Local News

Roz Echols and Jim Boggs were selected queen and king of the Oglethorpe County Senior Citizens Center's Valentine's Ball on Tuesday. (Photo/Shelby Wingate)

Roz Echols and Jim Boggs were selected queen and king of the Oglethorpe County Senior Citizens Center's Valentine's Ball on Tuesday. (Photo/Shelby Wingate)

Dance the day away

Shelby Wingate
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
WATCH: Seniors display love, show off moves at Valentine's Ball   The dance floor was the main attraction, grabbing the attention of guests at the Oglethorpe County Senior Citizens Center’s Valentine’s Ball on Tuesday.
The tractor-trailer accident took place on January 25. It occurred on Union Point Road, near Hutchins Road. (Submitted photo/Jay Paul)

The tractor-trailer accident took place on January 25. It occurred on Union Point Road, near Hutchins Road. (Submitted photo/Jay Paul)

Tractor-trailer flips, driver ‘extremely lucky’

Brooke Stewart
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
First responders from across Oglethorpe County were present at a recent accident, where the driver of a tractor-trailer was fortunate to escape without serious injury.
Youth Leadership Oglethorpe facilitator Ally Kelley-Morris, a junior at Oglethorpe County High School, discusses types of conflict with OCMS students in a class last week. (Photo/Viktoria Kangas)

Youth Leadership Oglethorpe facilitator Ally Kelley-Morris, a junior at Oglethorpe County High School, discusses types of conflict with OCMS students in a class last week. (Photo/Viktoria Kangas)

OCMS students learn leadership skills through program

Viktoria Kangas
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
The voices of facilitators filled the room, grabbing the attention of the 20 students.   “With conflict, what comes to mind?” facilitator Marcus Eason asked.   They began shouting out answers: “problems,” “arguing,” “fighting.
(JOHNATHAN MARTIN/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Johnathan Martin said sludge from piles of soil amendment on a neighboring property flows onto his land, which is in Rayle.

(JOHNATHAN MARTIN/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Johnathan Martin said sludge from piles of soil amendment on a neighboring property flows onto his land, which is in Rayle.

Resolution next step in county's sludge fight

Jack Rhodes
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Johnathan Martin and his brother inherited land from their late father five years ago. Now, that land is being disrupted by material considered to be a soil amendment.    “If you were looking for a piece of land, you wouldn’t be interested in where I live,” Martin said.
Polly Fleming, who said she has almost “an unhealthy love for twirling,” coaches Kassie Mathews at her studio in Crawford. Fleming has coached twirling since her freshman year at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Polly Fleming, who said she has almost “an unhealthy love for twirling,” coaches Kassie Mathews at her studio in Crawford. Fleming has coached twirling since her freshman year at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Lifelong love: Fleming brings out best in twirlers

Olivia Shapiro
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Remember your counts.   Legs and arms straight.   Toes pointed.   These are techniques engraved into the minds of twirlers who have learned under twirling coach Polly Fleming.    The competition and performances, though, are only a small part of the twirling experience.
(SOPHIE MCLEOD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Mike and Patty Boyd, who moved to Georgia from Louisiana nearly a decade ago, have managed to bring a taste of Cajun country into Oglethorpe County. They decorate their home for Mardi Gras every year.

(SOPHIE MCLEOD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Mike and Patty Boyd, who moved to Georgia from Louisiana nearly a decade ago, have managed to bring a taste of Cajun country into Oglethorpe County. They decorate their home for Mardi Gras every year.

Mardi Gras House

News Staff
Thursday, February 9, 2023
Mike and Patty Boyd not only packed their belongings, but also their traditions, when they relocated from Louisiana to Oglethorpe County 10 years ago.
(ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Commissioners Andy Saxon and David Clark discuss issues during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. The board passed a resolution stating the county's position on soil amendments.

(ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Commissioners Andy Saxon and David Clark discuss issues during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. The board passed a resolution stating the county's position on soil amendments.

Commissioners pass soil amendment resolution

Wade Cheek
Thursday, February 9, 2023
  The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a soil amendment resolution in their monthly meeting on Monday night.
The Rev. David Burt, who has led Millstone Baptist Church since 1989, holds a photo of the church and its congregation circa 1900. The church is the oldest in Oglethorpe County, with a constitution that dates to January 1788. (Photo/Maddie Daniel)

The Rev. David Burt, who has led Millstone Baptist Church since 1989, holds a photo of the church and its congregation circa 1900. The church is the oldest in Oglethorpe County, with a constitution that dates to January 1788. (Photo/Maddie Daniel)

235 years of history

Maddie Daniel
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Millstone Baptist Church is tucked away in a thick grove of trees, on top of a grassy hill and down a gravel road.    It may seem off the beaten path, but countless people have made their way through its doors the past three centuries, and many still do every Sunday.
Southern A&E architect Sara Honeycutt shows materials and decor examples to Superintendent Beverley Levine and Board of Education members at the meeting on Tuesday. Honeycutt explained the color choices and how they will be applied. (Photo/Viktoria Kangas)

Southern A&E architect Sara Honeycutt shows materials and decor examples to Superintendent Beverley Levine and Board of Education members at the meeting on Tuesday. Honeycutt explained the color choices and how they will be applied. (Photo/Viktoria Kangas)

School construction to begin in June

Viktoria Kangas
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Construction on Oglethorpe County’s new elementary school is scheduled to start in June.    Southern A&E, an architectural and engineering firm, presented the design and materials of the new school to Superintendent Beverley Levine and the Board of Education on Tuesday night.