Local News

Sykes found guilty; released on $25,000 bond before sentencing

Sarah Owens
Thursday, February 12, 2026
An Oglethorpe County woman convicted of attempting to kill her teenage son by slitting his throat in 2021 was released on a $25,000 bond on Feb. 5, the same day the jury returned a guilty verdict. It was an uncommon move in a violent felony case, Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney D.

Peach Express armed robbery suspect arrested

Sarah Owens
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Deputies with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kendrick Tyree Walter on Feb. 5 and charged him with armed robbery for an incident at the Peach Express in Crawford last month. Walter, 32, of Lexington, is accused of entering the gas station on Dec.
Malcolm Mitchell, author and former NFL athlete, teaches students about the power of reading at OCES, on Feb. 4, 2026. “I learned that reading was like magic,” Mitchell said. (CHARLOTTE COCHRAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Malcolm Mitchell, author and former NFL athlete, teaches students about the power of reading at OCES, on Feb. 4, 2026. “I learned that reading was like magic,” Mitchell said. (CHARLOTTE COCHRAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCES students pack gym to read along with Mitchell

Charlotte Cochran
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Former UGA and NFL receiver Malcolm Mitchell began the Reading Rally at Oglethorpe County Elementary School with pregame stretches. But the tone quickly shifted when he shared his own story.
Arts! Oglethorpe vice president Bly Hartley (left) and performer Renee Evans rehearse a scene for "Almost, Maine" at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Feb. 5. Arts! Oglethorpe will perform the play on Feb. 20-21 at the Historic Crawford School. (Photo/Addison Simmons)

Arts! Oglethorpe vice president Bly Hartley (left) and performer Renee Evans rehearse a scene for "Almost, Maine" at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Feb. 5. Arts! Oglethorpe will perform the play on Feb. 20-21 at the Historic Crawford School. (Photo/Addison Simmons)

Arts! Oglethorpe brings stories to stage with ‘Almost, Maine’

Addison Simmons
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Arts! Oglethorpe will take its Historic Crawford School audience on a journey north — to a small town near the Canadian border for a night full of hope, disappointment, joy and heartbreak.  Following its 30th season, members of Arts!
Residents reported concerns about the smell from soil amendments near the intersection of Crawford-Smithonia and Suddeth roads in December. The odor has plagued the county for years. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Residents reported concerns about the smell from soil amendments near the intersection of Crawford-Smithonia and Suddeth roads in December. The odor has plagued the county for years. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sludge still smelly issue for residents

Dakota Meeks
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Living in the country means experiencing all sorts of smells. But last December, Lisa Stacy noticed an odor unlike any other. It permeated her nose and clothes. “Initially, I really thought a deer got hit by a car,” Stacy said.
Alan Smith, who lives on Washington Road, voiced his issues with a rezone request, which helped persuade the commissioners to table it until next month. It was one of two rezone requests on the agenda, both of which were pushed back. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Alan Smith, who lives on Washington Road, voiced his issues with a rezone request, which helped persuade the commissioners to table it until next month. It was one of two rezone requests on the agenda, both of which were pushed back. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

BOC accepts $1 million bid for road improvements

Bridget Goodman
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners accepted a $1.04 million bid from Allied Paving Contractors in Pendergrass for road improvements on Monday night.
Tim LaFlam, owner of Night Owl Bakery - Cakes, Sweets & Treats, prepares desserts in his home in Winterville. LaFlam opened the bakery in 2013. (Submitted)

Tim LaFlam, owner of Night Owl Bakery - Cakes, Sweets & Treats, prepares desserts in his home in Winterville. LaFlam opened the bakery in 2013. (Submitted)

LaFlam finds sweet success with Night Owl Bakery

Finley Millwood
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
What started as the creation of a Facebook account by his adult daughter, Megan, turned into a thriving at-home business for Tim LaFlam of Winterville. “We just started a page, and then it was on fire,” LaFlam said.
Cherokee Corner Methodist Church is shown in a photo dated from around 1955. The Athens Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) meet at the church. (Submitted photo)

Cherokee Corner Methodist Church is shown in a photo dated from around 1955. The Athens Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) meet at the church. (Submitted photo)

Historic church spirit alive, well

Mia Tanner
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Churches weren’t just places of worship from a historical perspective.  They also gave neighbors a place to communicate, form relationships and build families. They were places to share news, find support and establish order in a largely rural landscape during early settlement periods.
Carlie Gabriel (right), pictured with sister Claire (left) and brother Trey, holds a banner she created for Trey’s all-star baseball team last July. She’s created more than 45 banners for her customers. (Submitted Photo)

Carlie Gabriel (right), pictured with sister Claire (left) and brother Trey, holds a banner she created for Trey’s all-star baseball team last July. She’s created more than 45 banners for her customers. (Submitted Photo)

Hobby with heart: Local teen turns banner painting into business

Emilie Sullivan
Thursday, February 5, 2026
What began as a handmade birthday gift for her younger brother has grown into a small business for 17-year-old Carlie Gabriel, an Oglethorpe County High School senior.