Local News

Ninth-grader James Adams (left), who achieved a perfect score on an Algebra I End of Course Test after completing a summer class through Georgia’s Virtual School. Third-grader Catherine Yauck (right), who won first place in the Plains Peanut Festival Postcard Contest. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

Ninth-grader James Adams (left), who achieved a perfect score on an Algebra I End of Course Test after completing a summer class through Georgia’s Virtual School. Third-grader Catherine Yauck (right), who won first place in the Plains Peanut Festival Postcard Contest. (Photo/Caleb Baldwin)

BOE approves bus radios, routing software

Caleb Baldwin
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously approved two measures to help bus transportation at its meeting on Tuesday.   The first was the purchase of bus routing software, not to exceed $15,000.    Board members expressed concern with the large number of bus riders.
Chandler Bugg guides his son Walker Bugg while riding a horse during a “pee wee class” in Rainesville, Alabama.

Chandler Bugg guides his son Walker Bugg while riding a horse during a “pee wee class” in Rainesville, Alabama.

Barrel horse racing set for Saturday

Christian Kirby II
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Hannah Bugg and Andrea Smith are bringing barrel horse racing back to Oglethorpe County.   The Oglethorpe County Saddle Club (OCSC) will host a barrel racing show at 2 p.m. Saturday at 364 Center Church Road in Stephens. The show will feature a variety of competitions.
Speed cameras in the county’s school zones will be operational starting Monday, but there is a one-month grace period before tickets are sent. ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Speed cameras in the county’s school zones will be operational starting Monday, but there is a one-month grace period before tickets are sent. ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

School zone cameras go in operation next week

Evan Smoak
Thursday, October 5, 2023
New speed cameras will be active in Oglethorpe County school zones on Monday.    The cameras are on Highway 78 near Oglethorpe County High School and on Comer Road near Oglethorpe County Primary, Elementary and Middle schools.
A trash compactor (left) and a bulldozer move trash at the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill. The Board of Commissioners on Monday changed the cost of larger loads and placed a restriction on who can use the landfill. (Photo/Jay Reece)

A trash compactor (left) and a bulldozer move trash at the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill. The Board of Commissioners on Monday changed the cost of larger loads and placed a restriction on who can use the landfill. (Photo/Jay Reece)

Commissioners approve changes to help landfill

Jay Reece
Thursday, October 5, 2023
The Board of Commissioners agreed to alleviate the strain on the diminishing capacity of the Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition Landfill in its monthly meeting on Monday.
CAITLIN DOWNING/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

CAITLIN DOWNING/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Inflation, raises push budget increases

Caitlin Downing
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Inflation. Cost of living increases. Both speak to the upward shift in prices and costs across national and local governments.    Oglethorpe County’s Board of Commissioners recently approved the county’s 2024 operating budget of $9.55 million, which was an 8.6% increase from this year’s total.
Folks enjoy the South Fork of the Broad River, which flows through Watson Mill Bridge State Park. County officials are in support of a more stringent water quality for that part of the river.

Folks enjoy the South Fork of the Broad River, which flows through Watson Mill Bridge State Park. County officials are in support of a more stringent water quality for that part of the river.

BOC supports better water at Watson Mill

Christian Kirby II
Thursday, September 28, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners has unanimously supported a nomination to designate the South Fork of the Broad River for recreational use in order to improve water quality.
Tamita Brown, co-owner of Caribe United Farm, brings non-GMO feed to the chickens on pasture in Crawford, Georgia on Friday, March 25, 2022. Brown raises chickens, guinea fowl, pigs, ducks, and geese on her five-acre property and sells both meat and eggs at market on the weekends. (Photo/ Basil Terhune)

Tamita Brown, co-owner of Caribe United Farm, brings non-GMO feed to the chickens on pasture in Crawford, Georgia on Friday, March 25, 2022. Brown raises chickens, guinea fowl, pigs, ducks, and geese on her five-acre property and sells both meat and eggs at market on the weekends. (Photo/ Basil Terhune)

Poultry is booming: Can county’s small farms keep up?

John James
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Howard Sanders’ father began poultry farming in the 1980s, shifting away from the family’s previous practice of raising cattle and farming.
Ashley and Jonathan House, who is the pastor of Oglethorpe Fellowship Church in Lexington, have plans to open a coffeehouse at the church next month. (Submitted Photo)

Ashley and Jonathan House, who is the pastor of Oglethorpe Fellowship Church in Lexington, have plans to open a coffeehouse at the church next month. (Submitted Photo)

Church to start coffeehouse next month

Jared Smith
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Lexington’s Oglethorpe Fellowship Church plans to add a coffeehouse near the church in mid-October.