Regional

North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park has been nominated for a national award. The park is located at 2912 Paradise Valley Road in Cleveland. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park has been nominated for a national award. The park is located at 2912 Paradise Valley Road in Cleveland. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park earns national nomination

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Carly Henderson  North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park is garnering national recognition after securing a nomination for Best Safari Park in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
From left, Andy Negra, Hilbert “Hibby” Margol, Caleb Schneider and Alan Kinder gather following lunch. Schneider, 14, raises money for his Lunch with Veterans program through donations through his radio station, G.I. Jive Radio. SUBMITTED PHOTO

From left, Andy Negra, Hilbert “Hibby” Margol, Caleb Schneider and Alan Kinder gather following lunch. Schneider, 14, raises money for his Lunch with Veterans program through donations through his radio station, G.I. Jive Radio. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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Teen historian brings WWII veterans together for lunch

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Carly Henderson  Fourteen-year-old Caleb Schneider of Gainesville has been interested in World War II since he was 9 years old.
Artist Tyrus Mosley, 17, of Covington speaks with a visitor to Unicoi State Park & Lodge during WinterFest last Saturday. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Artist Tyrus Mosley, 17, of Covington speaks with a visitor to Unicoi State Park & Lodge during WinterFest last Saturday. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

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Art blooms during WinterFest

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
by Denise Etheridge Art in many different forms blossomed across the Sautee-Nacoochee Valley’s dormant landscape for the WinterFest Arts Tour this past weekend. The two-day festival hosted more than 175 artists across four venues.
Rebecca LeCouter and Ed LeCouter, USMC Vietnam Veteran, work on painting watercolor windmills in last Thursday’s class. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Rebecca LeCouter and Ed LeCouter, USMC Vietnam Veteran, work on painting watercolor windmills in last Thursday’s class. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Fun art, not fine art

News Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
By Carly Henderson  On the second Thursday of each month, the scent of fresh paint fills the classroom at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center as veterans gather not just to create art, but to find connection and community. The Veterans Multimedia Art Workshop is held from 10 a.m.
Victoria Chandler officiates weddings in White County and in surrounding areas.

Victoria Chandler officiates weddings in White County and in surrounding areas.

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The officiants who help White County say “I do”

News Staff
Thursday, February 12, 2026
By Denise Etheridge These White County wedding officiants answer the call to help couples tie the knot, sometimes at a moment's notice. They are included on a list of wedding officiants provided to engaged couples by the White County Probate Court.
Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Stribling will be the school system's next superintendent beginning April 1. Stribling is pictured with his wife Jessica Stribling. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Stribling will be the school system's next superintendent beginning April 1. Stribling is pictured with his wife Jessica Stribling. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

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Stribling officially hired to lead White County schools

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
By Denise Etheridge As expected, the White County Board of Education voted to hire Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Stribling as the next superintendent for the school system during a called meeting Monday night. Stribling will start his new role on April 1.
This tree went down at Chimney Lake during last weekend’s Winter Storm Fern. PHOTO/BRYCE BARRETT, WHITE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY

This tree went down at Chimney Lake during last weekend’s Winter Storm Fern. PHOTO/BRYCE BARRETT, WHITE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY

Fern slams White County

News Staff
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
By Denise Etheridge and Carly Henderson Winter Storm Fern delivered a historic whammy to White County this past weekend. Trees weighed down by ice toppled, bringing down power lines and blocking roads across the county.
Over 225 people participated in the 47th annual Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia Hogpen Hill Climb 18K and Georgia Mountain Coaster 5K. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Over 225 people participated in the 47th annual Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia Hogpen Hill Climb 18K and Georgia Mountain Coaster 5K. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Runners climb Hogpen for Habitat

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
By Carly Henderson Runners gathered in Helen on Jan. 17 to take part in the 47th annual Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia Hogpen Hill Climb 18K and Georgia Mountain Coaster 5K, an event that has become a longtime fundraiser for the organization.
Flooding caused by heavy rainfall on Saturday, Jan. 10 im- pacted North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in Cleveland, forcing the park to shut down for a day. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Flooding caused by heavy rainfall on Saturday, Jan. 10 im- pacted North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in Cleveland, forcing the park to shut down for a day. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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Flooding shuts down local zoo

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
by Carly Henderson Flooding from torrential rain shut down North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park in Cleveland on Jan. 10 as water spread across White County. Park staff closed the facility out of concern for the safety of animals and guests.