Local News

Longtime board member Dave Hawkins opens a present that was given to him during the BOE meeting on Tuesday, his last as a member of the board. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Longtime board member Dave Hawkins opens a present that was given to him during the BOE meeting on Tuesday, his last as a member of the board. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Hawkins receives jacket for service to board of education

Emily Rose Hamby
Monday, December 12, 2022
Dave Hawkins was given a fond farewell at his final Oglethorpe County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night.   Hawkins, who didn’t seek re-election this year after district lines were changed, was presented with an embroidered jacket detailing his achievements as a board member.

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County waste service costs to increase

Katie Tucker
Monday, December 12, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners voted to increase the prices of two waste-related services at their December meeting, citing both increased operating costs and competition with surrounding counties.
The Grinch rides in tandem with Christmas cheer, throwing candy at those lining the street at the Maxeys Christmas Parade.

The Grinch rides in tandem with Christmas cheer, throwing candy at those lining the street at the Maxeys Christmas Parade.

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PHOTOS: Maxeys 2022 Christmas Parade

Aisha Schulz
Monday, December 12, 2022
Photos by Aisha Schulz/The Oglethorpe Echo
Lincoln Lindsey, a clerk at the Lexington Post Office, said the recent mail delivery consolidation with the Athens office has been “an epic fail.” Mail delivery throughout the county often is delayed. (ERIN KENNEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Lincoln Lindsey, a clerk at the Lexington Post Office, said the recent mail delivery consolidation with the Athens office has been “an epic fail.” Mail delivery throughout the county often is delayed. (ERIN KENNEY/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Post office consolidation causes delivery issues

Erin Kenney
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Lincoln Lindsey, a postal clerk who has worked at the Lexington Post Office the last two years, is frustrated with the recent consolidation of Oglethorpe County mail delivery with the new Athens Sorting and Delivery Center (S&DC).   “As the kids would say, it’s been an epic fail,” Lindsey said.
Tom Sheridan stands in front of the Crawford home he shares with his wife Sandra. They referred to a book called “Barber’s Turn-of-the-Century Houses” to help them restore the home like it might have looked more than 100 years ago. (PEYTON JENKINS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Tom Sheridan stands in front of the Crawford home he shares with his wife Sandra. They referred to a book called “Barber’s Turn-of-the-Century Houses” to help them restore the home like it might have looked more than 100 years ago. (PEYTON JENKINS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

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Homage to the Past: Crawford home painstakingly restored with nod to history

News Staff
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Tom Sheridan spent 15 years uncovering the beauty of his Crawford home, which was covered three times over in white paint. It’s now covered with hues of lavender and seafoam green that draw attention from the street and give the home charming curb appeal.
Access to broadband graphic by Emily Garcia

Access to broadband graphic by Emily Garcia

County eligible for new broadband funding

Jalen Beckford
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Oglethorpe County is back in the broadband funding game.   The county is one of 33 Georgia counties eligible to apply for grants with the announcement of a newly secured $250 million in American Rescue Plan investments to improve and expand broadband across the state.
Babs DeArmond said to expect “maybe three times as many baskets” than last year’s Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale. This year’s sale, hosted by the Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library, will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. (Submitted Photo)

Babs DeArmond said to expect “maybe three times as many baskets” than last year’s Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale. This year’s sale, hosted by the Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library, will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. (Submitted Photo)

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Bazaar, book sale builds on its first-year success

Caroline Embleau
Thursday, December 1, 2022
Babs DeArmond, treasurer of the Friends of the Oglethorpe County Library, had an idea last year, along with fellow members, to intertwine library fundraising and the holiday season.
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.