Local News

Jackson EMC linemen Cody Watson, Brandon Sanders and Easton Tuggle placed fourth out of 27 journeyman teams at the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo on May 3. They advanced to the International Lineman’s Rodeo and Expo later in October. (Submitted Photo)

Jackson EMC linemen Cody Watson, Brandon Sanders and Easton Tuggle placed fourth out of 27 journeyman teams at the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo on May 3. They advanced to the International Lineman’s Rodeo and Expo later in October. (Submitted Photo)

Local linemen qualify for international rodeo

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Brandon Sanders and his journeyman lineman team achieved their goal in the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo on May 3: to qualify for the International Lineman’s Rodeo and Expo for the first time.  “Going to Kansas, it’s going to be a humbling experience,” Sanders said.
Rayle EMC’s Richard Heard (left) presents a check to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office’s Courtney Corbin and Shae Peek for a car seat program. The money was used to purchase car seats for county residents. (Submitted Photo)

Rayle EMC’s Richard Heard (left) presents a check to the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office’s Courtney Corbin and Shae Peek for a car seat program. The money was used to purchase car seats for county residents. (Submitted Photo)

Car seat technicians provide free service to residents

Frankie Hennessy
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Dispatcher Shae Peek said an experience with her family led her to find more resources for car seats in Oglethorpe County.  “My sister has a daughter, and my sister could never (install a car seat) properly and correctly,” Peek said. “And she always had troubles with it.
The interior of the clubhouse at Bryan Park when it was closed in February 2024. The county is trying to decide what to do with the building, which was built in 1951. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

The interior of the clubhouse at Bryan Park when it was closed in February 2024. The county is trying to decide what to do with the building, which was built in 1951. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

No news on future of Bryan Park clubhouse

Mitchell Stone
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
No to little progress has been made planning the next steps of the Bryan Park clubhouse, which was closed Feb. 8, 2024 for several reasons, including the presence of mold in the basement’s air handler.  “I’ve got millions of dollars worth of road problems in the county right now.
Josh Cronic shows the location of the gym he plans to open next to Lexington Auto Parts in July. It will be the second location of Cronic Fitness, which is also in Madison County. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Josh Cronic shows the location of the gym he plans to open next to Lexington Auto Parts in July. It will be the second location of Cronic Fitness, which is also in Madison County. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Cronic plans to open new gym this summer

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Josh Cronic, the founder and owner of Cronic Fitness in Madison County, plans to open a gym next to Lexington Auto Parts and across from Oglethorpe County High School in July. “Oglethorpe County has never had a gym before really, same as Madison County,” Cronic said.
Sue Ann Blalock sits at her desk in the Oglethorpe County School System’s central office, where she works as the assistant to Superintendent Beverley Levine. Blalock has been with the school system for 26 years. (Photo/Paige Clarke)

Sue Ann Blalock sits at her desk in the Oglethorpe County School System’s central office, where she works as the assistant to Superintendent Beverley Levine. Blalock has been with the school system for 26 years. (Photo/Paige Clarke)

Q&A: Blalock provides support, service as Levine’s assistant

Paige Jeneane Clarke
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Sue Ann Blalock is often “the first face you see” in the central office.  Born and raised in Oglethorpe County, she has spent her entire 26-year career with the county schools, currently serving as Superintendent Beverley Levine’s assistant.
Mother-daughter duo Kelli Kitchen (left) and Vicky Matthews have spent their lives in education and their teaching legacy may continue on through Kitchen’s daughter, Allison. “She has her mind set on going into education as well,” Kitchen said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Mother-daughter duo Kelli Kitchen (left) and Vicky Matthews have spent their lives in education and their teaching legacy may continue on through Kitchen’s daughter, Allison. “She has her mind set on going into education as well,” Kitchen said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Family ties run deep

Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
There was a knock at the door of longtime educator Brian Lance’s office at Oglethorpe County High School. Jennifer Yauck, another teacher, poked her head in and smiled. “Here’s another one,” Lance said. He had been listing coworkers at OCHS that grew up in the school system and came back.
A “No Thru Trucks” sign is attached to this county limits sign on Parkview Road, indicating that large trucks are not allowed to drive there. Similar signs will be posted on roads impacted by the new ordinance, passed by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners on May 5. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

A “No Thru Trucks” sign is attached to this county limits sign on Parkview Road, indicating that large trucks are not allowed to drive there. Similar signs will be posted on roads impacted by the new ordinance, passed by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners on May 5. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

More county roads off limits to big trucks

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
A new truck ordinance is in effect following the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners meeting last week.
Abby Horton and Nancy Coleman Hart hold a check signifying that Horton was awarded the inaugural $5,000 Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart scholarship that honors Hart, a former OCES principal and curriculum director, and the late Bob Hart, her husband who died in February. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Abby Horton and Nancy Coleman Hart hold a check signifying that Horton was awarded the inaugural $5,000 Dr. Nancy Coleman Hart scholarship that honors Hart, a former OCES principal and curriculum director, and the late Bob Hart, her husband who died in February. (Photo/Anna Izquierdo)

Horton is valedictorian of 2025 class

Anna Izquierdo
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Abby Horton was recognized as valedictorian of Oglethorpe County High School’s graduating class at Senior Honors Night held in the cafeteria on Tuesday.