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Authorities responded to a structure fire on Roller Rink Road in the early morning hours on Friday, Jan. 3. (Photo courtesy of White County Fire Services)

Authorities responded to a structure fire on Roller Rink Road in the early morning hours on Friday, Jan. 3. (Photo courtesy of White County Fire Services)

Authorities respond for early morning fire

Stephanie Hill
Friday, January 3, 2020
Firefighters battled a blaze at the former Silver Spur Skating Rink early Friday morning.  White County firefighters, with automatic aid from Cleveland and Lee Arrendale fire departments, responded to the commercial structure fire on Roller Rink Road at around 2 a.m. on Jan.
Members of the state Senate announced Saturday that a Monday morning (Dec. 30)  public hearing regarding the agreement between Anthem and Northeast Georgia Health System was cancelled as both parties appear to be finalizing the contract.

Members of the state Senate announced Saturday that a Monday morning (Dec. 30)  public hearing regarding the agreement between Anthem and Northeast Georgia Health System was cancelled as both parties appear to be finalizing the contract.

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Anthem, NGHS talks appear to progress

News Staff
Thursday, January 2, 2020
by Eric Pereira CNI News Service Members of the state Senate announced Saturday that a Monday morning (Dec. 30)  public hearing regarding the agreement between Anthem and Northeast Georgia Health System was cancelled as both parties appear to be finalizing the contract.
Community generosity helped the United Way of White County reach its 2020 fundraising goal of $85,000, which will be allocated to local organizations serving White County residents. Some of the United Way of White County board members shown at a fundraising goal banner are, from left, Wayne Hardy, Carl Free, Donald Harris, Mary Isbell, Paul Scott Abbot and Gene White.

Community generosity helped the United Way of White County reach its 2020 fundraising goal of $85,000, which will be allocated to local organizations serving White County residents. Some of the United Way of White County board members shown at a fundraising goal banner are, from left, Wayne Hardy, Carl Free, Donald Harris, Mary Isbell, Paul Scott Abbot and Gene White.

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United Way of White County campaign hits $85,000 mark

Wayne Hardy
Thursday, January 2, 2020
With plenty of backing from community supporters, the United Way of White County has reached its $85,000 fundraising goal for 2020. The successful campaign means the United Way of White County will be able to give $15,000 more to local service agencies than it did in 2019.
Shan Ash

Shan Ash

Ash resigns as Cleveland mayor

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 30, 2019
Shan Ash resigned as Cleveland mayor on Monday, Dec. 30. In his resignation letter, Ash said it had been an honor to serve as mayor, but he would be stepping down from the post effective immediately due to “unforeseen recent events.
Authorities are looking for this man who set fire to Solid Rock Baptist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 25. (Photo courtesy White County Sheriff's Office)

Authorities are looking for this man who set fire to Solid Rock Baptist Church on Wednesday, Dec. 25. (Photo courtesy White County Sheriff's Office)

Man sought after setting fire at church night of Christmas

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 30, 2019
The White County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man who set a fire at Solid Rock Baptist Church on Christmas. Surveillance video from the church showed an unidentified white male going to the backside of the church, tossing gas on the building and lighting it between 9:40 p.m. and 9:47 p.m.
A crowd turned out for last year’s annual Helen New Year’s celebration. (Submitted photo)

A crowd turned out for last year’s annual Helen New Year’s celebration. (Submitted photo)

Edelweiss Drop kicks off new year

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 23, 2019
Have you ever seen an edelweiss drop? Well, now you can on New Year’s Eve at the seventh annual Dropping of the Edelweiss at the Helen Festhalle. This family-friendly event starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, said Renee Green, Chamber executive director.
Participants revel in the cold at last year’s Winter Bear Plunge. (File photo/Wayne Hardy)

Participants revel in the cold at last year’s Winter Bear Plunge. (File photo/Wayne Hardy)

Brave the chill at Winter Bear Plunge

Wayne Hardy
Monday, December 23, 2019
There’s still time to make one more memorable moment in 2019 with a “cool” way to celebrate the year ahead. The annual Winter Bear Plunge is set for this Saturday, Dec. 28, at Unicoi Beach in Unicoi State Park.
White County High School

White County High School

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What do you do when school gets locked down?

Wayne Hardy
Monday, December 23, 2019
“The school’s on lockdown.” Those words popping up in a text message from a child at school or spread on social media can often send a parent’s mind racing, especially when reports of campus intruders seemingly have become more prevalent throughout the nation. “Why is it locked down?
Flu activity remains high throughout Georgia, and state public health officials are encouraging those who haven’t gotten a flu vaccine to avoid putting it off any longer.

Flu activity remains high throughout Georgia, and state public health officials are encouraging those who haven’t gotten a flu vaccine to avoid putting it off any longer.

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High flu activity runs throughout state

Wayne Hardy
Monday, December 23, 2019
Flu activity remains high throughout Georgia, and state public health officials are encouraging those who haven’t gotten a flu vaccine to avoid putting it off any longer.
Francesca Smith, school crisis interventionist, Mary Kay Berry, director of student services, and Lindsey Oliver, school social worker, spoke to the school board Dec. 19 about efforts to help students with mental health. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

Francesca Smith, school crisis interventionist, Mary Kay Berry, director of student services, and Lindsey Oliver, school social worker, spoke to the school board Dec. 19 about efforts to help students with mental health. (Photo/Stephanie Hill)

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Outreach addresses student mental health needs

Stephanie Hill
Monday, December 23, 2019
Over the past year, multiple initiatives have launched in an effort to reach out to students at White County Schools about their mental well-being. School crisis interventionist Francesca Smith recapped the year of activity in a report presented at the Dec.