Local News

(Photo/Luis Vaquero)

(Photo/Luis Vaquero)

Crawford Buys F-150, Discusses Wastewater Permit

Luis Vaquero
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
 The city of Crawford has added a new Ford F-150 to its fleet, a purchase made through federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  The city spent $37,245 on the truck, which will be used for daily operations of the water department.
(Left - Right) Jay Patel, Beulah Hatchett (Nana) and Carrie Faris pose for a photo at Carrie’s Corner Store & Cafe in Stephens, Georgia on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Faris sold the business to Patel at the end of January. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

(Left - Right) Jay Patel, Beulah Hatchett (Nana) and Carrie Faris pose for a photo at Carrie’s Corner Store & Cafe in Stephens, Georgia on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Faris sold the business to Patel at the end of January. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Faris sells Carrie’s Corner to take care of ‘Nana’

Libby Hobbs
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Carrie Faris opened Carrie's Corner Store & Cafe in Stephens in May 2022 and said this community “feels like family.” However, her mother’s eyesight has worsened from macular degeneration, so she decided it’s time for her to stay at home with “Nana.
Wingate Downs, who lives in Wolfskin, has photographed sports all over the country, and is now photo- graphing the Rock Lobsters and other events at the new Akins Ford Arena. He also photographed The B-52s in a recent concert at the arena.(Wingate Downs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Wingate Downs, who lives in Wolfskin, has photographed sports all over the country, and is now photo- graphing the Rock Lobsters and other events at the new Akins Ford Arena. He also photographed The B-52s in a recent concert at the arena.(Wingate Downs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Downs, veteran photographer, has new gig with Athens arena

Sarah Coyne
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Wingate Downs’ newest adventure adds to his lengthy and storied career as a photojournalist in Athens. Downs, who has worked with The Classic Center the past 12 years, now photographs events at the new Akins Ford Arena.
Mike Austin, president of Lexington-based Treezyn, hunted cape buffalo in South Africa in 2023. Treezyn sells camouflage gear and outdoor apparel. (Submitted Photo)

Mike Austin, president of Lexington-based Treezyn, hunted cape buffalo in South Africa in 2023. Treezyn sells camouflage gear and outdoor apparel. (Submitted Photo)

Lexington-based Treezyn sells apparel with hunters in mind

Bridget Goodman
Thursday, February 6, 2025
In 1999, Mike Austin went hunting for the first time at age 39. His father, an avid hunter, had died earlier that year. “Just to be doing something that he used to do connected me in a new way with my father, who had passed away,” Austin said.
Thomas Gresham, a local historian, tells stories about the history of the Oglethorpe County Jail. He helped turn the jail into a museum. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Thomas Gresham, a local historian, tells stories about the history of the Oglethorpe County Jail. He helped turn the jail into a museum. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington faced with choices about historic jail

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Oglethorpe County’s historic jail has stood witness to 146 years of Southern history in downtown Lexington. Now, as the city continues to evolve around it, it’s looking for options for the jail property.
The Historic Crawford Depot has become a resource for Oglethorpe County, but more renovations are needed, Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce tourism and hospitality director Linda Parish said. The Depot was built in 1848. (Olivia Wilson/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Historic Crawford Depot has become a resource for Oglethorpe County, but more renovations are needed, Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce tourism and hospitality director Linda Parish said. The Depot was built in 1848. (Olivia Wilson/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford Depot keeps 177 years of history alive with renovations

News Staff
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Granite-block walls, a kitchen, bathrooms, open community room and electrical work. The Historic Crawford Depot has undergone a transformation in recent years, and it’s not done yet.
Walter McCannon Jr. is checked out at the new cash register by assistant store manager Michele Roberts at the B&T’s Food Fresh Market in Lexington last week. The location expects several renovations this year, including paint, aisle markers and lighting. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

Walter McCannon Jr. is checked out at the new cash register by assistant store manager Michele Roberts at the B&T’s Food Fresh Market in Lexington last week. The location expects several renovations this year, including paint, aisle markers and lighting. (Photo/Adriana Cascio)

New registers, renovations coming to B&T’s

Adriana Cascio
Thursday, February 6, 2025
B&T’s Food Fresh Market in Lexington continues to be the best-selling store in the chain, said co-owner John Triplett, who anticipates renovations despite the closure of its Watkinsville location.
(Jet Rawls/ The Oglethorpe Echo) The entrance sign for Sandy Cross Grocery, Hardware, and Cafe.

(Jet Rawls/ The Oglethorpe Echo) The entrance sign for Sandy Cross Grocery, Hardware, and Cafe.

Community comfort: Sandy Cross store provides food, fellowship and friends

Jet Rawls
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Derek Paul started going to Sandy Cross Grocery, Hardware and Cafe as a child. “When I grew up, my daddy would take me to the store and there would be four or five old guys sitting around drinking coffee or playing checkers,” Paul said.
(Jet Rawls/The Oglethorpe Echo) Executive Director Derek Paul teaches the Personal Spiritual Life class at WorldReach. Classes meet from 6:30-9 p.m. on Mondays at Living Water Baptist Church in Arnoldsville

(Jet Rawls/The Oglethorpe Echo) Executive Director Derek Paul teaches the Personal Spiritual Life class at WorldReach. Classes meet from 6:30-9 p.m. on Mondays at Living Water Baptist Church in Arnoldsville

Arnoldsville Abroad: WorldReach Bible Institute Lives up to its name

Jet Rawls
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Living Water Baptist Church may look like other churches in Oglethorpe County, but within is WorldReach Bible Institute, a school that gives its students the opportunity to delve deeper into the Bible at campuses in nine countries.
Officers Kevin Wright, left, and Robert Kline, right, are the new Oglethorpe County Schools resource officers. Wright, the officer for Oglethorpe County High School, said his role is to make sure students get “to go home every day.” He previously worked the night shift at the Sheriff’s Office. Kline is the officer for both Oglethorpe County Elementary and Middle schools. He also worked at the Sheriff’s Office, as part of the jail staff, before his new role. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

Officers Kevin Wright, left, and Robert Kline, right, are the new Oglethorpe County Schools resource officers. Wright, the officer for Oglethorpe County High School, said his role is to make sure students get “to go home every day.” He previously worked the night shift at the Sheriff’s Office. Kline is the officer for both Oglethorpe County Elementary and Middle schools. He also worked at the Sheriff’s Office, as part of the jail staff, before his new role. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

SROs make their presence known

Lucy Grey Shields
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Robert Kline said some students at Oglethorpe Elementary School call him Mr. Clean because of his "bald head," but Kline isn’t there to tidy the school.  “Our job is basically to make sure the kids are safe and secure,” Kline said. “That’s what our primary job is.