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17-Year
Old Dies After Being Given Alcohol
( 5/1/08)
(
Cleveland
)-
White
County
officials are looking at filing additional charges for a 22-year old
Cleveland
man after he allegedly provided alcohol to a 17-year old over the weekend and
the youth later died.
White
County Chief Deputy John O’Brien said William Maxtor Midgett has been charged
with providing alcohol to 17 year old John Gunter. Gunter died today and
O’Brian said District Attorney San Gunter will advise if additional charges
will be filed against Midgett.
O’Brien
said the youth was allegedly provided the alcohol at Midgett’s home. Midgett
has also been charged with a probation violation, he was hiding from authorities
when they arrived early Saturday morning.
9-1-1
Dispatcher Helps Deliver Baby
( 4/20/08)
(
Cleveland
)-
White
County
9-1-1 dispatcher Barbara Tolbert delivered
her first baby over the telephone this morning. The call
came in around 7:00 AM and Tolbert said, the family member who
made the call said they didn’t have much time so they had to
work fast. She said they have instruction cards for such
incidents, but she didn’t need it because she has
grandchildren and she has been several time before, but this is
the first time she's help deliver a baby over the phone.
According to Tolbert this was
the family’s 6th child. The mother Lena Brown and
baby boy were transported to
Habersham
County
Hospital
by
White
County
EMS
ambulance. The baby who is yet to be named weigh in at 6 lbs. 8
oz. Both mother and baby are doing well.
Tolbert
has been a 911 Communications Officer for
White
County
for five years. She also worked for Lumpkin County 911 for
2 years.
Qualifying
Begins For Local Offices
( 4/28/08)
(
Cleveland
)-The first day of qualifying for elective offices in
White
County
has yielded a long list of candidates signing up to run.
Two candidates have qualified for corner, incumbent Ricky
Barrett and Brian Alexander, both of
Cleveland
. For the open position of White County Commission Chairman
three people have qualified to run. They are Rick Post of
Sautee, Teresa Stansel and Travis Turner, both of
Cleveland
. For White County Board of Education Chairman incumbent Kendyl
Brock and John Daniel Liles. Incumbent
Jan McDonald qualified for District 1 White County Board
of Education.. Charlie Thomas, Jr. paid his qualifying free to
run for District 4 White County Board of Education.
Incumbents
Cindy Cannon, Tax Commissioner, Dena Adams, Clerk of Superior
Court, Neal Walden, Sheriff and Garrison Baker probate judge
have qualified to seek re-election.
All
candidates except Liles qualified as Republican candidates.
Liles qualified as a Democratic candidate.
Republicans
Gather In Cleveland
( 4/20/08)
(
Cleveland
)- Over 200 Republican delegates from across north
Georgia
gathered in
Cleveland
Saturday for the annual 9th District Convention.
The meeting Saturday followed an
“
Road to Victory” banquet Friday at the Black Bear Dinner
Theatre north of
Cleveland
.
According
to Josh Turner president of the White County Republican Party
during the convention delegates and alternates that were elected
to represent the 9th District at the Republican
National Convention in
Minneapolis
,
Minn.
The delegates include: Senator
Jeff Mullis,
Chickamauga
, Walker County Representative Jay Neil,
Chickamauga
,
Catoosa
County
and Josh Turner,
Cleveland
,
White
County
. Alternates elected
were: Bettye Chambers, Buford,
Hall
County
; Charles White,
Cleveland
,
White
County
; Leon Ellis, Cumming,
Forsyth
County
.
Ninth
District Congressman Nathan Deal was the keynote speaker.
Turner
told News/Talk 1350 that in contrast to published reports he did
not pressure several
White
County
incumbent officer holder, who are Democrats, to switch to the
Republican party. He said, " I don't have that kind of
influence."
Earthquake
Felt In White County ( 4/18/08)
(
Cleveland
)- Residents of
White
County
and other across Northeast Georgia report felling
the earthquake reported in
WEST SALEM
,
Ill.
The 5.4 magnitude earthquake is
said to rival the strongest recorded
in the region, which was felt as far south as North
Georgia and rocked the Midwest early Friday surprising a lot of people, many who
were awaken by the tremor shaking glass tables and other things in the house.
