Local News

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.
Crews have cleared the area surrounding the bridge on Crawford-Smithonia Road that spans Big Clouds Creek in preparation for it to be replaced this fall. The bridge dates to 1958. (Submitted Photo)

Crews have cleared the area surrounding the bridge on Crawford-Smithonia Road that spans Big Clouds Creek in preparation for it to be replaced this fall. The bridge dates to 1958. (Submitted Photo)

Bridge replacement among road projects this fall

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Several road projects are coming to Oglethorpe County, including a bridge replacement on Crawford-Smithonia Road.

County’s assessed property values climb this year

Zach Leggio
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Assessed property values increased in Oglethorpe County this year.  “We’ve seen the assessments go up and up and up … the values just have been continuing to rise,” said Kem Caldwell, Oglethorpe County’s chief tax appraiser. “It really has kind of surprised me that it’s continued this long.
Shanna Reynolds (from front), Oglethorpe County 4-H agent Marcus Eason, superintendent Beverley Levine, administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock, Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Jake Willcox, Susan Robinson and director of operations Paul Thiel discuss reading and speech services for home school students with disabilities for the 2025-26 school year at a work session Tuesday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Shanna Reynolds (from front), Oglethorpe County 4-H agent Marcus Eason, superintendent Beverley Levine, administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock, Guillermo Camacho, Tim Poole, Jake Willcox, Susan Robinson and director of operations Paul Thiel discuss reading and speech services for home school students with disabilities for the 2025-26 school year at a work session Tuesday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

BOE discusses reading, speech services during work session

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, July 31, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education discussed reading and speech services for home school students with disabilities for the 2025-26 school year at its work session Tuesday night.
Various Community Day activities — like Salem Baptist Church’s bounce house slide — were held outside at Oglethorpe County Middle School last summer, but tables and vendors were set up inside. The annual event will return to OCMS on Saturday. (Photo/Torin Smith)

Various Community Day activities — like Salem Baptist Church’s bounce house slide — were held outside at Oglethorpe County Middle School last summer, but tables and vendors were set up inside. The annual event will return to OCMS on Saturday. (Photo/Torin Smith)

Community Day at OCMS returns for second year

Jennifer Xia
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Oglethorpe County’s annual Community Day is set to return to Oglethorpe County Middle School on Saturday, Aug. 2. The event will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria, offering school supplies, family fun and local resources for residents and others.
Southern A&E CEO emeritus Steve McCune, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, OCES principal Katie Baldwin, BOE vice-chair Tim Poole, operations director Paul Thiel, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Jake Willcox, Guillermo Camacho, Susan Robinson and Parrish Construction senior project manager Alex Johnson prepare to cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new elementary school Sunday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Southern A&E CEO emeritus Steve McCune, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, OCES principal Katie Baldwin, BOE vice-chair Tim Poole, operations director Paul Thiel, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Jake Willcox, Guillermo Camacho, Susan Robinson and Parrish Construction senior project manager Alex Johnson prepare to cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the new elementary school Sunday. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

OCES ribbon cutting marks end of construction at new school

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Julie Holloman is hopeful the new elementary school will help her and fellow faculty members “rally and pull together” for the first day of school on Friday.  “We’re all unified under one building, so that’s super special,” said Holloman, who teaches first grade.