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Joel Ernest Lulinkski

Joel Ernest Lulinkski

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Cleveland man faces additional child sex abuse materials charge

News Staff
Friday, April 17, 2026
UPDATED: Monday, April 20, 2026By Denise EtheridgeHall County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigators charged Joel Ernest Lulinski, 52, of Cleveland, who had taught and coached at Lanier Christian Academy in Flowery Branch, with one felony count of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Cody and Jessica Montgomery stand in front of one of five houses at Levi’s Ministries’ newly acquired Jericho House property in Sautee. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Cody and Jessica Montgomery stand in front of one of five houses at Levi’s Ministries’ newly acquired Jericho House property in Sautee. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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Levi’s Ministries expands recovery network 

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
By Carly Henderson  Levi’s House, a men’s drug rehabilitation center in White County, is  further growing the reach of Levi’s Ministries’ Christ-centered recovery programs with the recent addition of Jericho House in Sautee. Levi’s Ministries is led by Cody and Jessica Montgomery.
The Primary election will be held on May 19.

The Primary election will be held on May 19.

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White County GOP to host BOE candidate forum

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
By Carly Henderson The White County Republican Party will host a forum for White County School Board candidates on April 21, giving voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates ahead of the upcoming election. The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m.
A fire spread across 26 acres of forest land on Buzzard Mountain Sunday night. SUBMITTED PHOTO

A fire spread across 26 acres of forest land on Buzzard Mountain Sunday night. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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Buzzard Mountain fire 60% contained, crews continue work

News Staff
Monday, April 13, 2026
By Denise Etheridge Fire officials said Tuesday that a wildfire burning on Buzzard Mountain in White County remained at 26 acres and was 60% contained. Firefighters have stopped the forward progression of the fire, according to fire officials with the U.S. Forest Service.
Cleveland will soon break ground on an expansion of the city's wastewater treatment plant.

Cleveland will soon break ground on an expansion of the city's wastewater treatment plant.

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Cleveland soon to break ground on $28M wastewater treatment plant expansion

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
By Carly Henderson A groundbreaking ceremony for the City of Cleveland’s wastewater treatment plant expansion will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, April 17, at 558 Claude Sims Road in Cleveland. Funding sources for the expansion include the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S.
The White County Special Olympics were held on April 3.

The White County Special Olympics were held on April 3.

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Carrying the torch for Special Olympics

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Mossy Creek student Tyler Youngblood begins the first leg of the Torch Run to open the 2026 Special Olympics Spring Games last Friday at Warrior Stadium.
Kim Rogers

Kim Rogers

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Candidates highlight experience in school board race

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
By Denise Etheridge and Carly Henderson The May 19 Primary is fast approaching and there are several local contested races. The White County News asked these candidates running for the District 2 seat on the Board of Education why they chose to run and what makes them qualified to lead.
The White County Board of Education thanked former Superintendent Laurie Burkett for her years of service to the school system on March 26. From left: School Board Members Jon Estes, Charlie Thomas and Linda Erbele, Burkett, School Board Chair Missy Jarrard and School Board Member John Solmon. DENISE ETHERIDGE/ WCN

The White County Board of Education thanked former Superintendent Laurie Burkett for her years of service to the school system on March 26. From left: School Board Members Jon Estes, Charlie Thomas and Linda Erbele, Burkett, School Board Chair Missy Jarrard and School Board Member John Solmon. DENISE ETHERIDGE/ WCN

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School board thanks Burkett for leadership

News Staff
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
by Denise Etheridge  Former School Superintendent Laurie Burkett’s last official meeting was a mixture of personal farewells and public business. The Board of Education thanked Burkett for her decades of service on March 26. Burkett’s last day with the system before retiring was March 31.