Local News

Victor Ross works repairing the keyboard on a school laptop during his internship in the Oglethorpe County High School's IT department after school on Feb. 12, 2026. He usually works during his seventh period, and this internship has helped him see himself in a computer science-related career. (Photo/Eva Saraf)

Victor Ross works repairing the keyboard on a school laptop during his internship in the Oglethorpe County High School's IT department after school on Feb. 12, 2026. He usually works during his seventh period, and this internship has helped him see himself in a computer science-related career. (Photo/Eva Saraf)

Steps in the right direction

Eva Saraf
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Even as a junior, Victor Ross said he knows exactly where he is headed. The Oglethorpe County High School work-based learning program gave him that clarity.  “This has made me relook at some of the hardware aspects of computers instead of just straight programming and computer science,” Ross said.
Crawford City Clerk Amy Wall-Lance reads through documents at her desk Friday, March 6, 2026, inside Crawford City Hall. Wall-Lance has worked for the city for nearly three decades. (Photo/Riley Baugh)

Crawford City Clerk Amy Wall-Lance reads through documents at her desk Friday, March 6, 2026, inside Crawford City Hall. Wall-Lance has worked for the city for nearly three decades. (Photo/Riley Baugh)

As clerk, Wall-Lance helps keep Crawford ‘in line’

Riley Baugh
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Amy Wall-Lance has been a constant presence at Crawford City Hall for nearly three decades. She’s served as the city clerk, handling everything from water bills and business licenses to property taxes and cemetery questions.
Oglethorpe County Library manager Nicole Hensley stands by a bookshelf at the Oglethorpe County Library. Hensley said the library relies heavily on social media. Using different features on Facebook has helped pass information on throughout Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Riley Baugh)

Oglethorpe County Library manager Nicole Hensley stands by a bookshelf at the Oglethorpe County Library. Hensley said the library relies heavily on social media. Using different features on Facebook has helped pass information on throughout Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Riley Baugh)

County info spread in a variety of ways

Riley Baugh
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Communication in small communities rarely flows through just one channel. In Oglethorpe County, official information is often shared through posted agendas, city government websites and Facebook pages.
Lexington’s John Fortuna (far right) and OLLI@UGA photography students pose in one of the cells at the Historic Oglethorpe County Jail on March 9. The group also visited and photographed Beth Salem Presbyterian Church. (Submitted photo)

Lexington’s John Fortuna (far right) and OLLI@UGA photography students pose in one of the cells at the Historic Oglethorpe County Jail on March 9. The group also visited and photographed Beth Salem Presbyterian Church. (Submitted photo)

OLLI class captures landmarks in different light

Mia Tanner
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Not every class assignment ends with lunch and stories about going to jail. For 16 students in a photography course in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Georgia (OLLI@UGA), that’s exactly what happened after a recent trip to Lexington.
State Rep. John Corbett met OCHS students John Adams (from left), Lincoln Paradise, Jack Baldwin and Jake Huff at the Capitol on Feb. 25. OCMS student Camden Huff made the trip the previous day. (Submitted Photo)

State Rep. John Corbett met OCHS students John Adams (from left), Lincoln Paradise, Jack Baldwin and Jake Huff at the Capitol on Feb. 25. OCMS student Camden Huff made the trip the previous day. (Submitted Photo)

Students gain state government knowledge, experience as pages

Sarah Owens
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Five Oglethorpe County students had the opportunity to step inside Georgia’s legislative process, serving as pages for members of the Georgia House of Representatives during the 2026 legislative session.
Kendall Patrick plays nine square in the air with youth members at Lexington Baptist Church youth building on March 4, 2026. Patrick will be attending the Hungary mission trip with six other church members from March 13-22. (Addison Simmons/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Kendall Patrick plays nine square in the air with youth members at Lexington Baptist Church youth building on March 4, 2026. Patrick will be attending the Hungary mission trip with six other church members from March 13-22. (Addison Simmons/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington Baptist group makes trip to Hungary

Addison Simmons
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The strong community that’s been built among members of Lexington Baptist Church will have a chance to spread a bit farther next week. That’s when seven young adults will travel to Budapest, Hungary, for a mission trip.
David Clark (District 3), Howard Sanders (District 1) and the other three commissioners will return to the BOC meeting room for the April 6 meeting. This month’s meeting was held at the courthouse. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

David Clark (District 3), Howard Sanders (District 1) and the other three commissioners will return to the BOC meeting room for the April 6 meeting. This month’s meeting was held at the courthouse. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Commission heads back to room for next meeting

News Staff
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The Board of Commissioners will return to its meeting room for the meeting scheduled for Monday, April 6, Chairman Jay Paul confirmed Tuesday.
Phillip Powell talks to parents and teachers outside the Oglethorpe County School District on March 10, 2026, in Lexington. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Phillip Powell talks to parents and teachers outside the Oglethorpe County School District on March 10, 2026, in Lexington. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Board of Education names superintendent finalist

Sydney Shankman
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education named Phillip Powell as the sole finalist for superintendent on Tuesday.  Powell will replace Beverley Levine on July 1, pending the approval of his contract at the BOE’s work session on March 31, Board Chair Becky Soto said.