Local News

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. (Photo/Emily Garcia)

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. (Photo/Emily Garcia)

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Fire departments take first step

Emily Garcia
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Members of Oglethorpe County’s 15 fire stations took a first step on Monday to what Emergency Medical Services Director Jason Lewis hopes will culminate in a plan for cooperation and standardization.    The firefighters met at the Courthouse in the first of three planned gatherings.
Beverley Levine, superintendent of Oglethorpe County Schools, was selected as one of four finalists for the Superintendent of the Year Award at the Georgia School Superintendents Association Semi-Annual Conference in Athens on Wednesday.

Beverley Levine, superintendent of Oglethorpe County Schools, was selected as one of four finalists for the Superintendent of the Year Award at the Georgia School Superintendents Association Semi-Annual Conference in Athens on Wednesday.

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Superintendent Levine among four finalists for state honor

News Staff
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Beverley Levine, superintendent of Oglethorpe County Schools, was selected as one of four finalists for the Superintendent of the Year Award at the Georgia School Superintendents Association Semi-Annual Conference in Athens on Wednesday.
The Oglethorpe County softball team enjoys a snack to help refuel for a game. Oglethorpe County Family Connection’s “Nutrition Hydration” helps take some of the burden of feeding athletes off their parents. (Submitted Photo)

The Oglethorpe County softball team enjoys a snack to help refuel for a game. Oglethorpe County Family Connection’s “Nutrition Hydration” helps take some of the burden of feeding athletes off their parents. (Submitted Photo)

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Family Connection’s ‘Nutrition Hydration’ program fuels students-athletes

Andrea Gutierrez
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Combining community wellness with local athletics, former Oglethorpe County Elementary School paraprofessional April Moore has started a program to help collect snacks and lunches for Oglethorpe County High School sports teams.
OCMS band director Erin Serrian leads the jazz ensemble through a portion of its concert on Tuesday. The sixth-grade band and a combined band of seventh- and eighth-graders also performed. (Photo/Emily Rose Hamby)

OCMS band director Erin Serrian leads the jazz ensemble through a portion of its concert on Tuesday. The sixth-grade band and a combined band of seventh- and eighth-graders also performed. (Photo/Emily Rose Hamby)

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School bands shine in concerts, competitions

Emily Rose Hamby
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Oglethorpe County Middle School band students debuted their musical ability and refined playing technique for friends and family at their first concert of the school year on Tuesday night.
To sign up for alerts, text “Oglethorpe” to 99411 and create an account. You can also visit the sheriff’s webpage to create an online account. The sheriff’s webpage instructs residents to text 994111, instead of 99411. The latter number is correct. (Graphic/ Katie Tucker)

To sign up for alerts, text “Oglethorpe” to 99411 and create an account. You can also visit the sheriff’s webpage to create an online account. The sheriff’s webpage instructs residents to text 994111, instead of 99411. The latter number is correct. (Graphic/ Katie Tucker)

Registration needed to receive county's emergency alerts

Emily Garcia
Thursday, October 20, 2022
An alert was sent to residents of Oglethorpe County who lived within a mile radius of a recent home invasion in Winterville. The alert, created by the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Department, reached some residents but missed others.
Kat Howkins (left) and Trey Rhodes (right) are candidates running in the Georgia House of Representatives District 124 race. (Submitted Photos)

Kat Howkins (left) and Trey Rhodes (right) are candidates running in the Georgia House of Representatives District 124 race. (Submitted Photos)

Q&A: House candidates Trey Rhodes and Kat Howkins gear up for Election Day

Thomas Bresee
Thursday, October 20, 2022
The Georgia House of Representatives District 124 race has come down to Rep. Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro) and Kat Howkins. Rhodes has held office since 2015. Howkins, a Democrat, is the director and owner of Sweet Olive Farm Animal Rescue in Oglethorpe County. Election Day is Nov.
This year's ballot includes the race for Georgia's governor, a United States Senate seat and other state elections, plus proposed constitutional amendments and referendums. (Graphic/Canva)

This year's ballot includes the race for Georgia's governor, a United States Senate seat and other state elections, plus proposed constitutional amendments and referendums. (Graphic/Canva)

Sample ballot for Oglethorpe County's November elections

News Staff
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Below you will find a sample ballot for Oglethorpe County's November election. To view a sample ballot online, you can visit ballotpedia.org and use its sample ballot lookup tool.  Early voting began Oct. 17 and will continue until Nov. 4. Election day is Nov. 8. 
McKenzie Spooner assists residents with planning and zoning issues, and permitted activities in her role as county planner. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

McKenzie Spooner assists residents with planning and zoning issues, and permitted activities in her role as county planner. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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Q&A: County planner McKenzie Spooner settles into role

Katie Tucker
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Q: You grew up in neighboring Wilkes County — what are the similarities you see between Wilkes and Oglethorpe?    A: I have lived in Wilkes County since I was 2 years old, (but) having attended pre-K through 12th grade in Oglethorpe County…my mom was a teacher in the county..
Wade King, an education leader from Get Your Teach On, was one of the keynote speakers at the personal development event at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Oct. 7. He and his wife, Hope King, worked with teachers on how to create engaging classrooms. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

Wade King, an education leader from Get Your Teach On, was one of the keynote speakers at the personal development event at Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Oct. 7. He and his wife, Hope King, worked with teachers on how to create engaging classrooms. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

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Learning event at OCES focused on engagement

Megan Fitzgerald
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Swapping muted professional clothing for spunky ’90s fashion, Oglethorpe County teachers became students at a professional learning event on Oct. 7.
(Infographic/Amanda Bright)

(Infographic/Amanda Bright)

State Route 77 closure to affect travel into Elbert County

Jalen Beckford
Thursday, October 13, 2022
State Route 77 in Elbert County will be closed from Oct. 13-17, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT).   The closure will likely only affect Oglethorpe County residents heading into Elbert County, said Allen Long, highway maintenance foreman.