Cleveland Residents Arrested in Drug Bust
News February 18, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Following a two months long investigation, the White County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) arrested Cleveland residents Margarita Delagado, 32, and Martin Kyler Ferguson, 21, Friday and charged them with distribution of methamphetamine.
Delgado was arrested by White County deputies early Friday morning as she was leaving a local bar. Deputies found 4 grams of methamphetamine packaged for distribution. The arrest followed a tip from citizens who complained that Delgado was selling methamphetamine from her places of business, a White County bar and restaurant.
ARDEO’s surveillance of Delgado confirmed the citizens’ suspicion. The street value of Delgado’s narcotics is $440.
White County authorities executed a search warrant at Ferguson’s residence, 60 Ash Street, in Cleveland where he was allegedly selling methamphetamine and marijuana. A small quantity of marijuana and methamphetamine was discovered during the search. The street value of Ferguson’s narcotics is $100.
Ferguson faces an additional charge of possession of marijuana.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity at 706-348-7410 or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White, Lumpkin, Towns, Banks, Habersham, Stephens and Rabun counties.
Cleveland Traffic Stop Leads to Meth Bust
News August 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Cleveland Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Office and Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office scored a significant drug bust last week.
It started with a traffic stop that led to the arrest of Bobby Joe Mullinax Jr., 39 of Cleveland and the seizure of one pound of methamphetamine and $1,700 in cash.
The following day, ARDEO agents, along with deputies with White County and Lumpkin County executed a search warrant at Keith and Bradley Talley’s residence, 794 Stanley Nix Road in Cleveland, during which they confiscated more than $51,000 in illicit drugs, including 460 grams of meth, 30 Methline pills and a quantity of hydrocodone pills. 
Mullinax is charged with trafficking in methamphetamine. Patrick Keith Talley is charged with trafficking in meth, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute.
Bradley Talley is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of schedule II with intent to distribute.
Patrick Keith Talley was charged with trafficking in meth, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of meth with intent to distribute, and possession of Schedule II with intent to distribute.
The three men were transported to the White County Detention Center.
For additional information about ARDEO or to provide tips on criminal activity look for ARDEO@appalachiandtf on twitter or follow on facebook@appalachianrdeo and/or Instagram or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County, Franklin County, the Cleveland Police Department, and the Lavonia Police Department, along with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Second Public Hearing on School Budget is Set for Thursday
News June 27, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Education will hold the second public hearing on the fiscal year 2018 budget Thursday at 6 p.m.
School officials say they are facing a budget shortfall of $145,515, but that amount can be made up out of the fund balance and no millage increase is expected.
However, the final tax digest numbers from the tax commissioner’s office will not be available until July so school officials have not been able to calculate whether there will be a rollback millage rate. If the school system or county is not willing to rollback the millage rate to be consistent with what the tax commissioner has calculated, it would be deemed a tax increase for the system. A notice of property tax increase would have to be advertised and two more public hearings held.
Board members will also discuss renewal of an agreement with the City of Cleveland and White County Sheriff’s Office to provide school resource officers (SRO) at schools.
Also on the agenda will be a discussion of furlough days to be observed and five-year facilities plan.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com
Cleveland Man Charged With Battery, Cruelty to Children
News March 22, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Gary Allen Colwell, 30 of Cleveland, last week following a domestic dispute with his mother, Jeraldine Robinson, at 2995 Ga. Hwy 75 South in Cleveland.
Robinson told deputies her son didn’t have a place to stay so she allowed him to stay at her home but noticed him acting strange and speaking out of his head. When she heard a loud, crashing noise and found him throwing a picture frame into her 11-year-old daughter’s bedroom, she alleges she told him to stop and he grabbed the back of her head and head butted her before she called 9-1-1.
Colwell was arrested and taken to the White County Detention Center where he is charged with battery, cruelty to children and criminal trespass. He is being held in the White County Detention Center with bond set at $11,000.