The quake just before 4:37 a.m. CDT was centered six miles from
West Salem
,
Ill.
, and 66 miles from
Evansville
,
Ind.
It was felt in such distant cities as
Chicago
,
Cincinnati
,
Milwaukee
and
Des Moines
,
Iowa
, 450 miles northwest of the epicenter, but there were no early reports of
injuries or significant damage.
WRWH weather reporter Bill Kinsland
says,
White
County
has two fault lines which run from Northeast to Southwest, ie: The
Chattahoochee Fault and the Alltoona Fault. According
to the U.S. Geological Survey, we had a very noticeable tremor back on April
29th, 2003 when a 4.9 earthquake centered 37 miles
Southwest of
Chattanooga
shook most of
Georgia
. -According to the
U.S.
Geological Survey, the largest earthquake centered in
Georgia
occurred on March 5th, 1916 when
a 4.1 quake centered 30 miles. Southeast of
Atlanta
was felt as far away as
Raleigh
,
NC
and in parts of
Tennessee
and
Alabama
.
Most
people slept thru the event to be surprised when they heard news reports.
Commissioners
Provide Funds To Cleveland Better Home Town
( 4/18/08)
(Cleveland
)-
The White County Board of
County
Commissioners
have presented
Cleveland
Better
Home
Town
with a check for $3001.22. The
monies were requested by the organization’s Historic Preservation Committee
Chaired by Judge Garrison Baker and will be used as seed money for the
revitalization of the
Cleveland
Cemetery
. Judge Baker said, “The
Cleveland
Cemetery
is a historic local treasure and we are thrilled that the Commissioners share
our vision to revitalize it and give it the dignity it deserves.”
Cleveland
Better Home Town, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (C) 3 charitable
organization. In
2007, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs officially
designated
Cleveland
,
GA
as a
Georgia
Better
Home
Town
.
Cleveland
Better
Home
Town
is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and
works to promote the 4-Point Approach to downtown
revitalization. The
4-Point Approach involves Organization,
Design, Economic Restructuring, and Promotion.
In addition,
Cleveland
Better
Home
Town
has established a Historic
Preservation Committee to help preserve the rich heritage of
our local community.
Charlie
Thomas, Chairman of the Board for
Cleveland
Better
Home
Town
says, “We are
committed to preserving our history and we were honored when
Judge Garrison Baker, a local historian and author himself,
agreed to Chair our Historic Preservation Committee.
“Cemeteries are among
Georgia
’s most important historic resources….”They are sacred
places where family and friends can visit to show honor and
respect for departed friends and loved ones.
Cemeteries are certainly among the most revered and
sacred public places in most towns…this from Preserving Georgia’s Historic Cemeteries,” a publication by the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
The
Cleveland
Cemetery
dates back to the 1800’s and for years has been cared for by
three local churches (
First
Baptist
Church
,
Cleveland
Methodist
Church
and the
Cleveland
Worship
Center
, formerly Cleveland Congregational Holiness.)
that have regularly maintain the lawn and kept it clean
With
the donation from the county, the proposed plan for the cemetery
would include further landscaping the cemetery, erecting an iron
gate and fence around the property, installing a brick paver
walkway thru the cemetery, designing a bronze plaque with a
brief history of the cemetery, and identifying burial sites.
A number of the city’s earliest families are buried in
the Cemetery and the Committee proposes to identify the burial
sites and have a brief written history of these early families.
The committee also hopes to integrate middle school, high
school and college history classes to assist with work on the
project. “By
involving students, we hope to instill and promote an ongoing
interest and commitment to historical preservation in the local
community, “said Judge Baker.
Maria
Jurado-Flynn, Manager for
Cleveland
Better
Home
Town said, "the lead gift from the White County Board
of Commissioners will enable Cleveland Better Home town to
leverage the donation against grant monies available for
cultural preservation of cemeteries through the State. ”
As
a non-profit organization, all donations to
Cleveland
Better
Home
Town
are tax deductible. Individuals
or other organizations interested in supporting the Cleveland
Cemetery Project can contact
Cleveland
Better
Home
Town
at 706-9969-3336.
