No. 9:
Overcrowding at H.B. Williams forces 5th grade to move to White House Middle
Over 160 students that would have attended their final year at H.B. Williams were moved a year early to the newly built White House Middle School due to overcrowding. Student enrollment has almost doubled since the 2000 census and since the new middle school has room to grow, it can temporarily house the students. However, this is not a permanent solution as the middle school population is expected to rise more than 5% each year (See top story #5 for the future solution to the overcrowding problem).

No. 8:
Local resident Eddy Bolton creates interactive childrens’ book
White House resident, singer and songwriter Eddy Bolton created a new line of children’s books that have interactive CDs containing narrations of the books by Bolton and original songs which he also wrote and performed. The series of books called “The Adventures of Bailey and Canteen” were introduced globally at the International Christian Retail Show held in Denver in July. Standard Publishing got behind the concept and has enabled Bolton to truly reach a global audience with a reintroduction of a children’s western theme back into the marketplace.
We will be seeing more of the concept as Standard is preparing the release of two more books, coloring books, games and plush toys to add to the campaign.

No. 7:
YMCA studies White House
Several residents and business people along with the City of White House convinced the YMCA to give the area a look for a future site. An official study was released at the end of November that concluded that White House could easily sustain a YMCA. However, there is still the question of how to raise capital for the initial construction which could cost over $8 million.
A local option sales tax was passed several years ago with the intention of proceeds going to the building of a recreation center. However, the revenue created by the tax is far less than the cost of building and maintaining a proper facility. One way that the city can be involved is the possible use of land purchased (from the tax) at the existing soccer complex for the YMCA. The Leisure Services Board is taking up the issue during their January 4 meeting to decide if and how the city should be involved and may make a recommendation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

No. 6:
John Decker elected Mayor of White House
John Decker won the mayor’s race in November beating out two other candidates, Theresa Lott and Thomas Wright. Decker had been appointed as mayor in September 2005 when Stan McAfee resigned due to health reasons. He had previously held a spot on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for several terms and was Vice-Mayor during McAfee’s term.

No. 5:
Sumner County approves land purchase for new Elementary School
The Sumner County Commission voted in November to appropriate $644,500 for land purchases for new schools. Part of the money went for the purchase of land next to the existing White House Middle School to be used to construct a new elementary school for the White House area. H.B. Williams Elementary is already so overcrowded that they had to move the entire 5th grade into White House Middle after last Christmas break.

No. 4:
J.W. Smart passes away
Sumner County and the City of White House lost a dear friend in August when J.W. Smart passed away. Smart was a civil servant for nearly half a century and had just been re-elected as County Commissioner in September. He was a twenty-year naval veteran who fought during WWII. He had served as Sumner County Commissioner in District 12 for twenty-eight years. He was a staunch supporter of anything White House and was instrumental in the formation of what the city is today.

No. 3:
White House Police uncover marijuana lab
In May, The White House Police Department shut down a marijuana lab on College St. in White House marking what was likely the largest drug bust in the city’s history.
Officers discovered the lab through an anonymous tip and found an elaborate growing system full of cultivation, lighting and watering components. They also found two drying rooms and at least 456 plants.

No. 2:
Heritage football enjoys best year ever

The White House Heritage varsity football program celebrated their best season ever ending with a regular season 7-3 record and earning their first trip to the TSSAA playoffs. Two of their three losses were to top 10 state teams including Jo Byrns (who’s only loss of the season was in the state quarterfinals) and Cascade (who was upset in the first round of play-offs).
Heritage traveled to Collinwood for the first round playoff game in early November and went down to the wire with Trojans, losing in the last seconds of the game, 28-21. With playoff experience and several key returners, Heritage will start the season out as one of the teams to watch in Region 5-A.

No. 1:
Wal-Mart comes to White House

Nobody was allowed to actually say the name before it came down to an April 20 rezoning vote, but negotiations were already under way for Wal-Mart to anchor a shopping complex on the corner of Hwy. 76 and Wilkinson Ln. After the rezoning vote, the property was sold and officially unveiled as a future site for the world’s largest retailer.
The White House Planning Commission approved the site plans for the store in early July and site preparations began. The proposed main building will consist of a 184,212 sq. ft. Wal-mart Supercenter which will be slightly smaller than the Hendersonville store. The current plans show amenities such as a full-line food center, pharmacy (with drive-thru), garden center, tire and lube express, deli, 1-hr. photo and several sub-rental units inside the store.
The initial plans also show a potential of nine outer lots that could consist of other retail or professional spaces up to 24,000 sq. ft. These are designed for small to medium sized retailers or restaurants.
Although Wal-Mart has not officially released a target opening date, some have speculated that the main store should be open in early to mid-summer.