Local News

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.
David Charles Cheek, Tim Cheek’s son, was photographed in his grandfather’s uniform at Halloween one year. Tim Cheek said Charles was his dad’s name. (Submitted Photo)

David Charles Cheek, Tim Cheek’s son, was photographed in his grandfather’s uniform at Halloween one year. Tim Cheek said Charles was his dad’s name. (Submitted Photo)

A man ‘full of hope’

Elizabeth Kim
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Tim Cheek still recalls with great clarity the afternoon that he lost his father. His family had a less-than-pleasant lunch in their Crawford home that August day in 1995.
Mississippi kites, like this one in Oklahoma, sometimes are mistaken for eagles. A group of four kites is spending time in Arnoldsville this summer. (Photo/Rescuechick Wikimedia Commons)

Mississippi kites, like this one in Oklahoma, sometimes are mistaken for eagles. A group of four kites is spending time in Arnoldsville this summer. (Photo/Rescuechick Wikimedia Commons)

Kites, not eagles, spotted in Arnoldsville

Alex Perri
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Arnoldsville resident Diana Vandecar recently found four Mississippi kites in a nearby tree in her neighborhood.  The raptors are often mistaken for bald eagles due to their white/gray heads and propensity to soar through the sky.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel stands in the area that will be a temporary animal holding facility. A modular building also is being turned into a training facility. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel stands in the area that will be a temporary animal holding facility. A modular building also is being turned into a training facility. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Kennel, training room in progress at Sheriff’s Office

Alex Perri
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office continues to work on two facility upgrades that Sheriff David Gabriel said he hopes will help his office better serve the county.
Signs posted on the door of the Family Dollar in Crawford state that air conditioning problems caused its temporary closure. It’s not known when it will reopen. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Signs posted on the door of the Family Dollar in Crawford state that air conditioning problems caused its temporary closure. It’s not known when it will reopen. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Business Roundup: Loggans opens produce store in Crawford

Elizabeth Kim
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
A fruit and vegetable store has opened in the building next to the Peach Express on Athens Road in Crawford.  Wayne Loggans, who owns and operates the store with his family, has been selling produce in makeshift stands for 15 years.  Wayne Loggans “I’m tired of sitting in the heat,” Loggans said.
​​Members of the ALJ Foundation passed out backpacks filled with school supplies to students at last year’s Community Day at Oglethorpe County Middle School. This year’s event will also be held at OCMS. (Photo/Torin Smith)

​​Members of the ALJ Foundation passed out backpacks filled with school supplies to students at last year’s Community Day at Oglethorpe County Middle School. This year’s event will also be held at OCMS. (Photo/Torin Smith)

Local Roundup: Community Day scheduled for OCMS on Aug. 2

News Staff
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The annual Community Day festivities will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2 at Oglethorpe County Middle School.  It will be the second consecutive year Community Day will be held at OCMS after being moved from Bryan Park for heat concerns in 2024.
Amy Edwards and Steve Hilliard show a selfie from one of their many travels during their presentation at the Oglethorpe County Library on Monday. The couple met in graduate school at the University of Georgia and have traveled together ever since. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Amy Edwards and Steve Hilliard show a selfie from one of their many travels during their presentation at the Oglethorpe County Library on Monday. The couple met in graduate school at the University of Georgia and have traveled together ever since. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Couple shares adventures from traveling the world

Jennifer Xia
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
From birdwatching in Costa Rica to island-hopping through Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Crawford residents Steve Hilliard and Amy Edwards brought years of travel experience to the Oglethorpe County Library’s Lunch and Learn: Color Your World series on Monday.
Property owner Rick Hawkins appears to be making progress on repairs to the buildings he owns in downtown Lexington. He owns six buildings, four of which are for sale, local representative Kathrine Clark said. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Property owner Rick Hawkins appears to be making progress on repairs to the buildings he owns in downtown Lexington. He owns six buildings, four of which are for sale, local representative Kathrine Clark said. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Hawkins, Lexington try to work through building issues

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Progress is being made after a stalemate between the City of Lexington and Rick Hawkins, the owner of derelict buildings in downtown Lexington.