Local News

OCHS junior Kayden Watkins hopes for a career in the financial tech sector after he graduates from college. He attended the Governor’s Honors Program at Georgia Southern this summer. (Ashby Booth/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS junior Kayden Watkins hopes for a career in the financial tech sector after he graduates from college. He attended the Governor’s Honors Program at Georgia Southern this summer. (Ashby Booth/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Q&A: Watkins, Bridges learn, connect with students at Governor’s Honors

Ashby Booth
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
 Oglethorpe County High School students Kayden Watkins and Callie Bridges participated in this summer’s Governor’s Honors program, an educational program in which students have the opportunity to experience college life.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Storm could bring 6-8 inches of rain

News Staff
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Oglethorpe County officials are preparing for storms and as much as 6-8 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Helene, which is expected to make landfall on the gulf coast of Florida early Thursday.
Coyotes (pictured) and foxes are among the wild animals that are prevalent throughout Oglethorpe County. Bobcats are less numerous and more elusive. (CHRISTINA BUTLER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Coyotes (pictured) and foxes are among the wild animals that are prevalent throughout Oglethorpe County. Bobcats are less numerous and more elusive. (CHRISTINA BUTLER/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

Coyotes roam the county; be watchful for wild boars

Jack Keys
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Oglethorpe County, like the rest of Northeast Georgia, is marked by diverse wildlife. Some are our friends — and others less so.  Among the creatures to keep an eye out for, coyotes rank high on that list.
Frank Roberts gets his steps in on a daily basis. By his count, he reached 2 million steps on Aug. 31 and has a daily high of 13,506, set on June 7. (ALEX PERRI/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Frank Roberts gets his steps in on a daily basis. By his count, he reached 2 million steps on Aug. 31 and has a daily high of 13,506, set on June 7. (ALEX PERRI/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Smithonia’s Roberts passes 2 million steps milestone

News Staff
Saturday, September 21, 2024
 Smithonia’s Frank Roberts hit his 2 millionth step on Aug. 31, an accomplishment that his friends and his family said they are incredibly proud of him achieving at the age of 73. Every day, Roberts sets out on a path around his house, where he walks for about an hour.
A 3,800-square-foot outbuilding on Peter and Claudia Woods’ property in Comer is dedicated to a model train track that hosts a public, open house event once per month. That’s just one of many hobbies for the retired couple. (KAT WOOD/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

A 3,800-square-foot outbuilding on Peter and Claudia Woods’ property in Comer is dedicated to a model train track that hosts a public, open house event once per month. That’s just one of many hobbies for the retired couple. (KAT WOOD/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Hobbies keep couple busy in retirement

Jack Keys
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Peter and Claudia Woods sold their family-owned business two years ago, retiring after working for decades in smoke and fire restoration. Today, the couple engages in a different lifestyle, but the theme of restoration still guides them.
Superintendent Beverley Levine (from left), administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock and EMS Director Jason Lewis chat at the BOE’s work session on Tuesday. The BOE approved two school resource officers, pending approval from the Board of Commissioners. (McCain Bracewell/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Superintendent Beverley Levine (from left), administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock and EMS Director Jason Lewis chat at the BOE’s work session on Tuesday. The BOE approved two school resource officers, pending approval from the Board of Commissioners. (McCain Bracewell/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE OKs resource officers

Avni Trivedi
Thursday, September 19, 2024
 The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved hiring two school resource officers — one for the high school — and the other to be shared, for now, between the middle, elementary and primary schools.

Lexington faces water trouble

Sarah Coyne
Thursday, September 19, 2024
 The Lexington City Council discussed whether or not water bills should increase at its meeting on Sept. 12, but no decision was made. The council is spending more than it is making in its water fund, according to a recent audit.  “We are upside down in the water department,” Mayor Craig Snow said.
Ross Dudley holds a swing that’s in progress at his Moss Creek Swings workshop. The former Athens-Clarke County fireman said he stays backed up with orders. (Chloe Beaver/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Ross Dudley holds a swing that’s in progress at his Moss Creek Swings workshop. The former Athens-Clarke County fireman said he stays backed up with orders. (Chloe Beaver/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Dudley takes old-fashioned approach to outdoor furniture

Chloe Beaver
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Inside the Moss Creek Swings workshop, customers will discover old license plates, World War II memorabilia and plenty of sawdust.  It’s all part of the process for Ross Dudley, who said he operates his business “the old-fashioned way.
John Mark Shelnutt, who grew up in Georgia, is the new manager at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. He hopes to expand on educational programming and recreational offerings in his new role. (Submitted Photo)

John Mark Shelnutt, who grew up in Georgia, is the new manager at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. He hopes to expand on educational programming and recreational offerings in his new role. (Submitted Photo)

Community involvement integral for new Watson Mill park manager

Kendall Kelly
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
 Less than two weeks in his new role, the new Watson Mill Bridge State Park manager said he hopes to learn all about Watson Mill and the people who surround it.   “I’m going to go do every mile of trails that’s in the parks for the next two weeks,” John Mark Shelnutt said.
Sophia Wilson (left) interns with Caroline Paradise (right), a speech pathologist at OCES, during the school day as part of the work-based learning program. This wasn’t possible until the board of education approved all periods to be used for work-based learning. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sophia Wilson (left) interns with Caroline Paradise (right), a speech pathologist at OCES, during the school day as part of the work-based learning program. This wasn’t possible until the board of education approved all periods to be used for work-based learning. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Expanded work-based learning reaps dividends

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
 Sophia Wilson said her internship with Caroline Paradise, Oglethorpe County School System’s speech pathologist, allows her to experience her possible future career. “I get to help out with encouraging them to learn their speech goals,” said the senior at Oglethorpe County High School.