Local News

Catherine Bowen Drewry, founder and co-chair of Community Christmas, accepts a donation from Jason Robertson in The Commercial Bank on Monday. Robertson works at Johnson & Johnson, which donates $5,000 annually to Community Christmas through its outreach program. (Photo/Katherine Davis)

Catherine Bowen Drewry, founder and co-chair of Community Christmas, accepts a donation from Jason Robertson in The Commercial Bank on Monday. Robertson works at Johnson & Johnson, which donates $5,000 annually to Community Christmas through its outreach program. (Photo/Katherine Davis)

Holiday tradition: Community Christmas continues to assist local children, families

Katherine Davis
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Community Christmas is continuing its nearly 30-year tradition of providing hundreds of local children with gifts under the tree and helping families cover essential bills. In order to do this, donations are needed.
There were 224 accidents along the corridor from 2013-23, resulting in 80 incidents with injury and one fatality, according to GDOT. It warns that without the project, “safety and traffic operations are not expected to improve along the corridor.” (Graphic/Mia Fishman)

There were 224 accidents along the corridor from 2013-23, resulting in 80 incidents with injury and one fatality, according to GDOT. It warns that without the project, “safety and traffic operations are not expected to improve along the corridor.” (Graphic/Mia Fishman)

GDOT studies proposed turn lane on US 78

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has a plan to reconfigure a portion of U.S. Highway 78 by adding a two-way left turn lane, a center lane that both directions of traffic would be able to use for left turns. The lane would stretch 2.
The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Chamber launches Patriot Bucks to encourage local spending

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Shopping in Oglethorpe County just got easier with the launch of Patriot Bucks. The $10 cards were to be randomly mailed to 250 households this week to encourage local spending. The cards can be used like cash for any item or service at participating businesses within the county.

Local Roundup: Pinnacle Bank to merge with Morris bank in 2026

News Staff
Friday, December 5, 2025
Pinnacle Bank to merge with Morris bank in 2026 Pinnacle Bank, which has a branch in Lexington, announced a merger with Morris Bank on Nov. 20.  The transaction is expected to close sometime in the first half of next year, according to a release. The companies also will have a new name and logo.
This photo of the construction of the bridge on Crawford-Smithonia Road was taken by one of Oglethorpe County’s drones. The bridge is on schedule and is projected to reopen by February. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

This photo of the construction of the bridge on Crawford-Smithonia Road was taken by one of Oglethorpe County’s drones. The bridge is on schedule and is projected to reopen by February. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

BOC votes to change juvenile prosecutor

Kimberly Thomas
Friday, December 5, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a motion Monday night to replace current juvenile prosecutor Kevin McFarlin with representatives from Dyal Jenkins, an Elberton-based law firm.   Approximately 35 people attended the meeting, including all commissioners.
Ronnie Boggs (left) and Ashley Simpson stand with the portraits of Thomas and Anne Goulding last month. They have returned to Lexington after a 10-year absence.

Ronnie Boggs (left) and Ashley Simpson stand with the portraits of Thomas and Anne Goulding last month. They have returned to Lexington after a 10-year absence.

Decade-long effort brings historic Goulding portraits back to Lexington

Molly Moore
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
For ages, two weathered faces lingered quietly in a small church lobby in Oglethorpe County, until their disappearance pushed a local historian’s search for answers.  After nearly a year of restoration and more than a decade of advocacy, the 1843 portraits of Rev.
The recently renovated Marigold Auditorium will host a Christmas concert for the first time since 2017. Strung Out Like The Lights At Christmas will start at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The recently renovated Marigold Auditorium will host a Christmas concert for the first time since 2017. Strung Out Like The Lights At Christmas will start at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Christmas concert returns to Winterville Auditorium

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
An old Winterville tradition turns new this holiday season, as the city revives its annual Christmas concert — Strung Out Like The Lights At Christmas — at the newly renovated Marigold Auditorium. The Dec.
Mayor Edward Toledano (center) and city councilman Danny Gorman have a chat during a recent meeting at the Salem Volunteer Fire Department. City officials are looking into improving the water system. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mayor Edward Toledano (center) and city councilman Danny Gorman have a chat during a recent meeting at the Salem Volunteer Fire Department. City officials are looking into improving the water system. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Maxeys explores agency funding for water system repairs, upgrades

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Maxeys plans to work with the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority to determine its loan eligibility for water system repairs and upgrades.
Realtor Martii Moats and her mentor Melisa McCue host an open house for the historic Arnold Cotton Gin on Railroad Street in Arnoldsville. Moats envisions someone could turn the property into a microbrewery or event venue. (Alex Perri/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Realtor Martii Moats and her mentor Melisa McCue host an open house for the historic Arnold Cotton Gin on Railroad Street in Arnoldsville. Moats envisions someone could turn the property into a microbrewery or event venue. (Alex Perri/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Historic Arnold Cotton Gin Hits Market in Rural Georgia

Alex Perri
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
It’s golden hour on a warm fall evening, and realtor Martii Moats is standing inside what used to be the Arnold Cotton Gin.  Once owned by Nathaniel Dowdy Arnold, the gin was a hub for commerce and trade along the railroad in Arnoldsville (Arnold’s namesake).