White
County Supports Our Troops
( 4/14/08)
(
Cleveland
) The citizens of
White
County
are once again displaying pride in
America
by sending care packages to the troops in
Iraq
next week. Spearheaded by the White County Government, this patriotic move
is geared toward supporting "Courage Troop" of the 3rd Infantry
Division.
Natalie
Culp of Economic Development said, in February these soldiers received boxes of
needed items from
White
County
residents totaling over 200 pounds. "The overwhelming generosity of our
community has helped numerous soldiers at a critical time, Girl Scouts from
troops 1714 and 1726 are donating 140 boxes of cookies to the soldiers and are
in the process of making care packages to be sent." In addition to
these donations, Al Garcia of High Country Signs of Cleveland is sending a
custom banner for the soldiers to sign and send back to the residents of
White
County
.
If
you would like to support this county wide effort please bring donated items to
the White County Community Development Department or call (706) 865-6768.
No
Serious Injuries In Two Wrecks Sunday (
4/14/08)
(
Cleveland
)- The driver of an SUV received minor injuries after crashing
into a building on
Duncan Bridge Road
Sunday morning. White County Fire Department Public Information
officer Ana Newberry said the female driver, for some reason,
ran off the roadway into the Electric Tek building. Both the
vehicle and building received heavy damage. The accident was
reported at 5:25 AM Sunday morning.
Newberry
said a short time later another accident was reported on
Black Road
. There a young driver received minor injuries when he was
thrown from the vehicle when he ran off the road.
Driving
Tours Map Unveiled
( 4/11/08)
L-R
ARC Federal Co-Chair Rick Pelts, John
Erbele
, DNR
Smithgall Woods, White
County Commission Chairman Chris Nonnemaker and Mike Beatty, Ga.
Department of Community Affairs Commissioner
(SAUTEE)-
Friday, the Georgia Department of Economic Development's Tourism
Division, Appalachian Regional Commission and National
Geographic Traveler unveiled four north
Georgia
trails featured in the magazine's Appalachia Driving Tours map.
The Chieftains Trail and Folk Potters Trail run solely
through
Georgia
and the Southern Highroads and
Lookout Mountain Parkway
are multi-state trails. The map is currently available in the
April 2008 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Cheryl
Smith, with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said
the trails have something for everyone.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and National
Geographic Society announced the release of the completion of
the new Appalachian Driving Tours Map last month in Washington,
D.C. Commissioned by ARC, the map features 28 unique driving
trails of the Appalachian Region that lead to a broad array of
historical, archeological, cultural and scenic sites. Mike
Beatty Georgia Department of Community Affairs Commissioner says
with the reach of National Geographic more visitors will be
visiting the area.
According
to Travel Industry Association of America estimates, tourism is
a $740 billion industry employing nearly 7.5 million people in
the
United States
in 2006. The cultural heritage tourism sector has been growing
twice as fast as the overall travel market, with the Appalachian
region boasting six of the top 10 states most visited by
travelers from this sector. Map readers are encouraged to Visit
Appalachia through a newly-developed, consumer-oriented online
companion piece at www.visitappalachia.com.
WHITE
COUNTY
FIRE DEPARTMENT
PURCHASES NEW TANKER/TENDER
(4/9/08)
(
Cleve
land
)- The White County Fire Department has purchased a 2008 Peterbilt Model 340;
3000 gallon Tanker/Tender which was placed into service on Thursday, April 3rd.
Ana Newberry, White County Fire Department Public Information officer says this
is our second brand new apparatus within the past 4 months. Tanker 7 is
considered a Type 1 Tender with a holding tank of 3000 gallons of water.
The
truck purchase was awarded to Freedom Fire Equipment located in
Marietta
,
Georgia
. The total price
was $143,850.00.
The
Tanker is housed at Station 7 which is located on Highway 356 in
Sautee; considered the Unicoi/Chimney Mountain area of
White
County
. This area does not
have any municipal water mains and is highly dependent on
alternative water sources.
