Local News

Todd Crowe, foreground, and Jared Johnson of Akridge Fence Company of Arnoldsville install fencing around Patriot Farm Supply on Highway 78. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Todd Crowe, foreground, and Jared Johnson of Akridge Fence Company of Arnoldsville install fencing around Patriot Farm Supply on Highway 78. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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Patriot Farm Supply opens, specializes in poultry equipment

Wade Cheek
Thursday, July 28, 2022
The owners of Patriot Farm Supply hope to meet the demands of Oglethorpe County’s growing chicken industry.
Cats fill the cages at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, but outgoing director Andrew Kitchens has helped cut the average length of stays to 30 days. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Cats fill the cages at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, but outgoing director Andrew Kitchens has helped cut the average length of stays to 30 days. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Kitchens to step down as MOAS director

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter director Andrew Kitchens said he is most proud of being able to quickly move animals through the shelter to free up space for new ones.
Artist Beatrice Brown moved to Lexington in 2017 and started ButterScotch Designs. She paints barn quilts and makes traditional patchwork quilts for beds. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Artist Beatrice Brown moved to Lexington in 2017 and started ButterScotch Designs. She paints barn quilts and makes traditional patchwork quilts for beds. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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A new kind of quilt

Morgan Quinn
Friday, July 22, 2022
Beatrice Brown discovered her love of textiles as a young girl spending summers learning how to sew with her grandmother in Maryland.   “I saw her talent of dressmaking fit into my goal of being a fashionista. I loved it,” Brown recalled of her summer trips.
Sludge trucks, as they are called, are common sights in Oglethorpe County during the summer months. (Submitted Photo)

Sludge trucks, as they are called, are common sights in Oglethorpe County during the summer months. (Submitted Photo)

County's sludge war continues

Kate Hoffman
Friday, July 22, 2022
Dave Wynne, who owns 150 acres on Will Wynne Road, said he has dealt with the overwhelming smell from two nearby farms for about six years. The amount of flies and 18-wheelers coming down his road have increased the past three years.

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New state policies to take effect this year

Sarah Evans
Friday, July 22, 2022
Oglethorpe County Board of Education members introduced new state laws regarding parental complaints that relate to political subjects, books and instructional materials at the Board of Education meeting on July 19.
Robbie Buchanan milks one of her Nigerian dwarf dairy goats, Ray, under a string of ribbons at Stillcrazy Farm in Maxeys in March. Buchanan said this week that the farm has 23 goats, and is expecting more during the current kidding season. (Katie Tucker/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

Robbie Buchanan milks one of her Nigerian dwarf dairy goats, Ray, under a string of ribbons at Stillcrazy Farm in Maxeys in March. Buchanan said this week that the farm has 23 goats, and is expecting more during the current kidding season. (Katie Tucker/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

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No kidding around at Stillcrazy Farm

Katie Tucker
Thursday, July 14, 2022
EDITOR’S NOTE : This multimedia package was produced in conjunction with UGA photojournalism professor Mark E. Johnson and the Woodall Weekend Workshop, a photojournalism event that was held in Oglethorpe County in March. Accompanying video can be found here.
Justin Sanders

Justin Sanders

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Arnoldsville development is approved

Wade Cheek
Thursday, July 14, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners agreed to approve the preliminary plat for Mill Creek Meadows subdivision on Arnoldsville Road at its monthly meeting on Monday.    The item was tabled at last month’s meeting, when the commissioners had several concerns about the plat.
A 40-foot inflatable cow greets customers at the Chick-fil-A van that sets up at Crawford Pentecostal Church on Tuesdays. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A 40-foot inflatable cow greets customers at the Chick-fil-A van that sets up at Crawford Pentecostal Church on Tuesdays. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Chick-fil-A pop-up hits spot for locals

Morgan Quinn
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Lexington’s Jean Hays has a Tuesday routine. She heads to the Chick-fil-A food truck at the Crawford Pentecostal Church for lunch.    “I drive over here every Tuesday,” said Hays, who has two children. “It gives the kids a choice of having something else. They love the nuggets.
Don Uldrich (from left), Luke Barger, Todd Smith and Tracy Anderson have turned Nature’s Harvest Meat Company into a full-service butcher. Uldrich and Smith are the co-owners, and Barger and Anderson are the butchers. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Don Uldrich (from left), Luke Barger, Todd Smith and Tracy Anderson have turned Nature’s Harvest Meat Company into a full-service butcher. Uldrich and Smith are the co-owners, and Barger and Anderson are the butchers. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Nature's Harvest rebrands as butcher

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Oglethorpe County residents will soon have a new shop for fresh meat.    Nature’s Harvest Meat Company, a rebrand of Firetower Deer Processing, is bringing grass-fed beef, pork and lamb fresh from farms to its retail store.