News

 fire truck is parked outside a home on Fieldstone Road in Cleveland Tuesday morning. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

fire truck is parked outside a home on Fieldstone Road in Cleveland Tuesday morning. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Firefighters respond to cluster of fires

by Carly Henderson Fire personnel across White County responded to three separate fire incidents within a 24-hour period this past Monday and Tuesday. On Monday at 6:45 p.m., a house fire was reported on Hamilton Drive in Cleveland.
Special Education Director Michele Broadwell presented Erica Owens, a counselor at Jack P. Nix Elementary School, the Service Above Self award during a school board meeting Oct. 30. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Special Education Director Michele Broadwell presented Erica Owens, a counselor at Jack P. Nix Elementary School, the Service Above Self award during a school board meeting Oct. 30. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

White County school board to consider policy changes

by Denise Etheridge   The White County Board of Education tabled pro- posed changes to two new school policies during a regular meeting on Oct. 30. The board will revisit the recommended amendments in 30 days.
The Cleveland City Council honored its law enforcement and firefighter veterans at its meeting Nov. 3. From left are Deputy Chief Aaron Weiland, Ofc. Nathan Hill, Council Members C.J. McDonald and Jeremy McClure, Corp. Brandon Wood, Mayor Josh Turner, Ofc. David Bruce, Capt. Stephen Sears, Council Members Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen. Unavailable for the photo were police Sgt. Denton Vaughan, Sgt. Jamie Compton, Ofc. Matt Reeves and Firefighter John Sovine. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

The Cleveland City Council honored its law enforcement and firefighter veterans at its meeting Nov. 3. From left are Deputy Chief Aaron Weiland, Ofc. Nathan Hill, Council Members C.J. McDonald and Jeremy McClure, Corp. Brandon Wood, Mayor Josh Turner, Ofc. David Bruce, Capt. Stephen Sears, Council Members Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen. Unavailable for the photo were police Sgt. Denton Vaughan, Sgt. Jamie Compton, Ofc. Matt Reeves and Firefighter John Sovine. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

City accepts bid for two acres

by Linda Erbele The city of Cleve- land, at its regular meeting Nov. 3, agreed to accept a bid for a 2-acre lot on U.S. 129 North. Although the address of the lot is listed as 0 U.S. 129 North, City Manager Kevin Harris described the location of it as “across from the waterworks.
White County voters followed the signs to their assigned polling places on Election Day this past Tuesday. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

White County voters followed the signs to their assigned polling places on Election Day this past Tuesday. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

White County voters say ‘yes’to FLOST

By Carly Henderson and Denise Etheridge   White County voters overwhelmingly approved the Floating Local Option Sales Tax referendum with more than 75% of voters in the county saying yes to FLOST in the Nov. 4 election.
Larry Fricks

Larry Fricks

Fricks to be honored at Carter Center

by Linda Erbele A giant in the field of mental health recovery and a former White County resident will be honored with a Celebration of Life at the Carter Center in Atlanta Nov. 3. Larry Fricks was 75 when he died Aug. 3, 2025, from complications of pneumonia.
Pictured from left are Carson Finley, Volunteer of the Year Barry Vandiver, Kimberly McEntire and GRPA Commissioner Kirk Franz. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Pictured from left are Carson Finley, Volunteer of the Year Barry Vandiver, Kimberly McEntire and GRPA Commissioner Kirk Franz. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Parks and Rec honored by state association

Staff report White County Parks and Recreation was recognized with top honors at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association’s (GRPA) District 7 Awards Banquet on Oct. 22. The awards program was held at the new Recreation Center at Yonah Preserve.
A sketch of what the proposed library’s exterior would look like. FILE

A sketch of what the proposed library’s exterior would look like. FILE

County greenlights new library

by Denise Etheridge Despite dimmed chances for federal funding, the White County Board of Commissioners voted to give the library project a green light during a called meeting on Monday.
The Cleveland City Council proclaimed Sunday Nov. 2 as Retired Educators Day at its Oct. 20 meeting. From left are commissioners CJ McDonald and Jeremy McClure, retired teacher Debbie Petty, Mayor Josh Turner, commissioners Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen (also a retired educator). LINDA ERBELE/WCN

The Cleveland City Council proclaimed Sunday Nov. 2 as Retired Educators Day at its Oct. 20 meeting. From left are commissioners CJ McDonald and Jeremy McClure, retired teacher Debbie Petty, Mayor Josh Turner, commissioners Annie Sutton and Nan Bowen (also a retired educator). LINDA ERBELE/WCN

Cleveland approves revision to hotel/motel stay appeal

by Linda Erbele The Cleveland City Council, at its meeting Oct. 20, approved a revision to the appeal process to its Hotel/Motel ordinance. In particular, the ordinance doesn’t allow stays beyond 14 days.
TMU is searching for a new president.

TMU is searching for a new president.

TMU launches national search for new president

Truett McConnell University announced this week that the Christian institution has embarked upon a national search for its next president. TMU parted ways with former President Emir Caner in late September. Caner had led the private Christian university for 17 years.
Superintendent Laurie Burkett

Superintendent Laurie Burkett

White County Schools to begin search for new superintendent

The White County Board of Education announced on Monday that the search to find the school system’s next superintendent will soon begin. Board members voted to partner with Pioneer RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) to facilitate the search during a called meeting on Oct. 20.