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City OKs SPLOST plans, agreement

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Following the Helen City Commission’s approval earlier in the day, the Cleveland City Council approved an intergovernmental agreement with White County for the use and distribution of 2024 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST VI, funds.
WCHS students Bryan Lozada, Colin Fernandez and Carlo Penaloza play soccer with friends at Tesnatee Park in 31 degree weather Tuesday afternoon while school was closed. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

WCHS students Bryan Lozada, Colin Fernandez and Carlo Penaloza play soccer with friends at Tesnatee Park in 31 degree weather Tuesday afternoon while school was closed. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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Superintendent: Closing school is tough decision

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Closing school is not a decision that’s taken lightly. Dr. Laurie Burkett, superintendent of schools, said she knows how important it is to have children in the school buildings, but also wants to make sure students are safe.
Gates block the entrance of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway Tuesday afternoon. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Gates block the entrance of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway Tuesday afternoon. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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Temperatures hit coldest yet for year

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   Although it may have looked sunny outside, Mother Nature showed her cold side Tuesday and into Wednesday, bringing temperatures down into single digits by Wednesday morning.
Leah Smith as Elsa sings “Let it Go” as dancers Grace Reyes, Kelsey Cleveland, Elizabeth Himstedt and (sitting) Bella Whitaker show her ice powers. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

Leah Smith as Elsa sings “Let it Go” as dancers Grace Reyes, Kelsey Cleveland, Elizabeth Himstedt and (sitting) Bella Whitaker show her ice powers. (Photo/Samantha Sinclair)

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‘Let it Go’

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   The chilly weather should be perfect for opening weekend of White County High School’s winter production. Elsa and Anna will come to life on the stage for Disney’s Frozen Jr. starting tonight, Thursday, Jan. 18.
Law enforcement is all too used to administering Narcan when an individual overdoses. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

Law enforcement is all too used to administering Narcan when an individual overdoses. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

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Fentanyl use on the rise

News Staff
Thursday, January 18, 2024
by Noah Johnson White County News   It does not matter if you are rich, poor or somewhere in the middle — all people are susceptible to fentanyl — a drug that does not discriminate, according to local law enforcement. The fentanyl epidemic spread quickly and White County has not been immune.
Donja Long speaks to the Cleveland City Council about the restaurant she plans to open on the square.

Donja Long speaks to the Cleveland City Council about the restaurant she plans to open on the square.

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City OKs new restaurant plans

News Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2024
by Samantha Sinclair White County News   A new restaurant is closer to opening in Cleveland, thanks to a variance approved by the city council Monday night. The Cleveland City Council approved the variance for an under the counter grease trap for Donja Long and her business, The Tipsy Tomato.
Rain water floods Quillian Street causing it to be closed Tuesday morning. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

Rain water floods Quillian Street causing it to be closed Tuesday morning. (Photo/Noah Johnson)

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Severe rain closes roads, local schools

News Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2024
by Noah Johnson White County News   The county experienced its first major rainfall of 2024. Bill Kinsland, weather reporter and official National Weather Service Co-op Observer for Sautee provided data on the rainfall for the past 48 hours (information gathered on Wednesday, Jan.
The latest version of a map prepared by the county government shows subdivisions located in the county.

The latest version of a map prepared by the county government shows subdivisions located in the county.

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County changes, limits STRs

News Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2024
For a full-size version of the map, click here.   by Noah Johnson White County News   The short-term rental process has officially been changed. On Monday, Jan. 8, the White County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt three resolutions pertaining to short-term rentals.
At the end of each month, county commissioners fill out affidavits outlining the meetings they attended in their official capacity. They may only be paid for eight each month. Above are the forms Travis Turner, Craig Bryant, Terry Goodger, Lyn Holcomb and Edwin Nix submitted in December 2023. At right is the total compensation reported for elected board members in the county and cities in the 2022 calendar year. (Graphic/Samantha Sinclair)

At the end of each month, county commissioners fill out affidavits outlining the meetings they attended in their official capacity. They may only be paid for eight each month. Above are the forms Travis Turner, Craig Bryant, Terry Goodger, Lyn Holcomb and Edwin Nix submitted in December 2023. At right is the total compensation reported for elected board members in the county and cities in the 2022 calendar year. (Graphic/Samantha Sinclair)

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The cost of service

News Staff
Thursday, January 11, 2024
by Noah Johnson and Samantha Sinclair White County News   In December, the White County News requested the total compensation received by elected board members in the 2022 calendar year as well as the first six months of 2023 — the remainder of the fiscal year.