Local

The city of Cleveland plans to purchase the property at 55 Cantrell Road for a new municipal complex that will house City Hall and the Cleveland Police Department. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

The city of Cleveland plans to purchase the property at 55 Cantrell Road for a new municipal complex that will house City Hall and the Cleveland Police Department. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

City hall, police to be under one roof

by Carly Henderson Cleveland city leaders announced Monday that both City Hall and the Cleveland Police Department will move from their separate downtown locations to a single new property off Helen Highway sometime over the next 18 months. Cleveland’s current City Hall is located at 85 S.
Winter Bear Plunge participants greet a new year during the 2025 Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park’s beach. FILE PHOTO

Winter Bear Plunge participants greet a new year during the 2025 Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park’s beach. FILE PHOTO

Taking the plunge

Staff report Cold temperatures and colder water will set the scene this weekend as the annual Winter Bear Plunge returns to Unicoi State Park. Friends of Unicoi State Park will host the Winter Bear Plunge on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Unicoi Beach. Registration for the event will begin at 10 a.m.

Local-bred poodle heads to Westminster

by Carly Henderson White County will have a hometown competitor at one of the nation’s most prestigious dog shows early next month when Osiris, a three-and-a-half-year-old standard poodle, heads to New York City for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Ron Coker, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia, runs in the 2025 Hogpen Hill Climb. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Ron Coker, construction manager for Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia, runs in the 2025 Hogpen Hill Climb. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Hogpen Hill Climb set for Jan. 17

by Denise Etheridge Since 1979, runners have taken on the challenging Hogpen Hill Climb. The 18K race finishes at the top  of Hogpen Gap with an elevation of over 2,500 feet. The event benefits Habitat For Humanity of Northeast Georgia’s home builds in White and Habersham counties.
Pastor David Sansot, left, and Pastor Avery Hutto of The Bridge Church in Cleveland stand at the Nova site in southern Israel, where Hamas operatives attacked on Oct. 7, 2023. See more Summit photos on page 6A. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Pastor David Sansot, left, and Pastor Avery Hutto of The Bridge Church in Cleveland stand at the Nova site in southern Israel, where Hamas operatives attacked on Oct. 7, 2023. See more Summit photos on page 6A. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cleveland pastors attend summit in Israel

by Carly Henderson Two Cleveland pastors were among 1,000 evangelical leaders who participated in the 2025 Friends of Zion Ambassadors Summit, held in Israel earlier this month.
Artis Henderson's new book about her father was released in September and much of it takes place in White County. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

Artis Henderson's new book about her father was released in September and much of it takes place in White County. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

New book has large focus on White County

by Linda Erbele White County and some of its residents play a prominent part in a new book published this September by Harper Collins, written by a journalist who splits her time between Florida and Portugal.
District 3 Cleveland City Council member Jeremy McClure was sworn-in by Judge Garrison Baker for his second term. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

District 3 Cleveland City Council member Jeremy McClure was sworn-in by Judge Garrison Baker for his second term. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Cleveland swears-in two council members

by Carly Henderson Two members of the Cleveland City Council officially began their second terms during a swearing-in ceremony held Friday, Dec. 19. Cleveland City Council members Jeremy McClure of District 3 and CJ McDonald of District 4 were sworn into office at Cleveland First Methodist Church.
Greg "Mully" Ash and his wife Janet are saying "goodbye" to Mully's Nacoochee Grill in Helen after over a decade. FILE PHOTO

Greg "Mully" Ash and his wife Janet are saying "goodbye" to Mully's Nacoochee Grill in Helen after over a decade. FILE PHOTO

Mully’s Nacoochee Grill to close after nearly 13 years in Helen

By Carly Henderson For more than a decade, Mully’s Nacoochee Grill has been a place where good food, familiar faces and local stories came together, creating a spot that felt as welcoming as Helen itself. As the year comes to a close, so does this chapter for the longtime restaurant.
Bradley Reynolds

Bradley Reynolds

Reynolds surrenders

By Denise Etheridge Former Truett McConnell University Vice President Bradley Reynolds, who was indicted on three counts of making false statements to law enforcement, surrendered to the White County Sheriff's Office on Monday.