Regional

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.

Truett McConnell University officials will soon give an update on a third-party investigation. FILE/WCN

TMU to provide update on investigation

News Staff

Thursday, September 25, 2025

Staff reports Truett McConnell University Board of Trustees will meet in a closed session today, Sept. 25, to consider taking action once they review progress made on a third-party investigation into sexual abuse and cover-up allegations.

The South’s American Queen

News Staff

Thursday, September 18, 2025

By Ronda Rich A reader from Minnesota recently wrote and in her email, she mentioned that she lives near where the Mississippi River begins. There is no greater, more besotted fan of the Mississippi than I. Of course, I had questions. Where does it start? How deep and wide is it?

Helen's 55th annual Oktoberfest is now underway! The long-running festival kicked off last weekend with a parade. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

55th annual Oktoberfest kicks off

News Staff

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Throngs of visitors strolled along every block of Helen’s 2.1 square miles last Saturday when the city’s 55th annual Oktoberfest went into high gear with a parade and tradition- al keg tapping. The festival officially kicked off on Sept. 4.

Blue-ribbon service brings customers back

News Staff

Thursday, September 11, 2025

By Dink NeSmith As the old saying goes, “You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.” But I think that’s what happened when I stepped out of my muddy truck. And my farmhand attire matched the dented 2004 GMC Sierra. Those two things might have sent a signal.

Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon attends a groundbreaking for a White County fire station. DENISE ETHERIDGE/WCN

Couvillon campaigns in White County

News Staff

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

By Denise Etheridge, White County News Gainesville Mayor Sam Couvillon, who is running against U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde in the 2026 Republican primary race for the Ninth Congressional District seat, made himself visible in White County last Thursday.

Denise Etheridge, left, and Erin Etris, right, have been promoted to managing editor and general manager of the White County News, respectively. MICHELE QUINTAL/WCN

News promotes two staffers

News Staff

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

CNI Regional Publisher Keith Barlow announced Tuesday that marketing specialist Erin Etris and senior reporter Denise Etheridge have accepted key leadership positions at the White County News. Etris will oversee all the day-to-day business duties at the News as general manager.

One dead in 3-car crash

News Staff

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Staff report A fatal crash closed down State Route 11 (Highway 129 North) for nearly three hours on Tuesday. One person was killed and three others were injured in the three-vehicle crash near Albert Reid Road just before 1 p.m. on Sept. 2.

Cleveland man dies in motorcycle wreck

News Staff

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Staff report A Cleveland man died over the weekend in a motorcycle wreck in Hall County. The accident is under investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit.

Author Steven Steele. SUBMITTED

Author blends faith, fiction in new novel

News Staff

Thursday, September 4, 2025

by Jerry Grillo White County News Steven Steele never considered himself a strong student. He nearly flunked out of high school. But today, he’s got something that many college graduates never get — a published book under his belt. When he stops to think about it, it’s almost hard to believe.