Local News

John Fortuna (left) and Thomas Gresham worked together to help turn the county’s old jail into a museum. (Photo/Jack Casey)

John Fortuna (left) and Thomas Gresham worked together to help turn the county’s old jail into a museum. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Old jail now museum, available for tours

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, June 9, 2022
It’s easy to come and go as you please from the Historic Oglethorpe County Jail these days, which is in stark contrast to when the imposing brick and granite structure housed prisoners for nearly 130 years.
Donna Wetterlund has raised $6,500 of the estimated $20,000 it will take to finish restoring the barn on her daughter's property on Elberton Road. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Donna Wetterlund has raised $6,500 of the estimated $20,000 it will take to finish restoring the barn on her daughter's property on Elberton Road. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Family fixer-upper

Lilly Kersh
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Many people took up a hobby or a project during the pandemic. For Donna Wetterlund in Chaddsford, Pennsylvania, it was restoring an old barn on her daughter’s property from more than 800 miles away.

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Commission tables talk on development

Wade Cheek
Thursday, June 9, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners tabled its vote regarding a potential new residential development at its monthly meeting on Monday night.

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BOE approves budget, adding teachers

Sarah Evans
Thursday, June 9, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved the general fund budget and the Fund 150 budget for fiscal year 2023 during its meeting on Tuesday. Both budgets will be in effect from July 1 to June 30, 2023.
Guests fill the pews at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Day Chapel during the memorial service for Rick Berry, who owned Goodness Grows and was the mayor of Lexington. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Guests fill the pews at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s Day Chapel during the memorial service for Rick Berry, who owned Goodness Grows and was the mayor of Lexington. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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Berry remembered at memorial for his passion and purpose

Morgan Quinn
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Rick Berry looked at a plant and saw a gift from God, his brother Doug Berry said.   He took that plant and made it the best he could. He treated every part of his life with that care.
Residents can vote early for the runoff, starting at 8 a.m. Monday, June 13, at the Oglethorpe County Board of Elections, which is at 41 Fairground Road in Lexington. (Photo/Jack Casey)

Residents can vote early for the runoff, starting at 8 a.m. Monday, June 13, at the Oglethorpe County Board of Elections, which is at 41 Fairground Road in Lexington. (Photo/Jack Casey)

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News Roundup: Early voting to begin Monday

News Staff
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Early voting for the general primary runoff for the county commission District 1 seat between incumbent Phil Sanders and challenger Howard Sanders will begin at 8 a.m. Monday, June 13 at the Board of Elections office.   Early voting will continue through Friday, June 17.
Law enforcement officers with various agencies, including the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, get together during Operation Washout Classic City, which resulted in 49 arrests in several counties. (Submitted Photo)

Law enforcement officers with various agencies, including the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, get together during Operation Washout Classic City, which resulted in 49 arrests in several counties. (Submitted Photo)

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Sheriff’s office arrests 11 as part of multi-jurisdictional operation

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Eleven people were arrested in Oglethorpe County as part of a region-wide sweep called Operation Washout Classic City late last month.   The Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office made its arrests on May 21, in conjunction with the operation, which took place in several counties from May 18-25.

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OCHS 2022 honor grads

News Staff
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Olivia Danielle Aguilar Marina Gertrudis Barrera Alvarez Cheyenne Mae Bernal Kaylee Anna Bridges Breanna Nicole Crowder Taylor Ann Doherty Robert Jackson Doker Catherine Elaine Dolan Landon Graham Eberhart Katie Ellen Embry Bennett Edward England Conner Antony Flores Zachery Chase...
Ben Hill, a falconer who lives in Arnoldsville, poses with his red-tailed hawk, Belle. Hill, who has been falconing for about seven years, hunts with Belle as a sport and an art. (Photo/Julia Walkup)

Ben Hill, a falconer who lives in Arnoldsville, poses with his red-tailed hawk, Belle. Hill, who has been falconing for about seven years, hunts with Belle as a sport and an art. (Photo/Julia Walkup)

Hawk-eyed hunter

Julia Walkup
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Belle, a red-tailed hawk, calmly watched while tethered to her perch as Ben Hill, a falconer from Arnoldsville, told his story. Though Belle seemed docile, Hill made sure to emphasize that the hawk is not a pet, and falconry is an art.
(Graphic/Lilly Kersh)

(Graphic/Lilly Kersh)

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Data: Drivers speed in two school zones

Caitlin Farmer
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Oglethorpe County residents have raised several concerns to Sheriff David Gabriel about speeding throughout the county, especially within school zones.