Local News

Berry’s Jake Turner runs for part of his career-high 120 yards against Rhodes College on Oct. 4. He finished his second season with 237 yards rushing and one touchdown. (Submitted Photo)

Berry’s Jake Turner runs for part of his career-high 120 yards against Rhodes College on Oct. 4. He finished his second season with 237 yards rushing and one touchdown. (Submitted Photo)

Former OCHS star finds role at Berry

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Jake Turner understood early that college football would demand a reset. A productive running back at Oglethorpe County High School, Turner graduated after piling up 1,318 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in 2023.
Jay Paul listens to a resident at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. Paul, who is in his second term as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, would like to secure a landfill expansion permit this year. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Jay Paul listens to a resident at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. Paul, who is in his second term as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, would like to secure a landfill expansion permit this year. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Paul focuses on protecting county’s ‘quality of life’

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Jay Paul has a to-do list for the upcoming year, but his top priority is something bigger.  “My goal is to protect and to preserve our quality of life,” said Paul, chair of the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.
A selection of Barbara Cabaniss’ salt and pepper collection are on display at the Oglethorpe County Library. The salt and pepper shakers, which have been accumulated throughout her life, will remain on display until the end of January. (Submitted Photo)

A selection of Barbara Cabaniss’ salt and pepper collection are on display at the Oglethorpe County Library. The salt and pepper shakers, which have been accumulated throughout her life, will remain on display until the end of January. (Submitted Photo)

Cabaniss’ salt, pepper shakers fill up library’s display cabinet

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Barbara Cabaniss began collecting salt and pepper shakers when she was about 7 years old, after she received her first set from her great-uncle, who passed them down from Cabaniss’ great-grandmother. The collection has grown through the years, fueled by her travels and interests.
Runners start the Winterville Snowflake 10K in 2023. This year’s race is the first of six in the Firefly Trail Race Series, which includes two races in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Runners start the Winterville Snowflake 10K in 2023. This year’s race is the first of six in the Firefly Trail Race Series, which includes two races in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Winterville Snowflake 10K first in six-race Firefly series

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Runners and walkers across Oglethorpe County will ring in the new year with the return of the seventh annual Firefly Trail Race Series, a six-race lineup designed to bring the community together and raise awareness of the Firefly Trail.
(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

Fewer young farmers could threaten industry

Makenna Reavis and Jacob Harper
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
For Travis Legg, farming isn’t just a profession, it’s a legacy.  Legg is a third-generation farmer who lives in Smithonia, where he has been producing cattle, poultry and hay since 1995, but he was introduced to the industry by his grandfather and dad.
Commissioners David Clarke and Howard Sanders at the BOC meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Commissioners David Clarke and Howard Sanders at the BOC meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Proposed ordinance silenced in meeting

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The proposed noise ordinance that led residents to pack the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday went quietly away.
The monks walk through Oglethorpe County on Sunday afternoon. (Photo/Steven Colquitt)

The monks walk through Oglethorpe County on Sunday afternoon. (Photo/Steven Colquitt)

Monks walk for peace

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Wingate Downs received a surprise call Saturday from the group of Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington. They needed a place to stay that night after traveling from Oconee County. He jumped at the chance.

Body ID’d as Acworth man

News Staff
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
The body found in Oglethorpe County late last month has been identified as Kenny Jackson Jr., a GBI spokeswoman wrote in an email on Dec. 23. Jackson, a 21-year-old from Acworth, had been missing since Nov. 19, according to multiple reports.
The Winterville home of Crystal and Demetrius Whitted was destroyed by a fire that started around 2:46 a.m. Dec. 24. There were no injuries, but two kittens were killed in the fire. (Photo/Submitted)

The Winterville home of Crystal and Demetrius Whitted was destroyed by a fire that started around 2:46 a.m. Dec. 24. There were no injuries, but two kittens were killed in the fire. (Photo/Submitted)

Winterville home destroyed by fire

Ansley Gavlak
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Crystal Whitted didn’t have much time to react when fire began to spread through their Winterville home in the early morning hours of Dec. 24. “It happened so fast,” she said. “I only had a few seconds to think and walk in (the bedroom) and get out.
(Graphic/Eva Saraf)

(Graphic/Eva Saraf)

Unemployment has been stable since 2020

Eva Saraf
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Unemployment in Oglethorpe County has remained relatively unchanged the past five years, despite challenges in the county and efforts to improve employment opportunities.