Local News

Oglethorpe County Board of Elections assistant Steve McCannon urges voters to mail their absentee ballots as soon as possible. Georgia was last in the nation in July for on-time delivery with only 63.7% of first-class mail delivered on time. (Photo/ Sarah Coyne)

Oglethorpe County Board of Elections assistant Steve McCannon urges voters to mail their absentee ballots as soon as possible. Georgia was last in the nation in July for on-time delivery with only 63.7% of first-class mail delivered on time. (Photo/ Sarah Coyne)

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Slow mail delivery could affect absentee voting

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
Election assistant Steve McCannon said he believes slow mail processing times could affect Oglethorpe County’s mail-in ballots this year. That’s because Georgia ranked worst in the nation — as of July — for on-time delivery with only 63.
Guillermo Camacho (from left), Tim Poole, Beverley Levine, Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox listen during the Oglethorpe County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. The board discussed a 67% increase in withdrawals and ways parents and the community can financially give back to the school system. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Guillermo Camacho (from left), Tim Poole, Beverley Levine, Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox listen during the Oglethorpe County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday. The board discussed a 67% increase in withdrawals and ways parents and the community can financially give back to the school system. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Residency audit a factor in increased withdrawals

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
 There was a 67% increase in withdrawals from the Oglethorpe County School System this year.  Superintendent Beverley Levine said the sharp uptick —— 144 student withdrawals this year compared with 86 in 2023 — was due in part to the residency audit conducted in third, sixth and ninth grades.

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.