Local

Law enforcement seized 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, four pounds of fentanyl, numerous diverted pharmaceutical opioids and multiple firearms during Operation Silent Hand this week. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Law enforcement seized 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, four pounds of fentanyl, numerous diverted pharmaceutical opioids and multiple firearms during Operation Silent Hand this week. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Operation Silent Hand leads to 20 arrests in North Georgia drug trafficking case

News Staff
Friday, March 6, 2026
Staff report Law enforcement agencies across North Georgia executed multiple search and arrest warrants this week as part of Operation Silent Hand, a months-long investigation targeting a drug trafficking organization distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl and oxycodone.
Randall and Jackie Townley founded TNT Simmental Farm soon after their move to White County in 2004. Since then, they have worked to encourage and support cattle-showing youth around White County and beyond. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Randall and Jackie Townley founded TNT Simmental Farm soon after their move to White County in 2004. Since then, they have worked to encourage and support cattle-showing youth around White County and beyond. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Exclusive Subscriber Content

TNT Simmental Farm invests in youth

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
by Carly Henderson For Randall and Jackie Townley, TNT Simmental Farm is about more than raising cattle– it’s about raising young people. The Townleys moved to White County in 2004, and TNT Simmental Farm was founded shortly thereafter.
United Way Board Vice Chairman Nathan Eason presented checks to 12 local community agencies at a check distribution ceremony last week. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

United Way Board Vice Chairman Nathan Eason presented checks to 12 local community agencies at a check distribution ceremony last week. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Exclusive Subscriber Content

United Way celebrates $80K distribution

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
by Carly Henderson United Way of White County celebrated a milestone last Thursday, Feb. 26, as volunteers and local agency representatives gathered at United Community Bank’s Roy Ash Building for a check distribution ceremony after the nonprofit met its $80,000 fundraising goal.
From left, Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, Council members CJ McDonald and Jeremy McClure, Mayor Josh Turner, Officer David Bruce, and Council members Nan Bowen and Annie Sutton gather as Bruce is recognized as the 2025 Officer of the Year at the March 2 meeting of the Cleveland City Council. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

From left, Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, Council members CJ McDonald and Jeremy McClure, Mayor Josh Turner, Officer David Bruce, and Council members Nan Bowen and Annie Sutton gather as Bruce is recognized as the 2025 Officer of the Year at the March 2 meeting of the Cleveland City Council. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cleveland announces Officer of the Year

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
by Carly Henderson Financial planning for a national anniversary celebration, a new charitable giving option for city employees and recognition of a police officer’s service highlighted the March 2 meeting of the Cleveland City Council. Cleveland Police Dept.
Steve Horton will be the next principal of White County High School. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Steve Horton will be the next principal of White County High School. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Steve Horton named next principal of White County High School

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
Special to the White County News The White County Board of Education unanimously voted Thursday night to appoint Steve Horton as the new principal of White County High School. Horton will begin his tenure on July 1.
The Georgia Department of Public Health sent out an alert of a confirmed rabies case in White County.

The Georgia Department of Public Health sent out an alert of a confirmed rabies case in White County.

Stray cat first confirmed rabies case in White County this year

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
Staff report In late February, a stray cat that was found in downtown Helen tested positive for rabies.  The stray cat, which appeared to be sick, was picked up and taken home by out-of-county visitors on Feb. 20.  The individual who had attempted to help the cat was bitten on Feb. 21.
The White County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Feb. 23, 2026, as Darrel Chaney Day during a work session and called meeting Monday night. From left: Commissioner Craig Bryant, Commissioner Shan Ash, Commission Chairman Travis Turner, Darrel Chaney, Commissioner Edwin Nix and Commissioner Lyn Holcomb. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

The White County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Feb. 23, 2026, as Darrel Chaney Day during a work session and called meeting Monday night. From left: Commissioner Craig Bryant, Commissioner Shan Ash, Commission Chairman Travis Turner, Darrel Chaney, Commissioner Edwin Nix and Commissioner Lyn Holcomb. SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Chairman looks to future, board approves Comp Plan 

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Denise Etheridge The White County Board of Commissioners addressed a wide range of items during a lengthy work session and called meeting Monday night, not the least of which was approving a blueprint for the county's future.
North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park has been nominated for a national award. The park is located at 2912 Paradise Valley Road in Cleveland. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park has been nominated for a national award. The park is located at 2912 Paradise Valley Road in Cleveland. CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Exclusive Subscriber Content

North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park earns national nomination

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Carly Henderson  North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park is garnering national recognition after securing a nomination for Best Safari Park in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
From left, Andy Negra, Hilbert “Hibby” Margol, Caleb Schneider and Alan Kinder gather following lunch. Schneider, 14, raises money for his Lunch with Veterans program through donations through his radio station, G.I. Jive Radio. SUBMITTED PHOTO

From left, Andy Negra, Hilbert “Hibby” Margol, Caleb Schneider and Alan Kinder gather following lunch. Schneider, 14, raises money for his Lunch with Veterans program through donations through his radio station, G.I. Jive Radio. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Teen historian brings WWII veterans together for lunch

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Carly Henderson  Fourteen-year-old Caleb Schneider of Gainesville has been interested in World War II since he was 9 years old.
Elijah White and Cierra Bailey show their market hogs at the Agri-Science Center last Saturday. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Elijah White and Cierra Bailey show their market hogs at the Agri-Science Center last Saturday. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Bleats to silver belt buckles

News Staff
Thursday, February 19, 2026
by Denise Etheridge They came, they bleated, mooed and oinked, and they conquered the competition at the White County Local Livestock Show at the Agri-Science Center on Claude Sims Road last Saturday.