Local News

Luke Snyder holds an unfinished chef knife featuring a single bevel at Bloodroot Blades in Arnoldsville. There’s a 52-month waiting list for the knives handcrafted by Snyder and partners Katy and David Van Wyk. (Sarah Donehoo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Luke Snyder holds an unfinished chef knife featuring a single bevel at Bloodroot Blades in Arnoldsville. There’s a 52-month waiting list for the knives handcrafted by Snyder and partners Katy and David Van Wyk. (Sarah Donehoo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Cutting edge: Bloodroot Blades enjoys immense popularity

Sarah Donehoo
Thursday, February 23, 2023
WATCH: Bloodroot Blades Knife Crafting Light pours into the front of the Bloodroot Blades workshop, where Oglethorpe County natives Katy and David Van Wyk sit next to Luke Snyder. A rustic wooden table and shelves full of different types of wood for blade handles occupy the sunlit room.
A new culvert was recently installed at the end of White Oak Drive at Hawk’s Landing subdivision. The Public Works Department replaced the original pipe that was old and weak. (WADE CHEEK/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

A new culvert was recently installed at the end of White Oak Drive at Hawk’s Landing subdivision. The Public Works Department replaced the original pipe that was old and weak. (WADE CHEEK/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Nation, crews praised

Wade Cheek
Thursday, February 23, 2023
The praise continues for Oglethorpe County Public Works director Adam Nation and his road management crew.
Forester Lea Clark (from left), Lexington Mayor Craig Snow and Ralph Maxwell stand at the spot of the soon-to-be planted red oak by the Lexington Post Office on Saturday. The tree was planted to honor Maxwell, the former publisher of The Oglethorpe Echo. (SOPHIE MCLEOD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Forester Lea Clark (from left), Lexington Mayor Craig Snow and Ralph Maxwell stand at the spot of the soon-to-be planted red oak by the Lexington Post Office on Saturday. The tree was planted to honor Maxwell, the former publisher of The Oglethorpe Echo. (SOPHIE MCLEOD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Maxwell honored with new tree

Sophie McLeod
Thursday, February 23, 2023
A tree planting in Lexington not only honored the arrival of a new tree, but served as an opportunity for Lexington residents to celebrate one man’s deep roots in a small town.    Ralph Maxwell, former publisher and editor of The Oglethorpe Echo, was honored at the Feb.

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Q&A, Lewis: County needs to take ownership of opioid crisis

Sydney Bishop
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Jason Lewis, the Oglethorpe County Emergency Medical Services director, sat down with The Oglethorpe Echo to discuss the opioid epidemic in Georgia and Oglethorpe County, the use of Narcan by EMS and the lack of resources, such as treatment centers.
Crawford Mayor Seavy O’Neal goes over the agenda during the city council meeting earlier this month. (DeAnthony Moore/Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford Mayor Seavy O’Neal goes over the agenda during the city council meeting earlier this month. (DeAnthony Moore/Oglethorpe Echo)

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Crawford mobile home additions approved

DeAnthony Moore
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
The Quiet Oaks Mobile Home Park is a step closer to adding new homes after an unanimous vote of the request was approved by the Crawford City Council on Feb. 14. The mayor will now decide.
Carl Herring sings "God's Country" by Blake Shelton at karaoke night at the James T. Rayle American Legion Post 123 in Lexington. He likes to change the pace by singing recent country hits instead of songs from the 1980s and ’90s. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Carl Herring sings "God's Country" by Blake Shelton at karaoke night at the James T. Rayle American Legion Post 123 in Lexington. He likes to change the pace by singing recent country hits instead of songs from the 1980s and ’90s. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

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‘It'll make you feel welcome’

Molly Linder and Olivia Shapiro
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Carl Herring’s grandfather served in World War II, and the Oglethorpe County resident — who is also part of the Sons of the American Legion — wants to continue being part of the veteran community because it’s part of his history, too.
(Bella Guerrero/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Bella Guerrero/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Three local organizations receive donations

Bella Guerrero
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
ReDux Equine Rescue, Sweet Olive Rescue and Watson Mill Bridge State Park recently received funds from the Kel-Mac Saddle Club because of their work with horses.
(LINDA HELMLY/PHOTO SUBMISSION) This is Grandma Lee (Parolee Crowe Arnold) (right) and little Linda Helmly (left) in 1963. They are smiling for a photo outside Helmly's childhood home.

(LINDA HELMLY/PHOTO SUBMISSION) This is Grandma Lee (Parolee Crowe Arnold) (right) and little Linda Helmly (left) in 1963. They are smiling for a photo outside Helmly's childhood home.

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Helmly makes sure Maxeys isn’t lost to history

Destiny Hartwell
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Everything started with a “what if” for Linda Helmly in 2007: What would happen if she told the rich stories of Maxeys she had heard growing up?
(RAMON ELORTONDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Cast members Wyatt Herndon (Porter Milgrim) and Dave Bloyer (Sidney Bruhl) practice a scene for Arts!Oglethorpe’s production of "Deathtrap” this month.

(RAMON ELORTONDO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Cast members Wyatt Herndon (Porter Milgrim) and Dave Bloyer (Sidney Bruhl) practice a scene for Arts!Oglethorpe’s production of "Deathtrap” this month.

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Arts!Oglethorpe hits stage with ‘Deathtrap’

Ramon Elortondo
Thursday, February 16, 2023
Arts!Oglethorpe has been rehearsing three times a week since early January for its first show of the season, which director Bly Hartley describes as one “everyone can enjoy.” Ira Levin’s comedy/mystery/thriller “Deathtrap” will be performed Feb. 23-26 at the historic Crawford School.