Local News

Firefighters learned how to remove the doors and windshield off of a car using hydraulic cutting tools. (Photo Courtesy/Jennifer King)

Firefighters learned how to remove the doors and windshield off of a car using hydraulic cutting tools. (Photo Courtesy/Jennifer King)

Vesta among departments to undergo rescue training

Ashley Balsavias
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Firefighters from departments in Vesta, Arnoldsville and Winterville recently attended a vehicle extrication class, where they learned how to use hydraulic tools to tear the doors off of a car, break its windows and cut out the windshield.
Coach Tanner Nation puts his team through free-throw practice at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department. They have to make a set number of shots to cut down on their running after practice. (MAGGIE RULAND/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Coach Tanner Nation puts his team through free-throw practice at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department. They have to make a set number of shots to cut down on their running after practice. (MAGGIE RULAND/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Athletes coaching athletes

Maggie Ruland and De Turner
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
When Michael White became director of the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department in 2017, he was only starting to see growth in youth sports.   “When I (came) here five years ago,” he said, “I think we had 19 basketball teams. From then to now, I’ve got 31 teams.
Drop Tine owner Phil Wilson, with his mom Ester Wilson, said damages to his processing facility could cost up to $20,000 to repair. (KYLE SOTO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Drop Tine owner Phil Wilson, with his mom Ester Wilson, said damages to his processing facility could cost up to $20,000 to repair. (KYLE SOTO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Damages knock out Drop Tine

Kyle Soto
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Drop Tine Game Processing has shut down its processing facility after a former employee allegedly damaged the building, owner Phil Wilson said.   Damages included the power cord to the building’s main freezer, which caused more than 80 deer to rot, and to the roof of the facility.
Alan Johnson records decibel levels on Beaverdam Road as vehicles pass over rumble strips. Johnson is one of several Smithonia residents who has said the strips are too loud for nearby homeowners. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Alan Johnson records decibel levels on Beaverdam Road as vehicles pass over rumble strips. Johnson is one of several Smithonia residents who has said the strips are too loud for nearby homeowners. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New solution to silence rumble strips

Katie Tucker
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
  The monthslong conversation about the rumble strips on Beaverdam Road might have reached a potential solution. The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at their meeting on Dec. 5 to pay for another attempt at fixing the noise issue.
Members of the Oglethorpe County 4-H Horse Club interact with horses during the group’s first meeting at Echo Hill Farm last month. (ANDREA GUTIERREZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Members of the Oglethorpe County 4-H Horse Club interact with horses during the group’s first meeting at Echo Hill Farm last month. (ANDREA GUTIERREZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Saddle up: Kids learn to ride horses in new program

Andrea Gutierrez
Monday, December 12, 2022
For Ruth Wilson, co-owner of Echo Hill Farm, practice makes perfect, and riding horses is no exception.
Danny Sanders (center) owns Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply, alongside his sons Hudson (left) and Stewart (right). The store has been open since 2001 at 900 Athens Road in Crawford. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Danny Sanders (center) owns Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply, alongside his sons Hudson (left) and Stewart (right). The store has been open since 2001 at 900 Athens Road in Crawford. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Storefront among changes at Sanders’ Crawford store

Morgan Quinn
Monday, December 12, 2022
Danny Sanders is already looking forward to his next project after Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply opened its new customer entrance this fall.

No flu vaccines at local pharmacy

Hannah Yahne
Monday, December 12, 2022
Skrip Shoppe Pharmacy, the only pharmacy in Oglethorpe County, is out of its seasonal allotment of 300 flu vaccines.   “People just came in earlier for their vaccines this year,” pharmacist Leigh Anne Bridges said in a phone interview.   Flu season hit the U.S.
Longtime board member Dave Hawkins opens a present that was given to him during the BOE meeting on Tuesday, his last as a member of the board. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Longtime board member Dave Hawkins opens a present that was given to him during the BOE meeting on Tuesday, his last as a member of the board. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hawkins receives jacket for service to board of education

Emily Rose Hamby
Monday, December 12, 2022
Dave Hawkins was given a fond farewell at his final Oglethorpe County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night.   Hawkins, who didn’t seek re-election this year after district lines were changed, was presented with an embroidered jacket detailing his achievements as a board member.