Local News

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.
Guillermo Camacho, vice-chair Tim Poole, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox discuss Shanna Reynolds' request to help fund a full-time extension program assistant on Tuesday. The BOE didn’t take action on the matter. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Guillermo Camacho, vice-chair Tim Poole, superintendent Beverley Levine, BOE chair Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox discuss Shanna Reynolds' request to help fund a full-time extension program assistant on Tuesday. The BOE didn’t take action on the matter. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Extension asks BOE for funds for assistant

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education discussed Oglethorpe County Extension coordinator Shanna Reynolds’ request to provide funding for a full-time extension program assistant at its monthly meeting Tuesday night.  “(The BOE is) already funding $4,000 for that position, and so I’m asking them to...
An Oglethorpe County deputy and others check out the transformer that was pulled down by a tractor-trailer truck behind the Subway on Highway 78. The incident knocked out power to Crawford, Lexington and homes and businesses along 78 for about two hours on Monday afternoon. (Photo/Trisha Bearden)

An Oglethorpe County deputy and others check out the transformer that was pulled down by a tractor-trailer truck behind the Subway on Highway 78. The incident knocked out power to Crawford, Lexington and homes and businesses along 78 for about two hours on Monday afternoon. (Photo/Trisha Bearden)

Accident cuts power along 78

Alex Perri
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Georgia Power and local emergency services responded to an incident involving a tractor-trailer on Monday afternoon that led to a power outage that affected 1,140 Oglethorpe County residents, the cities of Lexington and Crawford, and businesses along Highway 78.
Jake Willcox auctions off an item at the Oglethorpe County Athletic Booster Club's Patriot Powerball fundraiser in 2023. The Patriot Powerball is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the OCABC and helps fund middle and high school athletics. (Photo/Gray Jones)

Jake Willcox auctions off an item at the Oglethorpe County Athletic Booster Club's Patriot Powerball fundraiser in 2023. The Patriot Powerball is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the OCABC and helps fund middle and high school athletics. (Photo/Gray Jones)

Booster club looks to add members, raise exposure

Emma Greene
Thursday, July 17, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Athletic Booster Club is focusing on raising membership and sponsorship numbers before fall sports get into full swing.