Local News

People walk, run and bike on the Model Mile of the Firefly Trail in Maxeys, the only completed portion of the trail in Oglethorpe County. The county recently received a grant for $2.9 million to extend the trail to the Greene County line. (Photo/Gianna Rodriguez)

People walk, run and bike on the Model Mile of the Firefly Trail in Maxeys, the only completed portion of the trail in Oglethorpe County. The county recently received a grant for $2.9 million to extend the trail to the Greene County line. (Photo/Gianna Rodriguez)

County receives $2.9 million to extend Firefly Trail to Greene

Elizabeth Kim
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Residents have put the Model Mile of the Firefly Trail to use since its completion in 2021.  “As soon as the mile went down in Maxeys, all the neighbors started getting out and walking and walking their dogs and riding their bicycles,” said Mary Cook, president of Firefly Trail Inc.

Local Roundup: Early PSC runoff voting continues through Friday

News Staff
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Early voting for the Democratic primary runoff for the Public Service Commission continues through Friday, July 11 at the Oglethorpe County Board of Elections. Only those who cast a Democratic ballot or didn’t vote in the primary election on June 17 are eligible to vote in the runoff election.
Dustin and Tara Wood opened their new store Vessel Barn in Oak Tree Plaza on July 5. The couple sells candles, wax melts, apparel and other handmade products. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Dustin and Tara Wood opened their new store Vessel Barn in Oak Tree Plaza on July 5. The couple sells candles, wax melts, apparel and other handmade products. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Candles, T-shirts, other goods featured in new store

Jennifer Xia
Thursday, July 10, 2025
The scent of hand-poured candles welcomed customers to a new locally owned business in Oak Tree Plaza this past weekend. Vessel Barn, owned and operated by Dustin and Tara Wood, officially opened on July 5, offering a curated selection of handmade home goods.
Tanner Mask, who wrestled at OCHS and graduated in 2024, is a world-class Pokemon player. He’s entering his second year at the University of North Georgia. (Submitted Photo)

Tanner Mask, who wrestled at OCHS and graduated in 2024, is a world-class Pokemon player. He’s entering his second year at the University of North Georgia. (Submitted Photo)

Pokemon pays off for Mask

Elizabeth Kim
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
For Tanner Mask, Pokémon isn’t just a game — it’s a lifestyle. The Crawford native who graduated from Oglethorpe County High School in 2024, originally started playing the Nintendo Switch game with his friend George McMaster in early 2020, when he was in eighth grade and McMaster was in seventh.
Swimming and sliding down rocks in the South Fork of the Broad River is a popular way to spend hot summer days at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Environmental groups are working to protect the water quality there. (Photo/Jack Keys)

Swimming and sliding down rocks in the South Fork of the Broad River is a popular way to spend hot summer days at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. Environmental groups are working to protect the water quality there. (Photo/Jack Keys)

Steps being taken to protect South Fork of Broad River

Alex Perri
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
Local clean water proponents moved one step closer to a big win recently when the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) announced a local section of the South Fork of the Broad River will be reclassified for recreational use.

Head to the farms: Blueberries are in peak picking season

Alex Perri
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Blueberries across Georgia are ripe for the picking, as the season approaches its peak heading into early July. Laura Pallas, owner of Buffalo Creek Berry Farm in Lexington, said her blueberries were nice and sweet this year, but that extreme summer weather has significantly impacted her harvest.
Workers are renovating the building that is planned to house Lexpresso in Lexington. Owner Blair Dorminey is working with the Historic Preservation Commission to make sure it retains its “character.” (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Workers are renovating the building that is planned to house Lexpresso in Lexington. Owner Blair Dorminey is working with the Historic Preservation Commission to make sure it retains its “character.” (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Lexpresso coffee shop to open next to Smith-Turner House

Jennifer Xia
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Lexpresso, a new coffee shop in the works for downtown Lexington, is slated for a potential fall opening.  The building at 307 West Main St. is undergoing renovation and will offer specialty espresso drinks with a historic ambiance.
Former staff, board members and volunteers, including Peggy Hroma (left) and Jane Bowen (right), share memories of when the library opened in 1995. Articles from The Echo announcing the construction and opening of the library give information on the building’s cost and resources available to the public. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Former staff, board members and volunteers, including Peggy Hroma (left) and Jane Bowen (right), share memories of when the library opened in 1995. Articles from The Echo announcing the construction and opening of the library give information on the building’s cost and resources available to the public. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Memories abound as library building celebrates 30 years

Elizabeth Kim
Thursday, July 3, 2025
Jane Bowen was there when the Oglethorpe County Library building first opened its doors on June 25, 1995, and was back last Wednesday, when it celebrated its 30th anniversary in its current location.
Peyton Lewis attended the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Nashville last month, placing tenth overall in the respiratory therapy category. To be invited to the international competition, she placed first among roughly 30 competitors in Georgia at the state competition in March. (Submitted Photo)

Peyton Lewis attended the HOSA International Leadership Conference in Nashville last month, placing tenth overall in the respiratory therapy category. To be invited to the international competition, she placed first among roughly 30 competitors in Georgia at the state competition in March. (Submitted Photo)

Lewis finishes 10th at HOSA conference

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Peyton Lewis had a change of heart after initially steering clear of respiratory therapy and trying a “bunch of different things” relating to health care, like CPR and first aid training.