Local News

Students practice lifting and operating a stretcher during Ghost Out at Oglethorpe County High School on Friday. The activity introduced participants to emergency response techniques and the realities of crash scenes.(Photo/Kira Doppel)

Students practice lifting and operating a stretcher during Ghost Out at Oglethorpe County High School on Friday. The activity introduced participants to emergency response techniques and the realities of crash scenes.(Photo/Kira Doppel)

Ghost Out prepares teens for the road

Kira Doppel
Friday, April 24, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School students seemed to get the intended message from the annual Ghost Out, which was held Friday, a day before the prom.   The event is staged to show the real-life consequences of drunk driving and how to stay safe on the road.
A student talks to someone from WorkSource Atlanta at the Career and Connections Fair at the OCHS gym on Tuesday. Students are allowed to visit a variety of job booths that showcase possible future employment opportunities. (Photo/Ronnie Boggs)

A student talks to someone from WorkSource Atlanta at the Career and Connections Fair at the OCHS gym on Tuesday. Students are allowed to visit a variety of job booths that showcase possible future employment opportunities. (Photo/Ronnie Boggs)

Career fair brings jobs to focus

Emilie Sullivan
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Oglethorpe County is growing, which means the need for workers and jobs is growing, too. Businesses and other organizations had the opportunity to meet with students and others at a Career and Connections Fair on Tuesday, an event sponsored by the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce.
From left, zoning board members Morgan Robinson, Jimmy Shealy and Sam Nash, along with Planning Director Jeff Sharp, prepare for the April 16 zoning board meeting. Board member JF Hansford was absent. During the meeting, the board approved multiple zoning and land-use requests, including a proposal for a wedding venue and updates to county solar battery regulations, while denying one subdivision variance request. (Photo/Emilie Sullivan)

From left, zoning board members Morgan Robinson, Jimmy Shealy and Sam Nash, along with Planning Director Jeff Sharp, prepare for the April 16 zoning board meeting. Board member JF Hansford was absent. During the meeting, the board approved multiple zoning and land-use requests, including a proposal for a wedding venue and updates to county solar battery regulations, while denying one subdivision variance request. (Photo/Emilie Sullivan)

Zoning board says yes to wedding venue

Emilie Sullivan
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
A proposed wedding venue on Comer Road moved one step closer to reality after the Oglethorpe County Zoning Board approved a rezoning request at its April 16 meeting. Owners Nelida and Greg Serrano, who attended the meeting, requested the rezone from agricultural residential to highway business.
Guillermo Camacho (left), Tim Poole, Elaine Kitchens, Jake Willcox, Novalie Hokanson, Becky Soto, Venus LaParr, Beverley Levine, Madeline Holtzleiter, Susan Robinson, Tha Kho Min Ga Yah, Lauren Carlson, Penny Miller, Isabella Southall, Janet High, Deshonda Wolfe, Michelle Krolikowski and Mack Baldwin pose for a photo. The Young Georgia Authors winners were recognized for their achievement at the BOE meeting April 14, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

Guillermo Camacho (left), Tim Poole, Elaine Kitchens, Jake Willcox, Novalie Hokanson, Becky Soto, Venus LaParr, Beverley Levine, Madeline Holtzleiter, Susan Robinson, Tha Kho Min Ga Yah, Lauren Carlson, Penny Miller, Isabella Southall, Janet High, Deshonda Wolfe, Michelle Krolikowski and Mack Baldwin pose for a photo. The Young Georgia Authors winners were recognized for their achievement at the BOE meeting April 14, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

OCHS renovations set to begin this summer

Jasmine Milbourne
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education discussed plans for summer renovations at Oglethorpe County High School during its Tuesday meeting.  The work would include painting hallways and classrooms, retiling certain sections of the school, removing lockers and installing window tint for safety.
Tracy Norman (left) is the incumbent for the Board of Commissioners District 5 Republican primary, while Randy Gordon (right) is the challenger. (Submitted Photo (left), Photo/Felix Scheyer (right))

Tracy Norman (left) is the incumbent for the Board of Commissioners District 5 Republican primary, while Randy Gordon (right) is the challenger. (Submitted Photo (left), Photo/Felix Scheyer (right))

Election Q&A: Growth key topic for District 5 candidates

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Incumbent Tracy Norman and challenger Randy Gordon are on the Republican primary ballot for the District 5 seat for the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners. They also ran against each other for this position in the 2018 general primary.
An Oglethorpe County EMS team, including medical technician Kelly Huff (from left), director Josh Robinson, EMT Jeffrey Clark, EMT Roy Allen and supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver, stand in front of an ambulance on April 21, 2025. Robinson said EMS will be hosting a gathering of past and present employees in the fall to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

An Oglethorpe County EMS team, including medical technician Kelly Huff (from left), director Josh Robinson, EMT Jeffrey Clark, EMT Roy Allen and supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver, stand in front of an ambulance on April 21, 2025. Robinson said EMS will be hosting a gathering of past and present employees in the fall to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Decades of dispatch: EMS celebrates 50th anniversary in county

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
On a crisp December day, a woman in Oglethorpe County had a sudden realization: her water had broken. Miles from the nearest hospital, paramedic Kristin Gilliam was her only hope. Even with a million “what-ifs” racing through her mind, Gilliam successfully delivered the newborn.
Henry the Rooster was a common sight at the Golden Pantry in Lexington through the winter, even becoming the store’s unofficial mascot. He disappeared sometime last month. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Henry the Rooster was a common sight at the Golden Pantry in Lexington through the winter, even becoming the store’s unofficial mascot. He disappeared sometime last month. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Henry finds roost, but then vanishes from Golden Pantry

Dakota Meeks
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Henry came to the Golden Pantry whenever he pleased. Sometimes he showed up in the early morning, and then disappeared in the afternoon.  But he wasn’t like most regular customers. Henry was a rooster, who became part of the Lexington store’s daily routine and even its unofficial mascot.

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Local Roundup: Chamber to hold career fair for students, community

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce will host a career and connections fair at the Oglethorpe County High School gym on Tuesday, April 21.Students and community members will be able to explore careers, connect with local services and promote businesses or organizations.