Local News

County hires first two SROs

Makenzy Wolford
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Two school resource officers (SROs) have been hired for Oglethorpe County School System and are expected to begin in January.  Robert Kline and Kevin Wright were selected in a nearly unanimous decision.
Tracy Norman, District 5 commissioner, responds to emails regarding the county in his office at Boehringer Ingelheim in Athens, Ga. This is where Norman works full time when he is not serving Oglethorpe County. On a slow day of being a board member, Norman might only do as much as respond to emails from residents. (Photo / Mary Catherine Dodys)

Tracy Norman, District 5 commissioner, responds to emails regarding the county in his office at Boehringer Ingelheim in Athens, Ga. This is where Norman works full time when he is not serving Oglethorpe County. On a slow day of being a board member, Norman might only do as much as respond to emails from residents. (Photo / Mary Catherine Dodys)

Norman stays busy in role as commissioner

Mary Catherine Dodys
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Tracy Norman always keeps a yellow safety vest on hand.  Depending on the day, Norman might wear his yellow vest while visiting animal health sites in North Carolina, Puerto Rico or Connecticut.
The Crawford City Council’s Sandra Sheridan (from left), Brenda Butler, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance, Mayor Seavy O’Neal, Kathy Little, Carol McGrath and Johnny Shedd unanimously decided to update the city’s budget in accordance with the waste water department by $1,440 a year on Tuesday night. (Photo/ Sarah Coyne)

The Crawford City Council’s Sandra Sheridan (from left), Brenda Butler, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance, Mayor Seavy O’Neal, Kathy Little, Carol McGrath and Johnny Shedd unanimously decided to update the city’s budget in accordance with the waste water department by $1,440 a year on Tuesday night. (Photo/ Sarah Coyne)

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Water updates underway in Crawford, Lexington

Sarah Coyne
Thursday, November 14, 2024
Crawford will increase its budget 2.6% to pay for the city’s agreement with its wastewater plant contractor, Lakeview Environmental.The added funds of around $1,440, or $120.50 a month, were determined based on the consumer price index.

News Roundup: Duck hunting sneak peek this weekend

News Staff
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Duck hunting season opens in Georgia on Saturday, Nov. 23, but youth ages 16 and younger, active military and veterans can hunt specific migratory birds, such as ducks, Canada geese and mergansers, on Nov. 16-17. Youth must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older), but only the youth can hunt.
The Lena Wise Community Center is on the corner of Church Street and 1st Street in Crawford. Several groups and organizations meet at the facility, including Cub Scout Pack 97 and Jessica’s School of Dance. (MADDIE DANIEL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The Lena Wise Community Center is on the corner of Church Street and 1st Street in Crawford. Several groups and organizations meet at the facility, including Cub Scout Pack 97 and Jessica’s School of Dance. (MADDIE DANIEL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Dance school, Cub Scouts add to list of Lena Wise’s groups

Isabelle Farina
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
 Jessica Palmer of Jessica’s School of Dance had to find a new place to hold her dance classes after black mold was discovered in the Oglethorpe County’s Rec Department’s clubhouse in February.  With the season in full swing, a lack of studio space could’ve been troublesome.
Nature's Harvest employees say they've had a strong year for deer processing in this year's hunting season. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Nature's Harvest employees say they've had a strong year for deer processing in this year's hunting season. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

County, Nature’s Harvest have busy deer season

Jack Keys
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Deer hunting season is back, and once again, Oglethorpe County is one of the most active counties in the state.   More than 1,300 deer have been processed at Nature’s Harvest this season, owner Todd Smith said.
Donated pumpkins don’t stand a chance against these goats, which eat everything but the stem. The pumpkins provide nutritional benefits for farm animals, Beth Wills said. (BETH WILLS/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Donated pumpkins don’t stand a chance against these goats, which eat everything but the stem. The pumpkins provide nutritional benefits for farm animals, Beth Wills said. (BETH WILLS/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Pumpkin provisions: Donations used to feed goats, other animals

Ella Kroll
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
 Oglethorpe County residents need not look far to find a sustainable solution for their leftover pumpkins. They can be donated to farms in the county to feed animals and reduce waste.
Hunter Boswell performs at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis. Boswell, who was one of 48 out of 200 chosen to perform at the convention, said this was his biggest crowd ever at 68,000 people. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hunter Boswell performs at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis. Boswell, who was one of 48 out of 200 chosen to perform at the convention, said this was his biggest crowd ever at 68,000 people. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Star in the making: Boswell performs at FFA convention

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
 Hunter Boswell has been singing longer than he could fully speak.  He picked up bass guitar and piano at age 2, acoustic guitar at 4 and drums at 9, which is also when he began singing in church.
Alice Hughes (left) has lived in Oglethorpe County for nearly 20 years. As Alice's health continues to get worse, her daughter, Vyvyan (right) is living with her. "About four years ago, mom had her first fall on Lexington Road," Vyvyan said. "I’m here more times than not." (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Alice Hughes (left) has lived in Oglethorpe County for nearly 20 years. As Alice's health continues to get worse, her daughter, Vyvyan (right) is living with her. "About four years ago, mom had her first fall on Lexington Road," Vyvyan said. "I’m here more times than not." (Saylor Williams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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Art, history mesh in the Hughes family home

Saylor Williams and Avery Cameron
Thursday, November 7, 2024
 Hand-carved wooden sculptures, neon art and thoughtfully crafted phrases in Alice Hughes’ home are testaments to her family’s love of art and history. Throughout it all, she has stood by one mantra: Life clumps.  “Like everything happening,” said Vyvyan Hughes, Alice’s daughter.
Oglethorpe County School System bus drivers Jerry Jones and Roy Walter stand in front one of the new propane buses on Monday. Three propane buses have been added to the system’s fleet to increase clean energy and safety initiatives, officials said. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County School System bus drivers Jerry Jones and Roy Walter stand in front one of the new propane buses on Monday. Three propane buses have been added to the system’s fleet to increase clean energy and safety initiatives, officials said. (Submitted Photo)

Schools add three propane buses to fleet

Kendall Kelly
Thursday, November 7, 2024
 Three new propane buses have been added to the Oglethorpe County School System fleet, the first of what transportation director Zach Holtzclaw envisions as a fleet composed entirely of propane buses in 10 years.  The buses took to the road for the first time on Monday.