Local News

Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp discuss a road repair project on March 13, just three days after Lewis officially became the county administrator. He said he’ll work closely with Sharp and county clerk Amy Forrester. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Jason Lewis (left) and Jeff Sharp discuss a road repair project on March 13, just three days after Lewis officially became the county administrator. He said he’ll work closely with Sharp and county clerk Amy Forrester. (Photo/Zach Leggio)

Lewis takes new county leader role

Zach Leggio and Emery Pikel
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Jason Lewis has dedicated his life to one slice of county government: public safety. But now, as the new county administrator, his role has expanded, and he must consider the whole pie. “As EMS director, I was looking at one slice of the pizza,” Lewis said.
Resident Joe Forrester’s land has been impacted by the runoff from the Timberland Solar Project, ruining a dam located on his property. “The water that came off the solar farm washed a lot of debris down and stopped these pipes up," said Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Resident Joe Forrester’s land has been impacted by the runoff from the Timberland Solar Project, ruining a dam located on his property. “The water that came off the solar farm washed a lot of debris down and stopped these pipes up," said Jeff Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Timberland redesign to start early April

Emery Pikel
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Jeff Sharp said the county is waiting for engineers to start redesigning the Timberland Solar Project site the first week of April.  Sharp said he is hopeful for the future of the project, but it doesn’t make up for years of challenges that neighboring folks have experienced.
Blake Arnold, a Council member of Arnoldsville discussed traffic concerns during last Thursday night's council meeting. Arnold shared a personal experience about nearly being hit by a speeding driver at the Yancey Road crossing. (Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Blake Arnold, a Council member of Arnoldsville discussed traffic concerns during last Thursday night's council meeting. Arnold shared a personal experience about nearly being hit by a speeding driver at the Yancey Road crossing. (Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Arnoldsville Raises Water Tap Fee, Discusses Repairs

Luis Vaquero
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The Arnoldsville City Council unanimously raised certain utility fees during its monthly meeting on March 20. Council members approved an increase in fees for water service taps and bores, setting new rates at $3,000 for a tap and $4,000 for a tap and bore.
The Lexington city council listens as they open up for dialogue with residents for five minutes during its meeting on March 13. Zoning map questions and procedures for property owners in zoning issues were among the items discussed. (Olivia Wilson/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Lexington city council listens as they open up for dialogue with residents for five minutes during its meeting on March 13. Zoning map questions and procedures for property owners in zoning issues were among the items discussed. (Olivia Wilson/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Improvements being made to downtown buildings

Olivia Wilson
Monday, March 24, 2025
 Kathrine Clark, who serves as a local representative for building owner Rick Hawkins, said workers will repair the roof at 112 Main St. at the Lexington City Council meeting on March 13.

BOE has plans for a senior tax break

Lucy Grey Shields
Thursday, March 20, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education has created a plan to provide property tax relief for senior citizens. The idea, which is subject to legislative approval and then a ballot referendum, would apply to property owners who are 65 years old or older with no school-aged children in their home.
Lexington City Council members Jennifer Whitlock (left) and Jill Severn talk about the revisions that need to be made after the March 12 master plan public input session. “We have to get to a point ultimately, where we go ahead and say “‘OK, I think we’ve got enough input,’ ” Severn said. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

Lexington City Council members Jennifer Whitlock (left) and Jill Severn talk about the revisions that need to be made after the March 12 master plan public input session. “We have to get to a point ultimately, where we go ahead and say “‘OK, I think we’ve got enough input,’ ” Severn said. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

Lexington master plan vote delayed

Adriana Cascio
Thursday, March 20, 2025
The Lexington City Council will push back its final vote on the master plan to its May meeting after a robust second public input session.The master plan is a vision laid out by the Lexington Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Lexington City Council for the city’s future development.
Oglethorpe County Commission Chairman Jay Paul and District 2 Commissioner Andy Saxon speak during the Board of Commissioners meeting within the Tax Commissioner’s Office in Oglethorpe County on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Topics discussed during the aforementioned meeting included discourse about the Timberland Solar Project, a request to rezone a home in Winterville, and the approval of bike ride on the Firefly trail in late March. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Oglethorpe County Commission Chairman Jay Paul and District 2 Commissioner Andy Saxon speak during the Board of Commissioners meeting within the Tax Commissioner’s Office in Oglethorpe County on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Topics discussed during the aforementioned meeting included discourse about the Timberland Solar Project, a request to rezone a home in Winterville, and the approval of bike ride on the Firefly trail in late March. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Behind closed doors: What are executive sessions?

Zach Leggio
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Public meetings in Oglethorpe County are meant to be just that — public.  However, members of the community sometimes find meetings closed off after the simple calling of an executive session, when the meeting will continue away from the eyes of both the public and the media.

Man to face trial on rape, burglary charges

Leighton Dancy
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of Kelvin Hill, more than two years after his arrest on rape and burglary charges. Hill, 47, of Crawford, was present for the jury selection hearing. Approximately 80 residents were called for jury selection at the Oglethorpe County Courthouse.
The front porch of the Kee's Church St. home mid-renovation. Cathy and Harold Kee purchased the bungalow style home in October of 2024. (Jet Rawls/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The front porch of the Kee's Church St. home mid-renovation. Cathy and Harold Kee purchased the bungalow style home in October of 2024. (Jet Rawls/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Kee family remodeling historic Lexington home

Jet Rawls
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
A historic Lexington home will be remodeled to preserve its century-long legacy. New Oglethorpe County residents Cathy and Harold Kee purchased the Church Street home in October, and they’ve been making arrangements to make Lexington their forever home.
The 2025 Miss Oglethorpes are (back row, from left) Jayda Hull, Neveah Calhoun, Abby Irwin, London Young and Kamryn King; (front row, from left) Taya Cochran, Ava Colquitt, AvaGrace Hammond, Scarlett Mathe and Harper Hasson. RaeLynn Bowman and Montana Barner also won titles. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

The 2025 Miss Oglethorpes are (back row, from left) Jayda Hull, Neveah Calhoun, Abby Irwin, London Young and Kamryn King; (front row, from left) Taya Cochran, Ava Colquitt, AvaGrace Hammond, Scarlett Mathe and Harper Hasson. RaeLynn Bowman and Montana Barner also won titles. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Miss Oglethorpe honors newcomers, veteran queens

Jennifer Xia
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Decked out in ball gowns and sequins, 15 contestants walked under the stage lights in the annual Miss Oglethorpe pageant on Saturday. They were supported by nearly 100 family and friends who packed the high school auditorium.