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Planning Director Harry Barton sets down his recorder at the planning commission meeting for the final time. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

Planning Director Harry Barton sets down his recorder at the planning commission meeting for the final time. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

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Longtime planning director retires

News Staff
Thursday, December 7, 2023
by Noah Johnson White County News   After 42 years with the county and 37 years in the planning department, Planning Director Harry Barton is retiring. Barton’s last meeting was on Tuesday, Nov. 29, where he thanked board members and showed appreciation to the planning department.
Helen’s zoning map available on the city’s website shows the city’s limits, according to the city.

Helen’s zoning map available on the city’s website shows the city’s limits, according to the city.

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Helen city limits uncertain

News Staff
Thursday, December 7, 2023
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Where do the city limits of Helen begin and end? That’s a question that’s come up thanks to the municipal election and who may vote in it as the city and the county have two different maps.
Lee Landress

Lee Landress

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Landress wins in Helen runoff

News Staff
Thursday, December 7, 2023
by Noah Johnson White County News   The city of Helen concluded its runoff election between Randy Summers and Lee Landress with residents choosing Landress to be their next commissioner.
The draft map of White County shows subdivisions in blue.

The draft map of White County shows subdivisions in blue.

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Packed room hears facts on STR proposal

News Staff
Thursday, December 7, 2023
by Noah Johnson White County News   Shortly after the White County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing regarding new amendments to Chapter 16 of the White County Code, the county’s planning commission recommended denial of the proposed changes to Article 7, Appendix C which is...
Lori Pressley takes a photo of herself and her family, the Schmidt Pressley family, after the tree is lit in Freedom Park. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Lori Pressley takes a photo of herself and her family, the Schmidt Pressley family, after the tree is lit in Freedom Park. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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Night of lights, togetherness

News Staff
Thursday, December 7, 2023
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Christmas in the Mountains was to be held rain or shine, and the White County Chamber of Commerce, along with the governing agencies of Cleveland and White County, showed fun could still be had with a little rain.
Jessica Barton, owner of The Refined Table in downtown Cleveland, loves decorating for Christmas and sharing the season’s joy through how her store is decorated. She suggests starting with a good garland, like the one behind her on the mantle at her store. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Jessica Barton, owner of The Refined Table in downtown Cleveland, loves decorating for Christmas and sharing the season’s joy through how her store is decorated. She suggests starting with a good garland, like the one behind her on the mantle at her store. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Bring out the joy

News Staff
Friday, December 1, 2023
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Lights glitter in downtown Cleveland from one business before all the others this season.
The parade route starts at Jack P. Nix Elementary and ends at White County Middle School.

The parade route starts at Jack P. Nix Elementary and ends at White County Middle School.

Christmas fun set for Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Downtown Cleveland will be filled with Christmas spirit Saturday evening for Christmas in the Mountains, presented by the White County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cleveland. The event will be held rain or shine.
Unicoi Lodge was closed over the Thanksgiving weekend due to a water main pipe break. (file photo)

Unicoi Lodge was closed over the Thanksgiving weekend due to a water main pipe break. (file photo)

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Thanksgiving water issue shuts down Unicoi Lodge

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   A water main pipe break caused a change of plans Thanksgiving morning at Unicoi State Park and Lodge. “It wasn’t safe,” said Heath Carter, regional vice president of sales and marketing for Coral Hospitality, the management company for the lodge.
Randy Summers and Lee Landress are the two candidates in Helen's runoff election.

Randy Summers and Lee Landress are the two candidates in Helen's runoff election.

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Helen votes again on Tuesday for runoff

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
by Noah Johnson White County News   Polls are open again in Helen as the City Commission Election required a runoff. While Mervin Barbree collected 91 votes to secure one of two available seats on the commission in the Nov.
A truck sits after the flames were extinguished by firefighters at Holiness Campground Road. (Photo/submitted)

A truck sits after the flames were extinguished by firefighters at Holiness Campground Road. (Photo/submitted)

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County battles 4 fires over holiday

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
by Noah Johnson White County News   November has been a dry and fiery month in White County and the holiday weekend brought more of the same. From Thursday, Nov. 23 to Monday, Nov.