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Using data from Symphony Tourism Economics, Jay Markwalter, executive director of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, shared actual and percent change year over year in visitor spending in White County.

Using data from Symphony Tourism Economics, Jay Markwalter, executive director of the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, shared actual and percent change year over year in visitor spending in White County.

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State of Tourism: Visitor spending jumps, helps locals

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Visitor spending in 2021 increased 50 percent over the prior year to $229.5 million in White County. That spending generated $17.9 million in state and local taxes, benefiting locals with $1,529 in tax savings for every household.
Jon Estes stands on the balcony of the Green Wood cabin as construction concludes on the Blue Creek cabin across the road. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Jon Estes stands on the balcony of the Green Wood cabin as construction concludes on the Blue Creek cabin across the road. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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Camp ready to accept more kids

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Summer camp registration day is the most stressful day of the year for some parents. At least that’s what Jon Estes, the CEO and director of Woodlands Camp, has been told.
Ukrainian Pastor Igor Buben and The Bridge Pastor Patrick Ballington serve at God’s Light Church in Lublin, Poland. (Photo/submitted)

Ukrainian Pastor Igor Buben and The Bridge Pastor Patrick Ballington serve at God’s Light Church in Lublin, Poland. (Photo/submitted)

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The Bridge pastor, members share Ukraine trip experience

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
by Jack R. Jordan Correspondent   The Bridge Church Pastor Patrick Ballington and his son, Isaac along with two members of his church visited Lutsk, Ukraine in a recent mission trip and shared their experiences with their congregation Feb. 15.

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TikTok ban extending to local governments

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
by Linda Erbele White County News   The White County Commission, at its Feb. 14 meeting, amended its cell phone policy, specifically banning from any county cell phones TikTok, a highly popular video hosting service that runs user-submitted videos.
There are two EV chargers at Freedom Park in Cleveland. (Photo/Linda Erbele)

There are two EV chargers at Freedom Park in Cleveland. (Photo/Linda Erbele)

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State EV bill gets first airing

News Staff
Thursday, February 23, 2023
by Linda Erbele White County News   Thinking of an electric car? Georgia’s legislature is working on how to get owners of electric cars to pay their share of the taxes that owners of gasoline-powered cars pay on each gallon they pump.
Larry Adams explains plans for a 47-unit subdivision on Claude Sims Road to the White County Commission. (Photo/Linda Erbele)

Larry Adams explains plans for a 47-unit subdivision on Claude Sims Road to the White County Commission. (Photo/Linda Erbele)

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Commissioners approve some STRs amid heckling

News Staff
Thursday, February 16, 2023
by Linda Erbele White County News   The White County Commission approved five new short term rental conditional use permits at a called meeting Tuesday morning, amid calls from those in the meeting room for “due process,” a moratorium on short term rentals and a chance for public comment.
Myra H. Thomas in prayer at Travis Chapel Methodist Church in Cleveland, Oct. 16, 2016. (Photo/Chris Aluka Berry, reprinted with permission)

Myra H. Thomas in prayer at Travis Chapel Methodist Church in Cleveland, Oct. 16, 2016. (Photo/Chris Aluka Berry, reprinted with permission)

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‘It’s amazing’

News Staff
Thursday, February 16, 2023
by Linda Erbele White County News   Among the historic camp meeting grounds in White County, one is unique in the area because it was built by and for formerly enslaved individuals. The deed for Rock Springs was registered in 1887, but many believe the campground is older than that.
Scott Alan Bradshaw, 57, of Cleveland, was arrested Nov. 30, 2021.

Scott Alan Bradshaw, 57, of Cleveland, was arrested Nov. 30, 2021.

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Judge to rule on evidence in molestation case

News Staff
Thursday, February 16, 2023
by Linda Erbele White County News   White County Superior Court Judge Buck Levins heard arguments Feb. 13 about the admissibility of evidence in the upcoming trial of a Cleveland man accused of child molestation. Scott Alan Bradshaw, 57, of Cleveland, was arrested Nov.
A proposal by SmartWAVE Technologies would blanket the downtown area with free WiFi (represented by the blue). (Photo/Linda Erbele)

A proposal by SmartWAVE Technologies would blanket the downtown area with free WiFi (represented by the blue). (Photo/Linda Erbele)

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Helen considers city-wide Wi-Fi

News Staff
Thursday, February 16, 2023
by Linda Erbele White County News   Cellphone users in Helen could see a vast improvement in their service in the near future. At a called meeting Feb. 10, Helen city commissioners heard a presentation from SmartWAVE Technologies.
A guide to WinterFest is included in this issue. The event will be held Feb. 18-19 at four sites in Helen and Sautee.

A guide to WinterFest is included in this issue. The event will be held Feb. 18-19 at four sites in Helen and Sautee.

WinterFest Arts Tour returns this weekend

News Staff
Thursday, February 16, 2023
WinterFest Arts Tour is returning Presidents’ Day weekend with four locations on the tour this year. The weekend of festivals will present 175 artists over two days at the Hardman Farm Historic Site, Helen Arts and Heritage Center, the Sautee Nacoochee Center and Unicoi State Park and Lodge.