Regional

First responders check on residents off Asbestos Road during Saturday's heavy rain event. PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY

First responders check on residents off Asbestos Road during Saturday's heavy rain event. PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY

Crews respond to countywide flooding

News Staff
Monday, January 12, 2026
Staff report White County experienced widespread flooding on Saturday, Jan. 10, as heavy rainfall caused creeks, culverts, and drainage systems to become overwhelmed across multiple areas of the county. Between 9:44 a.m. and 3:56 p.m.
Hundreds of people rush into the water for the Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK

Hundreds of people rush into the water for the Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park on Jan. 3. PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSI TAYLOR/UNICOI STATE PARK

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Hundreds dare cold swim

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
by Denise Etheridge Sandy Overstreet of Athens took the Winter Bear Plunge on Jan. 3, to check off an item on her bucket list. Sarah Gauthreaus of Labadieville, La., decided that a cold dip in a North Georgia lake was a better way to celebrate her 40th birthday than swimming in the tepid bayou.
The city of Cleveland plans to purchase the property at 55 Cantrell Road for a new municipal complex that will house City Hall and the Cleveland Police Department. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

The city of Cleveland plans to purchase the property at 55 Cantrell Road for a new municipal complex that will house City Hall and the Cleveland Police Department. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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City hall, police to be under one roof

News Staff
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
by Carly Henderson Cleveland city leaders announced Monday that both City Hall and the Cleveland Police Department will move from their separate downtown locations to a single new property off Helen Highway sometime over the next 18 months. Cleveland’s current City Hall is located at 85 S.
Winter Bear Plunge participants greet a new year during the 2025 Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park’s beach. FILE PHOTO

Winter Bear Plunge participants greet a new year during the 2025 Winter Bear Plunge at Unicoi State Park’s beach. FILE PHOTO

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Taking the plunge

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Staff report Cold temperatures and colder water will set the scene this weekend as the annual Winter Bear Plunge returns to Unicoi State Park. Friends of Unicoi State Park will host the Winter Bear Plunge on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Unicoi Beach. Registration for the event will begin at 10 a.m.

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Local-bred poodle heads to Westminster

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
by Carly Henderson White County will have a hometown competitor at one of the nation’s most prestigious dog shows early next month when Osiris, a three-and-a-half-year-old standard poodle, heads to New York City for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Bradley Reynolds FILE PHOTO

Bradley Reynolds FILE PHOTO

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Former TMU VP indicted

News Staff
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
By Denise Etheridge Former Truett McConnell University Vice President Bradley Reynolds was indicted Monday afternoon on three counts of making false statements to law enforcement.
Mayor Josh Turner and Lunawood LLC General Manager Matti Koski are all smiles while Lunawood LLC Chairman Arto Halonen and District Representative Stan Gunter shake on the company’s upcoming expansion with Atlanta Hardwood in White County. ERIN ETRIS/WCN

Mayor Josh Turner and Lunawood LLC General Manager Matti Koski are all smiles while Lunawood LLC Chairman Arto Halonen and District Representative Stan Gunter shake on the company’s upcoming expansion with Atlanta Hardwood in White County. ERIN ETRIS/WCN

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Atlanta Hardwoods partners with Lunawood

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Staff report In a celebration of international partnership and local growth, representatives from Atlanta Hardwoods and Finland-based Lunawood Ltd. gathered in Cleveland on Tuesday for a ribbon cutting. The ceremony marked the long-term investments made to expand the Cleveland plant.
White County Superintendent Laurie Burkett

White County Superintendent Laurie Burkett

Burkett to end tenure in 2026

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
by Denise Etheridge White County News White County Schools Superintendent Laurie Burkett, who guided the district through a global pandemic and oversaw major facility upgrades, will retire in March 2026 after 36 years in education.
Jack P. Nix Elementary School has been named a Georgia Title I Distinguished School. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Jack P. Nix Elementary School has been named a Georgia Title I Distinguished School. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

WCSS touts 95% four-year grad rate

News Staff
Thursday, October 2, 2025
by Denise Etheridge White County News The White County School System is celebrating academic success this week, for a strong graduation rate and an honor bestowed on one of its elementary schools.