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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.
MOAS currently accepts animal turn ins from citizens of Oglethorpe county but does not have the capacity to serve as an impoundment facility. (Submitted Photo)

MOAS currently accepts animal turn ins from citizens of Oglethorpe county but does not have the capacity to serve as an impoundment facility. (Submitted Photo)

Sheriff plans to construct animal facility

Makenzy Wolford
Thursday, September 12, 2024
 Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel applied for a temporary animal impoundment facility license with the Department of Agriculture on Aug. 19 in the wake of rising community concerns about abandoned animals.  “We ended up having animals we couldn’t take anywhere,” Gabriel said.
Tanner Nation (from left), Adam Nation, Tristan Nimmons, Nick Drake, Zach Erwin and Landon Faust take a break from hunting on the first day of dove season at the Nation family farm. The Nations have hosted folks at their farm for decades. (ALEX PERRI/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Tanner Nation (from left), Adam Nation, Tristan Nimmons, Nick Drake, Zach Erwin and Landon Faust take a break from hunting on the first day of dove season at the Nation family farm. The Nations have hosted folks at their farm for decades. (ALEX PERRI/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Nation dove hunt draws hundreds

Alex Perri
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Hundreds of people gathered at the Nation family farm for the opening day of dove season Saturday, participating in a family tradition that dates back generations.  “It’s a lot of fun,” Beverly Nation said. “A lot of fellowship. It’s good to see everybody.
The OCHS homecoming court includes (back, from left): Jacen Harvey, Jackson Tatum, Dalton Hilley, Aidan Carlan, Ethan Dodd, Nash Campbell and Darius Heard; (front, from left): Qidasha Fleming, Azlynne Sexton, Peyton Lewis, Paris Crowder, Reagan Poulnott, Weslynn Thurmond and Khali McCormak. (TRISHA BEARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

The OCHS homecoming court includes (back, from left): Jacen Harvey, Jackson Tatum, Dalton Hilley, Aidan Carlan, Ethan Dodd, Nash Campbell and Darius Heard; (front, from left): Qidasha Fleming, Azlynne Sexton, Peyton Lewis, Paris Crowder, Reagan Poulnott, Weslynn Thurmond and Khali McCormak. (TRISHA BEARDEN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCHS homecoming scheduled next week

News Staff
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Homecoming festivities will fill Oglethorpe County High School next week. The high school will have special themed days, starting Monday with Pajama Day. Tuesday is Crazy Hat Day, followed by Wear Pink Wednesday. Thursday is Rhyme Without Reason and Friday is White Out Day.
Jakara Jones (left) meets Calvin Weaver while Kenzie Henderson (left) and Joyce Sniff (background) greet one another at the CTAE mock job interviews at OCHS on Sept. 4. Weaver and Sniff were among the community members who were asked to judge students on communication, dress, responses and first impressions. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jakara Jones (left) meets Calvin Weaver while Kenzie Henderson (left) and Joyce Sniff (background) greet one another at the CTAE mock job interviews at OCHS on Sept. 4. Weaver and Sniff were among the community members who were asked to judge students on communication, dress, responses and first impressions. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A path toward the future

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
 Tell me about yourself.  What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?  Why should I pick you over other candidates?  If you’re in the workforce, you’ve probably heard those questions.
Faith Campbell thanks the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners for withdrawing an amendment to the county's animal ordinance on Sept. 9. The BOC agreed to try to work out a deal with MOAS. (Photo / Andy Johnston)

Faith Campbell thanks the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners for withdrawing an amendment to the county's animal ordinance on Sept. 9. The BOC agreed to try to work out a deal with MOAS. (Photo / Andy Johnston)

County votes to decrease millage rate

Mary Catherine Dodys
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
County millage rates will decrease for the third consecutive year after a unanimous decision by the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners Monday night.  “That’s always a goal — three years in a row,” Chairman Jay Paul said.
Vickie Coker (middle) and PlowShare members browse raffle items at PlowShare's 10 year anniversary meeting on Sept. 9, 2024. The raffle was free to enter, and everyone in attendance was able to choose an item to take home. (Ella Kroll/Oglethorpe Echo)

Vickie Coker (middle) and PlowShare members browse raffle items at PlowShare's 10 year anniversary meeting on Sept. 9, 2024. The raffle was free to enter, and everyone in attendance was able to choose an item to take home. (Ella Kroll/Oglethorpe Echo)

PlowShare’s growth leads to 10th anniversary celebration

Ella Kroll
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Delia Buxton travels 45 minutes from her home in Statham to attend PlowShare meetings at Georgia Farm Bureau in Crawford each month. She said she’s hardly missed any over the past 10 years.  “It’s one of the best ways to fellowship with your community,” Buxton said.

Uranium levels add to concerns

Chloe Beaver
Thursday, September 5, 2024
 Residents continue to raise concerns over water quality issues in Oglethorpe County. As Crawford still deals with brown water, recent test results in Lexington detected uranium levels that exceed drinking water standards in one of its five city wells.
Georgia has seen record outbreaks of fallarmy worms this season. Armyworms destroy grass crops over large areas. (Cricketsblog/ For Oglethorpe Echo))

Georgia has seen record outbreaks of fallarmy worms this season. Armyworms destroy grass crops over large areas. (Cricketsblog/ For Oglethorpe Echo))

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Armyworm invasion takes toll on county

Kendall Kelly
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
 Fred Gilbert of Stephens has treated his Bermuda grass for armyworms three times this season, and he is getting ready to do it again.  “If you don’t stop what you’re doing and get right on them, they can eat up a lot of grass overnight,” Gilbert said. “You have to be prepared.