Local News

Christmas Marketplace, other events scheduled

News Staff
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Holiday decor and unique gifts will be available at the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Marketplace, which will be held Nov. 18-20 at the Crawford Depot.    The marketplace will be open from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 and noon to 5 p.m.
Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary School principal Katie Baldwin hugs special education parapro Toni Evans after presenting her with the OCES Classified Employee of the Year award at the board of education meeting in Lexington, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Three of the county's four Classified Employees of the Year were honored at the November Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary School principal Katie Baldwin hugs special education parapro Toni Evans after presenting her with the OCES Classified Employee of the Year award at the board of education meeting in Lexington, Georgia, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Three of the county's four Classified Employees of the Year were honored at the November Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

BOE approves purchase of three school buses

Caleb Baldwin and Cassidy Hettesheimer
Thursday, November 9, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved buying three new buses and discussed other structural improvements at its Tuesday meeting.
A tractor-trailer with 96 tires was needed to transport a transformer to the solar farm project on Goose Pond Road. The weight of the trailer and transformer was 300,000 pounds. The solar farm has expanded to include nearly 3,500 acres. (Submitted Photo)

A tractor-trailer with 96 tires was needed to transport a transformer to the solar farm project on Goose Pond Road. The weight of the trailer and transformer was 300,000 pounds. The solar farm has expanded to include nearly 3,500 acres. (Submitted Photo)

Massive transformer arrives at Timberland Solar Project

News Staff
Thursday, November 9, 2023
If you have a 190,000-pound, ultra-expensive item to deliver, what are your first objectives?    Go slowly and carefully.     That’s how the transport company, Guy M. Turner Inc. of Covington, approached its mission over the past weekend.
Bill Chandler said he encourages his wife Beverly to continue writing her devotional blog called “Morning with Beverly” because he wants her to continue studying the Bible. Beverly updates her blog on a near-daily basis.

Bill Chandler said he encourages his wife Beverly to continue writing her devotional blog called “Morning with Beverly” because he wants her to continue studying the Bible. Beverly updates her blog on a near-daily basis.

Chandler’s blog encourages readers, herself

Jared Smith
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Beverly Chandler helps readers use her experiences to develop their own relationships with God through short posts on her blog, called “Morning with Beverly.”    "The main thing I try to press upon them is that they need to be in the word," Chandler said.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Paul recognized for work on sludge legislation

John James
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Jay Paul, chairman of Oglethorpe County’s Board of Commissioners, was recognized for his work on sludge and soil amendments when the Georgia Water Coalition released its annual report on Nov. 1.
Runoff from a nearby dumping ground was a problem on Johnathan Martin's property, which is on Thaxton Road in Rayle, earlier this year. Sludge remains a hot topic in Oglethorpe County. (Submitted Photo)

Runoff from a nearby dumping ground was a problem on Johnathan Martin's property, which is on Thaxton Road in Rayle, earlier this year. Sludge remains a hot topic in Oglethorpe County. (Submitted Photo)

Experts differ on sludge use, benefits

John James and John Henry Hammond
Thursday, November 2, 2023
More than 40,000 tons of sludge were used for agricultural purposes in Georgia in 2018, according to the National Biosolids Data Project.    That’s four times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.   Sludge — also called soil amendments or biosolids — is fertilizer made of recycled goods.
Total registration numbers for previous years. NOTE: 2023 numbers are subject to change, as registration does not close until Nov. 2.

Total registration numbers for previous years. NOTE: 2023 numbers are subject to change, as registration does not close until Nov. 2.

Rec department enrollment numbers continue to increase

News Staff
Thursday, November 2, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Recreation Department expects a massive turnout for this year’s youth basketball and wrestling seasons.
Children’s literacy is an important part of the Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library’s mission. The group helps support reading programs at the library.

Children’s literacy is an important part of the Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library’s mission. The group helps support reading programs at the library.

Group Supports Reading Program

Jared Smith
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Members of the Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library have been volunteering, leading fundraisers and holding events for years to help the local library.   While the group’s library efforts are the priority, it has also helped children in other ways.
Tax Commissioner Sheila Arnold poses for a portrait.

Tax Commissioner Sheila Arnold poses for a portrait.

Arnold plans to retire as tax commissioner

Jay Reece
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Oglethorpe County Tax Commissioner Sheila Arnold said Monday she won’t seek reelection next year.    “You have to have it in your heart to run,” she said. “I wanted to help the citizens of Oglethorpe County.