Local News

Firefighters from the Vesta Volunteer Fire Department demonstrate how to use the tankers and pools during a training session. The tankers help firefighters throughout the county fight fires where there’s a shortage of hydrants. (Photo submitted by Mike Moravek.)

Firefighters from the Vesta Volunteer Fire Department demonstrate how to use the tankers and pools during a training session. The tankers help firefighters throughout the county fight fires where there’s a shortage of hydrants. (Photo submitted by Mike Moravek.)

Tanker task force helps with lack of hydrants

Frankie Hennessy
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Cody Gibbs was the first one to reach the scene of the fire that day, and he knew it was massive. “I could see the glow of the fire as I left my driveway, which was about a mile, mile and a half away,” Beaverdam’s assistant fire chief said.
A skunk tested positive for rabies In Oglethorpe County on Feb. 3. According to a study done by the American Veterinary Association in 2021, there were a total of 161 animals that tested positive for rabies in 2021 in the state of Georgia, and 145 of them were wildlife.

A skunk tested positive for rabies In Oglethorpe County on Feb. 3. According to a study done by the American Veterinary Association in 2021, there were a total of 161 animals that tested positive for rabies in 2021 in the state of Georgia, and 145 of them were wildlife.

Understanding rabies risks: What to know following positive rabies test in Crawford

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
A skunk tested positive for rabies in Crawford on Feb. 3, and game warden Phillip Nelson said it has everything to do with the species’ mating season. “Skunks mate normally in February, so they’re more active,” Nelson said. “They’re out more in the daylight.
Owner and founder of Strickland Pride Produce, Kendall Strickland, stands behind the counter of his storefront location at 1129 Athens Rd, Crawford, GA. Strickland originally began his business from a successful roadside stand on E Main St. in Lexington, GA. This past Friday, the community joined him in celebrating one year in his storefront location. (Photo / Lilly Stone)

Owner and founder of Strickland Pride Produce, Kendall Strickland, stands behind the counter of his storefront location at 1129 Athens Rd, Crawford, GA. Strickland originally began his business from a successful roadside stand on E Main St. in Lexington, GA. This past Friday, the community joined him in celebrating one year in his storefront location. (Photo / Lilly Stone)

Putting down roots: Strickland celebrates 1 year in storefront

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Eleven-year-old Austin Qualls and his mother, Angela Qualls, take a 30-minute drive once a week from Washington to Strickland Pride Produce in Crawford.   The weekly journey has become routine for the mother and son since the store opened its doors just over a year ago.
The Oglethorpe County BOE chairwoman Susan Robinson meets on Feb 11, 2025 in the board room to discuss HB 581 and other school projects. (Lucy Grey Shields/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe County BOE chairwoman Susan Robinson meets on Feb 11, 2025 in the board room to discuss HB 581 and other school projects. (Lucy Grey Shields/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE opts out of HB 581

Lucy Grey Shields
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously voted to opt out of House Bill 581 during its meeting on Tuesday.
Randy Gordon, a resident of Oglethorpe County’s Almond Drive, stands where the edge of Almond Drive once was on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. “When they come in and scrape [the road], they keep getting further and further to the center, and the cul de sacs where the ditches used to be are covered up,” Gordon said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Randy Gordon, a resident of Oglethorpe County’s Almond Drive, stands where the edge of Almond Drive once was on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. “When they come in and scrape [the road], they keep getting further and further to the center, and the cul de sacs where the ditches used to be are covered up,” Gordon said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Rough roads, tough choices

Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
On a rainy afternoon, Randy Gordon carefully maneuvers his car down a familiar stretch of road. Potholes filled with water jolt the vehicle and thick mud threatens to trap the tires.  When Gordon moved to Almond Drive more than two decades ago, it was a gravel road.
Jennifer Yauck smiled after her kiss with Boo. Celebrating her birthday, the hundreds of students in the cafeteria sang in unison. Paige Clarke/The Oglethorpe Echo

Jennifer Yauck smiled after her kiss with Boo. Celebrating her birthday, the hundreds of students in the cafeteria sang in unison. Paige Clarke/The Oglethorpe Echo

Teacher kisses goat to mark FFA week

Paige Jeneane Clarke
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Jennifer Yauck kissed Boo, a 7-year-old Nigerian dwarf goat, in the Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria Friday afternoon while hundreds of students cheered her on. Friday also happened to be Yauck’s birthday, creating a one-of-a-kind birthday celebration.
(Photo/Luis Vaquero)

(Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Crawford Buys F-150, Discusses Wastewater Permit

Luis Vaquero
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
 The city of Crawford has added a new Ford F-150 to its fleet, a purchase made through federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  The city spent $37,245 on the truck, which will be used for daily operations of the water department.
(Left - Right) Jay Patel, Beulah Hatchett (Nana) and Carrie Faris pose for a photo at Carrie’s Corner Store & Cafe in Stephens, Georgia on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Faris sold the business to Patel at the end of January. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

(Left - Right) Jay Patel, Beulah Hatchett (Nana) and Carrie Faris pose for a photo at Carrie’s Corner Store & Cafe in Stephens, Georgia on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Faris sold the business to Patel at the end of January. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Faris sells Carrie’s Corner to take care of ‘Nana’

Libby Hobbs
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Carrie Faris opened Carrie's Corner Store & Cafe in Stephens in May 2022 and said this community “feels like family.” However, her mother’s eyesight has worsened from macular degeneration, so she decided it’s time for her to stay at home with “Nana.
Wingate Downs, who lives in Wolfskin, has photographed sports all over the country, and is now photo- graphing the Rock Lobsters and other events at the new Akins Ford Arena. He also photographed The B-52s in a recent concert at the arena.(Wingate Downs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Wingate Downs, who lives in Wolfskin, has photographed sports all over the country, and is now photo- graphing the Rock Lobsters and other events at the new Akins Ford Arena. He also photographed The B-52s in a recent concert at the arena.(Wingate Downs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Downs, veteran photographer, has new gig with Athens arena

Sarah Coyne
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Wingate Downs’ newest adventure adds to his lengthy and storied career as a photojournalist in Athens. Downs, who has worked with The Classic Center the past 12 years, now photographs events at the new Akins Ford Arena.
Mike Austin, president of Lexington-based Treezyn, hunted cape buffalo in South Africa in 2023. Treezyn sells camouflage gear and outdoor apparel. (Submitted Photo)

Mike Austin, president of Lexington-based Treezyn, hunted cape buffalo in South Africa in 2023. Treezyn sells camouflage gear and outdoor apparel. (Submitted Photo)

Lexington-based Treezyn sells apparel with hunters in mind

Bridget Goodman
Thursday, February 6, 2025
In 1999, Mike Austin went hunting for the first time at age 39. His father, an avid hunter, had died earlier that year. “Just to be doing something that he used to do connected me in a new way with my father, who had passed away,” Austin said.