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Countryside Manor serves as a venue for weddings, celebrations and community events in Winterville. Co-owner Claudia Reit said major startup costs included commercial insurance and property taxes, adding she shopped around to find the best insurance coverage for the venue. (Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Countryside Manor serves as a venue for weddings, celebrations and community events in Winterville. Co-owner Claudia Reit said major startup costs included commercial insurance and property taxes, adding she shopped around to find the best insurance coverage for the venue. (Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

More than paperwork: Owners officials talk about realities of launching new county businesses

Finley Millwood and Emilie Sullivan
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Opening a business in Oglethorpe County can begin with a simple idea, but turning that idea into reality often requires navigating permits, regulations and unexpected challenges.
The newly repaired Emerald Green Drive. The Oglethorpe and Madison County works crews were able to get the road reopened on Tuesday, May 26, one day after it washed out. (Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The newly repaired Emerald Green Drive. The Oglethorpe and Madison County works crews were able to get the road reopened on Tuesday, May 26, one day after it washed out. (Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo)

County repairs Emerald Green Drive quickly after flood

Lexie Shadix
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Emerald Green Drive, a private, unpaved road near Sandy Cross, was repaired by the Oglethorpe County Public Works Department just 24 hours after it became impassable due to flooding.

Moore quickly goes from newcomer to city leader

Sarah Nanos
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Linda Moore had never set foot in Lexington before three years ago. Now, she’s serving on its city council. “I fell in love with the vibe of the town and it’s been great ever since,” Moore said. What began as a search for a new place to live turned into a deep commitment to Lexington’s future.
McKay Crowley, who lives on Old Edwards Road, speaks to the Oglethorpe County commissioners as a line of residents forms behind her. Seventeen residents spoke out against a 25-home development on Yancey Road that was denied on Monday. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

McKay Crowley, who lives on Old Edwards Road, speaks to the Oglethorpe County commissioners as a line of residents forms behind her. Seventeen residents spoke out against a 25-home development on Yancey Road that was denied on Monday. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Yancey Road development denied

Lexie Shadix
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners denied Adam Swann’s proposal for development on Yancey Road by a 4-1 vote on Monday night at the courthouse.
A corner of Linda Parish's historic Titus-Parrish home in Oglethorpe County on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Addison Simmons/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A corner of Linda Parish's historic Titus-Parrish home in Oglethorpe County on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Addison Simmons/The Oglethorpe Echo)

From dollhouses to historic houses, homeowners work to preserve past

Addison Simmons
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Growing up, Linda Parish and her sister played with dolls. While her sister would sew clothes for them and create stories, Parish was busy arranging their houses.  Years later, she continues to arrange houses, now on a life-sized scale.  “It’s just what I always wanted to do,” Parish said.
Grassroots and Grounded hosts Jake Willcox and Courtney Hunter Ariola sit in their podcast studio in the Iris Inc Realty office in downtown Crawford. Willcox, with the help of his coworkers, built the studio. (Sarah Nanos/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Grassroots and Grounded hosts Jake Willcox and Courtney Hunter Ariola sit in their podcast studio in the Iris Inc Realty office in downtown Crawford. Willcox, with the help of his coworkers, built the studio. (Sarah Nanos/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Realtors focus on ‘storytelling’ in locally produced podcast

Sarah Nanos
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Longtime friends Jake Willcox and Courtney Hunter Ariola transformed a real estate marketing project into a weekly podcast that’s recorded inside a historic building in downtown Crawford. “It really has morphed into a passion project,” Willcox said.
Valedictorian Amber Tiller delivers her speech — “The Importance of Each Other” — during the OCHS graduation ceremony at The Classic Center last Friday. Tiller plans to attend Georgia Tech. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Valedictorian Amber Tiller delivers her speech — “The Importance of Each Other” — during the OCHS graduation ceremony at The Classic Center last Friday. Tiller plans to attend Georgia Tech. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Time for grads to shine

Ellie English
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Attendees of Oglethorpe County High School’s graduation ceremony were thankful for the location change to The Classic Center as rain passed through Northeast Georgia on Friday night.
The Arnoldsville city council discuss multiple topics at their meeting on May 21. (Jessie Isaacs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Arnoldsville city council discuss multiple topics at their meeting on May 21. (Jessie Isaacs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

CITY ROUNDUP: Arnoldsville’s new well discovered to be ‘bust’

Jessie Isaacs
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Arnoldsville water superintendent Adam Boswell reported that a recently drilled well was a “bust” after 650 feet. Boswell said the well yielded only 3 gallons per minute and cost around $38,000.
About 35 people attended the Board of Commissioners meeting at the courthouse in March. There’s room for about 150 people there. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

About 35 people attended the Board of Commissioners meeting at the courthouse in March. There’s room for about 150 people there. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mics to be added at courthouse for meeting

Lexie Shadix
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Jay Paul and the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners hope the addition of microphones will provide better sound during Monday’s meeting at the courthouse.