White County Sheriff’s Office Releases Sketch of Robbery, Shooting Suspect
News March 2, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Sheriff’s Office has released a sketch of the suspect in Monday’s robbery and shooting at Woodlawn Gardens and Farm.
Sheriff Neal Walden said a white male believed to be about 40-50 years old, approximately 5’8″ tall, weighing 150 pounds with a tattoo on the left side of his face attempted to rob Tim Motes who was cleaning the restaurant at the time. When Motes said he didn’t have any money, the suspect shot him in the stomach.
Motes was transported by White County EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where his injury is believed to be non life-threatening.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call White County Sheriff’s Office at 706-865-5177.
Search Continues for Suspect Who Robbed Woodlawn Gardens and Farms and Shot Worker
News February 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The search continued Tuesday afternoon for a lone gunman who shot a worker at Woodlawn Gardens and Farms during an attempted robbery around 10:30 p.m. Monday.
White County Chief Deputy Bob Ingram said authorities from the White County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and Alto K-9 unit combed the area last night and throughout the day today but have not located the suspect.
Sheriff Neal Walden reported that a white male with a tattoo on the left side of his face walked up to the drive-in window at the restaurant and demanded money from Tim Motes, who was cleaning the restaurant at the time. When Motes said he didn’t have any money, he was shot in the stomach.
Motes was transported by White County EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville where his injury is believed to be non life-threatening.
Fetch Your News will continue to follow this story and present more details as they become available.
Missing White County Man Found Safe in Homeless Shelter in Hall County
News June 12, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. – A White County man missing since May 22 has been located at a homeless shelter in Gainesville.
Sheriff Neal Walden said 30-year-old Jonathan Keith Robbins was safe and that he had been working at the shelter.
On May 31, the White County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release asking for the public’s help in locating Robbins and received a tip last Friday that Robbins was at the homeless shelter and had been there the whole time he had been reported missing.
White, Lumpkin County Authorities Search for Robbery Suspect Who Shot a Man Monday
News February 28, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and a K-9 unit from Alto are searching this morning for a suspect who robbed Woodlawn Gardens and Farms at 3778 Hwy. 254 in White County at about 10:30 p.m. Monday and shot an unidentified male.
White County Sheriff Neal Walden said the suspect is a white male with a tattoo on the left side of his face who was wearing a hoodie at the time of the robbery.
Walden said the victim was transported by White County EMS to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.
Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.
White County Man Charged After Domestic Dispute
News February 7, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 25-year-old Anthony Dakota Meeks Saturday evening and charged him with Cruelty to Children, Simple Battery-Family Violence and Criminal Trespass.
Melanie Head, 26, of 1217 Black Road in White County went the Sheriff’s Office to report that she and Meeks live together and became involved in an argument and that she threatened to call the police. According to the incident report, Head said he told her, “I will kill you if you call 9-1-1 and I’m not afraid to put my hands on you.”
Head alleges that Meeks then grabbed her left arm and twisted it and took her cell phone and threw it, breaking the screen. According to the report, Head’s left arm was red and slightly bruised. Head further stated the incident took place of her two children, ages 3 and 7.
Deputies obtained an arrest warrant and went to the Black Road residence where they confronted Meeks who admitted the two had been involved in an argument but that it was strictly verbal and that was no physical contact between them. He said Head had broken the phone herself.
Meeks was then arrested and transported to the White County Adult Detention Center.
Fire Marshal Confirms Gas Leak Caused Fatal Explosion
News February 7, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Georgia Fire Marshall Public Information Officer Glen Allen confirmed Monday that a propane gas leak caused the explosion at 64 Rhododendron Lane in White County that killed one person, completely destroyed one home and damages several others.
Allen said the owner of the home is John Edgar Boyes but he added the identity of the male victim could not be released pending an autopsy. No other injuries were reported.
“We do know it was a propane gas leak but we have not determined at this time what caused the leak,” Allen said.
