Local

Water price is expected to rise in the new year for Water Authority customers.

Water price is expected to rise in the new year for Water Authority customers.

Water customers can expect rate hike

Executive Director Edwin Nix made a presentation on behalf of the White County Water Authority at the Cleveland City Council meeting on May 9. Nix gave a recap of where the price of water has been for the last year and the projected increase for the 2023 fiscal year.
From left, Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, CPD Officers Rayner, Riebold, Addis, and Sims sporting bullet proof vests and President of North Georgia Mountains Lodge #112 Micheal Palmer at the city council meeting held on May 9. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

From left, Cleveland Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, CPD Officers Rayner, Riebold, Addis, and Sims sporting bullet proof vests and President of North Georgia Mountains Lodge #112 Micheal Palmer at the city council meeting held on May 9. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

FOP donates vests to Cleveland PD

The Cleveland Police Department was selected as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP)/Georgia Mountains Lodge recipient of the “Protect the Protectors” bulletproof vest program.
On the left, Tommy Steen, Steve Hopper, and AJ Staton were able to save a victim from a gun shot wound and were awarded for their efforts. the right, Shad Sosebee, Jackson Cantrell, and Austin Brown saved a patient from succumbing to an over dose and were honored at the White County Public Safety Offices.

On the left, Tommy Steen, Steve Hopper, and AJ Staton were able to save a victim from a gun shot wound and were awarded for their efforts. the right, Shad Sosebee, Jackson Cantrell, and Austin Brown saved a patient from succumbing to an over dose and were honored at the White County Public Safety Offices.

Firefighters honored for life-saving work

The Department of Public Safety held an award ceremony to recognize the life-saving work of six firefighters on May 9. On October 8, 2021, Firefighter Sosebee responded to Leatherford Road for a gunshot wound call.
Renshaw

Renshaw

Renshaw finalist for county manager

White County Commissioners last week named local government veteran Mike Renshaw as the sole finalist to be the next county manager. Renshaw has over 29 years of experience in local government leadership and management.
Vicki Aiken came before the Cleveland City Council on May 9 to raise awareness for her literacy program.

Vicki Aiken came before the Cleveland City Council on May 9 to raise awareness for her literacy program.

Foundational Literacy project is coming to White County

Vicki Aiken came before the Cleveland City Council on May 9, to explain the goals of their non-profit Foundational Literacy program. Aiken is a retired teacher and before moving to White County she and her husband had created a book ministry that they ran for six years.
The City of Cleveland denied a zoning request at the May 9 meeting.

The City of Cleveland denied a zoning request at the May 9 meeting.

Cleveland denies request for zoning change

The Cleveland City Council denied a zoning request from the Cleveland Church of God Inc. at their May 9 meeting. The church was asking permission from the council to rezone a property at 1882 East Kytle Street from B-II Highway Commercial to B-I Central Business.
Husband Chris Barrett bestows pins upon his wife Aletha Barrett after she was sworn in as Chief of the Helen Police Department on May 10. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

Husband Chris Barrett bestows pins upon his wife Aletha Barrett after she was sworn in as Chief of the Helen Police Department on May 10. (Ashley Blair/WCN)

Barrett is named Helen’s first female chief of police

The City of Helen has announced the appointment of Aletha Barrett as the next Chief of Police. Chief Barrett was selected after a two-month search for the city’s next head of law enforcement. Chief Barrett began with the Helen Police Department in December 2019 and held the rank of Sergeant.
Pastors Michael Wilkes, Marc Turner and Burnetta Armour join Andy Vandiver in song. (Wayne Knuckles/WCN)

Pastors Michael Wilkes, Marc Turner and Burnetta Armour join Andy Vandiver in song. (Wayne Knuckles/WCN)

Prayer Power:Unity is the message on National Day of Prayer

The White County Ministerial Fellowship held a gathering in Freedom Park on May 5 in honor of National Day of Prayer. Local pastors from multiple churches gathered to offer prayers for members of the community and the nation.
Tornado watch in affect until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 6.

Tornado watch in affect until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 6.

Tornado Watch issued for Friday, May 6

Tornado Watch has been issued on May 6 at 1:41p.m. until May 6 at 8:00 p.m. by National Weather Service in Peachtree City.  The watch includes 13 counties, including White, Dawson, Hall, Fannin, Lumpkin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Banks, Town, Catoosa, Murry, and Whitfield counties.
Bobby Moon and Weaver Bartlett assembled snap circuit kits in Mrs. Trigg’s STEM lab. (Photo/Ashley Blair)

Bobby Moon and Weaver Bartlett assembled snap circuit kits in Mrs. Trigg’s STEM lab. (Photo/Ashley Blair)

Seniors share knowledge with Tesnatee students

A group of seniors from the White County Senior Center came to spend time with members of the Tesnatee Gap Elementary School Beta Club on April 20. The Beta Club visited the senior center recently as part of the acts of service they complete together.