Local News

Cory Clements bails and wraps hay on John Robertson’s farm in the Smithonia Community in 2022. Oglethorpe County was the 10th largest hay producing county in the state in 2021. (Dink Nesmith/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Cory Clements bails and wraps hay on John Robertson’s farm in the Smithonia Community in 2022. Oglethorpe County was the 10th largest hay producing county in the state in 2021. (Dink Nesmith/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hay fever: Rain leads to abundance of cash crop

John Henry Hammond
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Oglethorpe County’s unexpectedly wet hay season is coming to a close, bringing a bountiful harvest to farmers like Travis Legg.   “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and this is one of the wettest years I’ve seen,” said Legg, a third-generation farmer and owner of Windy Hill Ranch in Colbert.
Sonja Armour and Vivian Sparks listen for the question from NBA All Star Dwight Howard on Friday morning, Sept. 15, 2023. Howard hosted 'Family Feud' at the Oglethorpe Senior Center in Crawford, Georgia. (Photo/Sidney Chansamone)

Sonja Armour and Vivian Sparks listen for the question from NBA All Star Dwight Howard on Friday morning, Sept. 15, 2023. Howard hosted 'Family Feud' at the Oglethorpe Senior Center in Crawford, Georgia. (Photo/Sidney Chansamone)

‘Family Feud’ frenzy: NBA star Dwight Howard brings laughter to senior center

Sidney Chansamone and Caleb Rollins
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Longtime NBA star Dwight Howard, measuring 6 feet, 10 inches tall, had to duck beneath the door frame as he entered the Oglethorpe County Senior Center, which was packed with residents, music and cheers.
Board of Commissioners prepares to vote.

Board of Commissioners prepares to vote.

BOC votes to approve millage rate

Jay Reece
Thursday, September 21, 2023
The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a new millage rate, part of which was previously approved by the Board of Education, in a called meeting on Monday that lasted less than 2 minutes.
Oglethorpe Board of Education members (from left) Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Beverley Levine and Becky Soto discuss the approval of the new rate. The board voted 5-0 to approve the rate, while Susan Robinson had a planned absence. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

Oglethorpe Board of Education members (from left) Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Beverley Levine and Becky Soto discuss the approval of the new rate. The board voted 5-0 to approve the rate, while Susan Robinson had a planned absence. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

After hearings, BOE goes with lower rate

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, September 21, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved a lower millage rate of 15.824 for the 2024 fiscal year.    This is a 0.826-mill decrease from 16.650 in 2023. Though this is a decrease, residents will see a 9.
Angela Jackson has served as assistant E911 Director since 2019. She will be promoted to lead E911 Director on September 25th. Evan Smoak/The Oglethorpe Echo.

Angela Jackson has served as assistant E911 Director since 2019. She will be promoted to lead E911 Director on September 25th. Evan Smoak/The Oglethorpe Echo.

Angela Jackson named new E911 director

Evan Smoak
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
James “Junior” Jackson will step down from his position as the E911 director of Oglethorpe County on Sept. 23. However, the role will stay in the Jackson family.   His wife, Angela, who has served as the assistant E911 director since 2019, will take over the position two days later.
The Oglethorpe Echo

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Diaper drive held to help diaper bank

News Staff
Monday, September 18, 2023
Oglethorpe County Family Connection will hold a diaper drive from Sept. 18-25 to support the Athens Area Diaper Bank, which supplies Oglethorpe County with approximately $10,000 worth of diapers per year.
The Oglethorpe Echo

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Events fill month in Lexington

News Staff
Monday, September 18, 2023
Lexington will host several events this month. They include: Elvis tribute artist EJ Boyer in concert at the American Legion at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Admission is $15 and the kitchen opens at 6:30 p.m.  LexFest in downtown Lexington from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.
Front of Lexington Smokehouse, which is scheduled to open later this year, on Athens Road. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Front of Lexington Smokehouse, which is scheduled to open later this year, on Athens Road. (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington Smokehouse set to open in November

Meadow Barrow
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Oglethorpe County residents can anticipate the opening of a smokehouse in the coming months.   The Lexington Smokehouse will hold its grand opening at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, according to its website (lexsmokehouse.com).   “I've always enjoyed cooking and whatnot,” owner Paul Mazzone said.
Oglethorpe County commission Chair Jay Paul discussed the sludge issue at a panel in Elberton last week that also included a viewing of a documentary titled “Georgia’s Dirty Little Secret.” Photo/Dink Nesmith

Oglethorpe County commission Chair Jay Paul discussed the sludge issue at a panel in Elberton last week that also included a viewing of a documentary titled “Georgia’s Dirty Little Secret.” Photo/Dink Nesmith

Q&A: Paul joins sludge panel, shares updates on issue

John James
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Jay Paul, the chair of Oglethorpe County’s Board of Commissioners, participated in a soil amendment panel discussion in Elberton on Sept. 5 that included a showing of a documentary “Georgia's Dirty Little Secret” by the Rural Georgia Protection Alliance.
DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Craig Livingston, a senior development manager with Leeward Renewable Energy, attempts to persuade the Board of Commissioners to postpone its vote on the revised solar farm ordinance. The ordinance passed 5-0.

DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Craig Livingston, a senior development manager with Leeward Renewable Energy, attempts to persuade the Board of Commissioners to postpone its vote on the revised solar farm ordinance. The ordinance passed 5-0.

Solar farm ordinance approved

Caitlin Downing
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Solar farm companies may now think twice before moving to Oglethorpe County.   In addition, current solar projects need to adjust their operations after the Board of Commissioners unanimously accepted an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of Solar Energy Systems at its monthly meeting on Monday.