Local News

SUBMITTED PHOTO | Oglethorpe County High School students attend the first 4-H meeting of the year at Rush on Sept. 1, 2026. Students reviewed upcoming events, planned activities and discussed community service opportunities.

SUBMITTED PHOTO | Oglethorpe County High School students attend the first 4-H meeting of the year at Rush on Sept. 1, 2026. Students reviewed upcoming events, planned activities and discussed community service opportunities.

4-H adds program assistant, agent role still in limbo

Austin Lathrop
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
The Oglethorpe County 4-H youth development program has hired a program assistant for the 2026-27 school year, quelling concerns that staffing shortages would threaten the office’s ability to continue running its programs.  New program assistant Tiffany Anderson began Sept. 1.
The strongest broadband coverage in Oglethorpe County is in the northwest region, indicated by the dark blue color. Coverage gets weaker in the southern areas of the county. (Graphic/Maura Potvin)

The strongest broadband coverage in Oglethorpe County is in the northwest region, indicated by the dark blue color. Coverage gets weaker in the southern areas of the county. (Graphic/Maura Potvin)

County continues to work through broadband issues

Maura Potvin
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Jay Paul, chairman of the Board of Commissioners, said he returned home from work one day to find the post of his mailbox a foot and a half shorter after Kinetic subcontractors came through the area.
Corrine Haley homeschools her son Josiah, 11, in Arnoldsville, GA. Josiah is part of Compass co-op where he attends enrichment classes once a week. (Sophia Bobo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

Corrine Haley homeschools her son Josiah, 11, in Arnoldsville, GA. Josiah is part of Compass co-op where he attends enrichment classes once a week. (Sophia Bobo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

From medicine to education

Sophia Bobo
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Although she doesn’t teach in a school setting, Corrine Haley is an educator. Her home in Arnoldsville is decorated from floor to ceiling with educational posters, handmade history timelines and shelves packed with books. That’s because she’s homeschooling her 11-year-old son, Josiah.
Jay Paul (from left), chair of the Board of Commissioners, and commissioners Will Brown and Tracy Norman, listen to speakers during the commission meeting on Monday at the courthouse. The commissioners unanimously approved a data center ordinance. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Jay Paul (from left), chair of the Board of Commissioners, and commissioners Will Brown and Tracy Norman, listen to speakers during the commission meeting on Monday at the courthouse. The commissioners unanimously approved a data center ordinance. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Commissioners approve data center ordinance

Emma Greene
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a “restrictive” data center ordinance in its meeting on Monday at the courthouse.  The ordinance doesn’t ban data centers.
A stump topped with the UGA power "G" symbol sits on the Watson family property in Stephens, created by Ken Watson (pictured) a banker, farmer and UGA alum. His daughter Mary Grace is a freshman at UGA. (Submitted Photo)

A stump topped with the UGA power "G" symbol sits on the Watson family property in Stephens, created by Ken Watson (pictured) a banker, farmer and UGA alum. His daughter Mary Grace is a freshman at UGA. (Submitted Photo)

UGA alum turns 100-year-old oak stump into symbol of pride

Zaire Rushing-Simpson
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Hidden away off Salem Road is a unique tree stump.  A once-thriving 100-year-old oak tree, which was cherished by generations of the Watson family in Stephens, was full of wildlife and a favorite place to park in the shade until it was taken down in February 2025.
DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Tony DeMarco, who is an Athens ophthalmologist and avid hunter, wraps up the owl he found in a barbed-wire fence on the opening day of dove season on Saturday. He said the owl later died.

DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Tony DeMarco, who is an Athens ophthalmologist and avid hunter, wraps up the owl he found in a barbed-wire fence on the opening day of dove season on Saturday. He said the owl later died.

Dove season opens with tradition, unexpected rescue

Sarah Owens
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Opening weekend of dove season brought hundreds of hunters into fields across Oglethorpe County on Saturday, but for Tony DeMarco, the morning took an unexpected turn when his hunt became a rescue mission.
Henrietta (Nell) Browne stands over her daughter Nicole Browne at Altered Ego, their sewing shop in downtown Comer. The store officially opened on Aug. 28. (Photo/Ren Grimsley)

Henrietta (Nell) Browne stands over her daughter Nicole Browne at Altered Ego, their sewing shop in downtown Comer. The store officially opened on Aug. 28. (Photo/Ren Grimsley)

Mother-daughter duo open sewing shop in Comer

Ren Grimsley
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Henrietta “Nell” Browne learned to sew out of necessity while growing up in Comer. “I was so tall and skinny that I could not find anything to fit me, so I had to learn to sew,” Nell Browne said. Her daughter, Nicole Browne, had a different relationship with sewing at the start.
The front side of the historic Beth Salem Presbyterian church sits on Sunday, September 6, 2026 in Lexington, Georgia. The church received new federal grants in August totalling $25,000 to fund restoration of the Church’s structural, electrical and aesthetic issues. (Photo/Caroline Feagin)

The front side of the historic Beth Salem Presbyterian church sits on Sunday, September 6, 2026 in Lexington, Georgia. The church received new federal grants in August totalling $25,000 to fund restoration of the Church’s structural, electrical and aesthetic issues. (Photo/Caroline Feagin)

Lexington puts $25,000 grant to work at Beth Salem

Caroline Feagin
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
New grants are giving Lexington a chance to preserve the history of Beth Salem building, ensuring it can serve as a communal space for weddings, concerts and Christmas celebrations.
Flannery Ragan works on an embroidery piece at the WCC Creative Cafe on September 3, 2026. Ragan is the creator behind the event. (Sabrina Felix/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Flannery Ragan works on an embroidery piece at the WCC Creative Cafe on September 3, 2026. Ragan is the creator behind the event. (Sabrina Felix/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Winterville Cultural Center program aims to provide creative 'third place'

Sabrina Felix
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Attendees gather at the Winterville Cultural Center every Thursday, sipping free coffee or hot chocolate while working on paintings and other projects in a space specifically set aside for their creativity and community.