Local News

Esther Pettway Turman turned 100 years old on Feb. 16. (Submitted Photo)

Esther Pettway Turman turned 100 years old on Feb. 16. (Submitted Photo)

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Turman is latest centenarian at Quiet Oaks

Sabrina Laster
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Esther Pettway Turman, according to those closest to her, has led a life as a shining disciple of Christ, providing community service to everyone in her sphere of influence.    Turman is the most recent centenarian at Quiet Oaks Health Care, after turning 100 years old on Feb. 16.
Emmet Overton Cabaniss III let his herd eat native herbs and grasses so he can sell natural, grain-free beef to his customers. (Darden Hearn/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Emmet Overton Cabaniss III let his herd eat native herbs and grasses so he can sell natural, grain-free beef to his customers. (Darden Hearn/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Farm’s sustainable practices provide grass-fed beef

Darden Hearn
Thursday, March 3, 2022
Emmet Overton Cabaniss III, the owner of Falling Creek Farms in Stephens, has made it his mission to implement natural farming practices to provide his customers with wholesome, lean beef.

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Former Oglethorpe County superintendent dies

News Staff
Friday, February 25, 2022
Thomas Young Harris III, the superintendent of Oglethorpe County Schools from 1969-96, died on Tuesday. He was 86.   Harris, who went by Tom or TY, was a native of Oglethorpe County and was the first appointed superintendent of the school system.
Kade Ruff (left), 7, and Kylie Ruff, 10, display their two goats, Reba and Kippy, in the backstage barn of the annual 4-H/FFA Winter Livestock Show on Saturday. Students showcased dairy heifers, sheep, beef cattle, goats and pigs that they raised. (Elena Westbury/The Ogelthorpe Echo)

Kade Ruff (left), 7, and Kylie Ruff, 10, display their two goats, Reba and Kippy, in the backstage barn of the annual 4-H/FFA Winter Livestock Show on Saturday. Students showcased dairy heifers, sheep, beef cattle, goats and pigs that they raised. (Elena Westbury/The Ogelthorpe Echo)

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Livestock, students stars of the annual 4-H/FFA show

Elena Westbury
Thursday, February 24, 2022
WATCH: See the animals and students in action at the 4-H/FFA Winter Livestock Show.   Reba and Kippy, a pair of 1-year-old goats, stood patiently on a trimming table as the Ruff family groomed them one last time before heading home to Elbert County.
(Submitted Photo/Cody Gibbs) From left to right: Deputy Department Chief Rocky Miller, Department Chief Carl Young, Sgt. Andrew Brooks, Chief Jehu Post.

(Submitted Photo/Cody Gibbs) From left to right: Deputy Department Chief Rocky Miller, Department Chief Carl Young, Sgt. Andrew Brooks, Chief Jehu Post.

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Deputy receives Life Savers Award

Armani Kardar
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Sgt. Andrew Brooks of the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office received the Life Savers Award from Oglethorpe County Fire Rescue at its annual awards banquet on Jan. 28.   Brooks saved Jeffery Shellnut and his dog from his burning home in Lexington on Dec. 5.
(Submitted Photo) Lily Smith

(Submitted Photo) Lily Smith

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Babysitter saves three boys, 11 dogs from house fire

Katherine Lewis
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Lily Smith is being praised after she saved three boys and 11 dogs from a house fire on Feb. 10.   “Lily did a phenomenal job of recognizing what was going on and … keeping the kids away from the house,” said Justin Sanders, chief of the Salem Fire Department.
(Eloise Mcnair/Oglethorpe Echo) Devil’s Pond assistant fire chief Rocky Miller (from left), Rick Skoglund, Commissioner Tracy Norman, Frank Moore, Jay Filipiak, T.J. Lowe and Robby McCurley pose in front of the JAWS Combi Tool they helped purchase for the Devil’s Pond Fire Department.

(Eloise Mcnair/Oglethorpe Echo) Devil’s Pond assistant fire chief Rocky Miller (from left), Rick Skoglund, Commissioner Tracy Norman, Frank Moore, Jay Filipiak, T.J. Lowe and Robby McCurley pose in front of the JAWS Combi Tool they helped purchase for the Devil’s Pond Fire Department.

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Donations help Devil's Pond FD purchase life-saving tool

Eloise McNair
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
On the night before Thanksgiving, the Devil’s Pond Fire Department responded to what was seemingly a routine call about an accident on state Route 78.
(Sydney Fordice/Oglethorpe Echo) Jennifer Spoor works on a crochet piece during a recent Covered With Love meeting at Lexington Baptist Church. The group of women gathers to crochet afghans to donate to various local groups every year.

(Sydney Fordice/Oglethorpe Echo) Jennifer Spoor works on a crochet piece during a recent Covered With Love meeting at Lexington Baptist Church. The group of women gathers to crochet afghans to donate to various local groups every year.

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Crochet group creates for community

Sydney Fordice
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Homemade snacks, laughter and plenty of colorful yarn can be found during bimonthly Covered With Love meetings at Lexington Baptist Church, where a group of women gather to crochet and donate afghans to those in need.