Local News

(BROOKE STEWART/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

(BROOKE STEWART/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Data: Victims of county’s violent crimes know their assailants

Brooke Stewart
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Local crime data shows that violent crimes are mostly committed by those who know their victims — at least in Oglethorpe County.    Chief Magistrate Judge Megan Coile confirmed the numbers.   “There's always a connection between the victim and the accused,” Coile said.
Caution tape surrounds the remains of a storage trailer that burned at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Monday morning. The trailer contained paper and decorations for themed celebrations. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Caution tape surrounds the remains of a storage trailer that burned at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Monday morning. The trailer contained paper and decorations for themed celebrations. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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OCES storage trailer 'total loss' after electrical fire

McCain Bracewell
Thursday, May 4, 2023
An electrical issue was the cause of a fire that destroyed a storage trailer at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Monday morning.    A bus driver for the school system noticed the fire, and Superintendent Beverley Levine received a call around 6:15 a.m.
Trava Barnett not only owns and runs Trava’s Dog Gone Good Cafe in Lexington, but also a hot dog cart that she operates on the weekends in Downtown Athens. She’s one of several county business owners who have found ways to attract new audiences for their products. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Trava Barnett not only owns and runs Trava’s Dog Gone Good Cafe in Lexington, but also a hot dog cart that she operates on the weekends in Downtown Athens. She’s one of several county business owners who have found ways to attract new audiences for their products. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.

Sarah Donehoo and Alex Bavosa
Thursday, May 4, 2023
A kitchen fire caused Trava Barnett to take her cafe food on the road with a hot dog cart.   Chris Hart faced a demand so high Cafe Racer had to move to online ordering.
OCMS science teacher Steven King is headed to Disneyland this week after being selected as one of the Disney100 Teachers Contest. He came out of retirement to teach in Oglethorpe County. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCMS science teacher Steven King is headed to Disneyland this week after being selected as one of the Disney100 Teachers Contest. He came out of retirement to teach in Oglethorpe County. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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OCMS' King one of 100 winners in Disney contest

McCain Bracewell
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Steven King, who teaches sixth, seventh and eighth grade gifted science at Oglethorpe County Middle School, is one of 100 teachers across the U.S. who has been named a winner of the Disney Imagination Award — a contest with over 10,000 entries.
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)

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‘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.

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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)

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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)

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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.
Students react to the announcement of Nadia Henderson as prom queen. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Students react to the announcement of Nadia Henderson as prom queen. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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OCHS prom crowns royalty

News Staff
Thursday, May 4, 2023