Local News

From left, zoning board members Morgan Robinson, Jimmy Shealy and Sam Nash, along with Planning Director Jeff Sharp, prepare for the April 16 zoning board meeting. Board member JF Hansford was absent. During the meeting, the board approved multiple zoning and land-use requests, including a proposal for a wedding venue and updates to county solar battery regulations, while denying one subdivision variance request. (Photo/Emilie Sullivan)

From left, zoning board members Morgan Robinson, Jimmy Shealy and Sam Nash, along with Planning Director Jeff Sharp, prepare for the April 16 zoning board meeting. Board member JF Hansford was absent. During the meeting, the board approved multiple zoning and land-use requests, including a proposal for a wedding venue and updates to county solar battery regulations, while denying one subdivision variance request. (Photo/Emilie Sullivan)

Zoning board says yes to wedding venue

Emilie Sullivan
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
A proposed wedding venue on Comer Road moved one step closer to reality after the Oglethorpe County Zoning Board approved a rezoning request at its April 16 meeting. Owners Nelida and Greg Serrano, who attended the meeting, requested the rezone from agricultural residential to highway business.
Guillermo Camacho (left), Tim Poole, Elaine Kitchens, Jake Willcox, Novalie Hokanson, Becky Soto, Venus LaParr, Beverley Levine, Madeline Holtzleiter, Susan Robinson, Tha Kho Min Ga Yah, Lauren Carlson, Penny Miller, Isabella Southall, Janet High, Deshonda Wolfe, Michelle Krolikowski and Mack Baldwin pose for a photo. The Young Georgia Authors winners were recognized for their achievement at the BOE meeting April 14, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

Guillermo Camacho (left), Tim Poole, Elaine Kitchens, Jake Willcox, Novalie Hokanson, Becky Soto, Venus LaParr, Beverley Levine, Madeline Holtzleiter, Susan Robinson, Tha Kho Min Ga Yah, Lauren Carlson, Penny Miller, Isabella Southall, Janet High, Deshonda Wolfe, Michelle Krolikowski and Mack Baldwin pose for a photo. The Young Georgia Authors winners were recognized for their achievement at the BOE meeting April 14, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

OCHS renovations set to begin this summer

Jasmine Milbourne
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education discussed plans for summer renovations at Oglethorpe County High School during its Tuesday meeting.  The work would include painting hallways and classrooms, retiling certain sections of the school, removing lockers and installing window tint for safety.
Tracy Norman (left) is the incumbent for the Board of Commissioners District 5 Republican primary, while Randy Gordon (right) is the challenger. (Submitted Photo (left), Photo/Felix Scheyer (right))

Tracy Norman (left) is the incumbent for the Board of Commissioners District 5 Republican primary, while Randy Gordon (right) is the challenger. (Submitted Photo (left), Photo/Felix Scheyer (right))

Election Q&A: Growth key topic for District 5 candidates

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Incumbent Tracy Norman and challenger Randy Gordon are on the Republican primary ballot for the District 5 seat for the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners. They also ran against each other for this position in the 2018 general primary.
An Oglethorpe County EMS team, including medical technician Kelly Huff (from left), director Josh Robinson, EMT Jeffrey Clark, EMT Roy Allen and supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver, stand in front of an ambulance on April 21, 2025. Robinson said EMS will be hosting a gathering of past and present employees in the fall to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

An Oglethorpe County EMS team, including medical technician Kelly Huff (from left), director Josh Robinson, EMT Jeffrey Clark, EMT Roy Allen and supervisor paramedic Dennis Weaver, stand in front of an ambulance on April 21, 2025. Robinson said EMS will be hosting a gathering of past and present employees in the fall to celebrate the service's 50th anniversary. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Decades of dispatch: EMS celebrates 50th anniversary in county

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
On a crisp December day, a woman in Oglethorpe County had a sudden realization: her water had broken. Miles from the nearest hospital, paramedic Kristin Gilliam was her only hope. Even with a million “what-ifs” racing through her mind, Gilliam successfully delivered the newborn.
Henry the Rooster was a common sight at the Golden Pantry in Lexington through the winter, even becoming the store’s unofficial mascot. He disappeared sometime last month. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Henry the Rooster was a common sight at the Golden Pantry in Lexington through the winter, even becoming the store’s unofficial mascot. He disappeared sometime last month. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Henry finds roost, but then vanishes from Golden Pantry

Dakota Meeks
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Henry came to the Golden Pantry whenever he pleased. Sometimes he showed up in the early morning, and then disappeared in the afternoon.  But he wasn’t like most regular customers. Henry was a rooster, who became part of the Lexington store’s daily routine and even its unofficial mascot.
Macie McDaniel received a certificate for being named Oglethorpe County High’s STAR student at a Rotary Club meeting in February 2024. She was honored with 2024 STAR teacher Eric Schmidt (from left), Christan McDaniel and Phillip McDaniel, her mom and dad. (JIM BASS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Macie McDaniel received a certificate for being named Oglethorpe County High’s STAR student at a Rotary Club meeting in February 2024. She was honored with 2024 STAR teacher Eric Schmidt (from left), Christan McDaniel and Phillip McDaniel, her mom and dad. (JIM BASS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

McDaniel overcomes brain surgery on her way to UGA

Sean King
Friday, April 10, 2026
Trumpets and horns sound throughout the Oglethorpe County Middle School band room. Notes blend and provide a harmonious sound.  For one student, though, it wasn’t pleasant. Macie McDaniel, a 2024 OCHS alum from Lexington, said she had migraines almost every day in band class.
Jenny Wisham (left) and Thomas Carroll pose for their headshots. Wisham and Carroll are running for the District 5 BOE member. (Photos/Submitted)

Jenny Wisham (left) and Thomas Carroll pose for their headshots. Wisham and Carroll are running for the District 5 BOE member. (Photos/Submitted)

Election Q&A: Budget, resources top priorities for BOE candidates

Jasmine Milbourne
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Jenny Wisham and Thomas Carroll are both running on the Republican ticket for the Oglethorpe County Board of Education for District 5.  Wisham is a physical therapist who works in home health care.
Travis Hill, owner of Hill Renovations, hangs up 'The Local Spot' sign outside. The restaurant is located at 1185 Athens Road, and planned to open late April. (Photo Submitted)

Travis Hill, owner of Hill Renovations, hangs up 'The Local Spot' sign outside. The restaurant is located at 1185 Athens Road, and planned to open late April. (Photo Submitted)

Nation aims to bring family fun to Crawford restaurant

Finley Millwood
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Born and raised in Oglethorpe County, Stephanie Nation’s goal is to embody the saying “good laughs, good food, good people” with her new restaurant. “I really want it to just be somewhere fun that people can come, and if they're having a bad day, it will turn upside down,” Nation said.
Blazer's Hot Wings is located in Lexington at 640 Athens Road. The dine-in or drive-thru restaurant is known for its crispy wings and large menu. (Finley Millwood/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Blazer's Hot Wings is located in Lexington at 640 Athens Road. The dine-in or drive-thru restaurant is known for its crispy wings and large menu. (Finley Millwood/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County Food Tour, Part II

Finley Millwood
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
  From crispy wings to bold international flavors, this Oglethorpe County food tour highlights some of the county’s must-try spots.Starting with Blazer’s of Lexington, where crispy meets juicy hot wings.