Local News

Jeanne Jones staffs the Community Day tent during last year’s Fourth of July celebration at Bryan Park. Community Day is held just before the start of the school year to give supplies to students and help prepare them for the school year. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Jeanne Jones staffs the Community Day tent during last year’s Fourth of July celebration at Bryan Park. Community Day is held just before the start of the school year to give supplies to students and help prepare them for the school year. (JACK CASEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Community Day returns to help kids prepare for school

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Community Day will return for another year of fun, outreach and community support from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department.
Paula and Keith Wagnon, the husband and wife team that owns Buds ’n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford, have decided to temporarily close their shop to take care of their mothers. The shop has been open since 1995. (SHANNON MORAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Paula and Keith Wagnon, the husband and wife team that owns Buds ’n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford, have decided to temporarily close their shop to take care of their mothers. The shop has been open since 1995. (SHANNON MORAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Buds ’n Bows to remain closed through Aug. 1

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Keith and Paula Wagnon, who own Buds ’n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford, have temporarily closed their store to attend to family matters.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

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Job description for BOE District 1 representative

News Staff
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Notice of Oglethorpe County Board of Education’s intent to ap- point a District 1 Representative to the Oglethorpe County Board of Education to fill the vacant seat for District 1 ending Dec. 31, 2024.   The Georgia Constitution requires that an elected school board oversee each school system.
Carolyn and Donnie Jordan, with their dog Alice, moved Jordan Air to downtown Crawford in 2018. It has become one of Oglethorpe County’s largest private employers. (JESSE WOOD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Carolyn and Donnie Jordan, with their dog Alice, moved Jordan Air to downtown Crawford in 2018. It has become one of Oglethorpe County’s largest private employers. (JESSE WOOD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Jordan finds Crawford has perfect temperature for success

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Donnie Jordan, the owner of Jordan Air, is a people person.   With a door that is always open and a close-knit community like that of Oglethorpe County, Jordan provides unique opportunities for his customers to receive a free consultation about one-of-a-kind HVAC issues their homes may be having.
Oglethorpe County school officials hope the repairs and renovations to the central office will be finished when school starts on Aug. 7. The office flooded when a pipe broke in December. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Oglethorpe County school officials hope the repairs and renovations to the central office will be finished when school starts on Aug. 7. The office flooded when a pipe broke in December. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Central office repairs entering final stage

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Paul Thiel, the director of operations for the Oglethorpe County School System, is hopeful repairs to the central office will be complete by the start of school on Aug. 7.
(KENNEDY LEWIS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

(KENNEDY LEWIS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Wesley Chapel chief sees early progress after separation

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Chris Dickens, chief of the Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, has begun to see results after separating from Oglethorpe County Consolidated Fire and Rescue earlier this month. “My community has already come together,” he said.
Carpenter Peter Mallet works on the old steeple at Lexington Baptist Church earlier this year. The steeple was installed in 1893 and replaced in 1975, but remains on church grounds. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Carpenter Peter Mallet works on the old steeple at Lexington Baptist Church earlier this year. The steeple was installed in 1893 and replaced in 1975, but remains on church grounds. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

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Old Lexington Baptist steeple gets a makeover

Avni Trivedi
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
In 1975, Lexington Baptist Church replaced its steeple with a newer version and memorialized the original by keeping it on the property, along with a placard.
Cody Gibbs works nights and week- ends for Oglethorpe County Emergen- cy Medical Services, in addition to his full-time job (JULIANNA RUSS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Cody Gibbs works nights and week- ends for Oglethorpe County Emergen- cy Medical Services, in addition to his full-time job (JULIANNA RUSS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Behind the badge: Cody Gibbs shows commitment in times of tragedy, stress

Julianna Duennes Russ and Noor Abdallah
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Cody Gibbs responds to emergency calls at the Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department almost daily. But no amount of first-response experience can prepare someone for a call like the one Gibbs received on April 3.
Virginia Sanders, far right, crochets as she engages in conversation with others at a Covered with Love meeting in March at Lexington Baptist Church. The members, who create and donate afghans, have been meeting for seven years, and this year, they are donating their work to Quiet Oaks Health Care Center. (ELIZABETH RYMAREV/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Virginia Sanders, far right, crochets as she engages in conversation with others at a Covered with Love meeting in March at Lexington Baptist Church. The members, who create and donate afghans, have been meeting for seven years, and this year, they are donating their work to Quiet Oaks Health Care Center. (ELIZABETH RYMAREV/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Crocheting with Care: Virginia Sanders serves others with her craft

Elizabeth Rymarev and Olivia Wakim
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Despite the thunderstorm crackling at 7 a.m. on a Saturday in late March, Virginia Sanders still packs her car with bags of food and coffee supplies, boxes of yarn and a tupperware of name tags before she heads over to Lexington Baptist Church.