Local News

The Asian Tiger mosquito, the most common mosquito species found in Georgia. Mosquitoes are a dangerous pest in Oglethorpe County, responsible for transmitting and spreading multiple po- tentially fatal viruses. (SUSAN ELLIS/BUGWOOD.ORG)

The Asian Tiger mosquito, the most common mosquito species found in Georgia. Mosquitoes are a dangerous pest in Oglethorpe County, responsible for transmitting and spreading multiple po- tentially fatal viruses. (SUSAN ELLIS/BUGWOOD.ORG)

Take these steps to cut down on pesky mosquitoes

As the old saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.”   But as the month ushers in more rain and flowers in Oglethorpe County, it also initiates the return of a familiar pest: mosquitos.
Taco’s Mexican Restaurant originally opened in 2014 and relocated to its current location in 2017. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Taco’s Mexican Restaurant originally opened in 2014 and relocated to its current location in 2017. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

La Cabana to replace Taco’s Restaurant

La Cabaña de Don Juan will take the place of Taco’s Mexican Restaurant next month.   Taco’s, a beloved Mexican restaurant, has subleased its space at 777 Athens Road to La Cabaña de Don Juan owner Nicolas Lopez, who plans to open his restaurant on May 2.
There were plenty of Easter eggs to be gathered at the Spring Out Fundraiser at Mt. Pleasant Community Church in Crawford. The church boasts that there were more than 15,000 eggs in its hunt. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

There were plenty of Easter eggs to be gathered at the Spring Out Fundraiser at Mt. Pleasant Community Church in Crawford. The church boasts that there were more than 15,000 eggs in its hunt. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

County residents start Easter celebrations early

WATCH: See the egg hunt and other Oglethorpe County festivities in this video. Hundreds of residents got a jump on celebrating Easter this spring.    Local events this past weekend included the annual Family Easter Festival at Sandy Cross Baptist Church and Mt.
Wesley Gratham scoops bees from a swarm on his birdbath into a box to start cultivating on his farm in Winterville. He uses the clear container to collect the bees, then empties them into the white box to start creating a hive.(JULIA WALKUP/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Wesley Gratham scoops bees from a swarm on his birdbath into a box to start cultivating on his farm in Winterville. He uses the clear container to collect the bees, then empties them into the white box to start creating a hive.(JULIA WALKUP/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Sweet relief: Customers say they enjoy the benefits of local company’s THC-infused honey

Wesley Grantham squatted near a swarm of bees on a birdbath in his backyard. A few buzzed lazily by him.   “Whenever they swarm like this, their bellies are full of honey and things, so they won’t try to sting you,” Grantham said.
OCHS Athletic Booster Club president Jennifer Frost (right) and secretary Jill Kort (left) discuss additions to the OCHS concession stand at a recent club meeting. (Meredith Boyd/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS Athletic Booster Club president Jennifer Frost (right) and secretary Jill Kort (left) discuss additions to the OCHS concession stand at a recent club meeting. (Meredith Boyd/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS booster club rebounds from tough stretch

The Oglethorpe County Athletic Booster Club may be one of the few organizations to say they benefited from the COVID-19 pandemic. Months without sports meant the group’s funds could be replenished after a theft that depleted its account.
Katherine Lewis/The Oglethorpe Echo

Katherine Lewis/The Oglethorpe Echo

Candidates address sludge, broadband and more

WATCH: Listen to what the candidates have to say about their platforms and why they think you should vote for them this upcoming primary.   The Oglethorpe County Republican Party hosted a Board of Commissioners forum on March 31 at the Oglethorpe County Library.
The Oglethorpe County Student Ambassadors posed for a photo on a recent trip to the state Capitol. Bottom row (from left): Aariana Bell, Cassie Roberts, Juan Delgado, State Rep. Trey Rhodes and Nyah McAphee. Middle (from left): Dale Blalock Sha Eh Paw, Genesis Palma, Araceli Padilla-Graciano, Breanna Crowder, Sydney Sniff and Marilyn Huff-Waller. Top (from left): Dr. Veronica Hunter, Darryl Jackson and Javaun Pittard. (Submitted Photo)

The Oglethorpe County Student Ambassadors posed for a photo on a recent trip to the state Capitol. Bottom row (from left): Aariana Bell, Cassie Roberts, Juan Delgado, State Rep. Trey Rhodes and Nyah McAphee. Middle (from left): Dale Blalock Sha Eh Paw, Genesis Palma, Araceli Padilla-Graciano, Breanna Crowder, Sydney Sniff and Marilyn Huff-Waller. Top (from left): Dr. Veronica Hunter, Darryl Jackson and Javaun Pittard. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS Student Ambassadors on verge of another region title

With less than three weeks left in competition, Oglethorpe County High School Student Ambassadors are looking to make it four in a row.
The Boy Scouts of Oglethorpe County regularly hold their meetings at the Lena Wise Community Center. The Boy Scouts directly benefit from the support for the center. (Submitted Photo)

The Boy Scouts of Oglethorpe County regularly hold their meetings at the Lena Wise Community Center. The Boy Scouts directly benefit from the support for the center. (Submitted Photo)

Lena Wise center to celebrate anniversary

Chip Rosenthal said the Lena Wise Community Center is vital for both Oglethorpe County and the clubs and organizations that use it.    “The role of the center is a home for them because they don’t own a building or have a place,” said Rosenthal, the center’s managing director.