Local News

Pageants are a family affair for the Raines family. The support for Madalyn (front left)), who is 11 years old, and Isabella (front right), who is 5, includes (from left) Brandy, Grayson and Chris (Madalyn’s mom, brother and dad), and Ian and Megan (Isabella’s mom and dad). (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Pageants are a family affair for the Raines family. The support for Madalyn (front left)), who is 11 years old, and Isabella (front right), who is 5, includes (from left) Brandy, Grayson and Chris (Madalyn’s mom, brother and dad), and Ian and Megan (Isabella’s mom and dad). (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Raines duo adds national pageant titles to resumes

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Madalyn Raines’ age as 12. Also, Amber Poindexter, her pageant coach, doesn’t buy or store her costumes. This version has been edited to include the correct information as provided by the Raines family.

Coroner caseload on par with past

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Summer usually results in a lighter caseload for Oglethorpe County Coroner James Jackson, with the winter and spring being the busiest times of the year.    “Especially for the older generations that have health problems, weather really plays a factor in that,” Jackson said.
Arthur Burt works in a Kinetic by Windstream truck in Oglethorpe County earlier this month. Kinetic workers are installing optical fiber in Crawford and Lexington. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Arthur Burt works in a Kinetic by Windstream truck in Oglethorpe County earlier this month. Kinetic workers are installing optical fiber in Crawford and Lexington. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Broadband installation slowly expanding

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Broadband internet installation in Oglethorpe County — deriving from the $7.9 million in funds Spectrum received in January — is in the “very early stages of engineering,” said Oglethorpe County District 4 Commissioner Will Brown, who is chair of the county’s Economic Development Authority.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Holtzclaw hired as transportation director

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved Zachary Holtzclaw as the new transportation director at its board meeting on June 15. This came after Collin Cherry’s recommendation to take the position was withdrawn on June 13.
Bags filled with hate messages and weighed down by wood pellets have been found in driveways around Lexington and other parts of the county. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Bags filled with hate messages and weighed down by wood pellets have been found in driveways around Lexington and other parts of the county. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Sheriff’s Office investigating baggies with antisemitic notes

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Lexington’s Bob Henkel was on his morning walk where Old Stephens Road becomes Gilmer Street on July 4, when he saw the first bag.    “Then, I turned left onto Boggs Street, and I saw another one there. And then as I wandered up and down Church Street, I saw them over there as well,” he said.

Maxeys mayor warns about ATVs on streets

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Maxeys Mayor Warren Gilson warns residents to stop riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on streets and roads, as they can lead to dangerous situations for both the rider and other vehicles.   “They are dangerous vehicles to ride,” he said.
LILLY KERSH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

LILLY KERSH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Property values part of formula to figure taxes

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
The appraisal notices that arrived in mailboxes last week showed a 22.5% average increase in property values in Oglethorpe County. The official tax bills, adjusted for the new millage rate, will be sent out this fall.
Lynn Shedd won’t rest in retirement. He started Shedd Home Services, which provides a variety of services, such as pressure washing, plumbing, deck construction and home repairs. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Lynn Shedd won’t rest in retirement. He started Shedd Home Services, which provides a variety of services, such as pressure washing, plumbing, deck construction and home repairs. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Shedd puts skills to work in own business

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Many people know Lynn Shedd as Oglethorpe County’s local handyman, but some know him as a member of the family.   Shedd’s stepdaughter’s fiance works alongside him on certain projects.    “He calls me ‘Pop.’ We get along great,” Lynn Shedd said.
Kathrine Clark said she thinks feral hogs have begun to uproot her garden and destroy the fencing around her plants and flowers. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Kathrine Clark said she thinks feral hogs have begun to uproot her garden and destroy the fencing around her plants and flowers. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Resident: Feral hogs make way to Lexington

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Lexington resident Kathrine Clark has noticed feral hog activity in downtown Lexington.   Clark and her husband live on Dupree Street, about a block from Highway 78, and a few weeks ago, she said she noticed digging in her flower beds and droppings on her lawn.    “We’re like, ‘Huh?