Local News

The data chart represents the percentage of third to eighth grade Oglethorpe County students scoring "proficient learner" or higher on Milestones tests, averaged across grade levels and subjects.

The data chart represents the percentage of third to eighth grade Oglethorpe County students scoring "proficient learner" or higher on Milestones tests, averaged across grade levels and subjects.

Schools look to bring Milestones scores back to pre-pandemic levels

Cassidy Hettesheimer
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Three years after the start of the pandemic, Oglethorpe County students’ test scores remain below pre-pandemic levels on the Georgia Milestones.    “Prior to COVID, we were ahead of the state,” Superintendent Beverley Levine said. “Since then, we’re now sort of, as you say, on par with the state.
Crawford Pizza sits on Athens Rd. in Downtown Crawford. Customers are able to place a to-go order, eat inside, or sit at the picnic tables outside. (Jordan Long/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford Pizza sits on Athens Rd. in Downtown Crawford. Customers are able to place a to-go order, eat inside, or sit at the picnic tables outside. (Jordan Long/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Restaurant roundup: Crawford Pizza holds soft opening

Grace Mains and Jordan Long
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Crawford Pizza’s soft opening last week was to help train the restaurant staff and work out the kinks before the grand opening, co-owner Blake Arnold said.   Blake Arnold purchased Papas Pizza To Go in January of this year with plans to create a new pizza joint.

Sniff, Morcom to run for Arnoldsville mayor

Elena Acosta
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Most elected officials in Oglethorpe County at the city level will be familiar faces this fall, but a contested mayoral race in Arnoldsville and two vacant city council seats in Lexington could bring new titles for some in public service.   The deadline to qualify for the Nov.
Tom Gresham assembles the “Back to School — 100 Years Ago” exhibit at the Oglethorpe County Library on Aug. 31. The exhibit, which was researched and is presented by the Digital Atlas of Historic Oglethorpe County, can be viewed throughout this month. (Photo/Jared Smith)

Tom Gresham assembles the “Back to School — 100 Years Ago” exhibit at the Oglethorpe County Library on Aug. 31. The exhibit, which was researched and is presented by the Digital Atlas of Historic Oglethorpe County, can be viewed throughout this month. (Photo/Jared Smith)

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The history of county’s schools is on display

Jared Smith
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Tom Gresham and Ashley Simpson, members of the Digital Atlas of Historic Oglethorpe County project, hope their current exhibit will provide insight into the history of education in Oglethorpe County.   “We have a lot of misconceptions about education in Georgia,” Simpson said.
(Tyler Blount/The Oglethorpe Echo) xUGA cheerleaders led the cheers as part of Calling the Dawgs at a tailgate event at the Oglethorpe County Senior Center on Sept. 1, in advance of the Bulldogs’ first game last weekend. The event also featured music and food

(Tyler Blount/The Oglethorpe Echo) xUGA cheerleaders led the cheers as part of Calling the Dawgs at a tailgate event at the Oglethorpe County Senior Center on Sept. 1, in advance of the Bulldogs’ first game last weekend. The event also featured music and food

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UGA cheerleaders fire up seniors

Tyler Blount
Thursday, September 7, 2023
  Calling the Dawgs every Friday has become a tradition at the Oglethorpe County Senior Center.    “It kind of became a thing last year, where every Friday we would wear red and black, and we’d call the Dawgs,” director Corie Robinson said.   But on Sept.
CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Oglethorpe County School Superintendent Beverley Levine (left) and Becky Soto, chair of the Board of Education, discuss the 2023 Georgia Milestones scores and other business at a meeting on Tuesday night. The Board of Education will host two public hearings about the millage rate on Friday, Sept. 8.

CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Oglethorpe County School Superintendent Beverley Levine (left) and Becky Soto, chair of the Board of Education, discuss the 2023 Georgia Milestones scores and other business at a meeting on Tuesday night. The Board of Education will host two public hearings about the millage rate on Friday, Sept. 8.

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BOE proposes lower millage rate

Caleb Baldwin and Cassidy Hettesheimer
Thursday, September 7, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education presented a lower millage rate for 2024, although the amount of taxes collected will increase by nearly 10%. The BOE said the new millage rate, which is the amount of tax dollars for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value, would be 15.
OC new teachers

OC new teachers

New teachers look forward to opportunity

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Oglethorpe County schools introduced 26 new teachers and staff members this year. Four of them discussed their strategies and personal goals for this year with The Oglethorpe Echo.   These answers have been edited for content and clarity.
Amanda Tedrow and Patrick Phelps discuss Tedrow's compost bin, which includes dirt, paper scraps, vegetables and worms. She showed the box at the UGA Extension Office’s second annual Fall Garden Workshop in Lexington on Aug. 31. (Photo/John Henry Hammond)

Amanda Tedrow and Patrick Phelps discuss Tedrow's compost bin, which includes dirt, paper scraps, vegetables and worms. She showed the box at the UGA Extension Office’s second annual Fall Garden Workshop in Lexington on Aug. 31. (Photo/John Henry Hammond)

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Cultivating community

John Henry Hammond
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Amanda Tedrow keeps a discreet, but fascinating, secret beneath her desk: a box of paper scraps, dirt, vegetables and, most surprisingly, worms.  The unassuming box is a testament to her passion for sustainability and composting.
Sonja Armour, owner of the Chicken Coop Bed ’n Breakfast in Crawford, said most of her visitors come for University of Georgia football games. She opened the bed and breakfast in 2011. (Grace Mains/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sonja Armour, owner of the Chicken Coop Bed ’n Breakfast in Crawford, said most of her visitors come for University of Georgia football games. She opened the bed and breakfast in 2011. (Grace Mains/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Guests often leave Chicken Coop as Armour’s friend

Grace Mains
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
For the Armours, a historic, chicken-themed cottage in the middle of Oglethorpe County sounded like a great idea when they opened it in 2011.   Not everyone agreed.   “People thought we were crazy to do it. They said who would ever come to Crawford, Georgia,” Sonja Armour said.
Receivers, lanyards and speakers are components of the Listen EVERYWHERE receivers that are available at the Oglethorpe County Library. The library’s staff is available to assist visitors with the new technology. (Sidney Chansamone/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Receivers, lanyards and speakers are components of the Listen EVERYWHERE receivers that are available at the Oglethorpe County Library. The library’s staff is available to assist visitors with the new technology. (Sidney Chansamone/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Library implements new assistive hearing technology

Sidney Chansamone and Caleb Rollins
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Library is offering new assistive hearing technology through the installation of a Listen EVERYWHERE hearing loop, making events and presentations more accessible to those who may experience difficulty hearing.