Local News

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)

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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)

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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.
Rick Skoglund owns Carquest Auto Parts stores in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties, in addition to Mathews Used Cars in Crawford and Rick’s Pit Stop in Lexington. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Rick Skoglund owns Carquest Auto Parts stores in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties, in addition to Mathews Used Cars in Crawford and Rick’s Pit Stop in Lexington. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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Q&A: Skoglund’s restaurant background serves him well

Morgan Quinn
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Rick Skoglund owns and manages the Carquest Auto Parts stores in Oglethorpe and Wilkes counties, in addition to Mathews Used Cars in Crawford and Rick’s Pit Stop in Lexington.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Samantha Mathe, right, was part of a group that checked child booster seats at the primary school. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Samantha Mathe, right, was part of a group that checked child booster seats at the primary school. (Submitted Photo)

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Groups, Sheriff’s Office provides car safety seats to OCPS parents

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Samantha Mathe, members of the Department of Public Health and Safe Kids Athens conducted child safety seat checks at Oglethorpe County Primary School during the first week of school.

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Bell helps victims of Kentucky flooding

Kate Hoffman
Thursday, August 25, 2022
Oglethorpe County resident Roy Bell traveled to Barwick, Kentucky — an unincorporated part of rural Breathitt County — with the First Presbyterian Church of Athens on the third week of July for 21 years.

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News Roundup: Commission approves 2023 budget, tax rate

News Staff
Thursday, August 25, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners approved the county’s 2023 operating budget of nearly $8.8 million, and a tax rate of 7.029 mills for the incorporated areas of the county and 6.363 mills for the unincorporated portions at a called meeting on Monday night.
Members of the University of Georgia Extension Office includes, from left, Shanna Reynolds, county extension coordinator/ag and natural resources agent, Brenda Mattox, administrative assistant, Breanna Jackson, 4-H program assistant. Brad Averill, family and consumer science agent, and Marcus Eason, 4-H youth development agent. (Submitted Photo)

Members of the University of Georgia Extension Office includes, from left, Shanna Reynolds, county extension coordinator/ag and natural resources agent, Brenda Mattox, administrative assistant, Breanna Jackson, 4-H program assistant. Brad Averill, family and consumer science agent, and Marcus Eason, 4-H youth development agent. (Submitted Photo)

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UGA Extension Office to host open house event

Kate Hoffman
Thursday, August 18, 2022
The University of Georgia Extension Office will host a drop-in open house from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 55 Oglethorpe Drive in Crawford.

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District to go through grant process for electric bus

Sarah Evans
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Oglethorpe County School System Transportation Director Phillip Todd is set to submit a federal grant application for an electric bus on Friday.    The Environmental Protection Agency will supply funds to Georgia school districts that qualify for the grant.
The rumble strips on Beaverdam Road have been a source of issues for residents since they were installed earlier this year. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

The rumble strips on Beaverdam Road have been a source of issues for residents since they were installed earlier this year. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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Mistake leads to more rumble strip issues

Wade Cheek
Thursday, August 18, 2022
The rumble strip saga has taken a new twist.   The rumble strips on both ends of Beaverdam Road that caused a stir among residents who said they were too loud, were recently filled in an effort to make them more quiet.