Local News

Oglethorpe opposes facility in Franklin

News Staff
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Oglethorpe County plans to support Franklin County in its battle against a possible Pilgrim’s Pride chicken rendering plant on state Route 145 near the Broad River in Franklin Springs. Commission chair Jay Paul said he’s sent a resolution to county attorney Chip Ferguson.
Will Eberhart (right) hands the keys to his Oglethorpe County work truck to Board of Commission Chairman Jay Paul. On April 5, Eberhart will finish a 12-year-long career working for the Oglethorpe County government and a 45-year-long career serving the county. (Photo/Dink Nesmith)

Will Eberhart (right) hands the keys to his Oglethorpe County work truck to Board of Commission Chairman Jay Paul. On April 5, Eberhart will finish a 12-year-long career working for the Oglethorpe County government and a 45-year-long career serving the county. (Photo/Dink Nesmith)

Eberhart retires after 45 years

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
William Eberhart, better known around Oglethorpe County as Will, said he comes from a family of committed workers. His mother worked at St.
Ben Hill (from left) of the Georgia Falconry Association was joined by his sponsor Dennis Blanton and apprentice Joel Bearden at the Jefferson Public Library for a presentation on the art of falconry. Hill and Blanton showcased a sister pair of Harris’s hawks, known for their cooperative hunting, while Bearden held a red-tailed hawk.

Ben Hill (from left) of the Georgia Falconry Association was joined by his sponsor Dennis Blanton and apprentice Joel Bearden at the Jefferson Public Library for a presentation on the art of falconry. Hill and Blanton showcased a sister pair of Harris’s hawks, known for their cooperative hunting, while Bearden held a red-tailed hawk.

Arnoldsville falconer aims to protect raptors

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
 Three falconers stand before a packed room at the Jefferson Public Library.  Each has a hawk perched on a thick leather glove, designed to protect them from the weight of the birds alone, enough to pierce their skin without trying.
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.