Local News

(Submitted Photo/Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office) GBI artist Kelly Lawson met with the victim of a reported home invasion in Winterville to produce this sketch of the suspect.

(Submitted Photo/Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office) GBI artist Kelly Lawson met with the victim of a reported home invasion in Winterville to produce this sketch of the suspect.

GBI sketch leads to 4 suspects in Winterville home invasion

Emily Garcia
Friday, September 9, 2022
Three weeks after a reported home invasion in Winterville, the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office is looking into the alibis of four potential suspects: a result of a recent forensic sketch.
Runners started the 10K near the Crawford Baptist Church. The race was part of the 18th annual Restoration Labor Day 5K/10K on Monday. (Photo/Nimra Ahmad)

Runners started the 10K near the Crawford Baptist Church. The race was part of the 18th annual Restoration Labor Day 5K/10K on Monday. (Photo/Nimra Ahmad)

More than 150 runners compete in annual Restoration 5K

Nimra Ahmad
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Under an overcast sky and the occasional stray raindrop, Crawford hosted the 18th Annual Restoration Labor Day 5K/10K on Sept. 5.    Hosted by the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce, the annual race is part of an ongoing effort to fund the city’s depot.
(Troyce Grant/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Troyce Grant/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford looks to renovate city water plant

Troyce Grant
Thursday, September 8, 2022
After numerous complaints about brown water, the city of Crawford will take bids from companies, starting in October, and if all goes as planned, renovations to the water department will begin early next year.

State meeting next step in sludge battle

Caroline Embleau
Thursday, September 8, 2022
The battle against sludge continues in Oglethorpe County as officials push for more local monitoring rights, and changes proposed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture are under consideration.    The Georgia Department of Agriculture proposed soil amendment reforms on July 15.
Former Oglethorpe County Japanese exchange teacher Hidekatsu Sakamoto, second from left, gathers with Warren Gilson, left, and Sherry Gilson, center, along with their son, Wesley, second from right, and granddaughter Carly before dinner on Aug. 24. (Aisha Schulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Former Oglethorpe County Japanese exchange teacher Hidekatsu Sakamoto, second from left, gathers with Warren Gilson, left, and Sherry Gilson, center, along with their son, Wesley, second from right, and granddaughter Carly before dinner on Aug. 24. (Aisha Schulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Just like old times

Aisha Schulz
Thursday, September 1, 2022
When a young Hidekatsu Sakamoto first set foot in Oglethorpe County, the world was a much less connected place.   “Everything was so different. In 1994, there was no internet or email, and I missed my language,” Sakamoto said. “I asked my mom to send newspapers.
(Emily Garcia/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Emily Garcia/The Oglethorpe Echo)

County pushes for broadband funds

Bobby Andrews
Thursday, September 1, 2022
After missing out on the last round of broadband funding, Oglethorpe County officials are working to receive grant money in the round that begins Sept. 6.   Unlike the first round of funding, when municipalities applied, this time, internet service providers will apply for funds.
(Megan Fitzgerald/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Megan Fitzgerald/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Schools are short on subs

Megan Fitzgerald
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Superintendent Beverley Levine said the Oglethorpe County School System needs more substitutes.    “We still have a shortage,” she said. “I could have another 14 (substitutes) come tomorrow, and it still wouldn’t be enough.

4-H boiled peanuts are back

Erin Kenney
Thursday, September 1, 2022
The Oglethorpe County 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl Team placed fourth at the national competition in Denver earlier this year. To pay for the travel to Colorado, the team relied on fundraisers and donations from the community.
Family members reminisce and tell tales of how they found their connection within the Booth-Moore family tree. The family has had a reunion for 44 consecutive years. (Lily Baldwin/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Family members reminisce and tell tales of how they found their connection within the Booth-Moore family tree. The family has had a reunion for 44 consecutive years. (Lily Baldwin/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Booth-Moore families are set on preserving the past

Lily Baldwin
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Members from all branches of the family tree gathered for the 44th annual Booth-Moore reunion at Shelter No. 1 at Watson Mill Bridge State Park on Aug. 28 and bonded over detailed books documenting the family’s history.
The Vesta Volunteer Fire Department is raffling a Remington Model 700 .308 rifle with a scope. The rifle is on display at the Ace Hardware in Crawford. (Kennedy Lewis/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Vesta Volunteer Fire Department is raffling a Remington Model 700 .308 rifle with a scope. The rifle is on display at the Ace Hardware in Crawford. (Kennedy Lewis/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Vesta Fire Department raffles rifle for new equipment

Kennedy Lewis
Thursday, September 1, 2022
The Vesta Volunteer Fire Department hopes to raise money for several projects with the proceeds from a raffle for a Remington Model 700 .308 rifle with a scope.   Douglas Spencer, the Oglethorpe County Emergency Management Agency director, said equipment is a primary need for the department.