Opinion & Editorial

Dink NeSmith

Dink NeSmith

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Scrubbing ‘colored’ toilet helped pop idyllic ‘bubble’

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
By Dink NeSmith   Compared to today, the 1950s were snail-like in news dissemination. Before sunrise, the Savannah Morning News skidded on the sidewalk, with damp-from-dew St. Augustine grass acting as a backstop at 111 W. Orange St. During daylight hours, WBGR had a noon newscast.
Michael and Katlyn Etheridge dress Caesar like a pumpkin for Halloween. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Michael and Katlyn Etheridge dress Caesar like a pumpkin for Halloween. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Hail Caesar, the canine conqueror

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
By Denise Etheridge Resistance is futile. Like the Borg in Star Trek lore – the beings that absorb all species they encounter into a hive-like existence – my son's chihuahua has taken hold of my mind, heart and soul.
Have a news item? Email editor@whitecountynews.net.

Have a news item? Email editor@whitecountynews.net.

Our View: More eyes on the ground

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Our sister paper, The Hartwell Sun, recently ran an editorial informing readers that news submissions from the public are desired. The Sun offered their readers tips on what to send and how to send it. We, too, rely on articles and news leads from our readers.
Phil Hudgins

Phil Hudgins

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Newspaper flunky remembers some interesting times

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Phil Hudgins The demise of another print edition of a major newspaper—The Atlanta Journal-Constitution—has prompted a number of nostalgic columns about the good ol’ days of print journalism.  Like other dailies, the AJC has gone strictly digital.
Kristi Casey

Kristi Casey

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What are you reflecting or projecting?

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Kristi Casey Have you ever had a friend who seemed to attract misfortune? I had a buddy we joked was a “vortex for bad luck.” He was the kind of guy who would get into a wreck driving his new car off the lot. No matter what he did, it seemed like there was a cloud hanging over his head.
Ronda Rich

Ronda Rich

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The Trophy

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
By Ronda Rich The good Lord has a sense of humor. Of this, I am very certain. I’ve seen His sense of humor a few times but I was reminded of it the other day. I was in the barn looking for something when I walked by a box of Tink’s father’s things.
His family called Pete Hires “Cowboy.” For our planned reunion, I asked Jim Powell to create a cartoon of “Cowboy” riding an Altamaha River catfish. Watching the ride are his grandson Carter Sanborn, his son Justen Hires, Randall Bramblett and me. SUBMITTED ARTWORK

His family called Pete Hires “Cowboy.” For our planned reunion, I asked Jim Powell to create a cartoon of “Cowboy” riding an Altamaha River catfish. Watching the ride are his grandson Carter Sanborn, his son Justen Hires, Randall Bramblett and me. SUBMITTED ARTWORK

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Neighbor, one day we will have that reunion

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
By Dink NeSmith   In 1951, a trio of 3-year-olds were pushing Tonka trucks in the sandbox of Jack & Jill Kindergarten. That was the nexus of a 74-year friendship among Pete Hires, Randall Bramblett and me. Last April we planned a few laidback days in the wilds of the Altamaha River swamp.
Opinions, columns appear on page 4-5A of the White County News each week.

Opinions, columns appear on page 4-5A of the White County News each week.

Our View: Thank our deputies, police officers

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
We should take a moment to thank our law enforcement professionals for their service and sacrifice tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 9, which is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.