Local News

Using parent input, Oglethorpe County Superintendent Beverley Levine (left), Board of Education chair Becky Soto and the BOE decided to move the start date of the 2026-27 school year to Aug. 7. The 2026-27 school calendar also features shorter breaks. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Using parent input, Oglethorpe County Superintendent Beverley Levine (left), Board of Education chair Becky Soto and the BOE decided to move the start date of the 2026-27 school year to Aug. 7. The 2026-27 school calendar also features shorter breaks. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Schools have later start, fewer long breaks in 2026-27

Ansley Gavlak
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County School System will push back the start of the 2026-27 school year by one week to Friday, Aug. 7, according to the recently approved academic calendar. School began on Friday, Aug. 1 this year.
Jeanne Doyle (left) and Daniel Gorman do their part to turn Maxeys into a winter wonderland with their float that featured Danny and Beverly Gorman as Mr. and Mrs. Frosty the Snowman at the seventh annual Maxeys Christmas Parade on Saturday. The Gormans won the award for best float. (Submitted Photo)

Jeanne Doyle (left) and Daniel Gorman do their part to turn Maxeys into a winter wonderland with their float that featured Danny and Beverly Gorman as Mr. and Mrs. Frosty the Snowman at the seventh annual Maxeys Christmas Parade on Saturday. The Gormans won the award for best float. (Submitted Photo)

Photo Package: seventh annual Maxeys Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The seventh annual Maxeys Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6 included float awards for taking part in the parade festivities. The Gormans won the award for best float. The Oglethorpe County Transportation Department was second with “The Polar Express.
Local author Kiyoko Hairston reads her debut children’s book, “Freeda's Fabnificent Feet.” Hairston does readings of the book at schools and libraries in the Athens area. (Submitted Photo)

Local author Kiyoko Hairston reads her debut children’s book, “Freeda's Fabnificent Feet.” Hairston does readings of the book at schools and libraries in the Athens area. (Submitted Photo)

Local author turns insecurity into her first children’s book

Makenna Reavis
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
When Kiyoko Hairston was growing up, she got used to siblings, kids and adults making comments about her large feet.  She often had to cram her feet into smaller shoes or was frustrated by a less-than-ideal selection of children’s shoes in her size.
Mary Ann Cox, who lives in Crawford, incorporates her artwork into her seasonal style. This year, she compiled winter and holiday paintings and printed a small booklet to send to loved ones. (Photo/Maia Capuano)

Mary Ann Cox, who lives in Crawford, incorporates her artwork into her seasonal style. This year, she compiled winter and holiday paintings and printed a small booklet to send to loved ones. (Photo/Maia Capuano)

Artist combines love of painting, color with Christmas decorations

Maia Capuano
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Mary Ann Cox uses vintage elements, such as Christmas cards, and handcrafted pieces, such as a holly painting, to decorate for the holidays.   Cox has transformed her home into a merry oasis through her creativity and artistic abilities.
A new radio tower was built to boost radio reception with first responders in the Glade community. The land was donated by the Glade Volunteer Fire Department. (Photo/Neva Drane)

A new radio tower was built to boost radio reception with first responders in the Glade community. The land was donated by the Glade Volunteer Fire Department. (Photo/Neva Drane)

New radio tower in Glade should boost fire, police communication

Neva Drane
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
A new radio tower in the Glade community has been constructed and is projected to be operational early next year.  The tower, which was approved by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners in July, is intended to boost the signal for fire and emergency services in that area of Oglethorpe County.
Linda Moore (left) is the chairperson of Lexington’s Downtown Development Authority and Linda Parish, is chair of the Historic Preservation Commission. The DDA has two open spots and the HPC has one open spot. (Submitted Photo)

Linda Moore (left) is the chairperson of Lexington’s Downtown Development Authority and Linda Parish, is chair of the Historic Preservation Commission. The DDA has two open spots and the HPC has one open spot. (Submitted Photo)

Lexington needs DDA, commission spots filled

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Organizations in Lexington say they need more residents to serve. Two spots need to be filled on Lexington’s Downtown Development Authority and one spot is open on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.
Corie and Josh Robinson have been married 13 years and have three children. She is the director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center and he’s the EMS director in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Corie and Josh Robinson have been married 13 years and have three children. She is the director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center and he’s the EMS director in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Meet the Robinsons: Josh, Corie balance family, public service

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Josh and Corie Robinson’s 13-year marriage began in an unlikely place.  “We met at an assisted living facility,” said Corie Robinson, director of the Oglethorpe County Senior Center. “I was working (there), and it’s (where) his grandfather lived.
Shoppers look over several of the 100 baskets that were available at the fifth annual Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale on Saturday at No. 3 Railroad St. “We get people coming from all over the county to buy the gift baskets and various things,” said Jean Westmacott, the secretary of the Friends of the Oglethorpe Library. (Submitted Photo)

Shoppers look over several of the 100 baskets that were available at the fifth annual Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale on Saturday at No. 3 Railroad St. “We get people coming from all over the county to buy the gift baskets and various things,” said Jean Westmacott, the secretary of the Friends of the Oglethorpe Library. (Submitted Photo)

Christmas Bazaar raises nearly $3,000 to help support library

Neva Drane
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
The fifth annual Christmas Bazaar and Book Sale raised nearly $3,000 to support the Oglethorpe County Library and its programs and resources.
Oglethorpe County Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish said the school system is constantly reviewing trends — called “data digs” — to improve curriculum and test scores. Enrollment in AP classes has also increased. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Oglethorpe County Assistant Superintendent Kanya Cornish said the school system is constantly reviewing trends — called “data digs” — to improve curriculum and test scores. Enrollment in AP classes has also increased. (Photo/Cassidy Hettesheimer)

Teachers, students find what works as schools boost their curriculum

Drew Bearden and Ella Jones
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Oglethorpe County teachers say the clearest progress in student learning this year hasn’t come from a single test score, but from the way the classrooms have changed.
Lizzie Wadsworth sits in the cockpit of a 1967 Piper Cherokee at Athens-Ben Epps Airport last week. The Oglethorpe County High School grad, who is a junior at UGA and vice president of the UGA Aviation Club, hopes to become a commercial airline pilot. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Lizzie Wadsworth sits in the cockpit of a 1967 Piper Cherokee at Athens-Ben Epps Airport last week. The Oglethorpe County High School grad, who is a junior at UGA and vice president of the UGA Aviation Club, hopes to become a commercial airline pilot. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Wadsworth finds her wings

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Lizzie Wadsworth became hooked on the thrill of flying when she was just 12. Her father, Robert, a pilot, helped her lift the plane from the runway and into the clouds. Sporting a pair of rainbow leopard print sunglasses and balancing on her dad’s knee, she fell in love with the sky.