Sports Editor Oddities... Ask Lula Belle... Doug Stutsman... Mountain Life A look at the Words hurt worse SEC in 2013 than anything Sports Page 6C VOL.W 45 NO. 34 • CLEVELAND, GA • 75¢ C NWHITECOUNTYNEWS.NET Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 Demand for gun permits skyrockets County issues more concealed-carry licenses after Connecticut school shooting by Debbie Gilbert elementary school in Newtown, White County Probate Judge that may put limits on gun owner- “We normally average about White County News Conn. Because most of the victims Garrison Baker said these con- ship, and when there’s a terrible 450 permits a year, but because were fi rst-graders, the massacre cerns led more people to ask for a tragedy that makes people feel of the uptick in December, we In mid-December, White Coun- left many Americans numb with “concealed carry” license. unsafe. With Newtown, you had fi nished 2012 with 472 permits is- ty Probate Court was suddenly grief and shock. “I would say demand has at both of those factors.” sued,” he said. “If this rate contin- inundated with requests to apply Almost immediately, some least quadrupled since the New- Baker said his offi ce has been ues, I could see the total doubling for concealed-weapon permits. politicians began calling for town shooting,” he said. issuing eight to 10 permits per day by the end of 2013.” This did not come as a surprise. tighter gun-control laws, which “There are two situations where since the Connecticut shooting, After previous mass shootings On Dec. 14, a gunman killed made gun owners worry that their we see a spike in applications: and 14 permits were given out on 20 children and six adults at an rights might be infringed upon. when there’s talk of legislation Dec. 31. See GUN PERMITS Page 8A BlackStock vineyards, wineryby Linda Erbele closes White County News BlackStock Vineyards and Winery, located on Town Creek Road in White County, is closing its doors. “In the end, we have suffered from re- peated crop losses due to the exceptionally warm winters and the early bud-break dates,” David Harris said in e-mail sent to customers last week. “This has resulted in normal frost dates having a devastating effect to our crop. We have also felt the sting from selling fruit in a soft economy and the importation of grapes and wine into Georgia wineries, eroding our market when the crop was plentiful.” Harris, who selected the vineyard site on Town Creek Road in western White County and then supervised the planting of the fi rst vines in 1997, wrote: “I had a wonderful dream and lived it for 17 years... I am just sorry we couldn’t make it sustainable.” “In many ways, our fate was sealed on April 12, (2012),” he wrote. That was the day of the heavy frost that wiped out a substantial amount of his fall harvest. From the beginning, the vineyards and winery at BlackStock have been managed by a partnership, which now hopes to sell the property. “The partners have voted to dissolve the partnership,” Trish Harris-Fussell, a partner in David Harris at his winery with vineyard in the distance, in an earlier time. (Photo/Billy Chism) See BLACKSTOCK VINEYARDS Page 8A Helen’s new mayor ready by Linda Erbele Regional toWhite County work News The Helen City Commission elected Lynn Whitener as mayor and Jeff Ash mayor pro tem at bridal event its fi rst meeting of the year Jan. 2. Helen’s new mayor is extremely proud of the returns this city, yet he is committed to learning what works in other tourist towns to help improve Helen. “We are a world-class city,” said Whitener. “The Saturday area itself is beautiful – the river, the mountain and the state parks. We have it all.” 2013 Northeast However, Whitener said many other towns have Georgia Bridal turned to tourism as an industry. “As competition increases, we have to become magazine debuts better,” he said. “We can capitalize on the services The premier Northeast Georgia that Helen has to offer, its motels, its eating places, bridal show, Weddings Unveiled, but we still need to accommodate our tourists by offers a unique chance to view giving them places to walk, visit and stroll.” what’s available to anyone plan- He is pleased with the upcoming remodeling ning a wedding in 2013. of the restrooms on River Street, and believes that The interactive bridal event will other buildings will need a facelift. Coming to an be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat- agreement with business and building owners as to urday, Jan. 12, at The Community the responsibility for those changes is a challenge, House in Cornelia. but one he believes needs to be met. “This year’s event is shaping up “It’s a two-way street,” Whitener said. “We all to be even better than last year,” have to do our job, including the city.” said Alan NeSmith, Northeast Waikiki, Hawaii, is one of Whitener’s favorite Georgia regional publisher of places to visit. Lynn Whitener smiles after the city commission elected him mayor of Helen. Former See BRIDAL Page 8A See LYNN WHITENER Page 8A mayor Helen Wilkins, left, offers congratulations. (Photo/Linda Erbele) INDEX 3 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES DEATHS WEATHER Blotter ...............................2A Sports ............................1-5B Amerest Gerrell, 85 Editorial .......................4-6A Legals ............................6-8B Hazel Hogan, 88 Weekend Deaths ..............................7A Arts, Music ...................2-3C Edith Ledford, 84 Outlook Calendar ........................11A TV .........................................8C Bonita Molton, 47 Thursday - Showers; 48°F/30°F Church ............................12A Classi eds ................. 