Rhododendron Lane is located in Mt. Yonah Scenic Estates in White County.
Units from the White County Fire Department, Helen Fire Department, White County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Forestry Service all responded.
White County Man Charged With Aggravated Assault
News January 10, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County deputies arrested Cale Lee Abernathy, 32, of Helen Sunday and charged him with aggravated assault, battery and cruelty to children following a domestic dispute at his residence at 316 Caffus Abernathy Road.
Abernathy’s wife Carie, 39, said the couple argued over his friend coming to spend the night. She alleges that he ordered her to make the bed for his friend and when she refused, he grabbed her by the throat, threw her on the bed and struck her several times in the face in the presence of their 8-year-old daughter.
She further alleges that she scratched him in the face in an effort to get away to call 911. When the friend arrived, he pulled her husband off her and walked him outside just as White County deputies arrived.
The deputy noticed she had sustained injuries to her head, lip, eye and arm and he took photos of her injuries, arrested Abernathy and transported him to the White County Detention Center.
Bond was set at $1,000 on the aggravated assault charge, $5,000 on the battery charge and $1,000 on the cruelty to children in the third degree charge. He has since bonded out.
Board Approves Nearly $1 Million in SPLOST-Funded Road Projects
News January 10, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Meeting for the first time in the new year, White County commissioners addressed a variety of issues, including 2017 road projects, pay raises for Sheriff’s Office personnel and amendments to the county’s land use plan Tuesday.
The Board approved $944,889.20 to improve White County Roads, the largest and most expensive of which is a 1.3 mile section of Mauldin Road at a cost of $345,886, followed by a .72 mile section of Arthur Allen at a cost of $166,436.40. All projects will be funded by the 2014 voter-approved special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST).Other roads approved for prep work and paving include Danny Palmer, Bear Creek and Steve Lewis.
Huntington Road, Hannah Brook Lane, Heather Way and Mountain Meadows were approved for patching and resurfacing. A proposal on Stanley Nix and Sam Craven was tabled until March 2017 for prep work in 2017 and paving in 2018.
Commissioners also unanimously approved an amendment to budget line items relating to compensation for White County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center personnel in the amount of $27, 724 ( in addition to the $103,000 approved in 12/13/16.
During a public hearing, there was no opposition to an amendment to the land use ordinance that establishes a one-acre minimum lot size for all development within the single family residential district (R-1) in the unincorporated area of the county. Commissioners unanimously approved the amendment.
The Reverend Nathan Morgan was granted a conditional use permit to build a parsonage on his property at 176 Mountain Scenic Drive in Cleveland and, after a public hearing in which no one spoke on opposition, commissioners approved a request by Juliet Reeves for abandonment of a portion of Stover Road.
The Board gave special recognition to the White County Sheriff’s Office for achieving Georgia State Law Enforcement Recertification.
Commissioners also approved:
A request by Shirley Wan to redistrict her property at 5642 Hwy. 115 West in Cleveland from R-1 to C-2;
A request by Rev. Nathan Morgan to approve a conditional use permit to place a parsonage on his property at 176 Mount Scenic Drive in Cleveland in a C-2 district;
Adopt a resolution to to execute the contract for the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Recreation Trails Grant for Phase II at Yonah Preserve in the amount of $100,000 and
The Appointment of Commissioner Craig Bryant to serve another term as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners.
Commissioners Host Public Hearing on 1-Acre Lot Size Minimum
News January 8, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The public is invited to provide input during a public hearing to establish a one-acre minimum lot size for all development within single-family residential district in unincorporated White County when the Board of Commissioners meet Monday at 4:30 p.m. in the meeting room at 1235 Helen Highway.
Commissioners will also hold a public hearing to consider a resolution for the abandoment of a section of Stover Road requested by Mr. Juliet Reeves, who owns property along both sides of that section.
Kevin Hamy of Hamby Management will present an SPLOST update and the county will recognize the White County Sheriff’s Office for obtaining its Georgia Law Enforcement Recertification.
