Local News

Board of Assessors stress tax deadline

The deadline for Oglethorpe County residents to apply for homestead exemptions, conservation use and for filing property tax returns is April 1.
Maxeys Mayor Warren Gilson sits next to clerk Sherry Gilson as the city council discusses slowing traffic through town and other business in its meeting on March 14.

Maxeys Mayor Warren Gilson sits next to clerk Sherry Gilson as the city council discusses slowing traffic through town and other business in its meeting on March 14.

Maxeys to install crosswalk lights, digital speed signs

Maxeys is taking measures to slow traffic through the city. It will install a set of crosswalk lights downtown and digital speeding signs on Cherry Street, Laurel Street and state Route 77. Funding will come from the Highway Safety Improvement Program.
Olivia Shapiro/The Oglethorpe Echo

Olivia Shapiro/The Oglethorpe Echo

County’s inmates now housed in Greene County

Oglethorpe County’s inmates are no longer being housed at the Oconee County Jail.   Sheriff David Gabriel moved the county’s inmates to the Greene County Jail when the contract with Oconee County ended earlier this year.

Lexington historic survey finished

The “City of Lexington 2021-2022 Historic Resource Survey,” which includes detailed analyses of 150 historic buildings, a technical report and GIS data entry on a statewide map, is complete, Evelyn Reece said in an email.
Also, only patients who have been seen in person by Oglethorpe Animal Clinic in the past year can make these appointments. (Graphic/Gianna Rodriguez)

Also, only patients who have been seen in person by Oglethorpe Animal Clinic in the past year can make these appointments. (Graphic/Gianna Rodriguez)

Telehealth offers pet owners affordability, convenience

Zoom calls are not just for humans.    Telehealth appointments, introduced during the pandemic, also offer pets and their owners cheaper and quicker services at Oglethorpe Animal Clinic in Crawford. They are $10-25 cheaper than in-person, regular checkups for pets.
Donations fill tables at the eighth annual Bark & Wine fundraiser. The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter's largest fundraiser of the year took place at the Historic Smithonia Farm March 11.

Donations fill tables at the eighth annual Bark & Wine fundraiser. The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter's largest fundraiser of the year took place at the Historic Smithonia Farm March 11.

Animal shelter meets fundraising goal at Bark & Wine

Donors, sponsors and local residents filled the venue at Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter’s eighth annual Bark & Wine, the shelter’s largest fundraiser of the year.
The Barrow Creek Bluegrass Band performed at the Platt-Brooks Estate Venue on Saturday, March 18th as a fundraising event for the Lexington GA Downtown Development Authority. The band played for hours, accepting requests from the audience and exploring genres. (Photo/Sophie McLeod)

The Barrow Creek Bluegrass Band performed at the Platt-Brooks Estate Venue on Saturday, March 18th as a fundraising event for the Lexington GA Downtown Development Authority. The band played for hours, accepting requests from the audience and exploring genres. (Photo/Sophie McLeod)

Sounds of bluegrass brighten Lexington

Around 40 folks gathered under the soft lighting of the Platt Brooks Estate for a night of bluegrass music and barbeque on Saturday night.
JACK RHODES/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

JACK RHODES/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

House Bill 477 awaits hearing, but it could be ‘courtesy’

House Bill 477, which would regulate and provide more local control over the use of soil amendments, died recently in the House Natural Resources Committee.    However, a hearing for the bill is scheduled for the week of March 20, giving possible hope for its future.
The Oglethorpe County Library’s Tournament of Books is down to the Elite Eight, with the next winners being announced on Monday. The champ will be crowned on April 3. (Submitted Photo)

The Oglethorpe County Library’s Tournament of Books is down to the Elite Eight, with the next winners being announced on Monday. The champ will be crowned on April 3. (Submitted Photo)

Library creates March Madness of literature to encourage reading

Test your competitive streak and book knowledge in the 2023 Tournament of Books at the Oglethorpe County Library.    By voting on the most read books of last year, the public gets the chance to guess what book they think will be on top.