Local News

Sidney Wightman holds a pinata for Marty Barclay at the Oglethorpe County Library’s Teen Anti-Valentine’s Day event. (Yana Obiekwe/Oglethorpe Echo)

Sidney Wightman holds a pinata for Marty Barclay at the Oglethorpe County Library’s Teen Anti-Valentine’s Day event. (Yana Obiekwe/Oglethorpe Echo)

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‘Anti-Valentine’s Day’ brings teens together

Yana Obiekwe
Thursday, February 17, 2022
WATCH: Take a look inside the "Love Stinks" event at The Oglethorpe County Library.   Atticus Cavendar shouts as he strikes down a balloon in a makeshift game of volleyball: “Love sucks!
Visitors to Lexington Antique Mall are greeted by this welcome mat. Its mission is to remind customers to shop from local and small businesses. (Colt Yeargin/Oglethorpe Echo)

Visitors to Lexington Antique Mall are greeted by this welcome mat. Its mission is to remind customers to shop from local and small businesses. (Colt Yeargin/Oglethorpe Echo)

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Business owners say Lexington has changed drastically over the years

Colt Yeargin
Thursday, February 17, 2022
Driving through Lexington, a traveler will see historic storefronts lining the sidewalks with only a few small businesses still operating.    It wasn’t always like this.
Leroy, 91, and Bessie Collins, 88, first met 82 years ago, when they were baptized on the same day near the New Bethlehem Baptist Church. They’ve been married for 67 years. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Leroy, 91, and Bessie Collins, 88, first met 82 years ago, when they were baptized on the same day near the New Bethlehem Baptist Church. They’ve been married for 67 years. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Three couples equal 194 years of marriage

News Staff
Thursday, February 10, 2022
With Valentine’s Day nigh, here’s a question for sweethearts; where did you meet the love of your life?     Bessie Appling Collins, 88, and her husband Leroy Collins, 91, remember exactly where they met. He was just 9 years old, and she was only 7.
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

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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.