Local News

Phillip Powell talks to parents and teachers outside the Oglethorpe County School District on March 10, 2026, in Lexington. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Phillip Powell talks to parents and teachers outside the Oglethorpe County School District on March 10, 2026, in Lexington. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Board of Education names superintendent finalist

Sydney Shankman
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education named Phillip Powell as the sole finalist for superintendent on Tuesday.  Powell will replace Beverley Levine on July 1, pending the approval of his contract at the BOE’s work session on March 31, Board Chair Becky Soto said. “Ms.
Pre-K student Azeriah Silvey looks at Brussels sprouts and other seeds planted in the STEM garden at the Oglethorpe Children’s Academy last week. OCA has received more than $2,500 for the garden and its nutrition programs. (SARAH OWENS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Pre-K student Azeriah Silvey looks at Brussels sprouts and other seeds planted in the STEM garden at the Oglethorpe Children’s Academy last week. OCA has received more than $2,500 for the garden and its nutrition programs. (SARAH OWENS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCA hopes garden blossoms into sustained success

Sarah Owens
Monday, March 9, 2026
At Oglethorpe Children’s Academy, learning doesn’t just happen at a desk. It’s happening in the dirt.
Kathleen deMarrais (from left) presents Tom Gresham and Elaine Collier Neal with Historic Oglethorpe’s annual award at the organization’s banquet on Feb. 27. Neal and Gresham, along with Ashley Simpson and Greg Yoder, were recognized for their work on the Digital Atlas of Oglethorpe County. (Submitted photo)

Kathleen deMarrais (from left) presents Tom Gresham and Elaine Collier Neal with Historic Oglethorpe’s annual award at the organization’s banquet on Feb. 27. Neal and Gresham, along with Ashley Simpson and Greg Yoder, were recognized for their work on the Digital Atlas of Oglethorpe County. (Submitted photo)

Team’s Digital Atlas Project honored for historic efforts

Mia Tanner
Thursday, March 5, 2026
In a historic decision, the annual Historic Oglethorpe award didn’t go to one person. Instead, it was presented to a project and its dedicated team. The organization honored the Digital Atlas of Oglethorpe County, a digital map of the county’s historic sites.
Oglethorpe County deputies detain Brad Johns near the end of the Board of Commissioners meeting at the courthouse on Monday. Johns was booked on three charges, including public intoxication. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County deputies detain Brad Johns near the end of the Board of Commissioners meeting at the courthouse on Monday. Johns was booked on three charges, including public intoxication. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

‘Challenging’ first meeting at courthouse

Nick Hasnain
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Chairman Jay Paul said there were several difficulties during the first board of commissioners meeting at the Oglethorpe County Courthouse Monday night. “We’ve got some challenges to overcome,” he said. “The acoustics were awful; the setup is challenging.
D.D. Quillian (from left), Terry Rohm, Steve Scruggs and Stanley Wymbs spoke at the Wild Turkey Hunting Seminar held at the Oglethorpe County Farm Bureau last Saturday. The event included different strategies on turkey hunting and an emphasis on engaging with younger hunters. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

D.D. Quillian (from left), Terry Rohm, Steve Scruggs and Stanley Wymbs spoke at the Wild Turkey Hunting Seminar held at the Oglethorpe County Farm Bureau last Saturday. The event included different strategies on turkey hunting and an emphasis on engaging with younger hunters. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

First hunting seminar focuses on turkeys

Dakota Meeks
Thursday, March 5, 2026
It was September 1992, and Steve Scruggs was leading a “wild day” at Lake Allatoona. Kids were running around, splashing each other with water and learning about the outdoors.  As they ate lunch, a boy approached Scruggs and told him that he was having the greatest day of his life.
A photo of the Cane Corso after he was taken out of the trap. He was caught in the early morning of Feb. 28. (Photo/Submitted)

A photo of the Cane Corso after he was taken out of the trap. He was caught in the early morning of Feb. 28. (Photo/Submitted)

Doggone saga ends well: Crawford's cane corso finds home

Jessie Isaacs
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The cane corso that roamed Crawford freely for more than a year — and captured the attention of many Oglethorpe County residents — was caught Saturday morning and placed in a permanent home, Mayor Alan Erwin said. The black dog, nicknamed “C.C.
Crawford Mayor Alan Erwin speaks to council member Kathy Little during the Crawford City Council meeting on Feb. 10, gesturing as he addresses council members inside City Hall. (Photo/Riley Baugh)

Crawford Mayor Alan Erwin speaks to council member Kathy Little during the Crawford City Council meeting on Feb. 10, gesturing as he addresses council members inside City Hall. (Photo/Riley Baugh)

City Roundup: Crawford approves coffee concept, storage facility

Jessie Isaacs and Riley Baugh
Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Crawford City Council unanimously approved two commercial projects at its meeting on Feb. 10. The businesses include a storage and office space at 1232 Athens Road — the lot next to the Red Rabbit — and a grab-and-go coffee shop.
Donna Gonzalez Quintana, an Oglethorpe County resident, studies at the Lena Wise Community Center on Feb. 24. “I feel like I can still have, even at this age, an opportunity to keep growing,” Gonzalez Quintana said. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Donna Gonzalez Quintana, an Oglethorpe County resident, studies at the Lena Wise Community Center on Feb. 24. “I feel like I can still have, even at this age, an opportunity to keep growing,” Gonzalez Quintana said. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

HSE program is a chance for growth

Charlotte Cochran
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Eliane Aviles has advice for anyone who wants to pursue a high school diploma later in life. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t let age limit you,” said Aviles, a graduate of the High School Equivalency (HSE) program at the Lena Wise Community Center in Crawford.
Jay Paul, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, stands in front of the Oglethorpe County Courthouse earlier this month. Paul said the board intends to hold its public meetings at the courthouse for the foreseeable future. (Nick Hasnain/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jay Paul, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, stands in front of the Oglethorpe County Courthouse earlier this month. Paul said the board intends to hold its public meetings at the courthouse for the foreseeable future. (Nick Hasnain/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOC prepares for move to courthouse meetings

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Board of Commissioners’ monthly meetings will relocate to the Oglethorpe County Courthouse starting Monday, March 2. Meetings have been regularly held at the Board of Commissioners office on Union Point Road in Lexington since 1998, after previously being at the courthouse.
County administrator Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance, discuss a road repair project last year. Lewis said county officials are working to make the government more transparent for residents. (ZACH LEGGIO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

County administrator Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance, discuss a road repair project last year. Lewis said county officials are working to make the government more transparent for residents. (ZACH LEGGIO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Officials aim to overcome mistrust with accessibility

Bridget Goodman
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Oglethorpe County officials say they are taking steps to increase transparency and build trust with residents.  “All governments need that ability for citizens to engage with them,” said Jason Lewis, county administrator.