Local News

The Lena Wise Community Center is on the corner of Church Street and 1st Street in Crawford. Several groups and organizations meet at the facility, including Cub Scout Pack 97 and Jessica’s School of Dance. (MADDIE DANIEL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The Lena Wise Community Center is on the corner of Church Street and 1st Street in Crawford. Several groups and organizations meet at the facility, including Cub Scout Pack 97 and Jessica’s School of Dance. (MADDIE DANIEL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Dance school, Cub Scouts add to list of Lena Wise’s groups

Isabelle Farina
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
 Jessica Palmer of Jessica’s School of Dance had to find a new place to hold her dance classes after black mold was discovered in the Oglethorpe County’s Rec Department’s clubhouse in February.  With the season in full swing, a lack of studio space could’ve been troublesome.
Nature's Harvest employees say they've had a strong year for deer processing in this year's hunting season. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Nature's Harvest employees say they've had a strong year for deer processing in this year's hunting season. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

County, Nature’s Harvest have busy deer season

Jack Keys
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Deer hunting season is back, and once again, Oglethorpe County is one of the most active counties in the state.   More than 1,300 deer have been processed at Nature’s Harvest this season, owner Todd Smith said.
Donated pumpkins don’t stand a chance against these goats, which eat everything but the stem. The pumpkins provide nutritional benefits for farm animals, Beth Wills said. (BETH WILLS/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Donated pumpkins don’t stand a chance against these goats, which eat everything but the stem. The pumpkins provide nutritional benefits for farm animals, Beth Wills said. (BETH WILLS/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Pumpkin provisions: Donations used to feed goats, other animals

Ella Kroll
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
 Oglethorpe County residents need not look far to find a sustainable solution for their leftover pumpkins. They can be donated to farms in the county to feed animals and reduce waste.
Hunter Boswell performs at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis. Boswell, who was one of 48 out of 200 chosen to perform at the convention, said this was his biggest crowd ever at 68,000 people. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hunter Boswell performs at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis. Boswell, who was one of 48 out of 200 chosen to perform at the convention, said this was his biggest crowd ever at 68,000 people. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Star in the making: Boswell performs at FFA convention

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
 Hunter Boswell has been singing longer than he could fully speak.  He picked up bass guitar and piano at age 2, acoustic guitar at 4 and drums at 9, which is also when he began singing in church.
Alice Hughes (left) has lived in Oglethorpe County for nearly 20 years. As Alice's health continues to get worse, her daughter, Vyvyan (right) is living with her. "About four years ago, mom had her first fall on Lexington Road," Vyvyan said. "I’m here more times than not." (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Alice Hughes (left) has lived in Oglethorpe County for nearly 20 years. As Alice's health continues to get worse, her daughter, Vyvyan (right) is living with her. "About four years ago, mom had her first fall on Lexington Road," Vyvyan said. "I’m here more times than not." (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Art, history mesh in the Hughes family home

Saylor Williams and Avery Cameron
Thursday, November 7, 2024
 Hand-carved wooden sculptures, neon art and thoughtfully crafted phrases in Alice Hughes’ home are testaments to her family’s love of art and history. Throughout it all, she has stood by one mantra: Life clumps.  “Like everything happening,” said Vyvyan Hughes, Alice’s daughter.
Oglethorpe County School System bus drivers Jerry Jones and Roy Walter stand in front one of the new propane buses on Monday. Three propane buses have been added to the system’s fleet to increase clean energy and safety initiatives, officials said. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County School System bus drivers Jerry Jones and Roy Walter stand in front one of the new propane buses on Monday. Three propane buses have been added to the system’s fleet to increase clean energy and safety initiatives, officials said. (Submitted Photo)

Schools add three propane buses to fleet

Kendall Kelly
Thursday, November 7, 2024
 Three new propane buses have been added to the Oglethorpe County School System fleet, the first of what transportation director Zach Holtzclaw envisions as a fleet composed entirely of propane buses in 10 years.  The buses took to the road for the first time on Monday.
Carl Young (from left), who works at OCHS, Lori Hall (OCES), Madison Phillips (OCMS) and Everneda Moore (OCPS) were recognized as the Oglethorpe County Board of Education classified employees of the year at the BOE meeting on Tuesday. They were chosen by their peers for the recognition. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Carl Young (from left), who works at OCHS, Lori Hall (OCES), Madison Phillips (OCMS) and Everneda Moore (OCPS) were recognized as the Oglethorpe County Board of Education classified employees of the year at the BOE meeting on Tuesday. They were chosen by their peers for the recognition. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE recognizes classified employees of the year

McCain Bracewell
Thursday, November 7, 2024
 The Oglethorpe County Board of Education celebrated the classified employees of the year at each of the schools during its monthly meeting Tuesday night.
The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to add a four-way stop at Sandy Cross and Lexington-Carlton roads. If signs are available, they hope the new stop will be effective by Dec. 1.

The Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to add a four-way stop at Sandy Cross and Lexington-Carlton roads. If signs are available, they hope the new stop will be effective by Dec. 1.

Commissioners approve four-way stop in Sandy Cross

Sarah Coyne
Thursday, November 7, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to create a new four-way stop in the county due to safety concerns.Chairman Jay Paul proposed placement of a four-way stop at Sandy Cross Road and Lexington-Carlton Road during the Nov.
A sign identifies the Crawford Depot as a polling location on Tuesday morning. There were 170 votes cast there by 10 a.m.

A sign identifies the Crawford Depot as a polling location on Tuesday morning. There were 170 votes cast there by 10 a.m.

Voters get early start at Crawford Depot

Makenzy Wolford
Thursday, November 7, 2024
First-time voters were among the early crowd at the Crawford Depot on Tuesday morning.  “I’m just trying to do my part,” said Elliott Fowler, first-time voter and Arnoldsville resident.  Fowler wasn’t the only first-time voter at the Depot.
Rylee Stanley (from left), Rebecca Jones, Kinley Grimes and Julian George went all out for the rec department’s Trunk or Treat. The eighth-graders stand in front of one of the night’s biggest attractions: Ms. Frizzle’s Magic School Bus. (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Rylee Stanley (from left), Rebecca Jones, Kinley Grimes and Julian George went all out for the rec department’s Trunk or Treat. The eighth-graders stand in front of one of the night’s biggest attractions: Ms. Frizzle’s Magic School Bus. (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hundreds pack rec department’s Trunk or Treat

Saylor Williams
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
 From mad scientists with spooky concoctions to Ms. Frizzle’s Magic School Bus to a 7-year-old dressed like actor Glen Powell, this year’s eighth annual Trunk or Treat event had it all.