Local News

(ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Commissioners Andy Saxon and David Clark discuss issues during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. The board passed a resolution stating the county's position on soil amendments.

(ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) Commissioners Andy Saxon and David Clark discuss issues during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. The board passed a resolution stating the county's position on soil amendments.

Commissioners pass soil amendment resolution

  The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a soil amendment resolution in their monthly meeting on Monday night.
The Rev. David Burt, who has led Millstone Baptist Church since 1989, holds a photo of the church and its congregation circa 1900. The church is the oldest in Oglethorpe County, with a constitution that dates to January 1788. (Photo/Maddie Daniel)

The Rev. David Burt, who has led Millstone Baptist Church since 1989, holds a photo of the church and its congregation circa 1900. The church is the oldest in Oglethorpe County, with a constitution that dates to January 1788. (Photo/Maddie Daniel)

235 years of history

Millstone Baptist Church is tucked away in a thick grove of trees, on top of a grassy hill and down a gravel road.    It may seem off the beaten path, but countless people have made their way through its doors the past three centuries, and many still do every Sunday.
Southern A&E architect Sara Honeycutt shows materials and decor examples to Superintendent Beverley Levine and Board of Education members at the meeting on Tuesday. Honeycutt explained the color choices and how they will be applied. (Photo/Viktoria Kangas)

Southern A&E architect Sara Honeycutt shows materials and decor examples to Superintendent Beverley Levine and Board of Education members at the meeting on Tuesday. Honeycutt explained the color choices and how they will be applied. (Photo/Viktoria Kangas)

School construction to begin in June

Construction on Oglethorpe County’s new elementary school is scheduled to start in June.    Southern A&E, an architectural and engineering firm, presented the design and materials of the new school to Superintendent Beverley Levine and the Board of Education on Tuesday night.
A sign on South Broad Street in downtown Crawford states "NO THRU TRUCKS," but truckers sometime disregard the signs, which can lead to damaged roads throughout Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Sydney Bishop)

A sign on South Broad Street in downtown Crawford states "NO THRU TRUCKS," but truckers sometime disregard the signs, which can lead to damaged roads throughout Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Sydney Bishop)

Trucks, county roads sometimes don’t mix

The “No Thru Trucks” sign people encounter while driving through Oglethorpe County has been interpreted to mean trucks aren’t allowed on those roads, under any circumstances.  That’s not always the case.  Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel said there’s caveats.
Tamita Brown, who owns and runs Caribe United Farm in Crawford, said she likes to keep her egg prices low, but the cost of “organic feed has gone up tremendously,” so she might have to increase her prices. Basil Terhune/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Tamita Brown, who owns and runs Caribe United Farm in Crawford, said she likes to keep her egg prices low, but the cost of “organic feed has gone up tremendously,” so she might have to increase her prices. Basil Terhune/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Shelling out big bucks: Avian flu drives price spikes in eggs

Howard and Cindy Abbey have been raising chickens since 2006 after purchasing 50 acres of land in Lexington. Cindy grew up on a farm, so she enjoys having animals around and the fresh eggs are a bonus.
(Graphic/ Gianna Rodriguez)

(Graphic/ Gianna Rodriguez)

Mental health at focus of new Instagram page

The most rewarding phrases that wellness counselors Tonia Willis and Mollie Cole hear at the end of one-on-one sessions with their students are “Thank you,” and “I feel proud of myself.”    Those simple words push them to find more ways to help their students.
The Lexington Downtown Development Authority has set a goal of $200,000 to turn the Macon Coil building into a community center. It had raised $25,000 as of Jan. 30.\(Photo/DeAnthony Moore)

The Lexington Downtown Development Authority has set a goal of $200,000 to turn the Macon Coil building into a community center. It had raised $25,000 as of Jan. 30.\(Photo/DeAnthony Moore)

Macon Coil building to become community center

Lexington’s Macon Coil building is being transformed into a community center.   The warehouse at 303 E. Church St., was given to the Lexington Downtown Development Authority from Myles “Jerry” Titus.
(Submitted Photo) Gina Holloway, standing on top of an abandoned vehicle in the Green Zone in Baghdad in 2011, managed a sign shop in Iraq even though she didn’t speak Arabic.

(Submitted Photo) Gina Holloway, standing on top of an abandoned vehicle in the Green Zone in Baghdad in 2011, managed a sign shop in Iraq even though she didn’t speak Arabic.

Signs of the times: Holloway puts skills to work

Driving through Oglethorpe County, Gina Holloway’s work seems to be on every corner.    She’s responsible for the signage presented by Duncan’s Auto Shop, Shear Elegance, Strickland’s Produce, Lexington Antiques and even the “Welcome to Maxeys GA” sign.
Delbra Kendrick sings as fellow performers look on at "An Old-Fashioned Fifth Sunday Gospel Sing" at the Beth-Salem Presbyterian Church on Sunday. The event was part of the Lexington Downtown Development Authority's 2023 Concert Series, which is raising funds for a community center in the Macon Coil building. (Photo/Gray Jones)

Delbra Kendrick sings as fellow performers look on at "An Old-Fashioned Fifth Sunday Gospel Sing" at the Beth-Salem Presbyterian Church on Sunday. The event was part of the Lexington Downtown Development Authority's 2023 Concert Series, which is raising funds for a community center in the Macon Coil building. (Photo/Gray Jones)

First concert of series features local singers

Attendees swayed in their pews and sang along to a particularly powerful rendition of “Amazing Grace,” turning performer and audience into a single voice that flowed triumphantly throughout historic Beth-Salem Presbyterian Church’s great hall.