Local News

Alan Erwin is sworn in as the mayor of Crawford earlier this month. He took over Seavy O’Neal, who didn’t run for reelection last year. (Submitted Photo)

Alan Erwin is sworn in as the mayor of Crawford earlier this month. He took over Seavy O’Neal, who didn’t run for reelection last year. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County mayors prioritize clean cities for 2026

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A clean city is the priority for Crawford Mayor Alan Erwin in 2026.  “We just want to get our city back up to par, cleaned up, and well maintained to where people that live in the city of Crawford are proud of their surroundings, as well as myself,” he said.
Joseph Williams (left) and Dustin Wood have known each other for over 20 years, since serving in the Navy together. Wood will manage Williams’ Papa Joey’s Collectibles when it opens in Lexington next month. (Submitted Photo)

Joseph Williams (left) and Dustin Wood have known each other for over 20 years, since serving in the Navy together. Wood will manage Williams’ Papa Joey’s Collectibles when it opens in Lexington next month. (Submitted Photo)

Vessel Barn to become a gaming, trading card store

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Vessel Barn, in Lexington’s Oak Tree Plaza, is undergoing renovations this month for its transition to Papa Joey’s Collectibles.
Jill Barnes, a teacher at Oglethorpe County Middle School, takes notes for her group at the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15. Different topics were put at the top of each noteboard for those in attendance to discuss. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Jill Barnes, a teacher at Oglethorpe County Middle School, takes notes for her group at the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15. Different topics were put at the top of each noteboard for those in attendance to discuss. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Input session gives feedback for search

Neva Drane
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Administration, teachers, students and Oglethorpe County residents attended the superintendent search input session on Jan. 15, where they worked together to answer questions regarding the goals and qualities of the new superintendent.
Peggy Spencer (from left), Corrine Thiel, Deanna Warren and Virginia Sanders smile after completing a donation at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in December. It was their largest, with more than 200 pajama packs, 300 hats and 300 love worms. (Submitted Photo)

Peggy Spencer (from left), Corrine Thiel, Deanna Warren and Virginia Sanders smile after completing a donation at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in December. It was their largest, with more than 200 pajama packs, 300 hats and 300 love worms. (Submitted Photo)

Giving back: Local groups make impact with gifts for kids in hospital

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
For Corrine Thiel, working with the Oglethorpe County Lions Club to donate to pediatric patients at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center is deeply personal.  Thiel’s grandson, Alexander, was diagnosed with kidney cancer at age six.
Drivers who belong to the Bulldog British Classics Car Club and their cars travel throughout Oglethorpe County and the surrounding counties. The club includes about 200 members. (Photo/GARY WHITING)

Drivers who belong to the Bulldog British Classics Car Club and their cars travel throughout Oglethorpe County and the surrounding counties. The club includes about 200 members. (Photo/GARY WHITING)

Local club keeps British cars, camaraderie alive

Neva Drane
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
On Saturday mornings, residents can often spot a pack of British classic cars winding along the quiet backroads of Oglethorpe County or pulling into the Rowdy Rooster. A 1949 MG TC driven by Terry Allen, the founder of the Bulldog British Classics Car Club, is among this club’s caravan of cars.
Oglethorpe County commissioners are (from left): Andy Saxon, David Clark, Howard Sanders, Will Brown and Tracy Norman. They unanimously voted to pass the new rules of decorum on Jan. 5. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Oglethorpe County commissioners are (from left): Andy Saxon, David Clark, Howard Sanders, Will Brown and Tracy Norman. They unanimously voted to pass the new rules of decorum on Jan. 5. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Commissioners set new rules for meeting behavior

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The rules of decorum unanimously approved at last week’s Board of Commissioners meeting were passed to help establish “orderly, respectful and efficient conduct of all public meetings.”  The rules were posted to Oglethorpe County’s website after two edits, requested by commissioners, were made.
Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish gives a presentation about Oglethorpe County’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) at the BOE meeting on Tuesday night. OCHS’ score jumped to 71.6 from 58.7. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish gives a presentation about Oglethorpe County’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) at the BOE meeting on Tuesday night. OCHS’ score jumped to 71.6 from 58.7. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Schools increase key performance scores in 2025

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School demonstrated significant growth in 2025, as reflected in a rapid improvement in its College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), which increased from 58.7 to 71.6.
Oglethorpe County EMS supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver (from left), paramedic Taylor Smith and advanced emergency medical tech Kelly Huff delivered a baby on Jan. 8. Weaver assisted in the delivery of the baby in the quick response vehicle while Smith and Huff responded in an ambulance. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County EMS supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver (from left), paramedic Taylor Smith and advanced emergency medical tech Kelly Huff delivered a baby on Jan. 8. Weaver assisted in the delivery of the baby in the quick response vehicle while Smith and Huff responded in an ambulance. (Submitted Photo)

Oh baby! EMS delivers two in two months

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Oglethorpe County EMS often has to act fast. Recently, two paramedics each unexpectedly assisted in the delivery of a baby during their shift.  Kristin Gilliam helped deliver a baby on Dec. 11 and Oglethorpe County EMS supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver helped deliver a baby on Jan. 8.
Jennifer Johns poses with her parents, Susan and Gary Shaw, at Hickory Hill Farms. The Shaws returned to Oglethorpe County in 1998, when Jennifer was nine, purchasing the land that had been in Susan’s family for generations. In 2009, they founded Hickory Hill Farms. Today, Jennifer’s three children will grow up on the same land that shaped both her and her mother’s upbringing. (Photo/ Lilly Stone)

Jennifer Johns poses with her parents, Susan and Gary Shaw, at Hickory Hill Farms. The Shaws returned to Oglethorpe County in 1998, when Jennifer was nine, purchasing the land that had been in Susan’s family for generations. In 2009, they founded Hickory Hill Farms. Today, Jennifer’s three children will grow up on the same land that shaped both her and her mother’s upbringing. (Photo/ Lilly Stone)

Local organic farmers say practice worth the challenges

Makenna Reavis
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Cedar Grove Farm in Stephens began in 2005 when William Payne bought land off Oconee Forest Road and decided to try his hand at small-scale organic farming after relocating from Maryland.