Local News

(Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Broadband continues to expand in county

Emery Pikel
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
County officials are following a number of paths as they work to expand broadband internet service in Oglethorpe County. The most recent development is the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), which isn’t funded.
Linda Parish reads the Rural Zone Designation plan at the Lexington Downtown Development Authority board meeting at Town and Country Kafe on Thursday. The DDA, which includes Ronnie Boggs (left) and Tom Thon (right), discussed revisions to the master plan, updates to the community center and rural zone designation. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Linda Parish reads the Rural Zone Designation plan at the Lexington Downtown Development Authority board meeting at Town and Country Kafe on Thursday. The DDA, which includes Ronnie Boggs (left) and Tom Thon (right), discussed revisions to the master plan, updates to the community center and rural zone designation. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Community Center progresses amid funding challenges

Libby Hobbs
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Renovations and work on the Lexington Community Center, formerly the Macon Coil building, are underway. However, fundraising goals still haven’t been met.
Students read their Bibles as Andy Paul, youth minister at Salem Baptist Church, delivers a lesson during youth group on Jan. 15. About 30-35 youth between the grades of six and 12 attend the weekly meetings. (Photo/Emily Slepsky)

Students read their Bibles as Andy Paul, youth minister at Salem Baptist Church, delivers a lesson during youth group on Jan. 15. About 30-35 youth between the grades of six and 12 attend the weekly meetings. (Photo/Emily Slepsky)

A Wednesday tradition

Emily Slepsky
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Kristy Hardesty, a teacher and mother of two, recently moved to Oglethorpe County and quickly found Wednesday nights to be a vital part of her family’s weekly rhythm. Hardesty said the tradition eased their transition, creating a sense of belonging and a place they now call “home.
(Photo/Trisha Bearden)

(Photo/Trisha Bearden)

Crawford store rebrands as Strickland Ace Hardware

Luis Vaquero
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
 The Ace Hardware in Crawford is embracing a new chapter by deepening its ties to the community it serves.  Formerly known as Oglethorpe Ace Hardware, the Crawford store has been rebranded to Strickland Ace Hardware, along with its locations in Danielsville and Auburn.
Students take a music class in a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Tuesday. Staff and school officials continue to work out logistical issues with the new school. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

Students take a music class in a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Tuesday. Staff and school officials continue to work out logistical issues with the new school. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

New school brings logistical changes, upgraded security

Lucy Grey Shields
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Students, parents and staff noticed a number of logistical changes at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School during its first week. Issues — particularly with the carpool lane — arose on Jan.
Brenda Coley folds a worn military document back into a sheet of protective paper while within the Oglethorpe County Library in Lexington, Georgia on Monday, Jan 13, 2025. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Brenda Coley folds a worn military document back into a sheet of protective paper while within the Oglethorpe County Library in Lexington, Georgia on Monday, Jan 13, 2025. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

50 years later, a ‘wonderful’ dad, veteran remembered

Julianna Duennes Russ and Felix Scheyer
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Nearly 50 years ago, a line of patrons stretched out the door of the Minit Mart Service and Liquor Store in Lexington.  Clutched in their hands, purses and pockets were receipts they’d gathered from years of grocery trips.

Preparation is key in winter weather

Frankie Hennessy
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
County officials said being prepared, staying home and watching for fire dangers are crucial ways to remain safe in extreme winter weather. Temperatures plummeted into the teens this week and more snow fell Tuesday, prompting the Oglethorpe County School System to cancel classes on Wednesday.
Katherine Ratcliffe, branch manager at the Oglethorpe County Library, demonstrates how to use one of its new internet hotspots last week. The library offers 20 hotspots for residents to check out for two weeks at a time. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Katherine Ratcliffe, branch manager at the Oglethorpe County Library, demonstrates how to use one of its new internet hotspots last week. The library offers 20 hotspots for residents to check out for two weeks at a time. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Expanding access: Library hotspots in high demand

Adriana Cascio
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Twenty Oglethorpe County residents can now bridge the digital divide because of a new grant. The Athens Regional Library System received 160 T-Mobile hotspots through the state's Digital Connectivity Grant, which funds Wi-Fi hotspots and other devices for schools and libraries.
Portrait of Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jay Paul

Portrait of Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jay Paul

Oglethorpe County Chairman Jay Paul Outlines 2025 Priorities

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jay Paul describes his job as “never monotonous.” “What do I do? Lot of troubleshooting,” Paul said. “The issue changes by the hour on what you’ll be dealing with, or even more frequently than that, actually.
From left: Deacon Edgar Alexander, Bishop Calvin Turner, Reverend Clarence Burgess, and Deacon L. M. Echols sit in the front row of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Stephens, Georgia as Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter gives acknowledgements at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program sponsored by the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County on Jan. 20, 2025. Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter is the president of the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

From left: Deacon Edgar Alexander, Bishop Calvin Turner, Reverend Clarence Burgess, and Deacon L. M. Echols sit in the front row of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Stephens, Georgia as Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter gives acknowledgements at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program sponsored by the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County on Jan. 20, 2025. Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter is the president of the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

MLK Day tribute: Concerned Men have dream to unite county, starting with youth

Lux Corrona
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Elian Castellanos-Contreras believes Martin Luther King Jr. always fought for what was right. “Now more than ever, it is important for us to be like him,” the Oglethorpe County Middle School student said. “To be able to dream of better things and work for them.