Local News

Officials investigate 3 unrelated fatalities

News Staff
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
A high-speed pursuit that started on Smokey Road and Highway 78 ended in the death of an Oglethorpe County resident in Athens-Clarke County on Aug. 29. Brently Allen Tucker, 35, was killed when the motorcycle he was driving was hit by another vehicle near the Walmart on Lexington Highway in Athens.
The Cronic family greeted visitors and helped unload donations at the Lexington Fire Department on Aug. 30. They include William Cronic (from left), Caden Roberts (10), Cody Cronic, Landon Roberts (15), Bridgette Cronic (11), Rebekah Heath (11) and Eli Roberts (12). An infant isn’t pictured. (TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The Cronic family greeted visitors and helped unload donations at the Lexington Fire Department on Aug. 30. They include William Cronic (from left), Caden Roberts (10), Cody Cronic, Landon Roberts (15), Bridgette Cronic (11), Rebekah Heath (11) and Eli Roberts (12). An infant isn’t pictured. (TY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

County rallies around family: Cronics overwhelmed by community support after house fire

Alex Perri
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
  The Cronic family had barely been in the county for a month when tragedy struck in the early hours of Aug. 27.  William Cronic woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of his doorbell ringing nonstop. Then he heard the fire alarm.
Seven candidates qualified for the Nov. 5 Maxeys general election, with six positions that include the mayor and city council seats. (Mary Catherine Dodys)

Seven candidates qualified for the Nov. 5 Maxeys general election, with six positions that include the mayor and city council seats. (Mary Catherine Dodys)

Toledano only candidate for Maxeys mayor

Mary Catherine Dodys
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Seven candidates are eligible to run for six posts in Maxeys’ election on Nov. 5. Qualifying for the 2024 race took place last week at city hall. The positions include mayor and all city council seats. The fee was $1.
Katherine Horsley, 14, begins her run at Saturday's Buckle Series at Oglethorpe County Saddle Club. Her goal is to compete in the Georgia Junior High School Rodeo. (Photo/Ella Kroll)

Katherine Horsley, 14, begins her run at Saturday's Buckle Series at Oglethorpe County Saddle Club. Her goal is to compete in the Georgia Junior High School Rodeo. (Photo/Ella Kroll)

Saddle up: Club prepares riders of all levels, abilities

Ella Kroll
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Katherine Horsley wants to prove she’s ready for the stiff competition she’ll face at the Georgia Junior High School Rodeo. To get there, she’s relying on the Oglethorpe County Saddle Club.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Nations gear up for start of dove season

Alex Perri
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Hundreds of folks will gather at the Nation family farm on Saturday, Sept. 7 to kick off the opening day of dove season with a hunt. Adam Nation said it’s a great excuse to get friends and family together to have a good time.
Winterville’s Kaitlyn and Kaleb Marchant (middle) receive the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award from Georgia Farm Bureau president Tom McCall (left) and Tony Hutchins (right) of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. The Marchants represent the 4th District on the organization’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. (SUBMITTED PHOTO/GEORGIA FARM BUREAU)

Winterville’s Kaitlyn and Kaleb Marchant (middle) receive the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award from Georgia Farm Bureau president Tom McCall (left) and Tony Hutchins (right) of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance. The Marchants represent the 4th District on the organization’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. (SUBMITTED PHOTO/GEORGIA FARM BUREAU)

News Roundup: Marchants win state Farm Bureau award

News Staff
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Staff ReportWinterville’s Kaitlyn and Kaleb Marchant won the 2024 Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award at the Summer Leadership Conference held July 17-20 on Jekyll Island.
A train stops at the Crawford Depot in November 1967. Trains no longer run through the county, and the Depot, which has been renovated, is home to the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce and various events. (Submitted Photo)

A train stops at the Crawford Depot in November 1967. Trains no longer run through the county, and the Depot, which has been renovated, is home to the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce and various events. (Submitted Photo)

Restoration Run 5K celebrates 20th anniversary

Makenzy Wolford
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Past, present and future will collide in Oglethorpe — one of the state’s oldest counties — when runners take to the streets for the Restoration Labor Day 5K. The race will celebrate its 20th anniversary at 8 a.m.
John and Jane Robertson stand in their house in Smithonia with souvenirs from their trip to Paris to see the 2024 Summer Olympics. The items include a fanny pack, backpack, hat, keychain and pouch. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

John and Jane Robertson stand in their house in Smithonia with souvenirs from their trip to Paris to see the 2024 Summer Olympics. The items include a fanny pack, backpack, hat, keychain and pouch. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Smithonia couple has dream trip to Paris, Olympics

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
 While most of the world watched from their couches as Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky and Stephen Nedoroscik competed for gold, Jane and John Robertson were in the stands at the Summer Olympics cheering them on.
Filmmaker Caleb Werntz and Marilyn Monroad, his calico cat, stopped to spend the night at the Vesta Volunteer Fire Department last week. Werntz is on a cross-country cycling trip that will end on the Florida Gulf Coast. (Submitted Photo)

Filmmaker Caleb Werntz and Marilyn Monroad, his calico cat, stopped to spend the night at the Vesta Volunteer Fire Department last week. Werntz is on a cross-country cycling trip that will end on the Florida Gulf Coast. (Submitted Photo)

Cycling trip brings adventurer, cat through county

Torin Smith
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
A couple of unexpected visitors stopped through Oglethorpe County last week.  Caleb Werntz and his cat Marilyn Monroad are in the midst of their fifth cross-country cycling trip. The two passed through the county on Aug. 14, stopping to spend the night at the Vesta Volunteer Fire Department.