Local News

Preparation is key in winter weather

Frankie Hennessy
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
County officials said being prepared, staying home and watching for fire dangers are crucial ways to remain safe in extreme winter weather. Temperatures plummeted into the teens this week and more snow fell Tuesday, prompting the Oglethorpe County School System to cancel classes on Wednesday.
Katherine Ratcliffe, branch manager at the Oglethorpe County Library, demonstrates how to use one of its new internet hotspots last week. The library offers 20 hotspots for residents to check out for two weeks at a time. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Katherine Ratcliffe, branch manager at the Oglethorpe County Library, demonstrates how to use one of its new internet hotspots last week. The library offers 20 hotspots for residents to check out for two weeks at a time. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Expanding access: Library hotspots in high demand

Adriana Cascio
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Twenty Oglethorpe County residents can now bridge the digital divide because of a new grant. The Athens Regional Library System received 160 T-Mobile hotspots through the state's Digital Connectivity Grant, which funds Wi-Fi hotspots and other devices for schools and libraries.
Portrait of Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jay Paul

Portrait of Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jay Paul

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Oglethorpe County Chairman Jay Paul Outlines 2025 Priorities

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jay Paul describes his job as “never monotonous.” “What do I do? Lot of troubleshooting,” Paul said. “The issue changes by the hour on what you’ll be dealing with, or even more frequently than that, actually.
From left: Deacon Edgar Alexander, Bishop Calvin Turner, Reverend Clarence Burgess, and Deacon L. M. Echols sit in the front row of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Stephens, Georgia as Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter gives acknowledgements at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program sponsored by the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County on Jan. 20, 2025. Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter is the president of the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

From left: Deacon Edgar Alexander, Bishop Calvin Turner, Reverend Clarence Burgess, and Deacon L. M. Echols sit in the front row of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Stephens, Georgia as Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter gives acknowledgements at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program sponsored by the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County on Jan. 20, 2025. Reverend Dr. R. A. Hunter is the president of the Concerned Men of Oglethorpe County. (Photo / Lux Corrona)

MLK Day tribute: Concerned Men have dream to unite county, starting with youth

Lux Corrona
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Elian Castellanos-Contreras believes Martin Luther King Jr. always fought for what was right. “Now more than ever, it is important for us to be like him,” the Oglethorpe County Middle School student said. “To be able to dream of better things and work for them.
There's been a sharp increase in the number of birds infected with HPAI, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, since 2022. A positive case was detected in Elbert County Friday.

There's been a sharp increase in the number of birds infected with HPAI, or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, since 2022. A positive case was detected in Elbert County Friday.

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Poultry owners are wary of bird flu

Jesse Wood
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Oglethorpe County District 1 Commissioner Howard Sanders has worked in the poultry industry for 50 years, and he has never had to face the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as the bird flu — until now.

BOE holds first hearing on HB 581

Kendall Kelly
Thursday, January 16, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education expressed frustration with state control over local education at its first meeting of 2025 on Tuesday night. The BOE held a public hearing to discuss its decision to opt out of HB 581 and then went into its meeting. Four residents were in attendance.
Harper Bondie (left) and Colton Hansford (right) with their new bikes that were purchased with the help of Leisha Shipp and Steve Fields. These bikes replaced Christmas presents that went missing on Dec. 26. (Submitted Photo)

Harper Bondie (left) and Colton Hansford (right) with their new bikes that were purchased with the help of Leisha Shipp and Steve Fields. These bikes replaced Christmas presents that went missing on Dec. 26. (Submitted Photo)

Presents replaced, thanks to strangers

Dakota Meeks
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Social media and the kindness of strangers from outside the county brought happiness to two Crawford children when their bikes went missing the day after Christmas.
Steven King, Oglethorpe County Middle School gifted science teacher, said he hopes “Science in Action” will “give people ideas of how to structure things and to make it where science becomes more relevant.” (Bridget Goodman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Steven King, Oglethorpe County Middle School gifted science teacher, said he hopes “Science in Action” will “give people ideas of how to structure things and to make it where science becomes more relevant.” (Bridget Goodman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Teaching on TV

Bridget Goodman
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Steven King is on a mission to show middle school students science isn’t so frightening. “People are sort of scared of science in some ways,” said King, Oglethorpe County Middle School gifted science teacher.
Snow covered Mt. Pleasant Community Church provides a picturesque setting in Crawford on Friday. The Athens area received about 1.5 inches of snow on Jan. 10, according to the National Weather Service. The weather forced businesses to close and the cancellation of schools and athletic events throughout the area. (Submitted Photo)

Snow covered Mt. Pleasant Community Church provides a picturesque setting in Crawford on Friday. The Athens area received about 1.5 inches of snow on Jan. 10, according to the National Weather Service. The weather forced businesses to close and the cancellation of schools and athletic events throughout the area. (Submitted Photo)

Photo Gallery: Snow in Oglethorpe County

News Staff
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Artist Marisa Mustard adds the finishing touches to the mural that she painted on the side of Rowdy Rooster in Lexington. The mural includes pies, moon flowers, hummingbirds and a ladybug. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Artist Marisa Mustard adds the finishing touches to the mural that she painted on the side of Rowdy Rooster in Lexington. The mural includes pies, moon flowers, hummingbirds and a ladybug. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Rooster shows its colors

Dakota Meeks
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
A new mural has transformed the side of Rowdy Rooster.  Painted by mural artist Marisa Mustard, the mural features a colorful collage of hummingbirds, moon flowers and pies.