Regional

From left, Karan Sosebee, Carly Adam and daughter Charlotte Adam, Eunice Meaders and Melanie Williams will share stories and memories of Whelchel Meaders and his life this Memorial Day. ERIN ETRIS/WCN

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Meaders family misses potter patriarch this Memorial Day

News Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

by Erin Etris This Memorial Day will be unlike any other for Cleveland’s Karan Sosebee and her family. It’s the first one her father, Whelchel Meaders, won’t be a part of since his passing in December of 2025.

Helen met this week to discuss public parking.

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Helen Commission approves parking plan amid packed house

News Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

By Carly HendersonThe City of Helen Commission approved a parking plan at its May 19 meeting, allowing all employees in the city of Helen, as well as Helen and White County residents, free parking at the city’s two municipal lots on each side of Edelweiss Strasse.

The owner, managers and staff at Mountain Laurel Antique Mall and Furniture Consignment Showroom enjoy greeting customers. Sitting from left: Katie White, Barbara McClure and Dorothy Ralston. Standing from left: Carol Burgess, Bobby Dyer and Ariana McClure. Not pictured: Larry Hall, Lois Boggs and Ed Hawksford. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

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Family legacy drives Mountain Laurel Antique Mall forward

News Staff

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

by Denise Etheridge Mountain Laurel Antique Mall and Furniture Consignment Showroom is a family business spanning three generations of women. The antique mall was established in 2003 by Dorothy Ralston.

Nacoochee Village Antique Mall offers visitors multiple rooms filled top to bottom with antiques and collectibles to explore. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Step inside history

News Staff

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

by Carly Henderson The past comes to life inside the 150-year-old Martin House at the heart of Nacoochee Village, where Nacoochee Village Antique Mall offers visitors three floors and 7,000 square feet of antiques and collectibles to explore.

Riley Gaines is a conservative political activist and former collegiate swimmer. Gaines was hosted by TMU’s Turning Point USA chapter for the “Pick Up the Mic: Ask Me Anything with Riley Gaines” event on March 24. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Truett McConnell hosts 'Pick Up the Mic' event with Riley Gaines

News Staff

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

By Carly Henderson Truett McConnell University hosted “Pick Up the Mic: Ask Me Anything with Riley Gaines” on March 24 at the university’s Student Wellness Center. Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Kentucky, is now a conservative political activist.

Dr. Larry Lyon speaks during a dinner held to celebrate Truett McConnell University's business school on March 14. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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TMU celebrates business school, raises funds

News Staff

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

By Denise Etheridge Truett McConnell University celebrated the achievements of its Hans Hut School of Business while raising nearly $200,000 in cash gifts and pledges for student support at a dinner on March 14. Dr.

Jill Baughman will be the next assistant superintendent for the White County School System. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

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Veteran educator Jill Baughman named next assistant superintendent

News Staff

Thursday, March 12, 2026

By Denise Etheridge The White County Board of Education has appointed longtime educator and district leader Jill Baughman as assistant superintendent of teaching and learning for the White County School System. The board's decision was announced during a called meeting on March 11.

Cows graze in the pasture near the Nacoochee Mound during the Cows Come Home Celebration at Hardman Farm State Historic Site on March 7. See more photos on page 6A. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Cows make a moo-mentous return to Hardman Farm

News Staff

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

By Carly Henderson The cows have come back to Hardman Farm State Historic Site in Sautee Nacoochee. Their return was lauded during the annual “Cows Come Home Celebration” on Saturday, March 7.

Law enforcement seized 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, four pounds of fentanyl, numerous diverted pharmaceutical opioids and multiple firearms during Operation Silent Hand this week. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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Operation Silent Hand leads to 20 arrests in North Georgia drug trafficking case

News Staff

Friday, March 6, 2026

Staff report Law enforcement agencies across North Georgia executed multiple search and arrest warrants this week as part of Operation Silent Hand, a months-long investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl and oxycodone.

Randall and Jackie Townley founded TNT Simmental Farm soon after their move to White County in 2004. Since then, they have worked to encourage and support cattle-showing youth around White County and beyond. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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TNT Simmental Farm invests in youth

News Staff

Wednesday, March 4, 2026

by Carly Henderson For Randall and Jackie Townley, TNT Simmental Farm is about more than raising cattle– it’s about raising young people. The Townleys moved to White County in 2004, and TNT Simmental Farm was founded shortly thereafter.