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A young man drowned at Panther Creek in Habersham County on June 7. FILE PHOTO

A young man drowned at Panther Creek in Habersham County on June 7. FILE PHOTO

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Young man drowns at Panther Creek in Habersham County

News Staff
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
By Hannah CaudellCNI News ServiceAnother life was claimed at Panther Creek on Sunday afternoon, June 7, when a young man drowned while at the recreation area.Reginal Starks, a 19-year-old from Jonesboro, was found by a multi-agency search and rescue team after someone witnessed his drowning.
Spectators and balloon crews gather in Helen for the 53rd annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival on June 4. Around 20 balloons are participating in events throughout the weekend. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Spectators and balloon crews gather in Helen for the 53rd annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival on June 4. Around 20 balloons are participating in events throughout the weekend. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Mike Meyer wins 53rd Helen to Atlantic Balloon Race

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
By Carly Henderson  The 53rd annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival kicked off June 4 and continued through Saturday, June 6, bringing thousands of visitors to Helen for a weekend of balloon events and competition.
White County resident Andy Negra, 102, grins below his birthday balloons last weekend during a celebratory dinner at Nacoochee Grill. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

White County resident Andy Negra, 102, grins below his birthday balloons last weekend during a celebratory dinner at Nacoochee Grill. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

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Negra celebrates major birthday milestone

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
By Denise Etheridge Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”If this is true, then local celebrity Andy Negra is a masterpiece.Negra turned 102 on May 28.
Rep. Mike Collins speaks to attendees during a May 28 meet and greet at North Georgia BBQ in White County. Collins met with voters and discussed his campaign ahead of the June 16 Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Rep. Mike Collins speaks to attendees during a May 28 meet and greet at North Georgia BBQ in White County. Collins met with voters and discussed his campaign ahead of the June 16 Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Collins visits White County on campaign stop ahead of Senate runoff

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
By Carly Henderson  Rep. Mike Collins brought his U.S. Senate campaign to White County on May 28, meeting with local voters during a series of stops across Georgia ahead of the Republican primary runoff.Attendees gathered at North Georgia BBQ in Cleveland at 3 p.m.
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

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.

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

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

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

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.