Local News

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.

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Elections over, but work isn’t finished for local election officials

Hannah Yahne
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Marilyn Huff-Waller’s work wasn’t done when the runoff votes were finally counted last week.   She’s spent the past week certifying ballots, which were due to the Secretary of State’s office by 5 p.m. Monday. Other paperwork remains.   “Well, there’s still lots to be done,” she said.
Callie Bridges (left) and Andee Dellinger work on an example wreath at a wreath making class on Dec. 8. The students are both OCHS freshman who are taking the floral design class. (Erin Kenney/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Callie Bridges (left) and Andee Dellinger work on an example wreath at a wreath making class on Dec. 8. The students are both OCHS freshman who are taking the floral design class. (Erin Kenney/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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OCHS wreath class gets into Christmas spirit

Erin Kenney
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Kim Smith and Daphna Huff have been making wreaths together every Christmas for the last six years. To carry out the tradition this year, Smith and Duff attended the Oglethorpe County High School floral design class’ wreath making class.
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)

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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)

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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)

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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.