Local News

All four teachers of the year. From left: Tim Stoudenmire, Mary Kate Shealy, Erin Serrian, Laray Mask. (Submitted Photo)

All four teachers of the year. From left: Tim Stoudenmire, Mary Kate Shealy, Erin Serrian, Laray Mask. (Submitted Photo)

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Teachers of the year selected for their dedication

Emily Rose Hamby
Thursday, November 3, 2022
This year’s Oglethorpe County School teachers of the year may come as no surprise to those in their classrooms, in part, because they are being honored for their teaching techniques and student support — even after they leave their classrooms each day.
(Staff/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Staff/The Oglethorpe Echo)

County early voting behind usual pace

Thomas Bresee
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Although early voting numbers across Georgia have risen by 34% since the last midterm, Oglethorpe County has seen a decrease in early voter turnout this year.    Oglethorpe County has 11,309 eligible voters; 2,852 have voted early, a turnout of 25%.
Georgia WIC serves income-eligible women, infants and children who are: infants or children aged 1-5 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding women, postpartum women (up to six months) and Georgia residents. (Andrea Gutierrez/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Georgia WIC serves income-eligible women, infants and children who are: infants or children aged 1-5 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding women, postpartum women (up to six months) and Georgia residents. (Andrea Gutierrez/The Oglethorpe Echo)

eWIC system delivers smoother experience for families

Andrea Gutierrez
Thursday, November 3, 2022
An updated electronic system has simplified grocery shopping for families with infants and small children with the introduction of eWIC by the Oglethorpe County Health Department.

Levine: Lockdown drills 'successful'

Megan Fitzgerald
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Superintendent Beverley Levine called Tuesday’s lockdown drills “successful” at the school board meeting that night.   Levine said the last lockdown drill the school system conducted was before the COVID-19 pandemic, so another drill was needed at all four of the county’s schools.

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News Roundup: Rotary club holds golf tournament, more

Echo Staff
Thursday, November 3, 2022
  The Oglethorpe Rotary Club is sponsoring a golf tournament at 9 a.m. Nov. 18 at Double Oaks Golf Club in Commerce.   Prizes will be paid for winners through third place. There will also be contests for the longest drive and the closest to the pin.
The original UGA staff included (from left) Thomas Ehlers, Alden Lisse, Sarah White, Mackenzie Tanner, De Turner and Julianna Russ. Not pictured: Maddie Brechtel. They reported for The Oglethorpe Echo from October 2021 to last January. (Sarah Freeman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The original UGA staff included (from left) Thomas Ehlers, Alden Lisse, Sarah White, Mackenzie Tanner, De Turner and Julianna Russ. Not pictured: Maddie Brechtel. They reported for The Oglethorpe Echo from October 2021 to last January. (Sarah Freeman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Echo celebrates year of partnership

Nimra Ahmad
Thursday, November 3, 2022
When Andy Johnston, soon-to-be editor of The Oglethorpe Echo, got a call from his boss one Friday afternoon in September of 2021, he thought he had done something wrong. But that was, in fact, the last thing on Charles Davis’ mind.
Firefighters place numbered stickers on large pads of paper to indicate their station's priorities during a meeting in the Oglethorpe County courthouse in Lexington, Georgia, on Monday, Oct. 17. (Emily Garcia/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Firefighters place numbered stickers on large pads of paper to indicate their station's priorities during a meeting in the Oglethorpe County courthouse in Lexington, Georgia, on Monday, Oct. 17. (Emily Garcia/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Small steps for fire stations

Emily Garcia
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Jehu Post, Beaverdam’s fire chief, isn’t sure he’d call the planning meeting between fire stations on Oct. 17 a unity meeting, but then again, he might.    “If we (stations) all fall underneath the strategic plan, then we're all working on the same page.
Beverley Levine runs through a paper banner upon entering Oglethorpe County High School as part of her celebration through the county schools. (Photo/Katie Tucker)

Beverley Levine runs through a paper banner upon entering Oglethorpe County High School as part of her celebration through the county schools. (Photo/Katie Tucker)

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Levine celebrated as state finalist

Katie Tucker
Friday, October 28, 2022
When Oglethorpe County teams excel, the school community celebrates with a parade through the hallways of the primary, elementary, middle and high schools.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Wright’s patrol SUV is at the county maintenance shop after last week’s single-car accident on Arnoldsville Road. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin Wright’s patrol SUV is at the county maintenance shop after last week’s single-car accident on Arnoldsville Road. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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Deputy is stable after auto accident

Bobby Andrews
Friday, October 28, 2022
An Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office deputy was injured in a single-car accident on Arnoldsville Road, about one-half mile from the intersection with Grove Chapel Church Road, last week, 911 director James Jackson said.
Volunteers at Lexington Baptist Church sort food into boxes for families visiting the mobile food pantry. The boxes of food are dispersed drive-through style every second Monday of the month. (Submitted Photo)

Volunteers at Lexington Baptist Church sort food into boxes for families visiting the mobile food pantry. The boxes of food are dispersed drive-through style every second Monday of the month. (Submitted Photo)

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Church meets needs with food pantry

Lily Baldwin
Friday, October 28, 2022
Every second Monday of the month, 20-40 volunteers greet families who line the block in their cars around Lexington Baptist Church. In just one day, the group will disperse around 150 boxes to provide more than 500 people with necessary food supplies.