Local News

A crew from the Oglethorpe County Public Works Department clears a large oak that blocked Crawford Smithonia Road after storms knocked down more than 50 trees throughout the county on Saturday evening. The crew included Dwayne Fowler, Christian Moon, Logan Gabriel and Kayla Gravely. (Submitted Photo)

A crew from the Oglethorpe County Public Works Department clears a large oak that blocked Crawford Smithonia Road after storms knocked down more than 50 trees throughout the county on Saturday evening. The crew included Dwayne Fowler, Christian Moon, Logan Gabriel and Kayla Gravely. (Submitted Photo)

More than 50 trees go down in storm

News Staff
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Saturday’s storm knocked down more than 50 trees throughout Oglethorpe County, public works director Adam Nation said. The storms produced winds up to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph in the Athens area, according to the National Weather Service.
Employees from Atlanta-based architecture firm Perkins & Will help to unload an MRI machine during construction and design of the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which opened in 2015. Susan Sharp said the process often came with “learning curves,” like determining the amount of space the machines needed. (Submitted Photo)

Employees from Atlanta-based architecture firm Perkins & Will help to unload an MRI machine during construction and design of the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which opened in 2015. Susan Sharp said the process often came with “learning curves,” like determining the amount of space the machines needed. (Submitted Photo)

Sharp shines as vet hospital architect

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
A college chemistry class that “kicked (her) on the tail” and an architecture school project sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition were starting factors to Susan Sharp’s career and passion.
Cory Tillman (left) and library branch manager Nicole Hensley stand with the handcrafted patio set that he helped build as part of his Eagle Scout project. The chairs are an addition to plans to expand the library's patio area. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Cory Tillman (left) and library branch manager Nicole Hensley stand with the handcrafted patio set that he helped build as part of his Eagle Scout project. The chairs are an addition to plans to expand the library's patio area. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Boy Scout’s new chairs help kick off library expansion

Elizabeth Kim
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Oglethorpe County Library has added two handcrafted chairs and a table as part of its patio expansion.  Cory Tillman, a rising senior at Oglethorpe County High School, completed the chairs with the help of Boy Scout Troop 22 of Athens as part of his Eagle Scout service project.
Superintendent Beverley Levine attends the BOE meeting via Zoom while she’s visiting family in South Africa. The BOE approved the 2026 budget on Tuesday. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Superintendent Beverley Levine attends the BOE meeting via Zoom while she’s visiting family in South Africa. The BOE approved the 2026 budget on Tuesday. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

BOE approves deficit budget at $30.8 million

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously approved the budget for the 2026 fiscal year at its meeting on Tuesday. The total revenue is projected at $30.8 million and the total expenses at $33.7 million, resulting in a nearly $3 million deficit.
First responders pull volunteer students and a bus driver from a flipped school bus during the EMA’s mass casualty exercise on Saturday. The volunteers stood in for injured students and their parents. (Photo/Emma Greene)

First responders pull volunteer students and a bus driver from a flipped school bus during the EMA’s mass casualty exercise on Saturday. The volunteers stood in for injured students and their parents. (Photo/Emma Greene)

Fake accident prepares EMA for the worst

Emma Greene
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
First responders pulled three students in critical condition and a deceased bus driver from a flipped school bus and put them on stretchers to be carried to nearby ambulances.  Three other students were treated for mild injuries as their parents stood near the scene.
Custodian Carl Young (from left) and healthcare sciences teacher Erin Bunch pose for a photo last September following their recognition as Classified Staff and Teacher of the Year respectively. Bunch said she feels “very appreciative” of her peers to select her to represent the school system as System Teacher of the Year. (Submitted Photo)

Custodian Carl Young (from left) and healthcare sciences teacher Erin Bunch pose for a photo last September following their recognition as Classified Staff and Teacher of the Year respectively. Bunch said she feels “very appreciative” of her peers to select her to represent the school system as System Teacher of the Year. (Submitted Photo)

Twice as nice: Bunch is system teacher of the year for 2nd time

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Erin Bunch always hopes to be a “positive light” to both her co-workers and students, just as they have with her.
Five homes are under construction in The Pines at Grove Creek, a development off Bunker Hill Road. The first 10 homes, which were built last year, have sold. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Five homes are under construction in The Pines at Grove Creek, a development off Bunker Hill Road. The first 10 homes, which were built last year, have sold. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Five homes being built in Pines at Grove Creek

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
New construction has sprung up in The Pines at Grove Creek. All 10 homes built last year and listed by Brittany Purcell & Associates in the 29-lot development off of Bunker Hill Road in Crawford have been sold.
MOAS director Juli Huth holds a $5,000 donation from Linda Kelly of The Kelly Family Foundation. The foundation gives an annual donation to the shelter. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

MOAS director Juli Huth holds a $5,000 donation from Linda Kelly of The Kelly Family Foundation. The foundation gives an annual donation to the shelter. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Bark & Wine raises $25K for MOAS

Jennifer Xia
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
Sherrie Hines already has a plan for part of the $25,000 that MOAS raised at its 10th annual Bark & Wine on Saturday. An immediate need is replacing the air conditioning unit at MOAS’ main building.