Local

This is one of 14 planned homes for West Jarrard Village. They are being built in a factory in White County. (Submitted)

This is one of 14 planned homes for West Jarrard Village. They are being built in a factory in White County. (Submitted)

New homes landing in Cleveland

by Linda Erbele White County News   The bottom half of one of the newest homes to be built in Cleveland swung through the air Friday morning, only to be gently guided onto a slab and welded into place. It arrived by flatbed, and was put in place by a large crane.
John Foster at his retirement celebration. (File)

John Foster at his retirement celebration. (File)

Foster remembered for years of service

Staff reports   Former Cleveland Police Chief John Foster once told the News he found a place to call home when he moved to White County in 1997. Foster, 70, died on July 12. He suffered a massive heart attack, according to Cleveland City Manager Kevin Harris.

Cleveland couple killed in car crash

Staff reports   Chandler Scott Partin, 81, and his wife, Esther L. Partin, 82, of Cleveland, died from injuries they sustained in a two-vehicle collision this past weekend. The wreck occurred around 2 p.m.
Visitors from Florida enjoy the spectacle in Helen.

Visitors from Florida enjoy the spectacle in Helen.

Lighting up the Fourth

The skies over White County were ablaze with fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend. Thousands of people from all over the country, literally from Alaska to Florida, packed Alpine Helen for that city's annual Independence Day festivities.
White County Fire Services personnel suit up for hazmat training with the Army National Guard. (Submitted photo)

White County Fire Services personnel suit up for hazmat training with the Army National Guard. (Submitted photo)

WCFS trains for hazmat emergencies

Staff reports   White County Fire Services and the United States Army National Guard recently partnered on a two-day hazardous materials training exercise. The training helped strengthen multi-agency coordination and gauged response capabilities for high-risk hazardous materials incidents.
His Hands and Feet Ministry Thrift Store’s monthly food drive is managed by, left to right, Rob Efferson, Shauna Efferson, Scotty Splittorff, and Lisa Ferrari. (Jerry Grillo photo))

His Hands and Feet Ministry Thrift Store’s monthly food drive is managed by, left to right, Rob Efferson, Shauna Efferson, Scotty Splittorff, and Lisa Ferrari. (Jerry Grillo photo))

Open hearts at His Hands and Feet

by Jerry Grillo White County News   Rob Efferson is a different kind of store proprietor, the kind more interested in giving than receiving. “We’re not competing with anybody, we’re just here to help,” says Efferson, manager of His Hands and Feet Ministry Thrift Store in Cleveland.
Kimberly Bellflower's play, John Proctor was the Villain, was nominated for seven Tony Awards. (Blake Daniel photo)

Kimberly Bellflower's play, John Proctor was the Villain, was nominated for seven Tony Awards. (Blake Daniel photo)

Small town dreams, New York stage

by Jerry Grillo White County News   Kimberly Bellflower and Blake Daniel met when they were 10 and lived in the same White County subdivision. She invited him over to play on her trampoline and meet her six-toed kittens named after Titanic characters.
John Yarbrough

John Yarbrough

TMU promises reform in wake of scandal

by Jerry Grillo White County News   Following multiple allegations of sexual abuse and a cover-up at Truett McConnell University, acting President John Yarbrough insisted he is committed to rebuilding trust and implementing systemic changes to protect students.
Editorial award winners (left to right) Hannah Caudell, Samantha Sinclair, Mark Turner, and Linda Erbele. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

Editorial award winners (left to right) Hannah Caudell, Samantha Sinclair, Mark Turner, and Linda Erbele. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

News wins 3 first place press awards

Staff report   The White County News picked up 10 awards, including three for first place, in the 2025 Better Newspaper Contest and Better Newspaper Advertising Contest, Friday at the Jekyll Island Club during the Georgia Press Association’s 138th annual convention.
Richard Canal Tinius as Demetrius tries to escape the clutches of Helena, played by Mary Emily Deal. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

Richard Canal Tinius as Demetrius tries to escape the clutches of Helena, played by Mary Emily Deal. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

SOLfest wraps up in style

SOLfest 2025 celebrated 35 years of theatre at the Sautee Nacoochee Center last week (June 20-22), re-staging the first play ever produced there: Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.