Local News

Oglethorpe County commissioners are (from left): Andy Saxon, David Clark, Howard Sanders, Will Brown and Tracy Norman. They unanimously voted to pass the new rules of decorum on Jan. 5. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Oglethorpe County commissioners are (from left): Andy Saxon, David Clark, Howard Sanders, Will Brown and Tracy Norman. They unanimously voted to pass the new rules of decorum on Jan. 5. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Commissioners set new rules for meeting behavior

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The rules of decorum unanimously approved at last week’s Board of Commissioners meeting were passed to help establish “orderly, respectful and efficient conduct of all public meetings.”  The rules were posted to Oglethorpe County’s website after two edits, requested by commissioners, were made.
Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish gives a presentation about Oglethorpe County’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) at the BOE meeting on Tuesday night. OCHS’ score jumped to 71.6 from 58.7. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish gives a presentation about Oglethorpe County’s College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) at the BOE meeting on Tuesday night. OCHS’ score jumped to 71.6 from 58.7. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Schools increase key performance scores in 2025

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School demonstrated significant growth in 2025, as reflected in a rapid improvement in its College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI), which increased from 58.7 to 71.6.
Oglethorpe County EMS supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver (from left), paramedic Taylor Smith and advanced emergency medical tech Kelly Huff delivered a baby on Jan. 8. Weaver assisted in the delivery of the baby in the quick response vehicle while Smith and Huff responded in an ambulance. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County EMS supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver (from left), paramedic Taylor Smith and advanced emergency medical tech Kelly Huff delivered a baby on Jan. 8. Weaver assisted in the delivery of the baby in the quick response vehicle while Smith and Huff responded in an ambulance. (Submitted Photo)

Oh baby! EMS delivers two in two months

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Oglethorpe County EMS often has to act fast. Recently, two paramedics each unexpectedly assisted in the delivery of a baby during their shift.  Kristin Gilliam helped deliver a baby on Dec. 11 and Oglethorpe County EMS supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver helped deliver a baby on Jan. 8.
Jennifer Johns poses with her parents, Susan and Gary Shaw, at Hickory Hill Farms. The Shaws returned to Oglethorpe County in 1998, when Jennifer was nine, purchasing the land that had been in Susan’s family for generations. In 2009, they founded Hickory Hill Farms. Today, Jennifer’s three children will grow up on the same land that shaped both her and her mother’s upbringing. (Photo/ Lilly Stone)

Jennifer Johns poses with her parents, Susan and Gary Shaw, at Hickory Hill Farms. The Shaws returned to Oglethorpe County in 1998, when Jennifer was nine, purchasing the land that had been in Susan’s family for generations. In 2009, they founded Hickory Hill Farms. Today, Jennifer’s three children will grow up on the same land that shaped both her and her mother’s upbringing. (Photo/ Lilly Stone)

Local organic farmers say practice worth the challenges

Makenna Reavis
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Cedar Grove Farm in Stephens began in 2005 when William Payne bought land off Oconee Forest Road and decided to try his hand at small-scale organic farming after relocating from Maryland.
Berry’s Jake Turner runs for part of his career-high 120 yards against Rhodes College on Oct. 4. He finished his second season with 237 yards rushing and one touchdown. (Submitted Photo)

Berry’s Jake Turner runs for part of his career-high 120 yards against Rhodes College on Oct. 4. He finished his second season with 237 yards rushing and one touchdown. (Submitted Photo)

Former OCHS star finds role at Berry

Andy Mathis
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Jake Turner understood early that college football would demand a reset. A productive running back at Oglethorpe County High School, Turner graduated after piling up 1,318 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior in 2023.
Jay Paul listens to a resident at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. Paul, who is in his second term as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, would like to secure a landfill expansion permit this year. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Jay Paul listens to a resident at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. Paul, who is in his second term as chairman of the Board of Commissioners, would like to secure a landfill expansion permit this year. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Paul focuses on protecting county’s ‘quality of life’

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Jay Paul has a to-do list for the upcoming year, but his top priority is something bigger.  “My goal is to protect and to preserve our quality of life,” said Paul, chair of the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.
A selection of Barbara Cabaniss’ salt and pepper collection are on display at the Oglethorpe County Library. The salt and pepper shakers, which have been accumulated throughout her life, will remain on display until the end of January. (Submitted Photo)

A selection of Barbara Cabaniss’ salt and pepper collection are on display at the Oglethorpe County Library. The salt and pepper shakers, which have been accumulated throughout her life, will remain on display until the end of January. (Submitted Photo)

Cabaniss’ salt, pepper shakers fill up library’s display cabinet

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Barbara Cabaniss began collecting salt and pepper shakers when she was about 7 years old, after she received her first set from her great-uncle, who passed them down from Cabaniss’ great-grandmother. The collection has grown through the years, fueled by her travels and interests.
Runners start the Winterville Snowflake 10K in 2023. This year’s race is the first of six in the Firefly Trail Race Series, which includes two races in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Runners start the Winterville Snowflake 10K in 2023. This year’s race is the first of six in the Firefly Trail Race Series, which includes two races in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Olivia Shapiro)

Winterville Snowflake 10K first in six-race Firefly series

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Runners and walkers across Oglethorpe County will ring in the new year with the return of the seventh annual Firefly Trail Race Series, a six-race lineup designed to bring the community together and raise awareness of the Firefly Trail.
(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

(Graph/Makenna Reavis)

Fewer young farmers could threaten industry

Makenna Reavis and Jacob Harper
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
For Travis Legg, farming isn’t just a profession, it’s a legacy.  Legg is a third-generation farmer who lives in Smithonia, where he has been producing cattle, poultry and hay since 1995, but he was introduced to the industry by his grandfather and dad.
Commissioners David Clarke and Howard Sanders at the BOC meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Commissioners David Clarke and Howard Sanders at the BOC meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Proposed ordinance silenced in meeting

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The proposed noise ordinance that led residents to pack the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday went quietly away.