Local News

Nina Hayes poses with the organ that she played every Sunday for 59 years at the Salem Baptist Church. Eloise McNair/The Oglethorpe Echo

Nina Hayes poses with the organ that she played every Sunday for 59 years at the Salem Baptist Church. Eloise McNair/The Oglethorpe Echo

Beloved organist retires after 59 years at church

Eloise McNair
Thursday, March 24, 2022
LISTEN: Hear Nina Hayes play the organ at the Salem Baptist Church.   Nina Hayes was first introduced to the piano through a lesson at her elementary school in Greene County when she was just 5 years old.
The reigning Miss Oglethorpe queens are (first row, from left) Amelia Liguoria, Patriot Ambassador, Lannah Scarborough, Spirit of Miss Oglethorpe, Adalyn Tanksley, Miss Oglethorpe Princess; (second row, from left) Riley Sisk, Miss OCPS, Larsin Faust, Miss OCES, Amber Watkins, Miss Red, White and Blue, Abigail Colquitt, Miss OCMS and Shelby Self, Miss OCHS. Submitted photo

The reigning Miss Oglethorpe queens are (first row, from left) Amelia Liguoria, Patriot Ambassador, Lannah Scarborough, Spirit of Miss Oglethorpe, Adalyn Tanksley, Miss Oglethorpe Princess; (second row, from left) Riley Sisk, Miss OCPS, Larsin Faust, Miss OCES, Amber Watkins, Miss Red, White and Blue, Abigail Colquitt, Miss OCMS and Shelby Self, Miss OCHS. Submitted photo

Sixth annual Miss Oglethorpe pageant set for Saturday

Sydney Fordice
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Eight pageant queens will pass on their titles at the sixth annual Miss Oglethorpe Pageant, which will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Oglethorpe County High School.    The pageant was canceled in 2021 due to COVID-19, but 13 Oglethorpe County girls are participating this year.
The Hut, which was at the corner of Highway 78 and Bunker Hill Road, was a popular restaurant in its day. (Submitted Photo)

The Hut, which was at the corner of Highway 78 and Bunker Hill Road, was a popular restaurant in its day. (Submitted Photo)

Mixed-use development underway in Crawford

News Staff
Thursday, March 17, 2022
The Crawford Village, at the intersection of Highway 78 and Bunker Hill Road, is off the drawing board and moving forward.    Arnoldsville developer Chad Tracy, president of Patriot Construction, said the 50-acre mixed-use development would move slowly through phases over an estimated five years.
(Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Furbish among eight who qualify for county seats

News Staff
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Debbie Furbish realized in January that she was going to run for the Board of Commissioners.    She had been approached by friends and neighbors over the past year and finally decided to do it.
Paula and Keith Wagnon stand behind the counter of Buds ‘n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford. The hus- band and wife team have been in the floral design business since 1978. (Shannon Moran/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Paula and Keith Wagnon stand behind the counter of Buds ‘n Bows Flower Shop in Crawford. The hus- band and wife team have been in the floral design business since 1978. (Shannon Moran/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe’s oldest flower shop pivots with the times

Shannon Moran
Monday, March 14, 2022
Buds ‘n Bows Flower Shop is the oldest full-service flower business in Oglethorpe County. Over the years, owners Paula and Keith Wagnon have adapted their business practices to maintain a deep connection to the community.
Hiroya Tsukamoto performs with his guitar. Originally from Kyoto, Japan, his performance is a fusion of jazz, folk and world music. (Sabrina Laster/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hiroya Tsukamoto performs with his guitar. Originally from Kyoto, Japan, his performance is a fusion of jazz, folk and world music. (Sabrina Laster/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Musician brings unique style to Arnoldsville

Sabrina Laster
Monday, March 14, 2022
WATCH: Hear and see the performance here.   Intricate melodies and sonic soundscapes reverberated off the wooden walls of No. 3 Railroad Street in Arnoldsville on Sunday.    Then, the room went silent, and Hiroya Tsukamoto started to form another rhythm with simple taps from his leather shoes.
District 5 Commissioner Tracy Norman, who is from Oglethorpe County, donates the salary that he receives as a county commissioner to various organizations. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

District 5 Commissioner Tracy Norman, who is from Oglethorpe County, donates the salary that he receives as a county commissioner to various organizations. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Commissioner donates his salary to community programs in need

Kate Hoffman
Monday, March 14, 2022
When Oglethorpe County District 5 Commissioner Tracy Norman took office in January 2018, he said a friend jokingly asked him what he was going to do with “that big salary.”  After taxes, the salary he received as a commissioner would amount to about $500 a year.
(Aly Hertzog/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Aly Hertzog/The Oglethorpe Echo)

COVID-19 cases drop in Oglethorpe

Aly Hertzog
Monday, March 14, 2022
COVID-19 cases are on the decline in Oglethorpe County.   The Georgia Department of Public Health reported six positive cases in the last two weeks (through March 11), with the last reported one on March 8.    The Oglethorpe County school system also has reported low numbers.    On Feb.
Marilyn Hill (from left), Geisla Gresham, Tom Gresham and Ralph Maxwell are among the regular customers at the Rowdy Rooster. (Carson Reynolds/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Marilyn Hill (from left), Geisla Gresham, Tom Gresham and Ralph Maxwell are among the regular customers at the Rowdy Rooster. (Carson Reynolds/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Rowdy Rooster enlivens Lexington with food, art

Carson Reynolds
Monday, March 14, 2022
Rowdy Rooster has always had one goal in mind: to bring the Oglethorpe County community together and business back to the main street of Lexington.   “I think the people who live here — and new people coming in — are interesting, creative,” said Kathleen deMarrais, co-owner of Rowdy Rooster.