Local News

Members of last year’s Leadership Oglethorpe program for middle school students display their certificates during the graduation ceremony. This year’s program begins next month. (Submitted Photo)

Members of last year’s Leadership Oglethorpe program for middle school students display their certificates during the graduation ceremony. This year’s program begins next month. (Submitted Photo)

Leadership program ready for new year

Dawn Sawyer
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
This year marks the fifth iteration of Leadership Oglethorpe, a program dedicated to growing a new generation of career-minded individuals with leadership capabilities.
Braiden Carithers, the office manager for United Country Southern Select Properties, operates a drone, which is used for a variety of purposes, including taking images of land and property, and game recovery. (Submitted Photo)

Braiden Carithers, the office manager for United Country Southern Select Properties, operates a drone, which is used for a variety of purposes, including taking images of land and property, and game recovery. (Submitted Photo)

Eye in the sky: Wilson’s company uses drone for land imaging, game recovery

John James
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
United Country Southern Select Properties is taking a new approach to real estate — specifically on the technical side.   Phil Wilson has owned the company since early 2019, offering real estate and hunting services to clients around the Southeast.
Weddings at The Gillen House include space to accommodate more than 100 guests. Co-owners Edward Toledano and Cynzia Sanchez were able to hold a test run when they hosted a wedding for Sanchez’s daughter last spring. (Submitted Photo)

Weddings at The Gillen House include space to accommodate more than 100 guests. Co-owners Edward Toledano and Cynzia Sanchez were able to hold a test run when they hosted a wedding for Sanchez’s daughter last spring. (Submitted Photo)

Gillen House owners add weddings to B&B

Lily Reid Aldrich
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
The Gillen House has expanded into the wedding business.   Edward Toledano and Cynzia Sanchez, co-owners of the bed and breakfast in Maxeys, can now host weddings and other events.    “Our hope was to sustain the property and keep things going steadily,” Toledano said.
(Evan Smoak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Evan Smoak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County sees increase in overdoses

Emily Lupo and Evan Smoak
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Oglethorpe County is experiencing an increase in drug overdoses.    Angela Jackson, 911 director, said there have been 40 overdoses since Jan. 1, 2020 with 16 a result of prescription drugs.    “I would caution anyone who is buying drugs illegally,” Sheriff David Gabriel said.
Jane Kidd, a Crawford resident, is the Alex Gregory Distinguished Fellow and Leader in Residence in the Leadership Program at Georgia College & State University. (Submitted Photo)

Jane Kidd, a Crawford resident, is the Alex Gregory Distinguished Fellow and Leader in Residence in the Leadership Program at Georgia College & State University. (Submitted Photo)

Kidd shares leadership through GCSU role

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Jane Kidd never realized how connected she was to Georgia College & State University.   Her family has roots all over the Milledgeville campus.
Crowds gather to watch a youth basketball game at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department on Dec. 5. Stands on both courts in the gym were packed with parents and other attendees. Recreation Department staff say space is at a premium with continued growth in their athletic programs. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crowds gather to watch a youth basketball game at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department on Dec. 5. Stands on both courts in the gym were packed with parents and other attendees. Recreation Department staff say space is at a premium with continued growth in their athletic programs. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tight for space

Jordyn Gershoni and Christian Kirby II
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Brody Bearden has often found himself searching for small fields or empty patches of grass so the Little League baseball teams he coaches can practice. That’s because space at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department’s Bryan Park is limited.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Looking back at county’s top stories of 2023

News Staff
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
This year has been filled with news that helped shape the county and fill the pages of The Oglethorpe Echo. So The Echo’s staff decided to take a look back at the five most newsworthy stories in Oglethorpe County in 2023.

Gabriel to run for reelection

News Staff
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Sheriff David Gabriel will run for a third term in 2024 and said he will “crank up” his campaign around February.   “My life plan is to run at least two more times, this time and the next time, and that puts me at retirement age at the end of that,” said Gabriel, who is 50 years old.
Donald Randall, left, and Kendall Strickland, right, shake hands after Randall buys vegetables from Strickland's stand in February. Strickland Pride Produce will be moving on Feb. 5 from its current stand in downtown Lexington to 1129 Athens Road in Crawford. (Destiny Hartwell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Donald Randall, left, and Kendall Strickland, right, shake hands after Randall buys vegetables from Strickland's stand in February. Strickland Pride Produce will be moving on Feb. 5 from its current stand in downtown Lexington to 1129 Athens Road in Crawford. (Destiny Hartwell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Strickland Pride Produce to open Crawford storefront

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Kendall Strickland grew up around agritourism and fruit stands, which led him to open Strickland Pride Produce in 2020 as a roadside produce stand in downtown Lexington.   But, his situation — more specifically his location — is about to change.