Charles Fleming, a farmer and grade contractor, created Halloween decorations at the front of his farm along Highway 78 on Oct. 2. Plastic pumpkin buckets sit in a manure wagon as “pumpkin people,” a scary clown sits in the driver seat of a 1952 John Deere B model tractor and a witch sits on the exhaust pipe. (Submitted Photo).

Charles Fleming, a farmer and grade contractor, created Halloween decorations at the front of his farm along Highway 78 on Oct. 2. Plastic pumpkin buckets sit in a manure wagon as “pumpkin people,” a scary clown sits in the driver seat of a 1952 John Deere B model tractor and a witch sits on the exhaust pipe. (Submitted Photo).

Fleming turns Highway 78 into seasonal showcase

Decorated hay bales have become a seasonal staple for drivers along Highway 78.  One of those responsible is Charles Fleming, a farmer and grading contractor who has been decorating the bales for 25 years.    Several hay bales located on the Pope Station Farm.
Darryl Brese hugs OCMS Assistant Principal Alecia Cooper after he's been announced as the District Teacher of the Year (Photo/Walker Durham).

Darryl Brese hugs OCMS Assistant Principal Alecia Cooper after he's been announced as the District Teacher of the Year (Photo/Walker Durham).

Brese selected as top teacher for first time

Darryl Brese was recognized as the District Teacher of the Year for 2026-2027 at the Board of...
Hill stands and poses in front of the entrance to the zoning board meeting room on Oct. 2, 2026. She is retiring at the end of the year after ten years of service in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Ren Grimsley)

Hill stands and poses in front of the entrance to the zoning board meeting room on Oct. 2, 2026. She is retiring at the end of the year after ten years of service in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Ren Grimsley)

Hill steps down as chair of zoning board

After 10 years, Janet Hill is stepping down from the Oglethorpe County Zoning Board at the end of...
Andy Paul looks at photos from a Fourth of July photoshoot the Piedmont Athens Regional NICU staff held for patients. The Pauls have helped raise more than $45,000 in memory of their son Jonah. (SARAH ROPER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Andy Paul looks at photos from a Fourth of July photoshoot the Piedmont Athens Regional NICU staff held for patients. The Pauls have helped raise more than $45,000 in memory of their son Jonah. (SARAH ROPER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Giving the gift of time

Lexington’s Andy and Jordan Paul are giving others what they consider the most precious gift — more...
The Oglethorpe Echo e-Edition

The Echo: Amplified

What happens when a public university partners with a community newspaper? A beautiful collaboration and a reminder of all the things local news is meant to be: personal, rewarding and impactful.

 

To those who serve The Echo.

To those who read The Echo.

To those who believe in local news.

 

This documentary was directed by Julianna Duennes Russ and produced by Leighton Dancy, in collaboration with the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication and The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc. 

 

Special thank you to: Ralph Maxwell, Dink NeSmith, Amanda Bright, Andy Johnston, Lori Johnston, Trisha Bearden, Lourdes Tompkins, Blake Campbell, Kathleen deMarrais, Jamie Lewis, Barbara Cabaniss, Delbra Kendrick, Zachary Leggio, Adriana Cascio, Libby Hobbs, Jesse Wood. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.

Members of the Oglethorpe County girls cross country team take part in the inaugural Patriot Stars and Stripes Invitational on Saturday at its new course. More than 300 runners took part in the event. (Submitted Photo)

Members of the Oglethorpe County girls cross country team take part in the inaugural Patriot Stars and Stripes Invitational on Saturday at its new course. More than 300 runners took part in the event. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup: New course shines in inaugural meet

Members of the Oglethorpe County cross country teams were among 300 runners who raced in the...
Oglethorpe County sophomore running back Zion Pass (4) takes a handoff against Washington-Wilkes on Sept. 4. Pass leads the Patriots with 207 yards rushing. (Zachary Krausman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County sophomore running back Zion Pass (4) takes a handoff against Washington-Wilkes on Sept. 4. Pass leads the Patriots with 207 yards rushing. (Zachary Krausman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Region play keeps hopes alive for football team

The Oglethorpe County football team has scored 13 points in four losses and has dealt with costly...