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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.
SARAH COYNE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Abby Horton, Oglethorpe County’s 2025 STAR student, started Oglethorpe Gives Back last year. The nonprofit is dedicated to recognizing unsung workers throughout Oglethorpe County.

SARAH COYNE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Abby Horton, Oglethorpe County’s 2025 STAR student, started Oglethorpe Gives Back last year. The nonprofit is dedicated to recognizing unsung workers throughout Oglethorpe County.

Horton claims mindset as her biggest point of pride

Paige Jeneane Clarke
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Abby Horton credits her academic success to hard work and keeping an open mind.  Named the Oglethorpe County High School 2025 STAR Student on Feb. 14, Horton said her willingness to embrace new perspectives and challenges has helped her grow. “The award itself is not what I'm proud of,” Horton said.
Dawn Scarborough started her new position as Oglethorpe County Tax Commissioner on Jan. 1. Scarborough is a former paramedic who won the election last year to replace Sheila Arnold, who retired in 2024. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Dawn Scarborough started her new position as Oglethorpe County Tax Commissioner on Jan. 1. Scarborough is a former paramedic who won the election last year to replace Sheila Arnold, who retired in 2024. (Photo/Emery Pikel)

Tax commissioner applies life motto to new position

Emery Pikel
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Dawn Scarborough, Oglethorpe County’s new tax commissioner, said she follows the “golden rule” — as she did in her previous career — but with a twist: treat others the way you’d want your grandma treated.  Scarborough followed this same philosophy as a paramedic.
Charley Boss, Wyatt Boss and Everett Boss use their pocket knives to help clear a tree on Cherry Street in Maxeys on Sunday morning. Strong storms and winds blew over trees and knocked out power throughout the county. ADAM NATION/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

Charley Boss, Wyatt Boss and Everett Boss use their pocket knives to help clear a tree on Cherry Street in Maxeys on Sunday morning. Strong storms and winds blew over trees and knocked out power throughout the county. ADAM NATION/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO

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Helpers of all ages chip in as county cleans up after storm

Julianna Duennes Russ
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Help for Sunday’s storm cleanup in Oglethorpe County came from unexpected places. “I saw (a few boys) just sawing away with their little pocket knives, so I stopped and talked to them briefly, and told them thank you,” said Adam Nation, the county’s public works director.
Geneva Stamey shares an exchange with Elvis tribute artist E.J. Boyer as he hands her a teddy bear at Quiet Oaks Nursing Home in Crawford, Ga on Feb. 14, 2025. Stamey is Oglethorpe County's former Clerk of Court, and came to visit Quiet Oaks during their annual Valentine's day event in order see Elvis. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

Geneva Stamey shares an exchange with Elvis tribute artist E.J. Boyer as he hands her a teddy bear at Quiet Oaks Nursing Home in Crawford, Ga on Feb. 14, 2025. Stamey is Oglethorpe County's former Clerk of Court, and came to visit Quiet Oaks during their annual Valentine's day event in order see Elvis. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

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King of hearts: Elvis impersonator a hit at Quiet Oaks' Valentine's celebration

Lux Corrona
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Love was found in Elvis songs this Valentine’s Day at Quiet Oaks Health Care. Singing famous songs such as “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” Elvis Presley tribute artist E.J.
Downtown Development Authority member Linda Parish leads the effort to renovate the Lexington Community Center on Church Street. The Downtown Development Authority formed a committee of volunteers to help her realize her vision. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

Downtown Development Authority member Linda Parish leads the effort to renovate the Lexington Community Center on Church Street. The Downtown Development Authority formed a committee of volunteers to help her realize her vision. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

Volunteers to help Parish with community center

Adriana Cascio
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Linda Parish is leading the effort to revitalize the Lexington Community Center — and now there’s a committee to help her.“We’re going to take this one bite at a time, unless somebody is going to drop a huge pile of money in our hands,” said Ronnie Boggs, head of the Downtown Development Authority.
Eggs are few and far between at B&T's Food Fresh Market, where a sign in the egg section reads “Due to a national egg shortage, costs have continued to rise. We continue to provide egg products at the best possible value.” (Photo/Jesse Wood)

Eggs are few and far between at B&T's Food Fresh Market, where a sign in the egg section reads “Due to a national egg shortage, costs have continued to rise. We continue to provide egg products at the best possible value.” (Photo/Jesse Wood)

Egg prices hit hard in county

Jesse Wood
Thursday, February 20, 2025
The egg section in B&T’s Food Fresh Market in Lexington sits nearly empty this week.Manager Tammy Watkins has found the egg shortage and the rising prices of eggs to be “frustrating.” The store would sell up to 80 dozen daily on average, but now, it sells approximately 30 dozen.
Leslie Whitehead O'Neal, Penny Miller, and Ed Smith rehearse "Love Letters." The play will run from Feb. 20-22 at the Historic Crawford School. (Jet Rawls/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Leslie Whitehead O'Neal, Penny Miller, and Ed Smith rehearse "Love Letters." The play will run from Feb. 20-22 at the Historic Crawford School. (Jet Rawls/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Arts!Oglethorpe kicks of 30th year with "Love Letters"

Jet Rawls
Thursday, February 20, 2025
The Historic Crawford School will host a story spanning over half a century as Arts!Oglethorpe kicks off its third decade of operation with a production of A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters” Feb. 20-22.