Local News

(Ashley Balsavias and Sydney Hood/Home Grown)

(Ashley Balsavias and Sydney Hood/Home Grown)

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Home Grown: Porch perfect

News Staff
Monday, January 2, 2023
By Ashley Balsavias and Sydney Hood Create the perfect welcome for guests with inspiration from these three porches across the county.   Simple and serene Joanne Maki’s wraparound porch is her favorite part of her Smithonia home.
After renovations, 2022 (Photo/Alden Lisse)

After renovations, 2022 (Photo/Alden Lisse)

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Home Grown: A new season

News Staff
Monday, January 2, 2023
By Alden Lisse and Avery Householder   Winston Brown envisioned a hunting cabin when he offered to buy an unused house from friend Bill Cunningham for $1.   The 1920s house had been uninhabited for years on Cunningham’s property across the street from Brown’s farm in Lexington.
(Photo/Allie Peagler)

(Photo/Allie Peagler)

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Home Grown: Morning Glory

News Staff
Monday, January 2, 2023
See a walkthrough tour of Terry Rowlett's garden here.   By Allie Peagler Home Grown   From the break of light to around 10 a.m. most days, Terry Rowlett works in the backyard of his Lexington home, manicuring his formal garden.
Heillyn Viquez (left) and Pam Fox, volunteers with Paws UnChained, handed out straw and dog houses at Oglethorpe County Feed and Hardware Supply earlier this month. (Erin Kenney/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Heillyn Viquez (left) and Pam Fox, volunteers with Paws UnChained, handed out straw and dog houses at Oglethorpe County Feed and Hardware Supply earlier this month. (Erin Kenney/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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How to care for outdoor animals during cold spells

Erin Kenney
Sunday, January 1, 2023
As temperatures began to dip ahead of the arctic blast on Dec. 22, Pam Fox and Heillyn Viquez stood outside Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply, giving out bales of straw and dog houses.
The historical marker tells the story of Howard’s Covered Bridge, which has been covered with graffiti. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The historical marker tells the story of Howard’s Covered Bridge, which has been covered with graffiti. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Howard's Bridge being repaired

Erin Kenney
Sunday, January 1, 2023
Repairs to Howard’s Covered Bridge, a nearly 120-year-old bridge in Smithonia, could be completed in the next month.   County employees are replacing the rotting remains of the bridge approach at its northern end.
Volunteer firefighters-in-training take part in a live burn test on Saturday, Dec. 3. The live burn test, where firefighters must put out a fire in a controlled environment, is a requirement to become certified. (Photo/submitted)

Volunteer firefighters-in-training take part in a live burn test on Saturday, Dec. 3. The live burn test, where firefighters must put out a fire in a controlled environment, is a requirement to become certified. (Photo/submitted)

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Newest fire rescue recruits pass training

Ashley Balsavias
Monday, December 26, 2022
A flag hanging inside the Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department says: “You can’t train too hard for a job that could kill you.” It’s one of the mottos that instructor Cody Gibbs teaches to the county’s volunteer firefighters-in-training.
Howard Sanders

Howard Sanders

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Sanders set to join county commission

Hannah Yahne
Monday, December 26, 2022
Howard Sanders is the newest member of the Board of Commissioners after defeating his cousin, Phil Sanders, in the runoff election earlier this year.

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County expands landfill

Erin Kenney
Friday, December 23, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Construction and Demolition landfill is growing.    The expansion that is underway will give the landfill the capacity for about three more years of business, Oglethorpe County Commission Chairman Jay Paul said.   But county officials are looking beyond 2026.
Kade Ruff, a third grader from Elbert County, stands with his goat in the show ring. Students of all ages participated in the OC Christmas Classic Goat Show on Dec. 10. (Erin Kenney/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Kade Ruff, a third grader from Elbert County, stands with his goat in the show ring. Students of all ages participated in the OC Christmas Classic Goat Show on Dec. 10. (Erin Kenney/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Classic gives students, goats chance to show off

Erin Kenney
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
The gravel parking lot was packed with cars, trucks and trailers. Students and parents milled around the barn against the noisy backdrop of bleating goats, buzzing shears, whirring hair dryers and the intermittent announcements over the speakers.