Local News

County, cities to stay with HB 581

Zach Leggio
Thursday, February 20, 2025
More than two-thirds of Oglethorpe County voters approved an amendment that could lower their property taxes. The Board of Education has opted out of HB 581, but the county and three cities will stay in.
Sim Hogan (left) replaced Alice Williamson as Oglethorpe County CERT chair this year. He hopes to continue Williamson’s efforts in building the emergency response team. (Submitted Photo)

Sim Hogan (left) replaced Alice Williamson as Oglethorpe County CERT chair this year. He hopes to continue Williamson’s efforts in building the emergency response team. (Submitted Photo)

Williamson steps down, Hogan promoted to CERT chair

Leighton Dancy
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Alice Williamson said she believes Sim Hogan is the right person to lead Oglethorpe County volunteers in keeping the community safe.  Hogan was nominated by Williamson to be the new CERT chairman last November, and he assumed the position in January.
From left: Ginny Crafton and Charles Huff lift their legs in an exercise routine led by Sarah Baker at the Oglethorpe County Senior Center on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

From left: Ginny Crafton and Charles Huff lift their legs in an exercise routine led by Sarah Baker at the Oglethorpe County Senior Center on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

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Exercises with Sarah: Baker strives to keep seniors healthy

Lux Corrona
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Disco music and dumbbells get folks moving and grooving twice a month at the Oglethorpe County Senior Center.  “It’s mainly (about) meeting people where they are,” said volunteer Sarah Baker, who leads a bi-monthly sessions of exercise routines at the center.
Sam Balling’s pole barn stands outside his Lexington home on Thursday, Jan. 30. Once used for RV storage, the barn now serves as his primary workspace, except when the temperatures are below freezing. (Photo/Emily Slepsky)

Sam Balling’s pole barn stands outside his Lexington home on Thursday, Jan. 30. Once used for RV storage, the barn now serves as his primary workspace, except when the temperatures are below freezing. (Photo/Emily Slepsky)

Finding art in the in-between

Emily Slepsky
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
In a barn-turned-studio on a 2-acre property in Lexington, Sam Balling balances painting and fatherhood, carving out moments while raising his 1-year-old son.  Sam Balling poses with his son Bodhi at his home in Lexington on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Firefighters from the Vesta Volunteer Fire Department demonstrate how to use the tankers and pools during a training session. The tankers help firefighters throughout the county fight fires where there’s a shortage of hydrants. (Photo submitted by Mike Moravek.)

Firefighters from the Vesta Volunteer Fire Department demonstrate how to use the tankers and pools during a training session. The tankers help firefighters throughout the county fight fires where there’s a shortage of hydrants. (Photo submitted by Mike Moravek.)

Tanker task force helps with lack of hydrants

Frankie Hennessy
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Cody Gibbs was the first one to reach the scene of the fire that day, and he knew it was massive. “I could see the glow of the fire as I left my driveway, which was about a mile, mile and a half away,” Beaverdam’s assistant fire chief said.
A skunk tested positive for rabies In Oglethorpe County on Feb. 3. According to a study done by the American Veterinary Association in 2021, there were a total of 161 animals that tested positive for rabies in 2021 in the state of Georgia, and 145 of them were wildlife.

A skunk tested positive for rabies In Oglethorpe County on Feb. 3. According to a study done by the American Veterinary Association in 2021, there were a total of 161 animals that tested positive for rabies in 2021 in the state of Georgia, and 145 of them were wildlife.

Understanding rabies risks: What to know following positive rabies test in Crawford

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
A skunk tested positive for rabies in Crawford on Feb. 3, and game warden Phillip Nelson said it has everything to do with the species’ mating season. “Skunks mate normally in February, so they’re more active,” Nelson said. “They’re out more in the daylight.
Owner and founder of Strickland Pride Produce, Kendall Strickland, stands behind the counter of his storefront location at 1129 Athens Rd, Crawford, GA. Strickland originally began his business from a successful roadside stand on E Main St. in Lexington, GA. This past Friday, the community joined him in celebrating one year in his storefront location. (Photo / Lilly Stone)

Owner and founder of Strickland Pride Produce, Kendall Strickland, stands behind the counter of his storefront location at 1129 Athens Rd, Crawford, GA. Strickland originally began his business from a successful roadside stand on E Main St. in Lexington, GA. This past Friday, the community joined him in celebrating one year in his storefront location. (Photo / Lilly Stone)

Putting down roots: Strickland celebrates 1 year in storefront

Lilly Stone
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Eleven-year-old Austin Qualls and his mother, Angela Qualls, take a 30-minute drive once a week from Washington to Strickland Pride Produce in Crawford.   The weekly journey has become routine for the mother and son since the store opened its doors just over a year ago.
The Oglethorpe County BOE chairwoman Susan Robinson meets on Feb 11, 2025 in the board room to discuss HB 581 and other school projects. (Lucy Grey Shields/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe County BOE chairwoman Susan Robinson meets on Feb 11, 2025 in the board room to discuss HB 581 and other school projects. (Lucy Grey Shields/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE opts out of HB 581

Lucy Grey Shields
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously voted to opt out of House Bill 581 during its meeting on Tuesday.
Randy Gordon, a resident of Oglethorpe County’s Almond Drive, stands where the edge of Almond Drive once was on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. “When they come in and scrape [the road], they keep getting further and further to the center, and the cul de sacs where the ditches used to be are covered up,” Gordon said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Randy Gordon, a resident of Oglethorpe County’s Almond Drive, stands where the edge of Almond Drive once was on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. “When they come in and scrape [the road], they keep getting further and further to the center, and the cul de sacs where the ditches used to be are covered up,” Gordon said. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Rough roads, tough choices

Julianna Duennes Russ
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
On a rainy afternoon, Randy Gordon carefully maneuvers his car down a familiar stretch of road. Potholes filled with water jolt the vehicle and thick mud threatens to trap the tires.  When Gordon moved to Almond Drive more than two decades ago, it was a gravel road.
Jennifer Yauck smiled after her kiss with Boo. Celebrating her birthday, the hundreds of students in the cafeteria sang in unison. Paige Clarke/The Oglethorpe Echo

Jennifer Yauck smiled after her kiss with Boo. Celebrating her birthday, the hundreds of students in the cafeteria sang in unison. Paige Clarke/The Oglethorpe Echo

Teacher kisses goat to mark FFA week

Paige Jeneane Clarke
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Jennifer Yauck kissed Boo, a 7-year-old Nigerian dwarf goat, in the Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria Friday afternoon while hundreds of students cheered her on. Friday also happened to be Yauck’s birthday, creating a one-of-a-kind birthday celebration.