Local News

Oglethorpe County Middle School students Cole Fraust (right) and Aidan Dellinger (left) fix the fish-feeding device above the aquaponics system that the students at the middle school maintain. (Julia Walkup/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County Middle School students Cole Fraust (right) and Aidan Dellinger (left) fix the fish-feeding device above the aquaponics system that the students at the middle school maintain. (Julia Walkup/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCMS students prepare for future with aquaponics

Julia Walkup
Thursday, February 10, 2022
In a county where agriculture is one of the largest industries, Oglethorpe County Middle School students are learning aquaponics, a modern form of agriculture to prepare for a more urban future.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

News Roundup: Former court clerk indicted on 64 counts

News Staff
Thursday, February 10, 2022
A superior court jury indicted Angel Bramlett, a former Oglethorpe County Probate Court clerk, on 64 charges on Jan. 10.   Bramlett was indicted on 17 counts of computer forgery, 18 counts of computer trespass and 29 counts of theft by taking. She pled guilty to the reconvened grand jury.
Jane Bowen paints a flower on a plate in her studio in Crawford. She also paints lamps, furnishings, tiles and dishes. (Shannon Moran/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jane Bowen paints a flower on a plate in her studio in Crawford. She also paints lamps, furnishings, tiles and dishes. (Shannon Moran/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A special touch: Crawford art teacher focuses on lost art of porcelain painting

Shannon Moran
Thursday, February 10, 2022
An unassuming dirt road leads to Jane Bowen’s art studio in Crawford. Cattle graze on cushions of green grass and greet visitors with large, expressive eyes. Shep and Baby, a pair of spirited dogs, snort happily in the front yard.
Oglethorpe County High School students Kelsie Wolfe, Sky Hand, Gabe Montgomery and Aidan Abrams have been nominated for the Governor’s Honors Program. (Thomas Ehlers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County High School students Kelsie Wolfe, Sky Hand, Gabe Montgomery and Aidan Abrams have been nominated for the Governor’s Honors Program. (Thomas Ehlers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

District nominates four students for Governor’s Honors Program

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Sky Hand thinks she wants to study pharmacy, and if she’s chosen for the Governor’s Honors Program (GHP), she may get a unique chance to figure it out firsthand.

EDA director steps down

Sydney Fordice
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Economic Development Authority director Amy Stone will step away from her role effective April 1, leading the members to appoint a new chair and secretary treasurer at Tuesday’s quarterly meeting.
Chairman Jay Paul (from left) and commissioners Andy Saxon and David Clark discuss the pros and cons of the new radio systems in a meeting this week. (Kate Hoffman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Chairman Jay Paul (from left) and commissioners Andy Saxon and David Clark discuss the pros and cons of the new radio systems in a meeting this week. (Kate Hoffman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Board of Commissioners approves EMS radio system

Kate Hoffman
Thursday, February 10, 2022
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners passed a motion to approve a new county-wide radio system recommended by Emergency Services at its meeting on Monday. The board came to an agreement after a presentation by James Jackson, who was also appointed as regional EMS the same night.
Kelli Paradise Smith, Oglethorpe County’s Clerk of Superior Court since 2009, has helped guide the courthouse through a wave of modernization. (Submitted Photo)

Kelli Paradise Smith, Oglethorpe County’s Clerk of Superior Court since 2009, has helped guide the courthouse through a wave of modernization. (Submitted Photo)

Smith, Clerk of Superior Court, brings updated technology to courtroom

Katherine Lewis
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Kelli Paradise Smith, Oglethorpe County’s Clerk of Superior Court since 2009, has led the courthouse through a series of technological advancements, which has not only created modern practices, but also prepared the county to work through an unforeseen pandemic.
This map compares the number of mental health services in Oglethorpe County to the number of services found in Athens-Clarke County. (Aly Hertzog/The Oglethorpe Echo)

This map compares the number of mental health services in Oglethorpe County to the number of services found in Athens-Clarke County. (Aly Hertzog/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Georgia House bill could increase state’s mental health services

Aly Hertzog
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
A new bill moving through the Georgia House may change the way mental health is addressed and accessed in rural areas of Georgia, like Oglethorpe County.   Speaker David Ralston introduced House Bill 1013 on Jan. 26.