Local News

Leslie Jones was appointed president of Oglethorpe County Retired Educator's Association in July 2022. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Leslie Jones was appointed president of Oglethorpe County Retired Educator's Association in July 2022. (Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Jones to emphasize growth as OCREA president

Emily Rose Hamby
Saturday, October 8, 2022
When Leslie Jones called the Oglethorpe County Retired Educators Association (OCREA) meeting to order as its new president on Sept. 13, her vision for supporting the teachers and staff of the county was built on empathy.   “I mean, we were there one time,” Jones said.

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IRS approves Echo’s nonprofit status

News Staff
Saturday, October 8, 2022
The wait is over.     After 10 months of anticipation, The Oglethorpe Echo’s application for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status has been approved by the IRS.    Amy Stone, secretary of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Inc., received official notification this week.
Well-known artist Rebecca Wood stands at the door of her Lexington home, one of many downtown Lexington locations on the Art Crawl on Saturday. (Megan Fitzgerald/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Well-known artist Rebecca Wood stands at the door of her Lexington home, one of many downtown Lexington locations on the Art Crawl on Saturday. (Megan Fitzgerald/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Art Crawl on tap for Saturday

Lily Baldwin
Saturday, October 8, 2022
Three years — and one week later — the Art Crawl returns to Lexington.   The event, which had been on hiatus because of COVID-19, was scheduled to be held last Saturday, but organizers postponed it to Oct. 8 out of precaution when Hurricane Ian was predicted to move through Northeast Georgia.
Miss Oglethorpe Princess Lilah Trejo, holds bucket for donations to support Jacob Dake, Oglethorpe County high school, Sept. 29, 2022. Dake was in a motorcycle accident on Sept. 15, and has had extensive surgeries since. (Aisha Shulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Miss Oglethorpe Princess Lilah Trejo, holds bucket for donations to support Jacob Dake, Oglethorpe County high school, Sept. 29, 2022. Dake was in a motorcycle accident on Sept. 15, and has had extensive surgeries since. (Aisha Shulz/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Pass the BBQ, buckets: County helps support Dake family through fundraisers

Aisha Schulz
Saturday, October 8, 2022
When local business owner Hazel Sanders heard about Jacob Dake’s accident, she knew she had to do something.    “He’s my customer, and I’ve been taking care of him for years,” said Sanders, of Hazel’s Hair Salon in Lexington. “He’s one of my babies.
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jay Paul shows a map of the Timberland Solar Project, to which he is opposed.

Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jay Paul shows a map of the Timberland Solar Project, to which he is opposed.

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County's solar power sites spark discussion

Caroline Embleau
Saturday, October 8, 2022
Oglethorpe County has two new solar panel sites under construction, a topic for debate within the county.      The largest project is the CED Timberland Solar Project, owned by the Consolidated Edison Inc. subsidiary Consolidated Edison Development Inc. The other is owned by Wolfskin Solar, LLC.
(Submitted Photo)

(Submitted Photo)

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Firefly Trail Inc. looks to local action committees to boost future

Kyle Soto
Friday, September 30, 2022
The Union Point J35K on Saturday marked the conclusion of the four-legged Firefly 2022 Race Series, which helps raise awareness for the development of the Firefly Trail.    WATCH: 11th Annual Firefly Cruise-In   Now that the series has concluded, Firefly Inc.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

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Organizers push art crawl to next week

News Staff
Friday, September 30, 2022
The Art Crawl, which was scheduled for downtown Lexington on Saturday, has been postponed until Oct. 8 with the threat of storms and heavy winds from Hurricane Ian, which is projected to hit Georgia on Friday.
Austin Jenkins, branch manager at the Oglethorpe County Library, uses the new microfilm reader to view old editions of The Oglethorpe Echo. (Megan Fitzgerald/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Austin Jenkins, branch manager at the Oglethorpe County Library, uses the new microfilm reader to view old editions of The Oglethorpe Echo. (Megan Fitzgerald/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Library buys new microfilm reader

Megan Fitzgerald
Friday, September 30, 2022
A new microfilm reader at the Oglethorpe County Library provides users with a clearer image into the county’s history.    The ViewScan 4 microfilm reader was purchased using funds raised from a pledge drive hosted by Friends of the Library, a local nonprofit organization.
Tanner Mask, junior at Oglethorpe County High School (Katie Tucker/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tanner Mask, junior at Oglethorpe County High School (Katie Tucker/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Oglethorpe students begin to think politically

ktucker
Friday, September 30, 2022
As state and national candidates encourage Georgians to vote in November’s election, their messages and stances have also grabbed the attention of the next generation of voters.
When shelter population goes over capacity, dogs that are compatible are housed together at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter in Danielsville. (Kennedy Lewis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

When shelter population goes over capacity, dogs that are compatible are housed together at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter in Danielsville. (Kennedy Lewis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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MOAS explores solutions to overcrowding

Kennedy Lewis
Friday, September 30, 2022
The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter is urging the community to ease overcrowding stress by adopting, fostering and supporting its Spay It Forward program.