News

White County School System leaders, White County High School administrators, metals instructor Mark Adams and welding students celebrate a Top State for Talent Grant award this week. SUBMITTED

State awards WCHS welding program grant

News Staff

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

By Denise Etheridge White County High School’s welding program got a boost from a $67,500 grant this week. Jennifer Wood, assistant principal and Director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education, told the News Tuesday that WCHS faced stiff competition for the grant award.

Jamie and Pete Stavros, left and second from right, listen to Derick Canupp, county manager, as he explains how FLOST came to be. Cleveland Director of Economic Development and Planning Tom O’Bryant is far right. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

County holds open house about FLOST

News Staff

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

By Linda Erbele Just over a dozen citizens came to the public information open house held Tuesday evening at the White County Commissioner’s meeting room.

Eli Palmer, a WCHS graduate, shows off the Golden Ticket he got through American Idol. SUBMITTED

Local American Idol qualifier to release single

News Staff

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

by Linda Erbele A White County native was awarded one of the “American Idol” Golden tickets this season. Eli Palmer, a 2020 WCHS graduate and his fiancé Haley Esquinance both made the trip to Hollywood last November. “It was fun,” he said. “Definitely a lot different than we expected.

Randy Kanipe took the photo that won the cover contest for the 2025 fall edition of The Mountain Traveler magazine. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI

Kanipe credits classes for winning photo

News Staff

Thursday, October 9, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair CNI News Service The Rev. Dr. Randy Kanipe takes one photography class at a time at North Georgia Technical College. And it was while working on an assignment for a class that he captured the photo that won The Mountain Traveler magazine cover contest and earned him $100.

Public Safety Director David Murphy, right, points out the cost of outfitting a firefighter using Assistant Chief Josh Taylor as a model. The tank on his back is a self-contained breathing apparatus. LINDA ERBELE/WCN

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Board considers bonds to finance library

News Staff

Thursday, October 9, 2025

By Linda Erbele The White County Board of Commissioners heard a presentation on bond financing to build a new library at its meeting Oct. 6.

The Last Call Honor Guard posts the colors during the grand opening of Cleveland’s new fire station. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Fire station grand opening features hose-decoupling, truck push-in

News Staff

Thursday, October 9, 2025

The City of Cleveland heralded a new era of public safety last Friday with the grand opening of a new $3.9 million fire station on Underwood Street, across from Freedom Park, and the acquisition of the fire department’s new $2.1 million ladder truck.

Mayor Josh Turner and Lunawood LLC General Manager Matti Koski are all smiles while Lunawood LLC Chairman Arto Halonen and District Representative Stan Gunter shake on the company’s upcoming expansion with Atlanta Hardwood in White County. ERIN ETRIS/WCN

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Atlanta Hardwoods partners with Lunawood

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

Staff report In a celebration of international partnership and local growth, representatives from Atlanta Hardwoods and Finland-based Lunawood Ltd. gathered in Cleveland on Tuesday for a ribbon cutting. The ceremony marked the long-term investments made to expand the Cleveland plant.

White County Superintendent Laurie Burkett

Burkett to end tenure in 2026

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

by Denise Etheridge White County News White County Schools Superintendent Laurie Burkett, who guided the district through a global pandemic and oversaw major facility upgrades, will retire in March 2026 after 36 years in education.

Jack P. Nix Elementary School has been named a Georgia Title I Distinguished School. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

WCSS touts 95% four-year grad rate

News Staff

Thursday, October 2, 2025

by Denise Etheridge White County News The White County School System is celebrating academic success this week, for a strong graduation rate and an honor bestowed on one of its elementary schools.

Dr. John Yarbrough speaks to reporters at a press conference Friday morning, Sept. 26. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

TMU parts ways with Caner

News Staff

Friday, September 26, 2025

By Denise Etheridge White County News Truett McConnell University has officially parted ways with former TMU President Emir Caner. Newly named Interim President Dr. John Yarbrough informed media representatives during a press conference on Friday, Sept.