Local News

(Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

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Home Grown: An artist’s haven

News Staff

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

By Shelby Israel A mix of colorful hues and rich earth tones fill artist Rebecca Wood’s Lexington home, reflecting the outdoors she grew up loving.

(Photo/Erin Kenney)

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Home Grown: The star treatment

News Staff

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

By Erin Kenney Anyone who has shopped for window treatments knows the options are endless. Roman shades or pleated drapes? Minimalist blinds or chunky shutters? What about swags, valances and cornices?

(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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.