Local News

Abby Horton and Nancy Coleman Hart hold a check signifying that Horton was awarded the inaugural $5,000 Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart scholarship that honors Hart, a former OCES principal and curriculum director, and the late Bob Hart, her husband who died in February. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Abby Horton and Nancy Coleman Hart hold a check signifying that Horton was awarded the inaugural $5,000 Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart scholarship that honors Hart, a former OCES principal and curriculum director, and the late Bob Hart, her husband who died in February. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Horton is valedictorian of 2025 class

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Abby Horton was recognized as valedictorian of Oglethorpe County High School’s graduating class at Senior Honors Night held in the cafeteria on Tuesday.

Local Roundup: Bramblett to perform at Marigold Festival

News Staff
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Randall Bramblett will headline the music portion of the annual Marigold Festival, which will be held Saturday at Pittard Park. Bramblett, a longtime Athens musician, will cap the festivities, which include a parade, vendors and food trucks. The vendors will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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.