Local News

Jeff Sharp gives an update on the runoff issues from the Timberland Solar site during the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance, is working with RWE to resolve the problem. (Felix Scheyer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jeff Sharp gives an update on the runoff issues from the Timberland Solar site during the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday. Sharp, the county’s director of planning, zoning and compliance, is working with RWE to resolve the problem. (Felix Scheyer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

RWE to fix runoff at Timberland

Emery Pikel
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Jeff Sharp told the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners that RWE Clean Energy, the owner of the Timberland Solar Project, “has acknowledged” stormwater runoff issues and agrees to redesign the site to protect residents who have been affected by flooding for years.

Local man pardoned by Trump executive order

Leighton Dancy
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Nolan Kidd, of Crawford, is one of more than 1,500 people who have been pardoned by President Donald Trump for their actions during the riot in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.  Kidd initially faced four charges, but pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of illegally demonstrating in the Capitol.
Raegan Poulnott, 17, a senior at Oglethorpe County High School, raises pigs and competes in livestock shows around the state. Poulnott started at just 3 years old, has grown up around livestock and works daily with her animals to prepare for competitions. (Photo/Lilly Stone)

Raegan Poulnott, 17, a senior at Oglethorpe County High School, raises pigs and competes in livestock shows around the state. Poulnott started at just 3 years old, has grown up around livestock and works daily with her animals to prepare for competitions. (Photo/Lilly Stone)

Pride in her Pigs: Poulnott finds success in the arena

Lilly Stone
Thursday, January 30, 2025
While her peers spend their weekends catching up on sleep, Oglethorpe County High School senior Raegan Poulnott is up early, painting pigs and preparing them for competition. Yes, painting pigs.
Hanna Burdette (left) and April Nation (right) share a smile six weeks after their successful kidney transplant. Nation donated a kidney to her daughter after Burdette went into kidney failure in May of 2024. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Hanna Burdette (left) and April Nation (right) share a smile six weeks after their successful kidney transplant. Nation donated a kidney to her daughter after Burdette went into kidney failure in May of 2024. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

A mother’s gift of life: Kidney for daughter

Jennifer Xia
Thursday, January 30, 2025
This past Christmas, an Oglethorpe County mother gave her daughter a second gift of life.  April Nation, 44, and Hanna Burdette, 26, underwent a kidney transplant on Dec. 13 at Emory University Hospital.
(Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Photo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Broadband continues to expand in county

Emery Pikel
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
County officials are following a number of paths as they work to expand broadband internet service in Oglethorpe County. The most recent development is the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD), which isn’t funded.
Linda Parish reads the Rural Zone Designation plan at the Lexington Downtown Development Authority board meeting at Town and Country Kafe on Thursday. The DDA, which includes Ronnie Boggs (left) and Tom Thon (right), discussed revisions to the master plan, updates to the community center and rural zone designation. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Linda Parish reads the Rural Zone Designation plan at the Lexington Downtown Development Authority board meeting at Town and Country Kafe on Thursday. The DDA, which includes Ronnie Boggs (left) and Tom Thon (right), discussed revisions to the master plan, updates to the community center and rural zone designation. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Community Center progresses amid funding challenges

Libby Hobbs
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Renovations and work on the Lexington Community Center, formerly the Macon Coil building, are underway. However, fundraising goals still haven’t been met.
Students read their Bibles as Andy Paul, youth minister at Salem Baptist Church, delivers a lesson during youth group on Jan. 15. About 30-35 youth between the grades of six and 12 attend the weekly meetings. (Photo/Emily Slepsky)

Students read their Bibles as Andy Paul, youth minister at Salem Baptist Church, delivers a lesson during youth group on Jan. 15. About 30-35 youth between the grades of six and 12 attend the weekly meetings. (Photo/Emily Slepsky)

A Wednesday tradition

Emily Slepsky
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Kristy Hardesty, a teacher and mother of two, recently moved to Oglethorpe County and quickly found Wednesday nights to be a vital part of her family’s weekly rhythm. Hardesty said the tradition eased their transition, creating a sense of belonging and a place they now call “home.
(Photo/Trisha Bearden)

(Photo/Trisha Bearden)

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Crawford store rebrands as Strickland Ace Hardware

Luis Vaquero
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
 The Ace Hardware in Crawford is embracing a new chapter by deepening its ties to the community it serves.  Formerly known as Oglethorpe Ace Hardware, the Crawford store has been rebranded to Strickland Ace Hardware, along with its locations in Danielsville and Auburn.
Students take a music class in a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Tuesday. Staff and school officials continue to work out logistical issues with the new school. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

Students take a music class in a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Tuesday. Staff and school officials continue to work out logistical issues with the new school. (Photo/Lucy Grey Shields)

New school brings logistical changes, upgraded security

Lucy Grey Shields
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Students, parents and staff noticed a number of logistical changes at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School during its first week. Issues — particularly with the carpool lane — arose on Jan.
Brenda Coley folds a worn military document back into a sheet of protective paper while within the Oglethorpe County Library in Lexington, Georgia on Monday, Jan 13, 2025. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

Brenda Coley folds a worn military document back into a sheet of protective paper while within the Oglethorpe County Library in Lexington, Georgia on Monday, Jan 13, 2025. (Photo/Felix Scheyer)

50 years later, a ‘wonderful’ dad, veteran remembered

Julianna Duennes Russ and Felix Scheyer
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Nearly 50 years ago, a line of patrons stretched out the door of the Minit Mart Service and Liquor Store in Lexington.  Clutched in their hands, purses and pockets were receipts they’d gathered from years of grocery trips.