9-10C Thomas Smith, 49 Friday - Cloudy; 48°F/30°F Janie Testerman, 85 Saturday - Sunny; 50°F/30°F SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Ronnie Wheeler, 64 Sunday - Sunny; 54°F/33°F ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Rainfall as of 1-7-2013 ■ White, Habersham, Lumpkin and E-edition $27 2013 YTD: 1.08” ■ Other Ga. counties $37 ■ Out-of-state $47 Normal YTD: 1.56” Page 2A W C N Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 Arrests How to The following is a list of not in original container vehicle without current tag 17, Cleveland, restriction on 40, Cleveland, theft by de- names most recently entered • Jesse Rowland En- • David Austin White, use of blue lights, posses- ception, drugs not in origi- reach us in the jail book at the White reque, 30, Cleveland, no 20, Cleveland, prescrip- sion of less than 1 ounce nal container, forgery in fi rst Main Line: 706-865-4718 County Sheriff’s Offi ce. proof of insurance tion drugs not in original marijuana degree, criminal trespass, Fax: 706-865-3048 Arrests were made by the • Jonathan Levon Papa- container, possession of • Christopher Mason possession of controlled Mail: 13 E. Jarrard St. White County Sheriff’s Of- zian, 26, Acworth, DUI marijuana with intent to Cornelius, 26, Cleveland, substance (Cleveland Police Cleveland, GA 30528 fi ce unless otherwise noted distribute failure to stop at stop sign, Department) after the offense. Jan. 2 • Alex Dean Johnson, DUI, possession of schedule • Joey Lynn Patton Jr., www.whitecountynews.net Ages and towns are listed • Lila Anne Weaver, 44, 22, Cleveland, possession 3 controlled substances, 18, Gillsville, hold for Bibb Gainesville, deposit account of marijuana with intent to drugs not in original con- County (CPD) Corrections: It is our as they appear in the jail tainer (HPD) policy to correct all errors book. fraud distribute, bond surrender • Alexander Thomas of fact that appear in our Offenses listed are • Michael Defae Cragg, • Lanora Ashley Lever- Hamilton, 23, homeless, news stories. If you are charges only. All listed are 29, Cleveland, probation Jan. 4 ette, 21, Cleveland, posses- theft by taking aware of an error contact innocent until proven guilty. violation • Kristen Rena Griffi n, sion of a schedule II drug • Neil Roger Walker, 48, us at 706-865-4718. • Ranzie Chris Irvin, 30, 22, Clarkesville, two counts • Jacob Tyler Leverette, Atlanta, DUI Jan. 1 Cleveland, theft by taking, fi nancial transaction card 21, Cleveland, possession of • Roy Anthony Foster, two bench warrants, bond fraud a schedule II drug, obstruc- Jan. 7 NEWSROOM 27, Helen, public drunken- surrender • Christopher Terry tion, expired registration, • Joshua Vonquiel Ander- ness (Helen Police Depart- • Carrie Lynn McDonald, Lewis, 31, Cleveland, hold driving while license sus- son, 29, Cleveland, proba- Editor/ ment) 35, Cleveland, probation for Jackson County pended tion violation violation • Steven Locke Sheffi eld, • Travis Todd Notting- Publisher • Ryan Montane, 34, • Tammie Lou Wilson, • Angela Joy Stancil, 38, 25, Cleveland, time to serve ham, 28, Cleveland, tinted 42, Cleveland, contributing Billy Chism Helen, hold for Commerce (HPD) Dahlonega, time to serve • Destini Marie Dean, 21, windows, standards for to delinquency of minor, • Songja Moon St. Pierre, Dahlonega, time to serve brake lights, open container, violation of compulsory 33, Gulfport, Miss., DUI Jan. 3 • Robert Joseph Perry, possession of less than 1 attendance • Lauren Michelle • Roberto Andres Jose, 23, Dawsonville, hold for ounce marijuana 29, Cleveland, driving with- Hall County • Jordan Keegan Blake, Jan. 8 [email protected] Wright, 25, Bethlehem, DUI • Mindy Julianna Hartley, out a license • Aaron Bently Dunagan, 17, Cleveland, speeding, • William Thomas Stepp, 21, Newnan, obstruction • Lamar Hollis Moulder, 31, homeless, hold for Hall reckless driving 19, Cleveland, driving with- • Sidney Charles Ferrell, 60, Clarkesville, speeding, County out a license Reporter 59, Cleveland, speeding, DUI, (HPD) • Tracy Joan Mann, 47, Jan. 6 • Lanora Ashley Dolder, Linda failure to change address, • Joseph Frederick Llo- Murrayville, time to serve • Elizabeth Michelle 21, probation violation Erbele DUI, possession of a con- rens, 40, Cleveland, driving Wade, 26, Helen, criminal trolled substance and pills while unlicensed, no proof Jan.