Fire
Chief
Dickie Howard said, “The 3000 gallon tanker is available to
responded to any area of the county but was strategically
located in an area with the greatest need for alternative water,
not only in the Station 7 area, but also in surrounding
districts, there are no hydrants located on the Highway 75
corridor above Robertstown throughout the National Forest.”
The
White County Fire Department budget is maintained exclusively
with funds from the Insurance Premium Tax which are refunded
from the Georgia State Fire Marshall’s Office.
The department saved money over the past few years and
this purchase is another example of good budgeting and smart
spending by fire department staff members.
Health
Department Inspection Scores Released
(4/8/08)
(
Cleveland
)- Inspections scores for Food Service and Tourist Accommodation
inspected by the White County Health Department between March 19th
and April 2nd have
been released.
FOOD
SERVICE inspected and their scores:
White
County
Intermediate
School
: 99
Mt.
Yonah
Elementary School
: 100
Wendy’s
of Helen: 95
Smith’s
Soda Shop: 100
Mossy
Creek Smokehouse Grill: 100
Burger
King: 99
DJ’S
Diner at
Mountain
Lakes
: 93
Truett
McConnell
College
: 98
The
Watering Hole: 96
Full
Circle Café: 100
Huddle
House (Cleveland): 98
TOURIST
ACCOMMODATIONS inspected and scores:
Helendorf
River Inn & Towers: 97
Kemple’s
Cabins: 100
Ramada
Limited: 95
To
register a complaint against a food service establishment,
contact the White County Environmental Health Office at (706)
348-7698.
W.C.
Fire Conducts Pre-Fire Plan At Mossy Creek Elementary
(
4/8/08) 
(
Cleveland
)-On Thursday, April 3rd, members of the White County
Fire Department – Mossy Creek Station four, conducted a
Pre-Fire Plan at
White
County
’s newest school – Mossy Creek Elementary located on
Westmoreland Road
and Highway 129 South in
Cleveland
.
Captain
Jimmy Motes, Lieutenants Shannon Daves and Robbie Burke along
with members of Station 4 and Station 5 completed a thorough
walk through of the school. Firefighter Ken Loggins
recorded the many corridors, electrical systems, emergency power
shut offs.
White
County Fire Department Public Information officer Ana Newberry
says, Pre fire plans are conducted by the White County Fire
Department to identify both graphically and through text the
important hazards and safety equipment in each area of the
school, along with cautions and procedures for certain fire
fighting functions.
According
to Newberry, they are used as reference documents for emergency
responders during a fire scenario and as training documents to
familiarize all personnel with plant configuration and hazards.
Labor
Department To Assist Laid-Off Mohawk Workers in Dahlonega
(
4/8/08)
(
Atlanta
)- The Georgia Department of Labor say they will provide assistance to employees
who are expected to lose their jobs at Mohawk Industries in Dahlonega.
Officials
of Mohawk notified the labor department that the company plans to close its
manufacturing facility in Dahlonega in June, affecting 366 workers.
The company produces filament carpet yarn.
Labor
Commissioner Michael Thurmond said the closing will create a difficult situation
for the workers and the community.
According
to Thurmond, the labor department’s rapid response unit will work with company
management and others to discuss a wide range of transitional services available
to laid-off workers.
Cleveland
Man Wins One Million Dollars
( 4/4/08)
(
Gainesville
)- A
Cleveland
man is expected to receive a check from the Georgia Lottery
Friday afternoon after winning the $1-million dollar prize in
the lottery’s Millionaire Mania.
Georgia
Lottery officials would only say the person was an auto parts
salesman from
Cleveland
and that the ticket was purchased at Little Giant Grocery in
Gainesville
.
Auto
Fire West Of Cleveland ( 4/4/08)
(
Cleveland
)-
White
County
fire fighters were dispatched to a fire west of
Cleveland
Thursday afternoon around 5:00 PM. Fire department spokeswoman Ana Newberry
said, “ Upon arrival, fire units had an older model Nissan Sentra that was
fully involved in a ditch close to what appeared to be a burn pit.
The
burn pit was smoking but it is unknown why the burn pit was
slightly smoldering and the vehicle in flames”. The fire
was next to Affordable Auto and a spokesman said, the car was
scrap and he was not even aware it was on fire.
