Local News

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)

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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)

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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.
Elise Phillips, left, and Savannah Phillips, right, fawn over Rose, their favorite turkey at Buffalo Creek Berry Farms. The farm features a variety of birds, including turkeys, chickens and guinea fowl. (Aly Hertzog/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Elise Phillips, left, and Savannah Phillips, right, fawn over Rose, their favorite turkey at Buffalo Creek Berry Farms. The farm features a variety of birds, including turkeys, chickens and guinea fowl. (Aly Hertzog/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Food as Medicine: Lexington farmers aim to heal through holistic methods

Aly Hertzog
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Cameron Phillips passes a steaming cup of tea with lemon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper and honey — all grown in his backyard.    “Black pepper makes the turmeric more bioavailable,” Phillips said, as Laura Pallas, his wife, gingerly sips on a mug of her own.
Rebecca Soto (left), the incumbent for the District 5 Board of Education seat, qualifies on Monday, the first day for qualifying for general primary. Darrius Tompkins (center) qualified for the District 1 Board of Commissioners seat as the Board of Elections’ Steve McCannon (right) looks on. Qualifying ends at noon on Friday, March 11. (Submitted Photo)

Rebecca Soto (left), the incumbent for the District 5 Board of Education seat, qualifies on Monday, the first day for qualifying for general primary. Darrius Tompkins (center) qualified for the District 1 Board of Commissioners seat as the Board of Elections’ Steve McCannon (right) looks on. Qualifying ends at noon on Friday, March 11. (Submitted Photo)

Coroner resigns to run for seat on commission

News Staff
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Howard Sanders resigned as Oglethorpe County coroner on Wednesday to run against county commission District 1 incumbent Lewis “Phil” Sanders in the general primary.   As of 9:40 a.m.
(Darden Hearn/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Darden Hearn/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Quiet Oaks receives support during COVID-19 shut down

Darden Hearn
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Quiet Oaks Health Care Center, the long-term care facility in Crawford, always had an open-door policy. That changed drastically with COVID-19.    Despite protocols brought on by the pandemic, the Oglethorpe County community has shown persistent support for the center, according to its staff.

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Cafe Racer adds 5% upcharge for health care costs

Liset Cruz
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Crawford’s Cafe Racer has begun charging an additional 5% on all transactions to help cover employee health care and sick leave, according to a post on its Instagram account.   Cafe Racer began the uncharge on Feb. 11.
Hallways are mostly empty at the Oglethorpe County Jail, where only 3-5 trusties and short-term prisoners are held. (Jamie Miller/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hallways are mostly empty at the Oglethorpe County Jail, where only 3-5 trusties and short-term prisoners are held. (Jamie Miller/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Jail restructuring pays off

Jamie Miller
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Footsteps echo through the vacant hallways of the Oglethorpe County Jail.    The metal cell doors are discolored and defiled; one is tattooed with “GET ME OUTTA HERE !!!” in black ink. Years of wear have caused the gray paint on the floor to peel, revealing brown cement.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

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Commissioners to re-examine administrator role for county

Kate Hoffman
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners will reopen discussion of the appointment of a county administrator position at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday, March 7.    Discussion on the topic began at the meeting on Dec. 6, but the board voted to table the issue until this month.
A newspaper article announces the hiring of T.Y. Harris as Oglethorpe County School superintendent on June 12, 1969. He remained in that position until 1996. (Yana Obiekwe/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

A newspaper article announces the hiring of T.Y. Harris as Oglethorpe County School superintendent on June 12, 1969. He remained in that position until 1996. (Yana Obiekwe/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Former superintendent remembered as 'exceptional leader'

Yana Obiekwe
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Born just a day shy of Independence Day in 1935, it was no coincidence that former Oglethorpe County School Superintendent Thomas Young Harris III was so loyal to his country and county. The Crawford native, known by many as Tom or TY, was a pillar of Oglethorpe County schools for nearly 30 years.