Local News

(AISHA SCHULZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) The first two duplexes were built by Patriot Construction at the Crawford Village development site in Crawford. Both duplexes are in the drywall stage and should be ready to rent by November.

(AISHA SCHULZ/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO) The first two duplexes were built by Patriot Construction at the Crawford Village development site in Crawford. Both duplexes are in the drywall stage and should be ready to rent by November.

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Crawford Village could see first residents in November

Aisha Schulz
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
With only demolition and ground clearing done on the Highway 78 side of the Crawford Village development site, progress might seem slow. However, six months after it first broke ground, Patriot Construction is nearly ready to put duplexes on the market.
(Andrea Gutierrez/The Oglethorpe Echo) Director Corie Robinson, left, plays a card game with Gary Armstrong, top, Roz Echols, right, and Gwen Kelley, bottom, at the Oglethorpe Senior Center last week. The center provides activities, meals and transportation for the county’s seniors.

(Andrea Gutierrez/The Oglethorpe Echo) Director Corie Robinson, left, plays a card game with Gary Armstrong, top, Roz Echols, right, and Gwen Kelley, bottom, at the Oglethorpe Senior Center last week. The center provides activities, meals and transportation for the county’s seniors.

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An essential service

Andrea Gutierrez
Friday, September 9, 2022
About six months ago, Dee Pelewski stepped down as the director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center to serve the county’s senior citizen population more directly.    Her hands-on approach is mirrored by her successor Corie Robinson, who has lived in Oglethorpe County for 12 years.
(Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Emily Rose Hamby/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Board approves millage rate hike

Megan Fitzgerald and Emily Rose Hamby
Friday, September 9, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved a new millage rate for fiscal year 2023 during its meeting on Tuesday.   After holding three public hearings, the board unanimously voted to accept a 16.65 millage rate for fiscal year 2023.
(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.

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.