Local News

Teresa Jo Campbell works in her new role as Oglethorpe County’s planning assistant and permitting coordinator. Campbell, who worked as a clerk and elections assistant in the probate court, began this job in January. (Photo/Lilly Stone)

Teresa Jo Campbell works in her new role as Oglethorpe County’s planning assistant and permitting coordinator. Campbell, who worked as a clerk and elections assistant in the probate court, began this job in January. (Photo/Lilly Stone)

Campbell takes on new role with county

Lilly Stone
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Teresa Jo Campbell fell in love with Oglethorpe County for many of the same reasons most residents do when she moved here in 2018. “I hope that people see Oglethorpe the way I saw it when I moved here,” Campbell said. “I loved that it was quiet and peaceful, and it still is.
Nicole Hensley has replaced Katherine Ratcliffe as the Oglethorpe County Library branch manager. She has been with the library since 2021. (Submitted Photo)

Nicole Hensley has replaced Katherine Ratcliffe as the Oglethorpe County Library branch manager. She has been with the library since 2021. (Submitted Photo)

Hensley plans to keep ‘vibes’ going at library

Jet Rawls
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Nicole Hensley hoped her name would be called as the replacement when former library branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe announced she was leaving the Crawford location for the Bogart branch.  “I had my fingers and my toes crossed,” Hensley said. Her method must have worked.
Work continues on the temporary animal impoundment facility at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office. The kennels are waiting on plumbing before the concrete will be poured. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Work continues on the temporary animal impoundment facility at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office. The kennels are waiting on plumbing before the concrete will be poured. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Impoundment facility held up by plumbing

Zach Leggio
Thursday, May 8, 2025
The temporary animal impoundment facility at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office remains a work in progress. The Sheriff’s Office has been working to build a concrete slab, two runs, five kennels with drainage and a cover since last September.
Guillermo Camacho, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, BOE Chair Becky Soto and Susan Robinson meet to discuss Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program on Tuesday. Several students were in attendance. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Guillermo Camacho, assistant superintendent Kanya Cornish, BOE Chair Becky Soto and Susan Robinson meet to discuss Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program on Tuesday. Several students were in attendance. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

BOE recognizes work-based learning program

Anna Izquierdo
Thursday, May 8, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education recognized Sara Hughes’ work-based learning program during its monthly meeting Tuesday night.  Hughes’ program provides high school students the opportunity to receive credit while working in an environment related to their career pathway.
Residents pack the meeting room during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. A series of rezoning items caused concern throughout the county, leading to the overflow crowd. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Residents pack the meeting room during the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night. A series of rezoning items caused concern throughout the county, leading to the overflow crowd. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Debates highlight meeting

Zach Leggio
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Rezoning debates dominated the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday, with the first four items on the agenda taking up the majority of the more than three-hour meeting.
Town and Country Kafe’s most recent health inspection score, from an inspection last December. The restaurant lost a point because of a missing drain plug on its dumpster. It has since been replaced. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Town and Country Kafe’s most recent health inspection score, from an inspection last December. The restaurant lost a point because of a missing drain plug on its dumpster. It has since been replaced. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Health inspections can be long, difficult road for restaurants

Libby Hobbs and Adriana Cascio
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Town and Country Kafe received a 99 out of 100 after its biannual health inspection in December. The one point deducted was due to a missing drain plug on the dumpster, something most wouldn’t consider replacing, co-owner Willie Torres said.
Aidan Dellinger (left), a junior student at Oglethorpe County High School, and Su Moo (right), a senior student at Oglethorpe County High School, throw chalk at runners as they run along the Oglethorpe County High School Color Run in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. In total, roughly 40 runners signed up to run in the Color Run, each contributing to funding The CAYA House. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Aidan Dellinger (left), a junior student at Oglethorpe County High School, and Su Moo (right), a senior student at Oglethorpe County High School, throw chalk at runners as they run along the Oglethorpe County High School Color Run in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. In total, roughly 40 runners signed up to run in the Color Run, each contributing to funding The CAYA House. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Photos: OCHS Color Run raises $500 for CAYA House

Felix Scheyer
Friday, May 2, 2025
Nearly 40 runners participated in this year’s Oglethorpe County High School Color Run, moving along the roughly 1.5-mile course while being covered in handfuls of colorful chalk thrown by members of the OCHS National Honor Society on Saturday.
A black bear in a pecan tree off Crawford Smithonia Road caused a stir on Friday morning. The bear was later named Elvis. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A black bear in a pecan tree off Crawford Smithonia Road caused a stir on Friday morning. The bear was later named Elvis. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Bear sighted in Crawford, named Elvis

Leighton Dancy
Thursday, May 1, 2025
When Tony Resop let out his dogs at 7:30 a.m. Friday, the last thing he expected to see was a black bear in his neighbor’s pecan tree. “My first instinct was, ‘Oh my god, there’s a cow in the tree,’” Resop said. “My jaw just dropped. I said, ‘There is a bear in the tree.’ I just couldn’t believe it.
From left: company dancers Lucy Eller, Marlee Waldroup, Molly Rose Graham, and Grace Foland practice a dance routine paired with a song titled "Interlude: Dawn" during their ballet II/III class led by instructor Jessica Palmer at the Lena Wise Community Center on April 7, 2025. Palmer is the owner and instructor of Jessica's School of Dance, a complete dance program for young girls of all ages. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

From left: company dancers Lucy Eller, Marlee Waldroup, Molly Rose Graham, and Grace Foland practice a dance routine paired with a song titled "Interlude: Dawn" during their ballet II/III class led by instructor Jessica Palmer at the Lena Wise Community Center on April 7, 2025. Palmer is the owner and instructor of Jessica's School of Dance, a complete dance program for young girls of all ages. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

Palmer’s small school helps dancers grow

Lux Corrona
Thursday, May 1, 2025
At Jessica’s School of Dance, it’s about more than winning competitions.  “We always joke, ‘This is not ‘Dance Moms’,” said Amber Waldroup, mother of 11-year-old Marlee Waldroup. “This place is like a family. And you know, these girls are my girls. And the moms are some of my best friends.