Local News

Oglethorpe County EMS director Josh Robinson (left) and Emergency Management Agency director Douglas Spencer send the Teledyne FLIR SIRAS drone up for a flight in Lexington last week. They are the county’s two licensed drone pilots. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County EMS director Josh Robinson (left) and Emergency Management Agency director Douglas Spencer send the Teledyne FLIR SIRAS drone up for a flight in Lexington last week. They are the county’s two licensed drone pilots. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Drone fleet takes to the skies

Katherine Davis
Thursday, October 23, 2025
The full fleet of three drones purchased by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners has arrived and is being put to use. “Drones are becoming a part of everyday life,” Emergency Management Agency director Douglas Spencer said.
The Southern Poverty Law Center and Georgia Association of Educators have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michelle Mickens (left) against the Oglethorpe County School System and Superintendent Beverley Levine (right)..

The Southern Poverty Law Center and Georgia Association of Educators have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michelle Mickens (left) against the Oglethorpe County School System and Superintendent Beverley Levine (right)..

Teacher files lawsuit against Oglethorpe County School System

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The Southern Poverty Law Center and Georgia Association of Educators have filed a lawsuit on behalf of Michelle Mickens against the Oglethorpe County School System and Superintendent Beverley Levine.

Teacher remains on leave

News Staff
Thursday, October 16, 2025
An Oglethorpe County High School teacher remains on administrative leave and out of the classroom, Superintendent Beverley Levine confirmed in an email on Tuesday.
Early 20th century postcards of a school building in Maxeys sit in a display case at the Oglethorpe County Library. Several of the postcards feature images that were not used for any other purpose other than the postcard. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Early 20th century postcards of a school building in Maxeys sit in a display case at the Oglethorpe County Library. Several of the postcards feature images that were not used for any other purpose other than the postcard. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Oglethorpe County Library displays part of Gary Doster’s historical postcard collection

Susanna Johnson
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Gary Doster has more than 11,000 postcards in his possession. But not just any postcards.  “I have the largest collection of pre-1920 Georgia picture postcards ever,” he said. “There’s no way in the world anybody could duplicate or outdo this collection I’ve got here.
The sales tax rate in Oglethorpe County is 8%, with half going toward various local option sales taxes. If FLOST passes Nov. 4, the county's sales tax rate will rise to 9%. (Kimberly Thomas/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The sales tax rate in Oglethorpe County is 8%, with half going toward various local option sales taxes. If FLOST passes Nov. 4, the county's sales tax rate will rise to 9%. (Kimberly Thomas/The Oglethorpe Echo)

What to know about FLOST and ESPLOST

Sophia Eppley and Kimberly Thomas
Thursday, October 16, 2025
What is FLOST? The Floating Local Option Sales Tax is a 1% sales tax to help generate revenue for reducing property taxes. The tax is a portion of House Bill 581 that was passed in March 2024 and approved in last November’s general election.   “We’re expecting it to bring in about $1.
This is the interior of the larger space that is under construction to become Lexington Public House in Lexington. The building is made up of two different spaces that owner Ben Pitts said will become a pub and a room for overflow, and more seating once the restaurant is complete.

This is the interior of the larger space that is under construction to become Lexington Public House in Lexington. The building is made up of two different spaces that owner Ben Pitts said will become a pub and a room for overflow, and more seating once the restaurant is complete.

Pitts would like to open restaurant in six months

Emily Adams
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
The transformation of the former Lexington Antique Mall into a Southern-style restaurant called the Lexington Public House is underway at 102 E. Main St.  The building has already received a new roof and plumbing. The next step for owner Ben Pitts is securing the necessary permits and applications.
Patricia Whatley, a licensed clinical social worker, has worked with MedLink since 2022 and serves Athens-Clarke and Oglethorpe County communities. She estimates that a quarter of her clients in Oglethorpe County discuss domestic violence or related crises on an annual basis. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethoroe Echo)

Patricia Whatley, a licensed clinical social worker, has worked with MedLink since 2022 and serves Athens-Clarke and Oglethorpe County communities. She estimates that a quarter of her clients in Oglethorpe County discuss domestic violence or related crises on an annual basis. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethoroe Echo)

County has few resources for domestic violence

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
“It’s a big county, but it’s very spread out. There’s a lot of isolation,” said Patricia Whatley, a licensed clinical social worker for MedLink serving Oglethorpe and Athens-Clarke counties.  That isolation and lack of services show up in the numbers.
Oglethorpe County Board of Education members, teachers of the year and their families lead the pledge to kick off the BOE on Tuesday. The BOE approved a new millage rate. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

Oglethorpe County Board of Education members, teachers of the year and their families lead the pledge to kick off the BOE on Tuesday. The BOE approved a new millage rate. (Photo/Drew Bearden)

BOE approves millage rate decrease

Ella Jones
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved a millage rate of 14.962 mills, lower than last year’s 16.025, during its Tuesday night meeting. This 2025 rate determines how much residents will pay in school taxes, based on 40% of their property’s market value.
The logo for the new Patriots Health Hub features both the MedLink logo and the Oglethorpe patriots logo, showcasing a combined effort to keep the county healthy. The Hub is located in the multipurpose complex. (Maura Rutledge/ Oglethorpe Echo)

The logo for the new Patriots Health Hub features both the MedLink logo and the Oglethorpe patriots logo, showcasing a combined effort to keep the county healthy. The Hub is located in the multipurpose complex. (Maura Rutledge/ Oglethorpe Echo)

School health hub opens in old OCES

Maura Rutledge
Monday, October 13, 2025
MedLink Georgia has officially opened the Patriot Health Hub. The health center offers a range of services, such as check-ups, pediatrics, women's health, sports physicals, immunizations and imaging. The clinic officially opened on Sept. 29, and will have a formal ribbon-cutting on Nov. 20.