Local News

Jesse Johnson, chairman of the Oglethorpe County Board of Assessors, speaks at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Jesse Johnson, chairman of the Oglethorpe County Board of Assessors, speaks at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

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BOC to reassess administrator position

Maddie Brechtel
Thursday, December 9, 2021
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to move the discussion over the county administrator appointment to next March after a lengthy executive session.   Josh Hawkins, the current director of compliance and finance, is a candidate for the position.
Tanner and Adam Nation compete in open-wheel race cars. (Submitted Photo)

Tanner and Adam Nation compete in open-wheel race cars. (Submitted Photo)

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Down and dirty: Father, son continue family tradition on the track

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Dirt track racing runs through the Nation family bloodline.   Tanner Nation, a junior at Oglethorpe County High School, is a fourth-generation racer who has been around the track since he was born.
A larger turnout is expected at the third annual Maxeys Christmas Parade, which will feature floats, vendors and food trucks. (Submitted Photo)

A larger turnout is expected at the third annual Maxeys Christmas Parade, which will feature floats, vendors and food trucks. (Submitted Photo)

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Bigger turnout expected at parade

Mackenzie Tanner
Thursday, December 9, 2021
This year’s Maxeys Christmas Parade is expecting larger numbers of spectators after COVID-19 limited attendance in 2020.   In 2019, the parade’s inaugural year, about 75 people (including participants) attended.

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Reading plan works well at OCMS

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Remedial reading techniques have increased in more than 50 students at Oglethorpe County Middle School.   Fifty-three OCMS students completed 3,539 lessons in the remedial reading plan powered by Reading Plus, with the average student improving reading levels by 2.

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Carter remembered as 'gentle' person

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Longtime Oglethorpe County resident Jim Carter died after he was struck by a car as he picked up trash along a road in Oconee County last Friday.   Carter was a special education director for Oglethorpe County Schools for many years and a conservationist of old homes and historical places.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire at 115 Upson Court in Lexington on Sunday. A deputy pulled Jeffrey Shellnut and his dog from the fire. (Submitted Photo)

Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire at 115 Upson Court in Lexington on Sunday. A deputy pulled Jeffrey Shellnut and his dog from the fire. (Submitted Photo)

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Deputies rescue man from Lexington house fire

Julianna Duennes Russ
Thursday, December 9, 2021
A man and his dog were rescued from a burning home by Oglethorpe County deputies and transported for medical treatment on Dec. 5.    About 2:37 p.m., Sgt. Andrew Brooks arrived at 115 Upson Court in Lexington. He learned Jeffrey Shellnut, who uses a wheelchair, was in the burning home.
Local farmer Andrew Gaines collects a hay sample for UGA laboratory analysis. Testing can determine various factors about the quality of hay. (Submitted Photo)

Local farmer Andrew Gaines collects a hay sample for UGA laboratory analysis. Testing can determine various factors about the quality of hay. (Submitted Photo)

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When it comes to hay purchases, test, don't guess

Shanna Reynolds
Thursday, December 9, 2021
As we move through the hay feeding season, what considerations do you give to hay purchases? If shopping for a new tractor, a farmer wouldn’t just buy it because it looked nice. They would do research and ask questions.
Barbara and Bill Cabaniss' home is one of five that will be featured in the inaugural Maxeys Tour of Homes on Saturday. (Submitted Photo)

Barbara and Bill Cabaniss' home is one of five that will be featured in the inaugural Maxeys Tour of Homes on Saturday. (Submitted Photo)

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Inaugural tour to benefit OCHS girls track team

Mackenzie Tanner
Thursday, December 9, 2021
It didn’t take long for Penni Stoudenmire to recognize the need for new uniforms after the Oglethorpe County girls track team reached the state championship meet last spring.
Phil Wilson, owner of Drop Tine Game Processing, said that he's been running two crews around the clock to keep up with a busy hunting season this year. (Photo/Sarah White)

Phil Wilson, owner of Drop Tine Game Processing, said that he's been running two crews around the clock to keep up with a busy hunting season this year. (Photo/Sarah White)

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Deer season booms across county

Thomas Ehlers
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Phil Wilson had perfect timing.   He took over Hick’s Processing on Nov. 4, reopening as Drop Tine Game Processing, and immediately began reaping the benefits of a largely successful deer season in Oglethorpe County and across the state.
Rhonda Luther reaches for a branch of one of her oldest blueberry plants on the Luthers' blueberry farm in the Bairdstown community. In the fall, the leaves of many of the blueberry plants turn bright red. (Photo/Sarah White)

Rhonda Luther reaches for a branch of one of her oldest blueberry plants on the Luthers' blueberry farm in the Bairdstown community. In the fall, the leaves of many of the blueberry plants turn bright red. (Photo/Sarah White)

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Luthers see blueberries take root in Oglethorpe

Alden Lisse
Thursday, December 2, 2021
On Jan. 24, 2007, Chris Luther planted his first blueberry plant. Little did he know that would be the first day of his new career as that plant grew into a booming blueberry business called Rhonda’s Blueberries.