Local News

School system is investigating social media post

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
An Oglethorpe County High School teacher has been removed from the classroom while the school system investigates a social media post made in the wake of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s death last week.
The garage doors sit open at Salem Fire and Rescue's main station in Lexington, Georgia, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. An expansion to the station was completed in October 2024. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The garage doors sit open at Salem Fire and Rescue's main station in Lexington, Georgia, on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. An expansion to the station was completed in October 2024. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Expanded station should meet Salem’s needs for ‘30 years’

Katherine Davis
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Salem Fire and Rescue is using a 4,000-square-foot expansion to more effectively respond to emergencies and lower insurance in its response area. The primary fire station on Davids Road, originally constructed in 1988, was built to hold only two fire trucks. Most recently, it housed three.
Patty Boyd holds her two new books up for a photo on Sept. 11, 2025 at her home in Colbert. Boyd published "Life, Love & the Laundry" in May and "Twinkle and Sparkle - The Backyard Adventure: Fairy Fun" in July. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Patty Boyd holds her two new books up for a photo on Sept. 11, 2025 at her home in Colbert. Boyd published "Life, Love & the Laundry" in May and "Twinkle and Sparkle - The Backyard Adventure: Fairy Fun" in July. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

New author inspired by faith, family and fairies

Susanna Johnson
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
At 70 years old, Patty Boyd has ventured into new territory — as a writer. Boyd, who lives in Colbert with her husband, Mike, said she has devoted her life to faith, family and a career in accounting and printing.  But in 2025, she’s published two books.
Geoff Hill demonstrates how he digs a hole to prepare for the planting of pawpaw trees on Monday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Georgia Farm Bureau in Crawford. Hill has been growing pawpaw on his land for several years. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Geoff Hill demonstrates how he digs a hole to prepare for the planting of pawpaw trees on Monday, Sept. 6, 2025, at the Georgia Farm Bureau in Crawford. Hill has been growing pawpaw on his land for several years. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Gardeners spotlight versatile pawpaw fruit at Plowshare talk

Makenna Reavis
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Geoff Hill, a retired forester and longtime gardener from Athens, has a devoted interest in reviving a specific fruit tree: the pawpaw.
Author Zoe B. Singleton shares her children’s book with attendees at Community Fun and Resource Day on Sept. 13. Singleton emphasizes the importance of affirmation through scripture in her book. (Photo/Molly Moore)

Author Zoe B. Singleton shares her children’s book with attendees at Community Fun and Resource Day on Sept. 13. Singleton emphasizes the importance of affirmation through scripture in her book. (Photo/Molly Moore)

Mount Olive’s Community Fun and Resource Day brings folks together

Molly Moore
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Aiming to bring the community together in the wake of COVID-19’s impact on smaller, local churches, Mount Olive Baptist Church held its first Community Fun and Resource Day on Sept. 13 at the Crawford Depot, connecting people with aid and opportunities they might not otherwise know or access.
Lexington’s Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, wears his tree-climbing gear. He used his skills to help clear debris during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington’s Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, wears his tree-climbing gear. He used his skills to help clear debris during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hart makes tree care a high-flying career

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
 Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, offers tree removal, pruning, cabling and bracing, contract climbing, cat rescues and 24/7 emergency services — with the safety of both nature and people in mind.
Graphic/Sophia Eppley

Graphic/Sophia Eppley

Home prices on the rise in county

Sophia Eppley
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Home prices continue to rise in Oglethorpe County as the area struggles with less inventory and more demand, according to recent data from Georgia Multiple Listing Service (GAMLS), the state’s comprehensive real estate database.
Kristin Gilliam sits inside an Oglethorpe County EMS truck on Thursday, Sept. 11, in Crawford, Georgia. Emergency medicine is her passion, and she loves being on the front lines helping her community. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Kristin Gilliam sits inside an Oglethorpe County EMS truck on Thursday, Sept. 11, in Crawford, Georgia. Emergency medicine is her passion, and she loves being on the front lines helping her community. (Photo/Gabrielle Gruszynski)

Learning to save lives

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
When someone collapses from a heart attack or suffers a serious injury, the first few minutes are critical.  In Oglethorpe County, EMS is preparing residents to help make the difference.   Kristin Gilliam opens a bleeding control kit on Thursday, Sept. 11, in Crawford, Georgia.
Advanced Placement courses give high school students the chance to take college-level classes, earn potential credit through exams and strengthen college applications.

Advanced Placement courses give high school students the chance to take college-level classes, earn potential credit through exams and strengthen college applications.

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OCHS works to boost AP course offerings

Ella Jones
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Advanced Placement classes are a key part of the college application season. The topic has also surfaced in recent community listening sessions, where parents and students said they would like to see more AP options at the high school.
Young hunter Tate McDonald with his new shotgun and some of the doves he shot on Saturday at the Nation Family Farm. McDonald had a banner day in the field this year. Courtesy photo by Johnny Ralston (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

Young hunter Tate McDonald with his new shotgun and some of the doves he shot on Saturday at the Nation Family Farm. McDonald had a banner day in the field this year. Courtesy photo by Johnny Ralston (Submitted Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

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Dove season off and running across the state

Alex Perri
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Saturday marked the opening day of dove season in Georgia, and hunters across the state took aim at the migratory bird, hoping to meet their limit (15 per day).