The
call came into the 911 Center from third
party. Newberry said
fire units quickly extinguished the burning vehicle. The scene
was cleared of fire dept personnel at 5:34pm.
Cleveland
Native Looking For Great Success With First Book
( 4/4/08)
(Cleveland
)- A northeast
Georgia
author is hoping her first book will be just the beginning of many more and
a way to express her passion to write.
Marcie Caudell now lives in Alto, but was born and grew up in
Cleveland
. Her first book “ Tears to
Dublin
, the Erin Chronicles ”
is the first of a series of Irish
Historical Fiction.
Caudell
said she got her inspiration for history and to write while in school here.
Caudell
gives lots of credit to her 8th Grade History teacher Mrs. Betty Highsmith.
She has written several short stories and lots of poetry, but this first
book is a true expression of her love for history and she says it is
multi-emotional book.
Her
friend Wendy Brumbelow
says this book reflects Marcie’s sincere passion for life and what it was like
to lose your parents at a young age and know that you have a profound need to
accomplish great things in life. The book is available through the publisher
Authorhouse and Caudell will be having a book signing at the White County
Library Saturday May 10th.
White County Unemployment Rate Up
(3/27/08)
(Atlanta) –The Georgia
Department of Labor reports White County’s unemployment rate in February was
4-point 6 percent. It was 4-point 2 percent in January.
The labor force in White
County in February was 12,927. Of those, 12,337 were employed while 590 were
unemployed.
The unemployment rate in
Georgia Mountains area rose to 4-point 7 percent in February, up two-tenths of
one percent from the revised 4-point five percent in January.
Sheriff's Office Monthly Report
(3/27/08)
(Cleveland)-The White County
Sheriff’s office has released their activities report for the month of February.
During the month 37 traffic
accidents were investigated, 18 domestic calls were answered, 229 prisoner
transports were made. Officers made 139 traffic stops and handed out 44 citation
during the month.
The investigative division had
one death investigation, one identity fraud, one child abuse and one sex offense
case along with four burglaries.
Officers spent 241 hours in
court and 84 hours in training.
MONTH OF FEB 2008
|
MONTH |
|
UNIFORM PATROL |
MONTH |
|
INVESTIGATIONS |
|
2 |
|
01 D.U.I. |
1 |
|
01 DEATH
INVESTIGATION |
|
1 |
|
02 FELONY ARREST |
0 |
|
02 ASSAULT/BATTERY |
|
7 |
|
03 MIS. ARREST |
0 |
|
03 FORGERY |
|
37 |
|
04 ACCIDENT REPORT |
1 |
|
04 IDENTITY FRAUD |
|
172 |
|
05 ARREST WARRANT |
0 |
|
05 CREDIT CARD FRAUD |
|
18 |
|
06 DOMESTIC CALL |
1 |
|
06 PERSONS (OTHER) |
|
229 |
|
07 PRISONER
TRANSPORT |
0 |
|
07 RAPE |
|
6 |
|
08 10-13 TRANSPORT |
0 |
|
08 CHILD MOLESTATION |
|
177 |
|
09 CIVIL PAPER
SERVED |
1 |
|
09 CHILD ABUSE |
|
20 |
|
10 WRITS SERVED |
0 |
|
10 FAMILY VIOLENCE |
|
40 |
|
11 SUBPOENAS SERVED |
1 |
|
11 SEX OFFENSES
(OTHER) |
|
9 |
|
12 TRAFFIC ARREST |
4 |
|
12 BURGLARY |
|
139 |
|
13 TRAFFIC STOPS |
8 |
|
13 THEFT (OVER $200) |
|
44 |
|
14 CITATIONS ISSUED |
2 |
|
14 THEFT (UNDER
$200) |
|
150 |
|
15 NO# OF REPORTS |
0 |
|
15 CRIM.
DAMAGE/TRESPASS |
|
229 |
|
16 NO# OF MISC.
REPORTS |
0 |
|
16 ROBBERY |
|
53 |
|
17 NO# OF ALARM
CALLS |
0 |
|
17 ARSON |
|
533 |
|
18 NO# OF CALLS |
0 |
|
18 THEFT (OTHER) |
|
5 |
