Local News

Jason Lewis demonstrates packing a wound for staff members of the ASPIRE program at a Stop the Bleed training session at Oglethorpe County Primary School on Nov. 7. The training helps educate county teachers and officials on how to stop significant bleeding in case of injury. (Emily Garcia/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jason Lewis demonstrates packing a wound for staff members of the ASPIRE program at a Stop the Bleed training session at Oglethorpe County Primary School on Nov. 7. The training helps educate county teachers and officials on how to stop significant bleeding in case of injury. (Emily Garcia/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Program trains teachers, officials to stop bad bleeds

Emily Garcia and Kennedy Lewis
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Tonia Willis is a visual learner. Led by Jason Lewis’ instruction, she velcroed a blue tourniquet shut on her thigh and turned the windlass rod until her leg started to go numb.
Santa waves from his float in last year’s Maxey's Christmas Parade. This year’s parade, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, will feature live music. (Staff/File)

Santa waves from his float in last year’s Maxey's Christmas Parade. This year’s parade, which is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, will feature live music. (Staff/File)

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Maxeys Christmas parade has new twists

Troyce Grant
Thursday, December 1, 2022
The Maxeys Christmas Parade, back for its fourth year, will feature an acapella group, homemade gingerbread houses and antiques for holiday giving in addition to the parade, parade organizer Heather Parham said.   She spent part of her childhood in Maxeys, before moving back in 2020.
Residents stand in line to vote early Tuesday in the Senate runoff between Sen. Raphael Warnock and former UGA football star Herschel Walker. (Submitted Photo)

Residents stand in line to vote early Tuesday in the Senate runoff between Sen. Raphael Warnock and former UGA football star Herschel Walker. (Submitted Photo)

Voters, parties gear up for Senate runoff

Thomas Bresee and Bobby Andrews
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Election season is dying down, but there’s one loose end in Georgia.    The Senate race between Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker heads to the runoff on Dec. 6. Since neither candidate received 50% of the vote in the general election on Nov.
County officials install one of the new digital speed signs in downtown Lexington last week. (Submitted Photo)

County officials install one of the new digital speed signs in downtown Lexington last week. (Submitted Photo)

Speed signs in place

Kennedy Lewis
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Speeding drivers is a primary concern of Oglethorpe County officials.    So, the sheriff’s office has taken a step toward remedying the issue by installing nine digital speed signs throughout the county — with more to come.
Sherry Lipinski (left) puts food on the plates of Alyssa (middle) and Chelsea Durie during the Oglethorpe County Library’s first Friendsgiving on Nov. 15. About a dozen teens participated in the event. (Katie Tucker/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sherry Lipinski (left) puts food on the plates of Alyssa (middle) and Chelsea Durie during the Oglethorpe County Library’s first Friendsgiving on Nov. 15. About a dozen teens participated in the event. (Katie Tucker/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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No turkey, but plenty of food at Library’s first Friendsgiving

Katie Tucker
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Nearly a dozen young people gathered with a dish in hand to celebrate the first Oglethorpe County Library Friendsgiving on Nov. 15.   The event was open to middle and high schoolers and held in the library’s multi-purpose room.
Ronnie Boggs is closing the Lexington Antique Mall after 25 years. The building, at 102 E. Main St. in down- town Lexington, might become a pub-style restaurant. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Ronnie Boggs is closing the Lexington Antique Mall after 25 years. The building, at 102 E. Main St. in down- town Lexington, might become a pub-style restaurant. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Restaurant might replace antique mall

Bobby Andrews
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The Lexington Antique Mall will shut its doors after a quarter-century in business.    “After 25 years, the antique business has changed quite a bit,” owner Ronnie Boggs said. “The younger generation … doesn't have the appreciation for the older antiques.
Tiffany Gomes

Tiffany Gomes

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Gomes pleads guilty

Emily Garcia
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Tiffany Gomes, former treasurer of the Oglethorpe County Athletic Booster Club, pleaded guilty earlier this month to four counts of theft by taking.
Teen leader Audrey Green (left) and fifth-grade student Breeyana Jones measure ingredients at the Cooking to Share program on Nov. 17. Adult and teen volunteers help the students with the cooking. (Erin Kenney, The Oglethorpe Echo)

Teen leader Audrey Green (left) and fifth-grade student Breeyana Jones measure ingredients at the Cooking to Share program on Nov. 17. Adult and teen volunteers help the students with the cooking. (Erin Kenney, The Oglethorpe Echo)

Program addresses food insecurity, teaches kitchen skills to children

Erin Kenney and Caroline Embleau
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Rina Southall, a first-grade teacher at Oglethorpe County Primary School, wanted her daughter to be in after-school programs, but she left it to her to choose which one.   Her daughter’s pick? An after-school organization she feels “helps other people” — the Cooking to Share Program.
Jason Bernstein, an owner of Bernstein & Co. Realty, said there were about 30 homes on the market in Oglethorpe County in early November, which means it remains a seller’s market. (Celia Lovell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jason Bernstein, an owner of Bernstein & Co. Realty, said there were about 30 homes on the market in Oglethorpe County in early November, which means it remains a seller’s market. (Celia Lovell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Q&A: Agent says housing supply equals seller’s market

Celia Lovell
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Real estate agent Jason Bernstein sees buyers interested in Oglethorpe County for land acreage and the ability to leave the city. Bernstein co-owns Bernstein & Co. Realty, a firm that works with sellers and buyers in Oglethorpe County and Northeast Georgia.
Basil Terhune’s photo series capturing the story of life at Caribe United, Tamita Brown’s farm, was one of two Echo pieces receiving honorable mentions for INN’s Insight Award for Visual Journalism. (Basil Terhune/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Basil Terhune’s photo series capturing the story of life at Caribe United, Tamita Brown’s farm, was one of two Echo pieces receiving honorable mentions for INN’s Insight Award for Visual Journalism. (Basil Terhune/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Echo recognized for dedicated journalism through awards, funds

Emily Rose Hamby
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
The outcome of the University of Georgia’s partnership with The Oglethorpe Echo, established in the fall of 2021, has been anything but lackluster.