Local News

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.

County millage rates could decrease again

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
County millage rates will decrease for a third consecutive year, pending approval from the Board of Commissioners. The rate of 5.7596 mills for properties in incorporated areas (within city limits) is down 2.313% from last year. For unincorporated areas, the rate is at 5.475 mills, down 0.743%.
Crawford Pizza, one of two restaurants in Crawford, along with G Brand BBQ, can sell alcohol by the drink after the city passed an ordinance last week. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford Pizza, one of two restaurants in Crawford, along with G Brand BBQ, can sell alcohol by the drink after the city passed an ordinance last week. (File/The Oglethorpe Echo)

City OKs alcohol ordinance

Jack Keys
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Crawford’s City Council passed a restaurant pouring license ordinance on Aug. 13 that enables restaurants within city limits to sell malt beverages and wine. This will be the first time in city history that restaurants are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages.

County: Writ costs might add up to $10K

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
The writ of mandamus filed against the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners in May cost the county $8,274.40 in legal fees, but county officials are unsure how much it incurred in court fees. The $8,274.
Sludge trucks have been a common sight along Wolfskin Road this summer, residents said, leaving them to complain about the smell. Commission chair Jay Paul said “people are becoming more and more cautious” about using sludge. (Wingate Downs/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sludge trucks have been a common sight along Wolfskin Road this summer, residents said, leaving them to complain about the smell. Commission chair Jay Paul said “people are becoming more and more cautious” about using sludge. (Wingate Downs/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

Officials look into Wolfskin sludge site

Jack Keys
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
District 4 Commissioner Will Brown is investigating the contents of sludge that was spread on a farm in his district.
Vehicles from the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to a hostage situation in Maxeys on Wednesday afternoon. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Vehicles from the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to a hostage situation in Maxeys on Wednesday afternoon. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Wife: ‘Pyschotic break’ led to standoff

Echo Staff
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Leigh Ann Dieball said her husband had a “psychotic break” and wasn’t a threat to anyone but himself during a standoff with law enforcement officials that lasted nearly five hours near Maxeys on Aug. 7.  Kane Quilliam Dieball, 33, was arrested about 6:30 p.m.
Brandon Smith drops off his son Leeland Smith at his kindergarten class at Oglethorpe County Primary School on Aug. 8. This is the final year for OCPS, which will close when the new elementary school opens in January. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Brandon Smith drops off his son Leeland Smith at his kindergarten class at Oglethorpe County Primary School on Aug. 8. This is the final year for OCPS, which will close when the new elementary school opens in January. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Schools welcome back children for new year

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
The school year is in full swing as the Oglethorpe County School System welcomed back thousands of students for their first day of school on Aug. 8. Teachers and administrators, including 21 new teachers, welcomed their students into the classrooms ready to teach.

STAND mentorship program seeks more mentors

Torin Smith
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Arnoldsville’s Leslie Jones remembers her grandmother teaching her how to draw flowers as a kid. A retired elementary school teacher and “grandmama” herself, Jones now mentors a first-grade girl as part of Students Taking a New Direction (STAND) program in the Oglethorpe County schools.

Squirrel season starts next week

Echo Staff
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Squirrel season begins in Georgia on Thursday, Aug. 15.  Both gray and fox squirrels are in season and the maximum daily bag limit is 12 per hunter. The season will end Feb. 28, 2025.