Local News

Sheriff David Gabriel stares out over the lower pond within his backyard in Winterville, Georgia on Monday, March 17, 2025. For someone with such a high-stress occupation, a relaxing environment to come home to is essential. “Listen to the water, breeze blowing. The breeze always blows here, you know. Sit there and watch the fish, you know. Just watch them move around the water. It's just natural, you know,” Gabriel said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Sheriff David Gabriel stares out over the lower pond within his backyard in Winterville, Georgia on Monday, March 17, 2025. For someone with such a high-stress occupation, a relaxing environment to come home to is essential. “Listen to the water, breeze blowing. The breeze always blows here, you know. Sit there and watch the fish, you know. Just watch them move around the water. It's just natural, you know,” Gabriel said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

At peace with his fish

Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Sheriff David Gabriel sits in the shade of his backyard patio, his uniform crisp and his gun in its holster. A 180-pound cane corso named Biggs drools at his feet, while two much smaller dogs nestle into his lap.
Leo Lazo and his wife Maria Lazo serve pupusas, tamales and pollo rostizado at El Mana 2. The first location opened in Gainesville in 2018. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Leo Lazo and his wife Maria Lazo serve pupusas, tamales and pollo rostizado at El Mana 2. The first location opened in Gainesville in 2018. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Salvadoran restaurant opens in Oak Tree Plaza

Libby Hobbs
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Thick cake tortillas stuffed with cheese, pork and beans are a staple in El Salvador. This dish, called a pupusa, can be found in Lexington, too.  Pupuseria El Mana 2, located at Oak Tree Plaza (777 Athens Road), held its grand opening on March 19.

OCHS parapro charged after bus collision

Leighton Dancy
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
A Carlton man struck a school bus in the Oglethorpe County High School parking lot and fled the scene on the morning of March 19, according to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office. No students were injured, and the bus did not sustain any damage.
Kat Howkins, the owner of Sweet Olive Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as a sanctuary for a wide variety of animals in Winterville, poses with Lydia and Ezra Haag and Memphis Friel (left to right).

Kat Howkins, the owner of Sweet Olive Farm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as a sanctuary for a wide variety of animals in Winterville, poses with Lydia and Ezra Haag and Memphis Friel (left to right).

Sweet summer opportunity for kids: Sweet Olive Farm offers animal-focused camps

Jesse Wood
Friday, March 28, 2025
Neither Kat Howkins, owner of Sweet Olive Farm Animal Rescue, nor Grace Foland, an 11th-grader at Oglethorpe County High School, grew up around farm animals. Now, they are testaments to Sweet Olive Farm’s mission of creating a nurturing and healing space for both animals and humans.
Construction work at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Arnoldsville Road on Monday, March 24, 2025. Work started on March 20 and should be completed by the end of June, a Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman said. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Construction work at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Arnoldsville Road on Monday, March 24, 2025. Work started on March 20 and should be completed by the end of June, a Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman said. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Passing lane being added to 78 in Arnoldsville

Libby Hobbs
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Construction has begun on a passing lane on U.S. Highway 78 at the intersection with Arnoldsville Road that will give vehicles traveling east room to pass those turning left. The projected cost is $134,156.50 and is funded by the state.
Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp discuss a road repair project on March 13, just three days after Lewis officially became the county administrator. He said he’ll work closely with Sharp and county clerk Amy Forrester. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp discuss a road repair project on March 13, just three days after Lewis officially became the county administrator. He said he’ll work closely with Sharp and county clerk Amy Forrester. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Lewis takes new county leader role

Zach Leggio and Emery Pikel
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Jason Lewis has dedicated his life to one slice of county government: public safety. But now, as the new county administrator, his role has expanded, and he must consider the whole pie. “As EMS director, I was looking at one slice of the pizza,” Lewis said.
Resident Joe Forrester’s land has been impacted by the runoff from the Timberland Solar Project, ruining a dam located on his property. “The water that came off the solar farm washed a lot of debris down and stopped these pipes up," said Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Resident Joe Forrester’s land has been impacted by the runoff from the Timberland Solar Project, ruining a dam located on his property. “The water that came off the solar farm washed a lot of debris down and stopped these pipes up," said Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Timberland redesign to start early April

Emery Pikel
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Jeff Sharp said the county is waiting for engineers to start redesigning the Timberland Solar Project site the first week of April.  Sharp said he is hopeful for the future of the project, but it doesn’t make up for years of challenges that neighboring folks have experienced.
Blake Arnold, a Council member of Arnoldsville discussed traffic concerns during last Thursday night's council meeting. Arnold shared a personal experience about nearly being hit by a speeding driver at the Yancey Road crossing. (Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Blake Arnold, a Council member of Arnoldsville discussed traffic concerns during last Thursday night's council meeting. Arnold shared a personal experience about nearly being hit by a speeding driver at the Yancey Road crossing. (Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Arnoldsville Raises Water Tap Fee, Discusses Repairs

Luis Vaquero
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The Arnoldsville City Council unanimously raised certain utility fees during its monthly meeting on March 20. Council members approved an increase in fees for water service taps and bores, setting new rates at $3,000 for a tap and $4,000 for a tap and bore.
The Lexington city council listens as they open up for dialogue with residents for five minutes during its meeting on March 13. Zoning map questions and procedures for property owners in zoning issues were among the items discussed. (Olivia Wilson/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Lexington city council listens as they open up for dialogue with residents for five minutes during its meeting on March 13. Zoning map questions and procedures for property owners in zoning issues were among the items discussed. (Olivia Wilson/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Improvements being made to downtown buildings

Olivia Wilson
Monday, March 24, 2025
 Kathrine Clark, who serves as a local representative for building owner Rick Hawkins, said workers will repair the roof at 112 Main St. at the Lexington City Council meeting on March 13.