Local News

To sign up for alerts, text “Oglethorpe” to 99411 and create an account. You can also visit the sheriff’s webpage to create an online account. The sheriff’s webpage instructs residents to text 994111, instead of 99411. The latter number is correct. (Graphic/ Katie Tucker)

Registration needed to receive county's emergency alerts

Emily Garcia

Thursday, October 20, 2022

An alert was sent to residents of Oglethorpe County who lived within a mile radius of a recent home invasion in Winterville. The alert, created by the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Department, reached some residents but missed others.

Kat Howkins (left) and Trey Rhodes (right) are candidates running in the Georgia House of Representatives District 124 race. (Submitted Photos)

Q&A: House candidates Trey Rhodes and Kat Howkins gear up for Election Day

Thomas Bresee

Thursday, October 20, 2022

The Georgia House of Representatives District 124 race has come down to Rep. Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro) and Kat Howkins. Rhodes has held office since 2015. Howkins, a Democrat, is the director and owner of Sweet Olive Farm Animal Rescue in Oglethorpe County. Election Day is Nov.

This year's ballot includes the race for Georgia's governor, a United States Senate seat and other state elections, plus proposed constitutional amendments and referendums. (Graphic/Canva)

Sample ballot for Oglethorpe County's November elections

News Staff

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Below you will find a sample ballot for Oglethorpe County's November election. To view a sample ballot online, you can visit ballotpedia.org and use its sample ballot lookup tool. Early voting began Oct. 17 and will continue until Nov. 4. Election day is Nov. 8.

McKenzie Spooner assists residents with planning and zoning issues, and permitted activities in her role as county planner. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Q&A: County planner McKenzie Spooner settles into role

Katie Tucker

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Q: You grew up in neighboring Wilkes County — what are the similarities you see between Wilkes and Oglethorpe? A: I have lived in Wilkes County since I was 2 years old, (but) having attended pre-K through 12th grade in Oglethorpe County…my mom was a teacher in the county..

Wade King, an education leader from Get Your Teach On, was one of the keynote speakers at the personal development event at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Oct. 7. He and his wife, Hope King, worked with teachers on how to create engaging classrooms. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

Learning event at OCES focused on engagement

Megan Fitzgerald

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Swapping muted professional clothing for spunky ’90s fashion, Oglethorpe County teachers became students at a professional learning event on Oct. 7.

(Infographic/Amanda Bright)

State Route 77 closure to affect travel into Elbert County

Jalen Beckford

Thursday, October 13, 2022

State Route 77 in Elbert County will be closed from Oct. 13-17, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The closure will likely only affect Oglethorpe County residents heading into Elbert County, said Allen Long, highway maintenance foreman.

Wayne Loggans is selling pumpkins at his Crawford home every weekday and Saturday until he sells out. Miniature pumpkins, pictured here, are handed out to kids who stop by. (Photo/Ashley Balsavias)

Crawford Halloween display aims for smiles, not scares

Ashley Balsavias

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Wayne Loggans has decked out his Crawford yard with Halloween inflatables for nearly a decade and adds more every year, but this is the first year he is selling pumpkins. His property at 496 North St. is populated with 23 Halloween inflatables, which Loggans set up himself.

Naomi (left) and Cam McPeake pose with their award winning animals on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia. (Photo/Katie Tucker)

Local students win livestock awards at state fair

Erin Kenney

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Oglethorpe County Elementary School fourth-grader Cam McPeake won state champion showman for his grade level at the Georgia National Fair last weekend. The award is the culmination of many hours of hard work preparing his goat for competition. “It feels like an honor,” McPeake said.

Infographic/Kennedy Lewis

Early voting starts Oct. 17

Kennedy Lewis

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Election season is underway, with early voting for the Nov. 8 midterm election beginning on Monday, Oct. 17. Through early voting, the Oglethorpe County Board of Elections officials hope to increase voter turnout and offer convenience for citizens. Early voting ends on Nov. 4.

Artist Mary Ann Cox, who works on a new pastel still-life at her studio during the Art Crawl, took advantage of the event to meet new folks.

Crawl introduces county to artists

Nimra Ahmad

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Painter Mary Ann Cox moved to Lexington in 2019, right before the pandemic, so she wasn’t able to meet as many people as she would have liked. So last week’s Art Crawl was an opportunity to make acquaintances and new art patrons.