Local News

Wilson’s new business focuses on rural land

Larry Willis and his family are avid deer hunters. He often leases deer hunting property to hunt on with his two sons and two grandchildren.   Last year, Willis decided it was time to purchase his own hunting property with the help of Phil Wilson, a realtor in Oglethorpe County.
Susie Johnson is retiring after eight years as the principal of Oglethorpe County High School, during which time the school’s graduation rate increased from a percentage in the mid-70s to 94.2%. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Susie Johnson is retiring after eight years as the principal of Oglethorpe County High School, during which time the school’s graduation rate increased from a percentage in the mid-70s to 94.2%. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

A fond farewell

Susie Johnson has a trip planned to Costa Rica in June with church members and friends.    She wants to one day return to Paris, which she visited in 2019. In addition, she hopes to further explore her love for interior design and continue her work with her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Camera, laser system ready for school zones

Cameras and laser speed detectors have been installed in Oglethorpe County’s school zones and should be ready to help enforce the speed by the start of the next school year, Sheriff David Gabriel said.

Residents, officials worry about both solar farms

Residents have concerns about the solar farm projects in the county.   Code Compliance Officer Jeff Sharp said residents are concerned about sediment release into Goose Pond from the Timberland Solar Project and the heavy traffic that comes in and out of the project on Saxon Mattox Road.

Bramlett case to make calendar call on June 1

Angel Bramlett, a former Oglethorpe County Probate Court clerk, who was indicted on 64 charges last year, is scheduled to make a calendar call in Oglethorpe County Superior Court at 2 p.m. June 1.   A calendar call allows both at- attorneys to provide information to a judge about a case’s status.

Woman charged with running fake raffles

A woman from Waynesboro, Georgia, is being charged with a felony after attempting to swindle money from Oglethorpe County residents by encouraging participation in raffles.   She visited various local businesses and gave different pitches of what prizes participants could receive.

News Roundup: Ceremony for new K-5 school set for May 24

White County hires former county chair   Billy Pittard, the former Chair of the Oglethorpe County Commission, has been hired as the interim county manager in White County.   Pittard replaces Mike Renshaw, who was fired on April 11, according to the White County News.
Parents and children play with giant bubbles at the Marigold Festival on Saturday. Kids played in bounce houses and enjoyed face painting, puppet making, games, photo booths and more at the annual event in Winterville. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Parents and children play with giant bubbles at the Marigold Festival on Saturday. Kids played in bounce houses and enjoyed face painting, puppet making, games, photo booths and more at the annual event in Winterville. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Marigold Festival