Commissioners will also consider approval of a land use application filed by Nathan Morgan for a conditional use permit in order to construct a single-family dwelling on 1,875 acres located at 176 Mount Scenic Drive in Cleveland.
The Board is also expected to consider:
The application of Ms. Shirley Wan for redistricting of property located at 5642 Hwy. 115 Westfrom R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-2 (Highway Business District);
Bids received for 2017 road projects;
Adoption of a resolution to execute the contract for the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Recreation Trails Grant for Phase II at Yonah Preserve;
A FY 2017 budget amanement for the payroll related to budget line items associated with the compensation increase for White County Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center Personnel in the amouunt of $27,724.00 and
The appointment of a vice-chairman for the Board of Commissioners.
Cleveland Couple Charged With ID Fraud, Theft
News January 11, 2017
CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested 24-year-old Jon R. Marshall and Carrie Tumlin, 19, and charged them with several counts of theft by taking, forgery and identity theft fraud in connection with an incident at 20 Kelley Road in Cleveland.
According to the arrest report, Tumlin’s grandmother, Nancy Green, said the couple had been staying at her home on Kelly Road since the end of September and allegedly stole cash, checkbooks, jewelry, syringes, a morphine drip and an assortment of power tools from her home.
The couple was arrested and transported to White County Detention Center in Cleveland.
Bond was set at $12,000 for Marshall and $7,000 for Tumlin.
Motorcycle Crash Injures One on Hwy. 75
News October 20, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — William Anthony Schoenbrun, 29, sustained undisclosed, but non-life threatening injuries when he wrecked his 2015 Suzuki GSXR60 motorcycle Wednesday night on Helen Hwy. (Hwy. 75) near the intersection of Windy Acres in Cleveland.
According to a White County Sheriff’s Office report Scoenbrun’s motorcycle was weaving when it passed a stationary radar near the intersection of Highways 75 and 17. A deputy began to follow the motorcycle when he noticed it began to weave as it crossed the bridge.
The report further states that Schoenbrun attempted to pass a car at Hwy. 384 and accelerated in the passing lane and that is when the deputy activated his emergency blue lights and siren.
As it entered a curve near Windy Acres, the motorcycle began to slide on the asphalt near Yonah Pizza and Subs. The deputy said when he went to aid Schoenbrun, he noticed the strong smell of alcohol and asked if he had been drinking and he said yes.
The investigation was turned over the Georgia State Patrol. A GSP spokesman said Thursday afternoon that charges are pending.
Five People Arrested in Cleveland Drug Bust
News September 27, 2016
CLEVELAND, Ga. — Agents from the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, White County Sheriff’s Office and Cleveland Police arrested five people during a drug bust in Cleveland last week and seized 17 grams of methamphetamine valued at $1,900.
White County authorities received information that Justin Allen Boles, age 22, of Cleveland had methamphetamine in his car. Sheriff’s Deputies found Boles at the Dollar General Store.
A search of Boles’ car produced approximately 6 grams of methamphetamine. As White County authorities were searching for Boles, they received information that 40-year old Jimmy Adams, of Cleveland was also transporting methamphetamine in his car.
Cleveland Police Officers conducted a traffic stop on Adams and located approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine. A 3-year old juvenile was found in Adam’s car along with 36-year old David Peck, of Cleveland.
White County Authorities asked the juvenile’s mother to meet at the police department. 28-year old Barbara Jane Parham, of Helen, brought the mother to the police department and methamphetamine was found in her car.
The juvenile was placed into the custody of DFCS. The investigation concerning the juvenile continues.
During the Adams’ investigation, White County authorities learned the location of 35-year old Julie Harris, who had outstanding warrants for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act. Harris was arrested at 211 Cameron Point.
Boles, Adams, Peck, and Parham were arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. These four along with Harris were transported to the White County Detention Center.