Local News

Master gardener Lamara Martin examines a daffodil before handing them out to guests at the Seed Swap. Martin, who lives in Athens, was one of two master gardeners at the Seed Swap, which was held March 4 at No. 3 Railroad Street. (SHELBY WINGATE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Master gardener Lamara Martin examines a daffodil before handing them out to guests at the Seed Swap. Martin, who lives in Athens, was one of two master gardeners at the Seed Swap, which was held March 4 at No. 3 Railroad Street. (SHELBY WINGATE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Get growing

Shelby Wingate
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Of all the seeds available at the Seed Swap, the Irish potatoes were the center of conversation.    With an early spring planting season, master gardener Lamara Martin took advantage of this growing interest, educating people on the benefits of homegrown produce.
Jessica Ellis (left), who works at the Oglethorpe County Library, and Emma Hernandez (right) chat while Hernandez builds the beginning stages of a treehouse. The library hosts the Lego Club once a month. (RAMON ELORTONDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Jessica Ellis (left), who works at the Oglethorpe County Library, and Emma Hernandez (right) chat while Hernandez builds the beginning stages of a treehouse. The library hosts the Lego Club once a month. (RAMON ELORTONDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Lego Club allows children to build, imagine at monthly meeting

Ramon Elortondo
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Emma Hernandez, a young member of the Oglethorpe County Lego Club, carefully places a trap door Lego piece down on a bright green foundation square. She was in the beginning stages for what would eventually become a “big ol’ tree house.” “I love building secret rooms,” Hernandez said.
Nic Cunha, development manager for Vanguard Renewables, gave a presentation on anaerobic digesters. The digesters combine food and farm waste to create fertilizers and renewable natural gas. (Photo/Garrett Kicklighter)

Nic Cunha, development manager for Vanguard Renewables, gave a presentation on anaerobic digesters. The digesters combine food and farm waste to create fertilizers and renewable natural gas. (Photo/Garrett Kicklighter)

Commissioner, resident wary about anaerobic digesters

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Oglethorpe County District 4 Commissioner Will Brown and Lexington resident Ruth Wilson said they are cautious and concerned about the possible presence of an anaerobic digester installation in the county.

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News Roundup: District schedules listening session

News Staff
Sunday, March 12, 2023
The Oglethorpe County School System will hold a Community Listening Session at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 13 at the OCHS cafeteria to gather information for a new strategic plan that will serve the district through 2028.
Watson Mill Bridge State Park manager Lori Hamby discovered several photos of what the park looked like in the 1970s and '80s and other pictures taken during a variety of renovations done through the years. Hamby became park manager last September. (Courtesy of Watson Mill Bridge State Park)

Watson Mill Bridge State Park manager Lori Hamby discovered several photos of what the park looked like in the 1970s and '80s and other pictures taken during a variety of renovations done through the years. Hamby became park manager last September. (Courtesy of Watson Mill Bridge State Park)

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Looking back to move forward

Gray Jones
Sunday, March 12, 2023
The old photos show how Watson Mill Bridge State Park used to be. Pictures of old movie nights, anniversary celebrations and the iconic bridge being refurbished.    Park manager Lori Hamby found the photos in an envelope labeled “old park slides” after she took over in September.
Members of The Light of The World Church congregate in their temple in Lexington earlier this year. The temple opened more than two years ago to provide a home to church members in this area. (Photo/Maddie Daniel)

Members of The Light of The World Church congregate in their temple in Lexington earlier this year. The temple opened more than two years ago to provide a home to church members in this area. (Photo/Maddie Daniel)

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Light of the World Church embraces community

Maddie Daniel
Sunday, March 12, 2023
The Light of the World Church opened its doors in Lexington a little over two years ago — but the church itself has been here for more than 15 years, even without a building.
Submitted Photo/OCHS PTO

Submitted Photo/OCHS PTO

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High school’s first PTO aims to be ‘big source of support’

Bella Guerrero
Saturday, March 11, 2023
  Oglethorpe County High School now has its own parent-teacher organization.    The mission of the OCHS PTO, which is new this year, is to support and recognize the work and accomplishments of teachers, students and faculty members by encouraging community engagement and partnership.

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County needs more E-911 dispatchers

Sydney Bishop
Thursday, March 9, 2023
  A fatal accident, like the two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 78 last week, is a daunting situation for Oglethorpe County Emergency Services. The county’s 911 dispatchers -— only two of them a shift — answered up to 20 calls about that incident.
Caleb Epps, a new member of the Oglethorpe County Bee Club, listens to guest speaker Annette Kleiser explain a new honeybee vaccine. Epps, who has two hives, joined the club to gain knowledge and share ideas with other members. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Caleb Epps, a new member of the Oglethorpe County Bee Club, listens to guest speaker Annette Kleiser explain a new honeybee vaccine. Epps, who has two hives, joined the club to gain knowledge and share ideas with other members. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

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Oglethorpe County Bee Club aims to educate, expand

Olivia Shapiro and Molly Linder
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Veteran beekeepers and folks just starting in the beekeeping world are coming to Oglethorpe County Bee Club meetings to gain more knowledge.    Crawford’s Caleb Epps, a new member, has two bee hives, but joined to learn from others.
Commissioners Howard Sanders (from left), Will Brown and Tracy Norman discuss adding Hugh Culbreth Road to the truck traffic ordinance during Monday’s commission meeting. (Garrett Kicklighter/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Commissioners Howard Sanders (from left), Will Brown and Tracy Norman discuss adding Hugh Culbreth Road to the truck traffic ordinance during Monday’s commission meeting. (Garrett Kicklighter/The Oglethorpe Echo)

No new solar farms for now

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on solar projects during its monthly meeting on Monday.