Local News

CAITLIN DOWNING/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO David Kidd, the Oglethorpe County representative on Advantage Behavioral Health System’s Community Service Board, said support from the Board of Commissioners could help the group receive funding.

CAITLIN DOWNING/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO David Kidd, the Oglethorpe County representative on Advantage Behavioral Health System’s Community Service Board, said support from the Board of Commissioners could help the group receive funding.

Commissioners add funds to E-911 budget

Caitlin Downing
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to add $110,000 to the Enhanced 911 budget at its Monday meeting.   The money will be used to hire two new positions, starting in January, as mandated by state legislation.
ohn Lutz’s art room was turned into a crime scene for Rock Your School day. The class used their art skills to color suspects and use confidential files to identify the criminal. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

ohn Lutz’s art room was turned into a crime scene for Rock Your School day. The class used their art skills to color suspects and use confidential files to identify the criminal. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

Rock Your School Day

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Primary and Elementary Schools hosted an event called Rock Your School Day last Friday. The purpose was to creatively make school unique for the day with themes and experiences, while still educating the children.
Ninth-grader James Adams (left), who achieved a perfect score on an Algebra I End of Course Test after completing a summer class through Georgia’s Virtual School. Third-grader Catherine Yauck (right), who won first place in the Plains Peanut Festival Postcard Contest. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

Ninth-grader James Adams (left), who achieved a perfect score on an Algebra I End of Course Test after completing a summer class through Georgia’s Virtual School. Third-grader Catherine Yauck (right), who won first place in the Plains Peanut Festival Postcard Contest. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

BOE approves bus radios, routing software

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously approved two measures to help bus transportation at its meeting on Tuesday.   The first was the purchase of bus routing software, not to exceed $15,000.    Board members expressed concern with the large number of bus riders.
Chandler Bugg guides his son Walker Bugg while riding a horse during a “pee wee class” in Rainesville, Alabama.

Chandler Bugg guides his son Walker Bugg while riding a horse during a “pee wee class” in Rainesville, Alabama.

Barrel horse racing set for Saturday

Christian Kirby II
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Hannah Bugg and Andrea Smith are bringing barrel horse racing back to Oglethorpe County.   The Oglethorpe County Saddle Club (OCSC) will host a barrel racing show at 2 p.m. Saturday at 364 Center Church Road in Stephens. The show will feature a variety of competitions.
GRACE MAINS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

GRACE MAINS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Delinquent listings head to property sale process

Grace Mains
Thursday, October 5, 2023
There were 34 properties in the delinquent property tax sale section of The Oglethorpe Echo’s Legals listing on Sept. 7. Some amounts were above $9,000 and others were as low as $336.50.   Of those, 11 delinquent tax bills were paid before the Sept.
Speed cameras in the county’s school zones will be operational starting Monday, but there is a one-month grace period before tickets are sent. ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Speed cameras in the county’s school zones will be operational starting Monday, but there is a one-month grace period before tickets are sent. ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

School zone cameras go in operation next week

Evan Smoak
Thursday, October 5, 2023
New speed cameras will be active in Oglethorpe County school zones on Monday.    The cameras are on Highway 78 near Oglethorpe County High School and on Comer Road near Oglethorpe County Primary, Elementary and Middle schools.
A trash compactor (left) and a bulldozer move trash at the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill. The Board of Commissioners on Monday changed the cost of larger loads and placed a restriction on who can use the landfill. (Photo/Jay Reece)

A trash compactor (left) and a bulldozer move trash at the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill. The Board of Commissioners on Monday changed the cost of larger loads and placed a restriction on who can use the landfill. (Photo/Jay Reece)

Commissioners approve changes to help landfill

Jay Reece
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The Board of Commissioners agreed to alleviate the strain on the diminishing capacity of the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill in its monthly meeting on Monday.
CAITLIN DOWNING/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

CAITLIN DOWNING/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Inflation, raises push budget increases

Caitlin Downing
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Inflation. Cost of living increases. Both speak to the upward shift in prices and costs across national and local governments.    Oglethorpe County’s Board of Commissioners recently approved the county’s 2024 operating budget of $9.55 million, which was an 8.6% increase from this year’s total.