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Chris Dorsey, third from left, holds a Yosegaki Hinomaru, a Japanese flag sent to battle with Japanese soldiers during WWII. He’s accompanied by family members of the soldier, Fumio Kudo, and other supporters of the project that returns items to families of soldiers. An unidentified woman holds a picture of Col. Thomas Rogers, great-grandfather of Dorsey, who had the flag for decades. (Photo/submitted)

Chris Dorsey, third from left, holds a Yosegaki Hinomaru, a Japanese flag sent to battle with Japanese soldiers during WWII. He’s accompanied by family members of the soldier, Fumio Kudo, and other supporters of the project that returns items to families of soldiers. An unidentified woman holds a picture of Col. Thomas Rogers, great-grandfather of Dorsey, who had the flag for decades. (Photo/submitted)

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The flag that brought healing

News Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2025
by Linda Erbele White County News   Chris Dorsey flew halfway around the world to return something to the family of a Japanese soldier killed during World War II. Six years ago, he received items that had belonged to his great-grandfather, Col.
State Rep. Will Wade

State Rep. Will Wade

State Rep. Will Wade speaking at GOP meeting

News Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2025
The White County Republican Party will hold its June meeting tonight (Thursday, June 19) at 6:30 P.M. in the banquet room of North Georgia BBQ (897 S. Main St., Cleveland). The speaker will be State Rep. Will Wade, who represents the 9th District (southern precincts of White County).
The TMU campus is serene as summer semester continues. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

The TMU campus is serene as summer semester continues. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

Investigations launched in TMU case

News Staff
Thursday, June 19, 2025
by Jerry Grillo White County News   Investigations into sexual abuse and cover-up allegations at Truett McConnell University have begun, with both law enforcement and an independent investigator reviewing hundreds of pages of evidence and scoping out plans for further research.
The balloons were inflating and spreading out last Thursday morning for the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

The balloons were inflating and spreading out last Thursday morning for the Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

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Helen’s balloon legacy still soaring high

News Staff
Monday, June 16, 2025
by Jerry Grillo White County News   For more than half a century, a kaleidoscope of hot air balloons has risen above the trees and rooftops of Helen at sunrise on a June day, as modern-day adventurers make their way from the Alpine village to the Atlantic ocean and back again.
Nick Raptis served in the Pacific during World War II. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

Nick Raptis served in the Pacific during World War II. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

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101-year-old veteran Raptis honored at United for Veterans

News Staff
Monday, June 16, 2025
by Jerry Grillo White County News   Nick Raptis, who turned 101 in January, is the oldest World War II veteran in White County. He went to war more than 80 years ago, and he still doesn’t like talking about it. But who can blame him?
Last week, protesters on the Truett-McConnell University campus demanded an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment at the Christian school. (Photo/Denise Etheridge)

Last week, protesters on the Truett-McConnell University campus demanded an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment at the Christian school. (Photo/Denise Etheridge)

Rallying for truth

News Staff
Monday, June 16, 2025
by Jerry Grillo and Denise Etheridge White County News   The Truett McConnell University Board of Trustees has placed President Emir Caner on administrative leave pending a third-party investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and a cover-up.
Protesters demand an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment at Truett-McConnell University, and insist that anyone involved in covering up the alleged abuse be held accountable. (Photo/Denise Etheridge)

Protesters demand an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse and harassment at Truett-McConnell University, and insist that anyone involved in covering up the alleged abuse be held accountable. (Photo/Denise Etheridge)

TMU under fire over abuse claims

News Staff
Friday, June 6, 2025
Staff Reports   LATEST UPDATES • Trustees launch independent investigation • TMU president placed on administrative leave   The Truett McConnell University Board of Trustees agreed to place President Emir Caner on administrative leave until a third-party investigation into the allegations of...
TMU has been shaken by allegations of sexual abuse. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

TMU has been shaken by allegations of sexual abuse. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

TMU rocked by sex abuse scandal

News Staff
Thursday, June 5, 2025
by Jerry Grillo and Denise Etheridge White County News   Days after sex abuse allegations shook Truett McConnell University (TMU) in Cleveland, the scandal was still unfolding as former students came forward with new accusations and the school’s trustees prepared to meet on Friday, possibly to...
Andrea Irvin addresses the planning commission. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

Andrea Irvin addresses the planning commission. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)

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County planning commission OKs variances

News Staff
Thursday, June 5, 2025
by Jerry Grillo White County News The White County Planning Commission worked through a complex agenda at its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 2, approving several zoning changes and variances while fielding some passionate, well-informed feedback about development standards.