff

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

By Linda Erbele Former Truett McConnell University Vice President Bradley Reynolds, who has been charged with three counts of making false statements to law enforcement, is scheduled to face trial Monday, Nov. 2.Reynolds was charged in relation to his response to a White County Sheriff’s Office...

Melanie Rae introduced her book, “Sitting in the Chair,” at the Northeast Georgia Veterans Society’s Aug. 27 meeting at North Georgia Barbecue in Cleveland. SUBMITTED

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Rae’s “Sitting in the Chair” offers guide to health care advocacy

News Staff

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

By Carly Henderson After more than two decades working in health care leadership, White County resident Melanie Rae found herself on the other side of the hospital bed when her husband became critically ill in late 2025.Rae shared the experience behind her book, “Sitting in the Chair: When...

Bre Bardenwerper

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Cleveland welcomes Bardenwerper

News Staff

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

By Carly Henderson The City of Cleveland welcomed Bre Bardenwerper as its new operations and communications coordinator in August.In her new role, Bardenwerper will work alongside City Manager Kevin Harris, as well as city staff and departments, to help oversee projects and priorities, strengthen...

Travis Turner

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County to address data center concerns

News Staff

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

By Denise Etheridge County leaders intend to address residents' concerns over data centers in the next month.White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner announced during a regular meeting on Monday that the planning commission and planning department would examine county codes and zoning...

Foundational Literacy co-founder John Aiken, left, speaks with WSB TV reporter Berndt Peterson, while videographer Deja Pino, seated, left, records Joe Edlhuber on the grounds of the White County Historic Museum Aug. 26. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

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Dolly Parton’s impact on White County will live on

News Staff

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

By Linda Erbele The passing of Dolly Parton saddened many in White County. The founders of the Foundational Literacy, which funds the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in White County, received a number of calls from the Atlanta media.

The White County Board of Education voted to adopt a rollback property tax millage rate of 11.672 on Aug. 27.

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School board adopts rollback millage rate

News Staff

Friday, August 28, 2026

By Denise Etheridge The White County Board of Education voted to adopt a rollback property tax millage rate of 11.672 from the current 11.725 mill rate Thursday night. The school system has accepted the rollback rate each year since 2016. Ten years ago, the millage rate was at 17.982.

The White County Board of Commissioners adopted an 8.555 millage rate for tax year 2026 on Aug. 28. FILE PHOTO

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County adopts reduced millage rate

News Staff

Friday, August 28, 2026

By Denise Etheridge The White County Board of Commissioners adopted an 8.555 millage rate for tax year 2026 during a called meeting Friday morning.

Pictured with Hanna and Patrick Day and daughter Aurelia are, from left, public safety personnel Josh Taylor, Trace Swoszowski, Terry Stewart, Jody Holland, Jessica Wood, Don Strength and Jonathan Jones with GEMA. See more photos on page 6A. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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Inaugural awards banquet honors White County Public Safety

News Staff

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

By Carly Henderson White County public safety personnel were recognized for their service and accomplishments during the inaugural White County Public Safety Awards Banquet Saturday, Aug. 22, at the White County Performing Arts Center.Employees from Animal Control, Emergency Management, 911...