Local News

Jodie Zeuke oversees the distribution operations as volunteers assist families in selecting the groceries they need during the mobile food pantry event on Thursday, Feb. 20. (Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Jodie Zeuke oversees the distribution operations as volunteers assist families in selecting the groceries they need during the mobile food pantry event on Thursday, Feb. 20. (Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Mobile food pantry aims to meet demand

Luis Vaquero
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Turley Howard, a social worker and long-time organizer of the Oglethorpe County Mobile Food Pantry, said the initiative has deep roots. “It’s been years, probably close to 10,” said Howard, who works for the Oglethorpe County School System.
Co-owner Willie Torres shakes hands with Branson McDonald, a first-timer at Town and Country Kafe, on Feb. 26. Many customers aren’t familiar with the cafe and find it in online searches, Torres said. (ADRIANA CASCIO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Co-owner Willie Torres shakes hands with Branson McDonald, a first-timer at Town and Country Kafe, on Feb. 26. Many customers aren’t familiar with the cafe and find it in online searches, Torres said. (ADRIANA CASCIO/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Cooking up events: Town and Country Kafe marks one year

Adriana Cascio
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Co-owner Willie Torres said Town and Country Kafe has found success in its first year despite challenges since its grand opening.  Torres and his wife Amy Delfin-Torres opened the Crawford restaurant, also known as TCK, on Feb. 29, 2024.
Cyclists participating in the Ticket to Ride fundraiser approach the first stop on the Firefly Trail in Winterville in 2023. The Ticket to Ride fundraiser hosted by Firefly Trail Inc. sought to raise money to complete the 39-mile path stretching from Athens to Union Point. (Photo/Gray Jones)

Cyclists participating in the Ticket to Ride fundraiser approach the first stop on the Firefly Trail in Winterville in 2023. The Ticket to Ride fundraiser hosted by Firefly Trail Inc. sought to raise money to complete the 39-mile path stretching from Athens to Union Point. (Photo/Gray Jones)

Local Roundup: Firefly Trail receives $800K for prep work in county

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
The Firefly Trail will receive $800,000 to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the trail in Oglethorpe County, John Kissane, the trail’s development coordinator, told the Board of Commissioners on Monday night.
Jason Lewis is the new county administrator for Oglethorpe County. He will retain his elected role of coroner as well, which he was registering to run for in this photo. (Submitted Photo)

Jason Lewis is the new county administrator for Oglethorpe County. He will retain his elected role of coroner as well, which he was registering to run for in this photo. (Submitted Photo)

County names Lewis as its administrator

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Jason Lewis will be appointed as the Oglethorpe County administrator, both Commission Chair Jay Paul and Lewis confirmed Monday. The official move will take place on March 10.
Commission Chair Jay Paul wore a dark red tie during the commission meeting on Monday to commemorate former commission chair Robert Johnson. Johnson gave the tie to successor Billy Pittard, who later gave it to Paul. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Commission Chair Jay Paul wore a dark red tie during the commission meeting on Monday to commemorate former commission chair Robert Johnson. Johnson gave the tie to successor Billy Pittard, who later gave it to Paul. (DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

BOC approves bid to repair damaged culvert, funds for police building and EMS billing

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $499,807.64 bid from North Georgia Concrete to repair the four-barrel box culvert on Double Bridges Road at its monthly meeting Monday night.
Marcus Eason, Oglethorpe County 4-H youth program director, holds a football to demonstrate where to measure and identify features on a live bird during poultry judging practice. The 4-H office hasn’t been able to secure live birds for practice due to avian flu. (Photo/Lilly Stone))

Marcus Eason, Oglethorpe County 4-H youth program director, holds a football to demonstrate where to measure and identify features on a live bird during poultry judging practice. The 4-H office hasn’t been able to secure live birds for practice due to avian flu. (Photo/Lilly Stone))

Don’t fumble the chicken: Cost of eggs forces 4-H poultry team to use football, not fowl

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
There were no feathers scattered across the floor, and a familiar clucking was absent during poultry judging practice at the Oglethorpe County Extension Office last week.
A school speed zone sign designates the start of the school zone on Comer Road, near the elementary and middle schools. HB 225, introduced this year, would ban cameras in school zones. (Photo/Frankie Hennessy)

A school speed zone sign designates the start of the school zone on Comer Road, near the elementary and middle schools. HB 225, introduced this year, would ban cameras in school zones. (Photo/Frankie Hennessy)

Bill would ban school zone cameras

Frankie Hennessy
Thursday, February 27, 2025
After his constituents began to complain about school zone traffic cameras, like those at the schools in Oglethorpe County, State Rep. Dale Washburn (R-Macon) said he had to do something.
OLIVIA WILSON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Mayor Edward Toledano is the co-owner of the Gillen House Bed and Breakfast in downtown Maxeys. He said his time on the city council helped prepare him for his first term as mayor.

OLIVIA WILSON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Mayor Edward Toledano is the co-owner of the Gillen House Bed and Breakfast in downtown Maxeys. He said his time on the city council helped prepare him for his first term as mayor.

Little town, big plans: New mayor seeks to broaden Maxeys appeal

News Staff
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Although he invites visitors to “come enjoy the slow lane,” new mayor Edward Toledano is also looking to make advances as he takes over leadership in Maxeys.
Oglethorpe County School System parent mentor Jodie Zeuke works to connect families with disabilities with the resources they need for students to succeed in the classroom and after graduation. There are 344 special education students in county schools. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Oglethorpe County School System parent mentor Jodie Zeuke works to connect families with disabilities with the resources they need for students to succeed in the classroom and after graduation. There are 344 special education students in county schools. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Here for the families

Jennifer Xia
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Jodie Zeuke, who has two children on the autism spectrum, remembers struggling to find the right resources for her kids when they were in school. “I never wanted another parent to go through that, a feeling so lost,” she said.