Local News

Andy and Madison Nimmons stand with an assortment of their entries at the North Carolina Taxidermist’s Association summer show. They won ribbons and medals for fish, birds and various mammals. (Submitted Photo)

Andy and Madison Nimmons stand with an assortment of their entries at the North Carolina Taxidermist’s Association summer show. They won ribbons and medals for fish, birds and various mammals. (Submitted Photo)

Kangaroo helps father, daughter dominate N.C. taxidermy show

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Madison Nimmons found her passion for taxidermy after initially pursuing a career in agriculture education and learning how to mount a duck her junior year of college.  “I just fell in love with mounting birds,” she said. “Teaching, you don’t really make a lot of money.
Guillermo Camacho, vice-chair Tim Poole, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox discuss items during the Aug. 12 Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Guillermo Camacho, vice-chair Tim Poole, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox discuss items during the Aug. 12 Board of Education meeting. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Milestones scores up from 2024

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education received the newly released Milestones scores for students in grades 3-8, noting general improvements and placements above the state level.
Fair Havens Estate owner Linda Lauderdale looks through binders full of old photos taken during the home’s restoration. This year marks 30 years since her and her late husband bought the once run-down mansion. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Fair Havens Estate owner Linda Lauderdale looks through binders full of old photos taken during the home’s restoration. This year marks 30 years since her and her late husband bought the once run-down mansion. (Photo/Alex Perri)

From a shell to showplace

Alex Perri
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
It’s 5 p.m. at Fair Havens Estate in Arnoldsville, and the late summer sun is streaming in through Linda Lauderdale’s tastefully draped windows.  Inside, the gilded dining room is glistening in the light.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade sit on the gymnasium floor before walking to home rooms on the first day of school at Oglethorpe County Elementary School. The 2025-26 school year started on Friday in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade sit on the gymnasium floor before walking to home rooms on the first day of school at Oglethorpe County Elementary School. The 2025-26 school year started on Friday in Oglethorpe County. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Photos: School's Back!

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
People line up to check out the tables during Community Day at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Saturday. Local organizations passed out free school supplies and resource information to families as students head back to school. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

People line up to check out the tables during Community Day at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Saturday. Local organizations passed out free school supplies and resource information to families as students head back to school. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Photos: Community Day

Jennifer Xia
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Naomi McPeake (from left), Montana Barner and Abigail Whitney competed at the 4-H State Congress in Atlanta last month. McPeake was recognized as a Master 4-H’er and Whitney was second in her category. (Submitted Photo)

Naomi McPeake (from left), Montana Barner and Abigail Whitney competed at the 4-H State Congress in Atlanta last month. McPeake was recognized as a Master 4-H’er and Whitney was second in her category. (Submitted Photo)

Local Roundup: McPeake, Whitney, Barner shine at 4-H State Congress

News Staff
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Naomi McPeake was recognized as a Master 4-H’er and Abigail Whitney finished second in the Dairy Project at the 82nd annual 4-H State Congress in Atlanta in July.  McPeake had been awarded Showmanship Champion at the State Livestock Show in Perry, Georgia.
Robin Guest (left), ASPIRE on-site coordinator for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, and Tabatha Ashworth, ASPIRE on-site coordinator for kindergarten, first- and second-grade students, stand in Guest’s classroom on the first day of school. ASPIRE offers academic and enrichment opportunities for students during the school year. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Robin Guest (left), ASPIRE on-site coordinator for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, and Tabatha Ashworth, ASPIRE on-site coordinator for kindergarten, first- and second-grade students, stand in Guest’s classroom on the first day of school. ASPIRE offers academic and enrichment opportunities for students during the school year. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

ASPIRE program survives scare, to start seventh year

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Robin Guest has seen the After School Patriots Involved in Readiness and Enrichment (ASPIRE) program grow “from the ground up” since its beginning in the 2019-20 school year.  “We started with nothing,” said Guest, ASPIRE on-site coordinator for grades 3-5.

Fire, auto accidents keep first responders busy

Alex Perri
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Firefighters and first responders were unusually busy last week, with one house fire and eight car accidents in the county.  No fatalities were recorded in any of the incidents, but three car accidents led to injuries.