News

Officers and members of the volunteer board of the United Way of White County show celebrate the 2023 fundraising success. Pictured are Chuck Johnstone, Lauren Williams, Kielea Loggins, Dean Dyer, Nanette Baughman, Gene White, Susan Cremering, Carol Powell, Courtney Allison and Donald Harris.

Officers and members of the volunteer board of the United Way of White County show celebrate the 2023 fundraising success. Pictured are Chuck Johnstone, Lauren Williams, Kielea Loggins, Dean Dyer, Nanette Baughman, Gene White, Susan Cremering, Carol Powell, Courtney Allison and Donald Harris.

United Way exceeds goal

News Staff
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Staff reports   Based on the success of the fundraising in 2023, the United Way of White County increased the Target Goal from $80,000 in 2022 to $90,000 in 2023, an 11 percent increase over the prior year to provide additional funding to local non-profits.
Pat and Chris Smith celebrate at the Festhalle in 2020, the last time they were the Fasching royalty. (Photo/submitted)

Pat and Chris Smith celebrate at the Festhalle in 2020, the last time they were the Fasching royalty. (Photo/submitted)

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Triple crown

News Staff
Thursday, January 25, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Chris and Pat Smith started coming to Helen in 2000. In 2005, they got a cabin and RV spot to call home while visiting every weekend for Oktoberfest. Ten years later, they bought a townhome in Helen so the they could be in the center of all the action.
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Housing on the way

News Staff
Thursday, January 25, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   There are 55 housing units within a few blocks of downtown in some phase of construction, Economic Development Director Tom O’Bryant said at the Cleveland Downtown Development Authority meeting last week.
Tourists walking to the Hamby Street bridge to get to Helen. The two lane bridge has no sidewalks. (Photo/submitted)

Tourists walking to the Hamby Street bridge to get to Helen. The two lane bridge has no sidewalks. (Photo/submitted)

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Helen residents address parking

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Linda Erbele White County News   Helen city commissioners heard about a successful event that drew some 3,000 attendees to the city last weekend at their Jan. 16 meeting – and about problems caused at one parking venue for the same event.

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City OKs SPLOST plans, agreement

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Following the Helen City Commission’s approval earlier in the day, the Cleveland City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with White County for the use and distribution of 2024 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST VI, funds.
WCHS students Bryan Lozada, Colin Fernandez and Carlo Penaloza play soccer with friends at Tesnatee Park in 31 degree weather Tuesday afternoon while school was closed. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

WCHS students Bryan Lozada, Colin Fernandez and Carlo Penaloza play soccer with friends at Tesnatee Park in 31 degree weather Tuesday afternoon while school was closed. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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Superintendent: Closing school is tough decision

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Closing school is not a decision that’s taken lightly. Dr. Laurie Burkett, superintendent of schools, said she knows how important it is to have children in the school buildings, but also wants to make sure students are safe.
Gates block the entrance of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway Tuesday afternoon. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Gates block the entrance of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway Tuesday afternoon. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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Temperatures hit coldest yet for year

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Although it may have looked sunny outside, Mother Nature showed her cold side Tuesday and into Wednesday, bringing temperatures down into single digits by Wednesday morning.
Leah Smith as Elsa sings “Let it Go” as dancers Grace Reyes, Kelsey Cleveland, Elizabeth Himstedt and (sitting) Bella Whitaker show her ice powers. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Leah Smith as Elsa sings “Let it Go” as dancers Grace Reyes, Kelsey Cleveland, Elizabeth Himstedt and (sitting) Bella Whitaker show her ice powers. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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‘Let it Go’

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   The chilly weather should be perfect for opening weekend of White County High School’s winter production. Elsa and Anna will come to life on the stage for Disney’s Frozen Jr. starting tonight, Thursday, Jan. 18.
Law enforcement is all too used to administering Narcan when an individual overdoses. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

Law enforcement is all too used to administering Narcan when an individual overdoses. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

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Fentanyl use on the rise

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Noah Johnson White County News   It does not matter if you are rich, poor or somewhere in the middle — all people are susceptible to fentanyl — a drug that does not discriminate, according to local law enforcement. The fentanyl epidemic spread quickly and White County has not been immune.