Local News

Soto looks for reason behind state rankings

Chloe Beaver
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The Governor’s Office of Student Achievement included Oglethorpe County High School among the state’s 25% lowest-performing schools last week, only to retract the list on Tuesday to validate additional data.
The lights are on at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Dec. 3, prior to a tour by the BOE representatives and journalists from The Oglethorpe Echo. The school is being prepared to open on Jan. 10. (Avni Trivedi/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The lights are on at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School on Dec. 3, prior to a tour by the BOE representatives and journalists from The Oglethorpe Echo. The school is being prepared to open on Jan. 10. (Avni Trivedi/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Move to new elementary school in progress

Kendall Kelly
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The new Oglethorpe County Elementary School will welcome students from pre-K through fifth grade on Friday, Jan. 10.
Rosa and Roger NeeSmith pose on the front porch of their home on Monday, Oct. 21 in Lexington, Georgia. The home originally had a wraparound porch that was altered to accommodate a dining nook in the kitchen, a laundry room and a carport. “The house originally had a wrap around this part where the carport is now, and the people that had it before we did, he was a meteorologist in Athens, he poured cement, and I guess the wood was rotten,” Roger NeeSmith said. (Emily Slepsky/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Rosa and Roger NeeSmith pose on the front porch of their home on Monday, Oct. 21 in Lexington, Georgia. The home originally had a wraparound porch that was altered to accommodate a dining nook in the kitchen, a laundry room and a carport. “The house originally had a wrap around this part where the carport is now, and the people that had it before we did, he was a meteorologist in Athens, he poured cement, and I guess the wood was rotten,” Roger NeeSmith said. (Emily Slepsky/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Back to Lexington

Emily Slepsky
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
When Rosa and Roger NeeSmith moved to Lexington in 1981 after living in Macon for years, it was a homecoming for Rosa.
Photo from from Winterville Snowflake 10k on Jan. 13, 2024. (Submitted Photo/Classic Race Services)

Photo from from Winterville Snowflake 10k on Jan. 13, 2024. (Submitted Photo/Classic Race Services)

Firefly series adds two races in 2025

Hank Tatum
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Now in its sixth year, the Firefly Trail Race Series will expand with two new races, this time at Athens’ Dudley Park.  With a total of six races, there will be two series, one for the spring and one for the fall, each consisting of three races.
Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Billy Bob Shellnut (left) and President of the Auxilary Donna Churchill (right) present checks to the Community Christmas of Oglethorpe County. The local American Legion members have been "longtime" supporters of the non-profit. (Submitted photo)

Commander of the Sons of the American Legion Billy Bob Shellnut (left) and President of the Auxilary Donna Churchill (right) present checks to the Community Christmas of Oglethorpe County. The local American Legion members have been "longtime" supporters of the non-profit. (Submitted photo)

Community Christmas continues to provide support

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
For almost three decades, one of Santa Claus’ most efficient helpers in Oglethorpe County has been Community Christmas.
Maddy McKeel (center), with her mom Lori and dad Mike, display her turkey vulture sculpture that took silver at the SkillsUSA competition last February. McKeel is already working on a project for next year’s competition. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Maddy McKeel (center), with her mom Lori and dad Mike, display her turkey vulture sculpture that took silver at the SkillsUSA competition last February. McKeel is already working on a project for next year’s competition. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

McKeel creates sculptures from scraps

Dakota Meeks
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
When Maddy McKeel became involved in welding, she felt that it brought her life together. The hands-on work and art combined skills and interests where she had confidence.  “It just kind of came full circle,” McKeel said.

Sludge lawsuit makes progress

Ella Kroll and Kendall Kelly
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
A 2020 lawsuit filed by several Oglethorpe County residents alleging sludge dumping against multiple defendants has made progress. Eight of the defendants in the lawsuit have settled for damages, leaving one defendant that hasn’t settled.
Mike Sellers, the owner and creator of Woodpappy Designs, displays his handcrafted wooden creations- including bowls, pens, wine bottle stoppers, coin trays, and more- at Small Business Saturday. The event, hosted by Linda Parish, took place on Main Street in Lexington on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and highlighted the work of local artisans and vendors. (Photo Credit/Chloe Beaver)

Mike Sellers, the owner and creator of Woodpappy Designs, displays his handcrafted wooden creations- including bowls, pens, wine bottle stoppers, coin trays, and more- at Small Business Saturday. The event, hosted by Linda Parish, took place on Main Street in Lexington on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and highlighted the work of local artisans and vendors. (Photo Credit/Chloe Beaver)

‘Woodpappy’ turns discarded wood into handcrafted creations

Chloe Beaver
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Mike Sellers was a retired police officer and teacher before he became the man behind Woodpappy Designs, crafting everything from pens to bowls. Now, Sellers shares his passion for wood with customers at local vendor events like Small Business Saturday.
Seating diagrams and room layouts are taped to the side of the wall outside the door to a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School as BOE members look around. (Avni Trivedi/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Seating diagrams and room layouts are taped to the side of the wall outside the door to a classroom at the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School as BOE members look around. (Avni Trivedi/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE approves virtual mental health series

Avni Trivedi
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved an online mental health program during its meeting Tuesday night.
Brad Johns, who lives on Almond Drive. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Brad Johns, who lives on Almond Drive. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

County, MOAS agree to new deal

Sarah Coyne
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a renegotiated  contract with the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter at Monday’s meeting that included an increase in funding and a new plan for accepting animals. The county agreed to increase the rate from $3.25 to $3.