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On a stretch of White Sulphur Road that once carried mostly local traffic, something much bigger is now taking shape. After nearly nine years of planning, the Gainesville Inland Port is officially open— positioning Northeast Georgia as a more direct player in global trade. Developed by the Georgia Ports Authority, the facility creates a powerful new link between Gainesville and the Port of Savannah—not by highway, but by rail. Containers that once relied on long, continuous t

By: Nora Almazan There are some days you don’t just attend—you feel them. Saturday in Lula was one of those days. It began with a soft rain, the kind that might have sent people home on any other occasion -but not this time. It was Lula’s 150th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Railroad Days. People came despite potential rain —umbrellas in hand, smiles on their faces, stories in their hearts. I stood there among them, feeling something bigger than a celebration - the bea

In today’s digital world, data centers are as essential as roads and power lines—yet most people never see them or think about them. Operating behind the scenes, these facilities power nearly every aspect of modern life, from banking and healthcare to entertainment and communication. What Is a Data Center? A data center is a secure facility that houses powerful computers—called servers—along with the equipment needed to store, process, and distribute data. Every time someone

White County Board of Commissioners Chairman Travis Turner has been selected to serve in two key statewide leadership roles with the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), further strengthening White County’s voice at the state level. Turner will serve as the District 2 Representative on the 2026–2027 ACCG Board of Managers and as a member of the ACCG Executive Committee. He was recently sworn in by State Representative Chas Cannon during the Installation and Awa

Jerry Neace, Interim City Manager for Lula By: Nora Almazan The City of Lula is preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone—150 years of railroad heritage—alongside its beloved 50th Annual Railroad Days Festival, a tradition that continues to unite the community year after year. What began as a small railroad town in 1876 has grown into a close-knit city deeply rooted in the rails that shaped its identity. That legacy remains at the heart of Lula’s story, and this year’s ce

WCHM talked with Don Strength from Dr. Don’s Weather Page. This week’s rain is certainly welcome across Georgia—but it’s important to understand what it can and cannot do. Right now, 100% of the state is in drought. More than 98% of Georgia is experiencing Severe Drought or worse, and nearly three-quarters of the state has reached Extreme to Exceptional Drought—the highest categories we track. Here in Northeast Georgia, including White and Habersham Counties, we are firmly i

A Taste of Home at Captain D’s in Cornelia By: Nora Almazan Sometimes, eating out isn’t just about the food—it’s about the feeling you get when you walk through the door. That’s exactly what I experienced during a recent visit to Captain D’s , located at 120 Furniture Drive in Cornelia. From the moment I stepped inside, it was clear this wasn’t just another quick stop for lunch. In fact, one of the first things I witnessed set the tone for the entire visit. An elderly gentlem

Emergency crews responded early Tuesday morning to a school bus accident in White County that resulted in minor injuries to several students. According to White County Public Safety officials, the incident occurred at approximately 6:26 a.m. on April 28, 2026, at the intersection of Highway 115 West and Highway 284. White County 911 began receiving reports of a motor vehicle accident involving a school bus. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the White County

By: Nora Almazan After several years of inactivity, the Atlanta Dragway in Commerce is set to roar back to life this fall. The historic racing venue is scheduled to officially reopen in October 2026, highlighted by the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series World Finals taking place October 22–24, 2026. The Atlanta Dragway originally opened in 1976, built on land intended for an airport. It came to represent the heart of American motorsports. In 2021, it closed, taking with it many memorie

Early voting has started across Georgia ahead of the upcoming election, giving residents the opportunity to cast their ballots before Election Day. In Georgia, early voting—also called advanced voting—allows registered voters to vote in person prior to Election Day, helping reduce wait times and offering more flexibility for busy schedules. Early voting typically takes place on weekdays, with an additional two Saturdays. For the 2026 primary election, early voting runs from A

The White County Board of Commissioners, in partnership with the White County Office of Public Safety, will host a grand opening ceremony for the new White County Fire Station 9 on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Located on Sonnys Circle off Duncan Bridge Road in the Mount Yonah community, the new station marks a significant investment in public safety for one of the county’s fastest-growing areas. Fire Station 9 was fully funded through White County’s Special Purpose

By: Nora Almazan Cinco de Mayo, often mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, is actually a celebration rooted in a specific and remarkable moment in history. Observed each year on May 5th, the holiday commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. At the time, Mexico was struggling financially and had suspended payments on foreign debts. In response, several European countries—including France—sent forces to demand repaym

The Banks County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to remain alert after receiving reports of individuals going door-to-door claiming to sell services or represent companies, some of which may not be legitimate. According to officials, these individuals have approached homes offering services such as pest control and other home-related work. Authorities caution that not all of these solicitors are properly licensed or authorized, raising concerns about potential scams targ

By: Brian Wellmeier Photo: Town Hall Meeting/Brian Wellmeier New rules for countywide development were considered by the Habersham community after more than 100 residents packed Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center on Monday, April 13. During Monday's town hall, county officials said revisions had already been made to the current draft of the Unified Development Ordinance. Planning and Zoning Director Mike Beecham said the section addressing derelict vehicles had been removed fro

By: Nora Almazan Photo: American author, poet, and former professional football player, Malcolm Mitchell celebrated reading with students at One Book Habersham Habersham County students recently had the opportunity to celebrate reading and literacy through the annual One Book Habersham event, which this year featured the inspiring children’s book The Magician’s Hat by former professional football player and author Malcolm Mitchell. Mitchell played as a wide receiver The Un

By: Brian Wellmeier A suspect was shot and killed Wednesday after opening fire on deputies during a pursuit along Interstate 85, according to the Banks County Sheriff’s Office. Police say the incident occurred April 8 near the 150-mile marker on I-85. Deputies were responding to a BOLO issued out of Jackson County in connection with a reported road rage incident when they located the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Authorities said the driver refused to stop, le

By: Nora Almazan Families filled the halls of Hazel Grove Elementary School (HGES) Monday evening, April 7, as the school hosted a special Arts & Academics Night, celebrating the creativity and imagination of its students. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., students, teachers, parents and grandparents had the opportunity to walk through the school and view artwork created by students across multiple grade levels. The event transformed the school into a vibrant gallery, with colorful pain

By: Brian Wellmeier As the May primary approaches, two Republican candidates have qualified for the District 2 seat on the Habersham County Commission. Former commissioner Andrea Harper will face local business owner Shelley Tullis in the May 19 primary. The winner will advance to the Nov. 3 general election, as current Commissioner Dustin Mealor’s term expires Dec. 31. The candidate elected in November will be sworn in in January. WCHM Radio spoke with both candidates. They

Clarkesville residents and visitors alike will once again have the opportunity to enjoy fresh local food, handmade goods, and community fellowship when the Clarkesville Growers & Makers Farmers Market returns this spring. Beginning in May, the market will be held every Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in downtown Clarkesville by the gazebo, offering a vibrant gathering place for farmers, artisans, and shoppers looking to support local businesses. Farmers markets h

The White County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after what appear to be human skeletal remains were discovered in the Bonair area on April 5. According to information released by the White County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call for service earlier in the day. Upon arrival, officers located what are believed to be human skeletal remains. Authorities say the remains have not yet been identified. Due to the nature of the discovery, a significant law enforcement