Local News

The Mirakel board includes the Rev. Stephen Pontzer (from left), Wayne Christian, Sue Christian, Ann Hansford, Tim Hansford, Marcia Dixon, Harold McLendon, Tony Gay, Don Christian and Cole Miller. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The Mirakel board includes the Rev. Stephen Pontzer (from left), Wayne Christian, Sue Christian, Ann Hansford, Tim Hansford, Marcia Dixon, Harold McLendon, Tony Gay, Don Christian and Cole Miller. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Mirakel creates commercial to help publicize cream

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Mirakel has hit the airwaves.   On Aug. 3, 13WMAZ-TV, a Macon-based station that covers 25 counties in Middle Georgia, filmed a commercial on Skrip Shoppe Pharmacy, giving Tim and Ann Hansford the opportunity to talk about Mirakel, their over-the-counter topical cream.
The arrows on this image show the revised car-rider line at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, which was to take effect on Wednesday afternoon. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The arrows on this image show the revised car-rider line at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, which was to take effect on Wednesday afternoon. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Traffic forces adjustment to car-rider line

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
The first week of back-to-school traffic proved challenging for Oglethorpe County officials.    Superintendent Beverley Levine and school staff met with Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel on Tuesday morning to discuss traffic concerns at all of the schools.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

720 pounds of trash found

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Jeff Sharp, Oglethorpe County’s code compliance officer, said about 50 bags of trash weighing around 720 pounds were illegally dumped on Black Snake Road in Moss Creek sometime around Aug. 5.   The trash mostly consisted of diapers, Sharp said.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

News Roundup: Bridges, 11, joins Angus association

News Staff
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Wyatt Bridges, 11 years old and a sixth-grader from Lexington, recently became a junior member of the American Angus Association.   Bridges is the son of Phillip and Leigh Anne Bridges, who are the fifth generation to own Angus cattle at the Bridges Angus Farm.
The roof was blown off a chicken house on Howard Sanders’ farm in Stephens during the storm on July 20 that blew down trees and knocked out power across the county. Sanders said the roof has been repaired. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

The roof was blown off a chicken house on Howard Sanders’ farm in Stephens during the storm on July 20 that blew down trees and knocked out power across the county. Sanders said the roof has been repaired. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Chicken farmers recover: Storm blew the roofs off houses last month

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Howard Sanders assessed the damage to a chicken house after a severe thunderstorm ravaged Stephens and the rest of Oglethorpe County in July. About 100 feet of the roof was gone, blown away by the high winds.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Hunter puts energy into new mentor program

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Veronica Hunter said she knew one mentor was a firefighter and would take his student to lunch. He once took his student fishing, and his student overcame his wary feelings toward worms.    One mentor liked to garden and would take her student to play in the dirt and with plants.
James Bennett, who owns Lost & Found Antiques and Collectibles in Lexington, filled a shadowbox with the custom military jacket and letters from a soldier in Vietnam that he found while cleaning out an old house. Lexington resident Jennifer Whitlock helped return the items to the Vinson family. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

James Bennett, who owns Lost & Found Antiques and Collectibles in Lexington, filled a shadowbox with the custom military jacket and letters from a soldier in Vietnam that he found while cleaning out an old house. Lexington resident Jennifer Whitlock helped return the items to the Vinson family. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Vinson family reunited with military items

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Around two months ago, James Bennett, who owns Lost & Found Antiques and Collectibles in Lexington, tore down a house in Taliaferro County and found several personal items.
Lizzie, a 1-year-old yellow lab mix that has been spayed, microchipped and is current on her vaccines, has been at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter for more than 72 days. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Lizzie, a 1-year-old yellow lab mix that has been spayed, microchipped and is current on her vaccines, has been at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter for more than 72 days. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Sturdivant covers MOAS adoption fees for month

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Roddy Sturdivant, a resident of Stephens and longtime supporter of the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (MOAS), has offered to cover the cost of pet adoptions through Sept. 6.    “It’s donors like him; they are just a blessing,” said Erica Hendrix, director of MOAS.
Superintendent Beverley Levine chats with a student at Oglethorpe County Primary School on the first day of the school year. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Superintendent Beverley Levine chats with a student at Oglethorpe County Primary School on the first day of the school year. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

New year starts strong: Teachers, staff welcome students as the school year gets under way

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Teachers in matching T-shirts and smiles lined the decorated halls. Parents arranged their students for pictures before walking them to their classes. Buses and cars eased through the wait to drop off students, armed with supplies and backpacks.
Mayor Craig Snow (top) and members of the Lexington (clockwise, from left) Cindy Haynes, Greg Reece, Ronnie Boggs and Cory Crayton are up for re-election this year, as is councilwoman Jill Severn (not pictured). (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Mayor Craig Snow (top) and members of the Lexington (clockwise, from left) Cindy Haynes, Greg Reece, Ronnie Boggs and Cory Crayton are up for re-election this year, as is councilwoman Jill Severn (not pictured). (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Qualifying for municipal elections set for this month

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Arnoldsville   Arnoldsville will hold a special election on Nov. 7 to fill the vacant seat for mayor and finish a four-year term ending Dec. 31. Qualifying for the special election will take place at Arnoldsville City Hall on Aug. 21-23.    All five city council seats are also open for election.