Local News

A dog receives a blessing at the inaugural Blessing of the Pets, a fundraising event held by the Winterville Animal Clinic last month. The event raised $1,300 for the clinic's Angel Fund, designed to help animals in need. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

A dog receives a blessing at the inaugural Blessing of the Pets, a fundraising event held by the Winterville Animal Clinic last month. The event raised $1,300 for the clinic's Angel Fund, designed to help animals in need. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

‘Everything perfect’ for first Blessing of the Pets

Gray Jones
Thursday, May 4, 2023
A 70% chance of rain didn’t dissuade the friendly greetings and wagging tails under the large tent at the Grove Chapel Church in Winterville.

County’s new 2041 comprehensive plan up for state review

Wade Cheek
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Oglethorpe County’s new comprehensive plan is nearing adoption.    The county and the cities of Lexington, Arnoldsville, Crawford and Maxeys held a public hearing last Monday to inform the community of the plan itself, as well as the schedule of for adoption.
Alex Irwin poses with his grandmother Janice Messer at an OCES honors program several years ago. Irwin, who competes in jiu-jitsu, now raises money through Tap Cancer Out. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Alex Irwin poses with his grandmother Janice Messer at an OCES honors program several years ago. Irwin, who competes in jiu-jitsu, now raises money through Tap Cancer Out. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Irwin’s quest honors late grandmother

Destiny Hartwell
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Janice Messer was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer on Feb. 25, 2017, and just a few weeks later, on March 7, she died.    For her grandson, Alex Irwin of Arnoldsville, losing his best friend was one of the hardest experiences of his life.
Kaleb and Kaitlyn Marchant, who live in Winterville, have been selected to serve on the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee this year. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Kaleb and Kaitlyn Marchant, who live in Winterville, have been selected to serve on the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee this year. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Marchants selected for Farm Bureau committee

Sydney Bishop
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Oglethorpe County Farm Bureau’s Kaitlyn and Kaleb Marchant will serve on the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee, a leadership development program for members ages 18-35.
First responders Cody Gibbs (from left) and Matthew Echols help Oglethorpe County High School student Kayla Bass practice with a fire extinguisher. Gibbs recently won AEMT of the Year at the Region 10 EMS Banquet. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

First responders Cody Gibbs (from left) and Matthew Echols help Oglethorpe County High School student Kayla Bass practice with a fire extinguisher. Gibbs recently won AEMT of the Year at the Region 10 EMS Banquet. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCHS Ghost Out

News Staff
Thursday, May 4, 2023
The Carter-Coile Country Doctors Museum in Winterville, which highlights the history of rural doctors, is named for Dr. Warren Carter and Dr. Frank Coile who served the Winterville community in the late 1800s and early 1900s.(MADDIE DANIEL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The Carter-Coile Country Doctors Museum in Winterville, which highlights the history of rural doctors, is named for Dr. Warren Carter and Dr. Frank Coile who served the Winterville community in the late 1800s and early 1900s.(MADDIE DANIEL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Country doctoring, small-town history on display

Maddie Daniel and Gray Jones
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Winterville’s cultural attractions are growing, with new exhibits now open at the Carter-Coile Country Doctors Museum and plans for the Winterville History Museum and Heritage Room taking shape.
The Oglethorpe county board of education holds a work session in preparation for their next official meeting on May 2.(Alex Bavosa/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe county board of education holds a work session in preparation for their next official meeting on May 2.(Alex Bavosa/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Schools working through several personnel changes

Alex Bavosa
Thursday, April 27, 2023
The Oglethorpe County School System will look different at every level next year.   Positions across elementary, middle and high schools will be filled with new hires or will experience faculty and staff moving to new roles.
Jake Willcox auctions off an item at the Oglethorpe County Athletic Booster Club's Patriot Powerball fundraiser. The Patriot Powerball is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the OCABC and helps fund middle and high school athletics. (Gray Jones/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jake Willcox auctions off an item at the Oglethorpe County Athletic Booster Club's Patriot Powerball fundraiser. The Patriot Powerball is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the OCABC and helps fund middle and high school athletics. (Gray Jones/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriot Powerball winners split grand prize

Gray Jones
Thursday, April 27, 2023
As the tags were removed one by one, the crowded field of more than 300 contestants was steadily whittled down to the final 10.  The tension was palpable. Then, those still remaining in the lottery were called to the front of the stage. “My heart was racing; I’ll tell you that,” said Jeri Franklin.