Monique Souris becomes emotional while looking at a wartime-era photograph from Lorient as Andy Negra holds her hand during their meeting. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Monique Souris becomes emotional while looking at a wartime-era photograph from Lorient as Andy Negra holds her hand during their meeting. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

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WWII veteran, French woman reconnect 80 years after liberation of Lorient

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

By Carly Henderson When 99-year-old Monique Souris walked onto Andy Negra’s front porch last week, the two strangers immediately shared a bond that stretched back more than 80 years. One had helped liberate her hometown during World War II.

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Monique Souris becomes emotional while looking at a wartime-era photograph from Lorient as Andy Negra holds her hand during their meeting. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Monique Souris becomes emotional while looking at a wartime-era photograph from Lorient as Andy Negra holds her hand during their meeting. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

WWII veteran, French woman reconnect 80 years after liberation of Lorient

News Staff
By Carly Henderson When 99-year-old Monique Souris walked onto Andy Negra’s front porch last week, the two strangers immediately shared a bond that stretched back more than 80 years. One had helped liberate her hometown during World War II. The other had spent a lifetime remembering the war…
Madi Coker, left, and Kalynn Watkins are two of the key returning players for the WCHS volleyball team. MARK TURNER/WCN

Madi Coker, left, and Kalynn Watkins are two of the key returning players for the WCHS volleyball team. MARK TURNER/WCN

Lady Warriors gearing up for lots of prep work in July

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by Mark Turner White County NewsOver the past decade, one of the most successful athletic programs at  White County High School has been the Lady Warriors' volleyball team. Lady Warriors have been one of the top Class AAA programs in the state for the past few years, including…
Addy Harris and the WCHS softball team start the 2026 season Aug. 3 against Denmark. MARK TURNER/WCN

Addy Harris and the WCHS softball team start the 2026 season Aug. 3 against Denmark. MARK TURNER/WCN

New region tweaks WCHS schedules

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by Mark TurnerWhite County NewsWith the start of the 2026 fall sports season just over a month away, things are about to get busy at White County High School. Thanks to the Georgia High School Association's bi-annual region realignment system, WCHS is now in Class AAAA for at least the next…
WCHS lineman Josiah Williams works through a drill during a practice last week. MARK TURNER/WCN

WCHS lineman Josiah Williams works through a drill during a practice last week. MARK TURNER/WCN

Warriors back to work next week at Piedmont camp

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by Mark TurnerWhite County NewsFor the past four weeks, the White County Warriors have been spending a lot of time in the weight room and the turf at Warrior Stadium getting ready for the 2026 high school football season.When the team returns to practice next Monday after getting a week off thanks…
Kathy Church of Smithgall Woods State Park talks with children about spiders, snakes and insects during the Cleveland Library’s “Creepy Crawlies” program on June 24. Church shared facts about the critters and answered questions from attendees. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Kathy Church of Smithgall Woods State Park talks with children about spiders, snakes and insects during the Cleveland Library’s “Creepy Crawlies” program on June 24. Church shared facts about the critters and answered questions from attendees. PHOTOS BY CARLY HENDERSON/WCN

Creepy crawlies drop by library

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Melanie Harris

Melanie Harris

GBI promotes Cleveland resident Melanie Harris

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The Georgia Bureau of Investigation promoted Melanie Harris to Criminal Justice Compliance Supervisor in the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC). Harris will continue to conduct audits while overseeing the personnel within the GCIC Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Compliance…
Nick Mitchell, a White County resident and Democratic candidate for Georgia State House District 8, is shown speaking in Rabun County. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Nick Mitchell, a White County resident and Democratic candidate for Georgia State House District 8, is shown speaking in Rabun County. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Democratic candidates, voters can connect at Clarkesville workshop

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North Georgia Headwaters Indivisible (NGHI) will host a July 11 Candidates Strategy Workshop from 10 a.m.-noon in Clarkesville, offering voters direct access to regional Democratic candidates.The workshop will be held at the Habersham County Parks, Recreation and Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin…
This graphic shows where people can park during the Run for Freedom 5K in downtown Cleveland on July 4. An additional map for local America 250 events can be found on page 7A. SUBMITTED GRAPHIC

This graphic shows where people can park during the Run for Freedom 5K in downtown Cleveland on July 4. An additional map for local America 250 events can be found on page 7A. SUBMITTED GRAPHIC

Cleveland streets closed to through traffic during Run for Freedom 5k on July 4

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By Denise Etheridge Residents and visitors can expect temporary road closures in and around Cleveland’s Freedom Park on July 4. The Run for Freedom 5K, part of the Cleveland-White County America 250 celebration, will begin at 8 a.m. at Freedom Park, 66 E. Kytle Street. The race’s…
Sheriff Rick Kelley

Sheriff Rick Kelley

County okays sheriff's vehicle purchases, added cleanup costs from Winter Storm Fern

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By Denise Etheridge The White County Board of Commissioners tended to some housekeeping ahead of the July 4th holiday by reviewing and approving purchase requests during a work session and called meeting on June 29.White County Sheriff Rick Kelley requested the county buy four 2026 Ford…
Whitlock

Whitlock

Erica Whitlock named Tesnatee Gap Elementary School principal

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By Denise Etheridge In a unanimous vote, the White County Board of Education appointed Erica Whitlock as the new principal of Tesnatee Gap Elementary School following an executive session during the board's regular June 25 meeting.Whitlock succeeds Noel Cochran who served as TGAP's principal…
Bill Hager

Bill Hager

The accidental fishing guide

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By Bill Hager On Friday night, I discovered that the plans I had for Saturday morning were not going to work out, so I decided to go fishing instead. It was too late to hitch up with a fishing buddy, and it would be impertinent to ask permission to fish on someone’s private property at such a…

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