News

Hardy participants crash into the lake at last year’s Winter Bear Plunge, held annually by the Friends of Unicoi at Unicoi State Park. (file photo)

Hardy participants crash into the lake at last year’s Winter Bear Plunge, held annually by the Friends of Unicoi at Unicoi State Park. (file photo)

Winter Bear Plunge takes place at Unicoi Saturday

Friends of Unicoi State Park will host the annual Winter Bear Plunge Saturday. The event will begin with registration at 10 a.m., with participants jumping into the water at 11:30 a.m. About 50-75 people typically participate in the plunge each year.
Airport Road was closed due to flooding on the Post Road end Wednesday morning.  It was reopened by 11:22 a.m. (Photo/submitted by David Murphy)

Airport Road was closed due to flooding on the Post Road end Wednesday morning. It was reopened by 11:22 a.m. (Photo/submitted by David Murphy)

Road wave: Heavy rain causes flood watch

by Linda Erbele White County News   The National Weather Service on Wednesday issued a flood watch for White County through 7 p.m. Jan. 4. As of 9:55 a.m.
Gary Donehoo holds a photo of him, Alan Walden and Eddie Floyd with Lynyrd Skynyrd in front of his wall of memorabilia of the band. “They were all good guys,” Donehoo said. “The original band, they were hungry, they all came from west Jacksonville… they knew the only way out was education, music or sports.” (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Gary Donehoo holds a photo of him, Alan Walden and Eddie Floyd with Lynyrd Skynyrd in front of his wall of memorabilia of the band. “They were all good guys,” Donehoo said. “The original band, they were hungry, they all came from west Jacksonville… they knew the only way out was education, music or sports.” (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Sharing life with legends

By Samantha Sinclair White County News   Gary Donehoo now lives on a quiet mountain in Sautee, but 50 years ago he was living the highs and lows of a rock and roll manager. “I kinda fell into the music business,” Donehoo said. “Backed into it, you could say.

More vacation rentals coming

by Linda Erbele White County News   The White County Planning Commission recommended approval for three conditional use permits for short term rentals, and recommended denial of one.
Volunteers sort food at the White County Food Pantry Tuesday morning. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Volunteers sort food at the White County Food Pantry Tuesday morning. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Pantry needs more volunteers

by Samantha Sinclair White County News   The White County Food Pantry planned to be open five days starting this week, but the plan was put on hold due to a lack of volunteers. The pantry is regularly open 10 a.m. to noon Monday-Thursday. The goal is to be open on Fridays, too.
On Friday, Farmhouse Coffee hosted student and alumni musicians from White County High School who played Christmas songs. From left are Lydia Durden, Benjamin Catchings, Ribaldo Matias, Tyler Franklin (out of sight behind Ribaldo), Aynsley Franklin, Sarah Adams, Keegan Gauntt, Timothy Lingle and Marco Mastrogiovanni. The Winter Wonderland included artificial snow which quickly disappeared into the single-digit temperatures outside the store on the Cleveland Square. (Photo/Linda Erbele)

On Friday, Farmhouse Coffee hosted student and alumni musicians from White County High School who played Christmas songs. From left are Lydia Durden, Benjamin Catchings, Ribaldo Matias, Tyler Franklin (out of sight behind Ribaldo), Aynsley Franklin, Sarah Adams, Keegan Gauntt, Timothy Lingle and Marco Mastrogiovanni. The Winter Wonderland included artificial snow which quickly disappeared into the single-digit temperatures outside the store on the Cleveland Square. (Photo/Linda Erbele)

Frigid Noel changes worship, business plans

by Samantha Sinclair White County News   “So, this isn’t the Christmas Eve we planned,” Pastor Burnetta Armour opened a virtual sermon Saturday night.
Helen will continue its tradition of ringing in the new year with the 9th Annual Dropping of the Edelweiss.

Helen will continue its tradition of ringing in the new year with the 9th Annual Dropping of the Edelweiss.

Edelweiss to welcome 2023

by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Helen will continue its tradition of ringing in the new year with the 9th Annual Dropping of the Edelweiss. The celebration, presented by the Helen Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse.
August: Skylake resident Andy Negra waves from the field between the 4th and 5th innings of the Braves game against Houston Astros in Atlanta Friday night. (Photo/submitted)

August: Skylake resident Andy Negra waves from the field between the 4th and 5th innings of the Braves game against Houston Astros in Atlanta Friday night. (Photo/submitted)

Year in review: 2022 brings change, honors

Editor’s note: White County saw many changes in the past year, from new leaders to new laws to plans for new buildings. It also saw many residents honored, like veteran Andy Negra, writer Jerry Grillo, and students Ruth Davidson, Rachel Harris and Anthony Johnson.