Local News

Michelle Mickens presents on teacher burnout in Georgia for the Alpha Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in October 2022. Mickens, an Oglethorpe County High School English teacher, was recently selected as one of 20 educators in the state for a Teacher Policy Fellowship through the Georgia Department of Education. (Submitted Photo)

Michelle Mickens presents on teacher burnout in Georgia for the Alpha Theta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in October 2022. Mickens, an Oglethorpe County High School English teacher, was recently selected as one of 20 educators in the state for a Teacher Policy Fellowship through the Georgia Department of Education. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS teacher selected for state policy program

Dawn Sawyer
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Michelle Mickens has made an impact at Oglethorpe County High School — and now she will at the state level, too.
Bear Hug Honey Company recently opened a warehouse in downtown Lexington to create more space to infuse and bottle honey, along with other products. The building, at 106 W. Main St., has been licensed as a commercial kitchen. (Lily Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Bear Hug Honey Company recently opened a warehouse in downtown Lexington to create more space to infuse and bottle honey, along with other products. The building, at 106 W. Main St., has been licensed as a commercial kitchen. (Lily Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Bear Hug Honey now makes products in Lexington

Lily Reid Aldrich
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Sam Johnson, owner of Bear Hug Honey Company, recently opened a warehouse in Oglethorpe County.   He said the new Lexington location helps his commercial store in Athens, but he’s also hoping it will spur growth for the downtown.    “We're excited to be out in Lexington,” he said.

Firefly Trail Race Series marks anniversaries in 2024

Lily Reid Aldrich
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The Firefly Trail Race series is marking its fifth anniversary in 2024.   The four races take runners throughout Oglethorpe County, and the first race — the Winterville Snowflake 10K — will be on Jan. 13. This also marks a decade for the Snowflake 10K, the oldest of the four races.
John James/The Oglethorpe Echo

John James/The Oglethorpe Echo

County sets qualifying fees for 2024 election

John James
Thursday, December 21, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners has approved qualifying fees for the 2024 election cycle.    A qualifying fee is the amount of money that must be paid by candidates to run for an elected office.
Oglethorpe County resident John Burt, along with his dog, Dixie, shows the substation that converts the power from the Timberland Solar Farm Project on Goose Pond Road, which is feet from his property line. Burt (top) shows where runoff from the solar farm has impacted his property.

Oglethorpe County resident John Burt, along with his dog, Dixie, shows the substation that converts the power from the Timberland Solar Farm Project on Goose Pond Road, which is feet from his property line. Burt (top) shows where runoff from the solar farm has impacted his property.

Ongoing battle with solar farm

Caitlin Downing and Jay Reece
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Goose Pond Road had been a sanctuary for John Burt and his family for over a decade.    When the Timberland Solar Farm Project broke ground in April 2022, Burt didn’t realize the disruption it would cause.   Later, a substation was built.
Coroner James Junior Jackson

Coroner James Junior Jackson

Jackson will run for sheriff

News Staff
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
James “Junior” Jackson, who held various positions in the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office from 2005 to earlier this year, will run for sheriff in 2024.   Jackson announced his candidacy with an ad in this week’s edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. He currently is the county coroner.
Tamita Brown, who co-owns Caribe United Farm in Crawford with her husband Gabriel Jimenez, said the reduced daylight hours make it more difficult to tend to her chores during the winter. (Gabriel Jimenez/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tamita Brown, who co-owns Caribe United Farm in Crawford with her husband Gabriel Jimenez, said the reduced daylight hours make it more difficult to tend to her chores during the winter. (Gabriel Jimenez/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Winter is not a time for farmers to chill out

John Henry Hammond
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Winter isn’t a time of rest for Oglethorpe County farmers.    Instead, it’s a challenging season that demands farmers juggle numerous tasks. From protecting livestock and crops from the harsh conditions to preparing the farm for a successful harvest, the demands are varied and constant.
Erin Campbell, founder of the Athens Area Diaper Bank, moves boxes labeled for Oglethorpe County at the organization’s warehouse in Bogart. The nonprofit sends free diapers to locations in Oglethorpe County. (Sarah Donehoo/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Erin Campbell, founder of the Athens Area Diaper Bank, moves boxes labeled for Oglethorpe County at the organization’s warehouse in Bogart. The nonprofit sends free diapers to locations in Oglethorpe County. (Sarah Donehoo/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Nonprofits, individuals come together to help year-round

Riley Kehoe and Lilly Kersh and Janai Wells and Samantha Hurley and Sydney Rainwater and Navya Shukla
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
An array of nonprofits, government organizations, churches and other institutions offer assistance throughout the year to individuals and families in need in Oglethorpe County.
The Christmas in Oglethorpe parade ended with a greeting from Santa Claus, who threw out candy to the spectators while riding his golf cart. The parade was full of various sponsors who led floats down Main Street. (Lily Reid Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo))

The Christmas in Oglethorpe parade ended with a greeting from Santa Claus, who threw out candy to the spectators while riding his golf cart. The parade was full of various sponsors who led floats down Main Street. (Lily Reid Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Parade, market bring community together

Lily Reid Aldrich
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Christmas spirit filled Oglethorpe County this past weekend with an array of festivities bringing the community together to enjoy the sights and sounds of parades and markets.    Lexington’s Christmas in Oglethorpe included a parade down Main Street and a market at the Lexington Community Center.