Local News

Parents walk their children into Oglethorpe County Elementary School on the first day of school last Friday morning. Principal Katie Baldwin said OCES is working through issues with the morning drop off and afternoon pick up. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Parents walk their children into Oglethorpe County Elementary School on the first day of school last Friday morning. Principal Katie Baldwin said OCES is working through issues with the morning drop off and afternoon pick up. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Back in the swing of school: Oglethorpe County students returned to class on Friday

Ellie English
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Oglethorpe County faculty and staff welcomed students back to the classrooms last Friday.  First-year superintendent Phillip Powell said teachers were excited to have the students return to school after they spent time preparing their classrooms.
Londyn Colquitt takes a free pencil from one of the tables at Community Day on Saturday. Between 250-300 people attended the annual event. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Londyn Colquitt takes a free pencil from one of the tables at Community Day on Saturday. Between 250-300 people attended the annual event. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Large turnout highlights annual Community Day

Ethan Greene
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
An evening shower didn’t slow Oglethorpe County’s annual Community Day last Saturday.

Yauck aims to grow Rotary during her time as president

Sarah Nanos
Thursday, August 6, 2026
For Crawford resident Jennifer Yauck, the Rotary Club is more than just a service opportunity — it’s a familial legacy. Yauck, a teacher at Oglethorpe County High School, joined Rotary about four years ago. Her father, Guy Lance, was a founding member of the Oglethorpe Rotary in 1992.
Melissa McGarity (left) works with Stephanie Ring, the new director of teaching and learning for math and science at the Oglethorpe County School System, last month at the central office. McGarity remains in her role as the director of federal programs. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Melissa McGarity (left) works with Stephanie Ring, the new director of teaching and learning for math and science at the Oglethorpe County School System, last month at the central office. McGarity remains in her role as the director of federal programs. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New faces in newly created positions at central office

Ellie English
Thursday, August 6, 2026
One of Oglethorpe County School System Superintendent Phillip Powell’s first priorities was reorganizing the district’s leadership structure.  He eliminated the assistant superintendent position to emphasize communication and collaboration across three departments.
Mayor Evelyn Reece (from left), city clerk Kim Bradford and Jill Severn, mayor pro tem, make the proclamation of Kim Bradford Appreciation Week in Lexington on Monday. The presentation surprised Bradford on her 10th anniversary working for the city. (Submitted Photo)

Mayor Evelyn Reece (from left), city clerk Kim Bradford and Jill Severn, mayor pro tem, make the proclamation of Kim Bradford Appreciation Week in Lexington on Monday. The presentation surprised Bradford on her 10th anniversary working for the city. (Submitted Photo)

A worthy honor for Bradford: Lexington honors indispensable city clerk with proclamation on 10-year anniversary

Jessie Isaacs
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Evelyn Reece had a simple, yet profound way to describe Kim Bradford. “I inherited a clerk with superpowers,” Lexington’s mayor said. Reece, who started her term in January, is the fourth mayor to work with Bradford, who has been in her role of city clerk for 10 years.
Makayla England (left) and Felicia Cain, third-grade teachers at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, prepare for the first day of school, which is Friday. Teachers went back to work on Monday. (Becky Soto/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Makayla England (left) and Felicia Cain, third-grade teachers at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, prepare for the first day of school, which is Friday. Teachers went back to work on Monday. (Becky Soto/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New school year means new start for Powell, students

Ellie English
Thursday, August 6, 2026
New superintendent Phillip Powell is ready for the first day of school on Friday.
Phillip Powell (left), the superintendent of the Oglethorpe County School System, and Laurie Allison, director of Northeast Georgia RESA work with BOE members during a retreat at the Historic Depot in Crawford on Friday. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Phillip Powell (left), the superintendent of the Oglethorpe County School System, and Laurie Allison, director of Northeast Georgia RESA work with BOE members during a retreat at the Historic Depot in Crawford on Friday. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE retreat focuses on strategic plan

Ellie English
Thursday, August 6, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education spent Friday creating priorities for the 2026-30 strategic plan and discussing Superintendent Phillip Powell’s first-year goals. That was just part of the day-long retreat at the Historic Depot in Crawford.