Local News

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)

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OCHS Student Ambassadors on verge of another region title

Thomas Ehlers
Friday, April 8, 2022
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)

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Lena Wise center to celebrate anniversary

Colt Yeargin
Friday, April 8, 2022
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.
Volunteers dump buckets of food over a fence for pigs at Sweet Olive Farm in Winterville. The farm receives food donations from stores such as Trader Joe's to feed the animals. (Elena Westbury/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Volunteers dump buckets of food over a fence for pigs at Sweet Olive Farm in Winterville. The farm receives food donations from stores such as Trader Joe's to feed the animals. (Elena Westbury/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Sweet Olive Farm a haven for animals, volunteerism

Elena Westbury
Friday, April 8, 2022
Goats, roosters and pigs roam freely on the hilly terrain as they wait for their morning feed at Sweet Olive Farm.    The Winterville farm, which was founded in 2010, is a nonprofit animal sanctuary known for its life-saving animal rescues and community involvement through volunteerism.
Sabrina Laster/The Oglethorpe Echo

Sabrina Laster/The Oglethorpe Echo

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Nouri arms to build community at No. 3 Railroad Street

Carson Reynolds
Thursday, April 7, 2022
No. 3 Railroad Street was once a busy general store, combined with a post office, grocery store and clothing company because it sat next to a main railroad line.    Later, in the mid-1980s, it was left empty and unused when the railroad line was shut down and the tracks were torn up.
Jamie Miller/The Oglethorpe Echo

Jamie Miller/The Oglethorpe Echo

Jordan sentenced to life without parole

Jamie Miller
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Robert David Jordan was sentenced to life in prison without parole on March 31 after he was found guilty of murdering his cousin, Jimmy Lee Anglin, a 27-year-old Oglethorpe County resident.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

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Sheriff’s office receives $40,000 for traffic safety, technical upgrades

Jamie Miller
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office received a technology grant and a traffic enforcement grant totaling $40,000 — some of the largest grants received in the past six years — said James Jackson, the Oglethorpe County coroner and E-911 director, and formerly of the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s...
New EDA chairman Will Brown’s family has been in Oglethorpe County since 1800. (Submitted Photo)

New EDA chairman Will Brown’s family has been in Oglethorpe County since 1800. (Submitted Photo)

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Q&A: Broadband, business on EDA chair agenda

Carson Reynolds
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
Will Brown, the Economic Development Authority’s new chairman, plans to bring the Oglethorpe County business scene to life. Brown takes over from former director Amy Stone who is stepping down, effective April 1.
Jean Westmacott and Amanda Chapman stand next to the old microfilm reader in the Oglethorpe County Library that needs to be replaced because it no longer works. (Submitted Photo)

Jean Westmacott and Amanda Chapman stand next to the old microfilm reader in the Oglethorpe County Library that needs to be replaced because it no longer works. (Submitted Photo)

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Friends of the Library turn the page for new county incentives

Sabrina Laster
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Library has had to turn folks away from its broken microfilm reader. A new fundraiser is working to change that.
Former President Donald Trump throws hats into the crowd at a Save America rally held at the Banks County Dragway in Commerce on Saturday. (Julian Alexander/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

Former President Donald Trump throws hats into the crowd at a Save America rally held at the Banks County Dragway in Commerce on Saturday. (Julian Alexander/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

Locals support Trump, candidates at area rally

Kate Hoffman
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
WATCH: Take a look inside the Save America rally with former President Trump and other candidates.   Trump supporters from all over the country — including two members of the Oglethorpe County Republican Party — rallied around former president Donald J.