Local News

Tammy and David Owens (right) point out details about their rezoning request to Commissioner Tracy Norman as county attorney Chip Ferguson looks on at the BOC meeting on Monday. The commissioners voted 4-1 to waive paving requirements for a Yancey Road property. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Tammy and David Owens (right) point out details about their rezoning request to Commissioner Tracy Norman as county attorney Chip Ferguson looks on at the BOC meeting on Monday. The commissioners voted 4-1 to waive paving requirements for a Yancey Road property. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

BOC approves withdrawal of Bowen Farm cell tower request

Bridget Goodman
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously accepted APC Towers LLC’s withdrawal of a request Monday night to put a 259-foot communications tower on Bowen Farm Road.
Alex White and his family visited Fortress Hohensalzburg during a trip to Salzburg, Austria, last July. White is the new nurse practitioner at MedLink Oglethorpe.

Alex White and his family visited Fortress Hohensalzburg during a trip to Salzburg, Austria, last July. White is the new nurse practitioner at MedLink Oglethorpe.

White Joins MedLink as New Practitioner

Sean King
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Alex White said he originally had little interest following his parents into the medical field.  “We’re all kind of in healthcare,” White said. “My brother is an ER doctor in Brunswick, my dad was a pharmacist, my mom was a nurse … and then my sister works at UGA.
A ewe stands with her two lambs in the shade of solar panels at the Timberland Solar facility in Oglethorpe County. The panels provide shelter while sheep graze as part of the site’s vegetation management program. (The Oglethorpe Echo/Kira Doppel)

A ewe stands with her two lambs in the shade of solar panels at the Timberland Solar facility in Oglethorpe County. The panels provide shelter while sheep graze as part of the site’s vegetation management program. (The Oglethorpe Echo/Kira Doppel)

Solar farm turns to lamb-scaping

Kira Doppel
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Lambs and sheep grazing, with herding dogs nearby, is an expected sight in rural Oglethorpe County. What’s different in this pastoral scene on Goose Pond Road is that they’re grazing under solar panels.
Howard Sanders (left) is the incumbent for the Board of Commissioners District 1 Republican primary, while Britt Brooks (right) is the challenger. (Submitted Photos)

Howard Sanders (left) is the incumbent for the Board of Commissioners District 1 Republican primary, while Britt Brooks (right) is the challenger. (Submitted Photos)

Election Q&A: Taxes, property rights focus for District 1 candidates

Nick Hasnain
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Incumbent Howard Sanders and challenger Britt Brooks are on the Republican primary ballot for the District 1 seat on the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.
Phillip Powell reads over the agenda for the BOE work session on March 31, 2026. Powell will replace Beverley Levine as superintendent on July 1, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

Phillip Powell reads over the agenda for the BOE work session on March 31, 2026. Powell will replace Beverley Levine as superintendent on July 1, 2026. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

New superintendent contract is approved

Jasmine Milbourne
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
CORRECTION: Phillip Powell has taught in both Franklin and Gwinnett counties. An earlier version of this story had the incorrect counties listed.
Jadie Fleming picks up eggs during the Easter egg hunt hosted by Quiet Oaks Nursing Home last April. All eggs were filled with candy donated by family members of residents and staff, except for five golden eggs, with two containing $5 bills and three with $1 bills. (Photo/Lux Corrona)

Jadie Fleming picks up eggs during the Easter egg hunt hosted by Quiet Oaks Nursing Home last April. All eggs were filled with candy donated by family members of residents and staff, except for five golden eggs, with two containing $5 bills and three with $1 bills. (Photo/Lux Corrona)

Variety of events, services set for Easter weekend

Mia Tanner
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Sunrise services, egg hunts and plenty of food will be shared to celebrate Easter in Oglethorpe County this weekend. Local churches and organizations are rolling out everything, from early-morning services with breakfast to potluck lunches for seniors.
Oglethorpe County Emergency Medical Services on, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Crawford, Georgia. Oglethorpe County EMS plans to start provding whole blood products for severe trauma patients starting late summer or early fall. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Oglethorpe County Emergency Medical Services on, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Crawford, Georgia. Oglethorpe County EMS plans to start provding whole blood products for severe trauma patients starting late summer or early fall. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

EMS pursues grant for whole blood products

Sydney Shankman
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The No. 1 goal for Oglethorpe County EMS is to save lives. The addition of whole blood could save even more.  In fact, receiving whole blood products during pre-hospital treatment could save 37% of patients from severe trauma injuries, which is why EMS plans to start providing it.
Derrick Lemons gives a sermon at Temple United Methodist Church on Sunday. He plans to retire as the church’s pastor in June after 16 years because of his increasing responsibilities at the University of Georgia. (SARAH OWENS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Derrick Lemons gives a sermon at Temple United Methodist Church on Sunday. He plans to retire as the church’s pastor in June after 16 years because of his increasing responsibilities at the University of Georgia. (SARAH OWENS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

A bittersweet farewell

Sarah Owens
Friday, March 27, 2026
Pastor Derrick Lemons stood at the altar on Sunday, delivering his sermon at Arnoldsville’s Temple United Methodist Church as he has nearly every week for the past 16 years.