Regional

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.
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.