Local News

Jay Paul, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, stands in front of the Oglethorpe County Courthouse earlier this month. Paul said the board intends to hold its public meetings at the courthouse for the foreseeable future. (Nick Hasnain/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jay Paul, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, stands in front of the Oglethorpe County Courthouse earlier this month. Paul said the board intends to hold its public meetings at the courthouse for the foreseeable future. (Nick Hasnain/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOC prepares for move to courthouse meetings

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The Board of Commissioners’ monthly meetings will relocate to the Oglethorpe County Courthouse starting Monday, March 2. Meetings have been regularly held at the Board of Commissioners office on Union Point Road in Lexington since 1998, after previously being at the courthouse.
County administrator Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance, discuss a road repair project last year. Lewis said county officials are working to make the government more transparent for residents. (ZACH LEGGIO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

County administrator Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance, discuss a road repair project last year. Lewis said county officials are working to make the government more transparent for residents. (ZACH LEGGIO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Officials aim to overcome mistrust with accessibility

Bridget Goodman
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Oglethorpe County officials say they are taking steps to increase transparency and build trust with residents.  “All governments need that ability for citizens to engage with them,” said Jason Lewis, county administrator.
Mom and daughter duo, Crystal and Taloria Clark, share a suite together at Queens Beauty Bar in Winterville. Taloria started helping her mom when she was only 4 years old. (Photo Submitted)

Mom and daughter duo, Crystal and Taloria Clark, share a suite together at Queens Beauty Bar in Winterville. Taloria started helping her mom when she was only 4 years old. (Photo Submitted)

Continuing legacy of beauty, braids

Finley Millwood
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Taloria Clark’s love for hair started when she was 4 years old. As her mother was completing hair school, Taloria would prep and wash her clients’ hair to get them ready. Now, Clark and her mother, Crystal, share a suite at Queens Beauty Bar in Winterville.
From left, Morgan Robinson, Sam Nash, JF Hansford, Jimmy Shealy and Chair Janet Hill, who joined by Zoom, attend the Feb. 12 zoning board meeting. At the end of the table is Jeff Sharp, director of planning, zoning and compliance. Teresa Campbell, planning assistant and permitting administrator, sits at the desk on the far left taking meeting minutes. One of the approved items by the board was a variance to acreage rules requested by William Cunningham. (Photo Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

From left, Morgan Robinson, Sam Nash, JF Hansford, Jimmy Shealy and Chair Janet Hill, who joined by Zoom, attend the Feb. 12 zoning board meeting. At the end of the table is Jeff Sharp, director of planning, zoning and compliance. Teresa Campbell, planning assistant and permitting administrator, sits at the desk on the far left taking meeting minutes. One of the approved items by the board was a variance to acreage rules requested by William Cunningham. (Photo Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Zoning Board denies paving variance

Emilie Sullivan
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Zoning Board reinforced the county’s continued push to enforce development requirements at its monthly meeting on Feb. 12.  The board denied a request to waive a paving requirement for a private access drive, required by a previously approved rezoning.
Monica Kaufman Pearson speaks to the congregation during the inaugural Black History Collaborative at Thankful Baptist Church in Stephens on Sunday. Kaufman Pearson was a groundbreaking news anchor in Atlanta. (Photo/ Mia Tanner)

Monica Kaufman Pearson speaks to the congregation during the inaugural Black History Collaborative at Thankful Baptist Church in Stephens on Sunday. Kaufman Pearson was a groundbreaking news anchor in Atlanta. (Photo/ Mia Tanner)

Event brings together ‘faith, fellowship, shared heritage’

Mia Tanner
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Monica Kaufman Pearson, the first woman and African American to anchor the daily evening news in Atlanta, spoke to about 100 people on Sunday at the inaugural Black History Collaborative, a faith-centered celebration honoring African American heritage, achievement and unity.
Landon Howard (from left) Cole Faust, Caden Berggren and Ledger Coley compete in the agriculture mechanics event at the FFA Area 2 CDEs on Feb. 10. They finished in second and advanced to the state competition on March 20. (DAKOTA MEEKS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Landon Howard (from left) Cole Faust, Caden Berggren and Ledger Coley compete in the agriculture mechanics event at the FFA Area 2 CDEs on Feb. 10. They finished in second and advanced to the state competition on March 20. (DAKOTA MEEKS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Dellinger, other OCHS students shine in FFA

Dakota Meeks
Thursday, February 19, 2026
For OCHS senior Andee Dellinger, middle school FFA is where she discovered that her future would be grounded in teaching agriculture.

Soto won't seek another term on BOE

Jessie Isaacs
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Becky Soto said she will not seek reelection to the Oglethorpe County Board of Education when her term ends in December.  After 12 years on the BOE and a decade as chair, Soto said she has been contemplating the decision for about a year.
Twona Price (left), Chase Watkins, Marquita Arnold Freeman, Kayden Watkins, Debbie Watkins and Randy Watkins pose for a photo at the rotary club on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Kayden was named star student of the year. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

Twona Price (left), Chase Watkins, Marquita Arnold Freeman, Kayden Watkins, Debbie Watkins and Randy Watkins pose for a photo at the rotary club on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Kayden was named star student of the year. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

OCHS STAR student is Watkins’ latest accolade

Jasmine Milbourne
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School science teacher Jennifer Yauck said what senior Kayden Watkins has accomplished is remarkable.  “He's followed a path of excellence ever since I have known him,” Yauck said, “and that is amazing.
Jo Harrison transfers completed cupcake batter into a bowl for the CAYA House annual Valentine's Day fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Lexington, Georgia. Every year, Harrison has returned to help her daughter, Jill Kort, bake cupcakes. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Jo Harrison transfers completed cupcake batter into a bowl for the CAYA House annual Valentine's Day fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Lexington, Georgia. Every year, Harrison has returned to help her daughter, Jill Kort, bake cupcakes. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Teamwork key for red velvet success

Sean King and Sydney Shankman
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
When lifelong friends Jill Kort and Becky Soto started the Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cupcake Fundraiser, Kort said she had no idea it would have such lasting success.