Local News

Most of the blooms on the blueberry plants at Buffalo Creek Berry Farm didn’t survive the freezing temperatures last weekend. (Julia Walkup/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Most of the blooms on the blueberry plants at Buffalo Creek Berry Farm didn’t survive the freezing temperatures last weekend. (Julia Walkup/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Devastating freeze kills crops

Julia Walkup
Monday, March 14, 2022
Before this weekend’s freeze, Cameron Phillips’ fields in Lexington were “white with vibrant flowers.” Following the freeze, the field was covered in brown, frost-burnt blueberry bushes.
Beverley Levine (Sarah White/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Beverley Levine (Sarah White/The Oglethorpe Echo)

State blocks OCES phaseout, district to appeal

Thomas Ehlers
Monday, March 14, 2022
Oglethorpe County Schools hit a bump in the road to a new K-5 building.   The Georgia Department of Education denied the district’s request on Monday to phase out the Oglethorpe County Elementary School building.
Martina Reali, who is from Italy, has enjoyed her experiences as a student in the International Student Exchange program. (Submitted Photo)

Martina Reali, who is from Italy, has enjoyed her experiences as a student in the International Student Exchange program. (Submitted Photo)

Hosting student a ‘beautiful experience’

Yana Obiekwe
Monday, March 14, 2022
Growing up in Panama as a teenager, Jessica Loggins’ family hosted students from Sweden, Canada and Belgium. Being no stranger to hosting international students in her home, she was eager to do the same with her children when she moved to Oglethorpe County.
(Colt Yeargin/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Colt Yeargin/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford moves ahead with water system improvements

Colt Yeargin
Monday, March 14, 2022
Crawford is gearing up for improvements to its water system.   The city would like to replace existing small water lines with larger ones, repurpose a water treatment well for drinking water, construct a new water well and make improvements to the water surface treatment plant.
Dee Dee Hice (left), asks questions of UGA Extension master gardener Lamara Martin (right), who volunteered at the Seed Swap and One-Day Book Sale at No. 3 Railroad Street on Saturday. (Sydney Fordice/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Dee Dee Hice (left), asks questions of UGA Extension master gardener Lamara Martin (right), who volunteered at the Seed Swap and One-Day Book Sale at No. 3 Railroad Street on Saturday. (Sydney Fordice/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Seeds and reads: Library benefits form monthly event

Sydney Fordice
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Various heirloom seeds, that one day might become tomato, pepper and pumpkin plants, as well as daffodil and red spider lily plant bulbs and succulents, were among the garden starters up for grabs Saturday in Arnoldsville.
Bo Doker reads a question for Nathan Wilson and Cecilia Negrete. The OCHS academic bowl season just ended, but the team is already preparing for next year. (Thomas Ehlers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Bo Doker reads a question for Nathan Wilson and Cecilia Negrete. The OCHS academic bowl season just ended, but the team is already preparing for next year. (Thomas Ehlers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS academic bowl grabs seventh at state

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Bo Doker spent his senior season creating lineups and making sure his teammates were ready for their academic bowl matches.    His hard work paid off.   Doker and the Oglethorpe County High School varsity team placed seventh at the Georgia Regional Academic Bowl (GRAB) State Championship on Feb.
Cole Faust is the first Oglethorpe County Middle School student to win the FFA Middle School Lawnmower Operations and Maintenance Career Development Event. (Submitted Photo)

Cole Faust is the first Oglethorpe County Middle School student to win the FFA Middle School Lawnmower Operations and Maintenance Career Development Event. (Submitted Photo)

BOE approves contracts, recognizes students

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, March 10, 2022
The Board of Education is prepared for next year’s certified personnel.   Board members discussed and approved the contracts of teachers across the district at their general session meeting on March 8.
The Salem Fire Department celebrated the opening of its new station on March 5. Justin Sanders (from left), Lee Thaxton, Adam Nation, Carl Young, Phil Sanders and Ethan Thaxton line up for a photo before cutting the ribbon. (Eloise McNair/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Salem Fire Department celebrated the opening of its new station on March 5. Justin Sanders (from left), Lee Thaxton, Adam Nation, Carl Young, Phil Sanders and Ethan Thaxton line up for a photo before cutting the ribbon. (Eloise McNair/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Salem Fire Department celebrates new station

Eloise McNair
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Justin Sanders saw the need for another fire station in the Salem community because of the distance between stations and population growth in that area of the county.
Joe Conti, president of the Oglethorpe County Bee Club, examines several of the 14 hives that he keeps in his backyard. (Elena Westbury/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Joe Conti, president of the Oglethorpe County Bee Club, examines several of the 14 hives that he keeps in his backyard. (Elena Westbury/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Creating a buzz: Bee club hopes to increase community outreach

Elena Westbury
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Joe Conti’s spacious backyard is dappled with purple flowers that lure bees from their hives. Once airborne, they whirl around heads and feet with a steady hum.    Closer to the hives, the buzzing is significantly louder and clusters of bees become more visible.