Local News

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)

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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)

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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)

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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.
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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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.