Local News

MOAS faces closure as funds dwindle

Sarah Nanos
Friday, July 31, 2026
The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter is facing potential closure as operational costs continue to rise. MOAS officials, in a release emailed this week, state that the shelter faces mounting expenses because costs for essential medical supplies have increased by 40%.
Hazel Sanders sits in her hair styling chair at her Lexington salon, called Hazel’s Hair Salon, in December, 2022. She styled hair for about eight years in there and another six in Crawford. (Nimra Ahmad/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hazel Sanders sits in her hair styling chair at her Lexington salon, called Hazel’s Hair Salon, in December, 2022. She styled hair for about eight years in there and another six in Crawford. (Nimra Ahmad/The Oglethorpe Echo)

LOCAL ROUNDUP: Sanders, beloved longtime Lexington hairstylist, dies

News Staff
Friday, July 31, 2026
Hazel Sanders, the well-known owner of Hazel’s Hair Salon, in downtown Lexington, died Monday morning, her daughter Vickie Sanders confirmed.
Arnoldsville City Council members Joyce Sniff (from left), Blake Arnold and Joel Kriner, and Mayor Danny Morcom (right) discuss water problems and other issues at its meeting on July 16. The city announced a mandatory restriction on outdoor water usage this month. (Jessie Isaacs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Arnoldsville City Council members Joyce Sniff (from left), Blake Arnold and Joel Kriner, and Mayor Danny Morcom (right) discuss water problems and other issues at its meeting on July 16. The city announced a mandatory restriction on outdoor water usage this month. (Jessie Isaacs/The Oglethorpe Echo)

CITY ROUNDUP: Arnoldsville faces water shortage after multiple well issues

Jessie Isaacs
Friday, July 31, 2026
Arnoldsville water superintendent Adam Boswell said it was a “rough month” of infrastructure failures, as the city is navigating a water crisis that has left storage tanks low.
The Pitts family has sold the former Lexington Antique Mall building. Ben Pitts had said he wanted to open a restaurant there. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Pitts family has sold the former Lexington Antique Mall building. Ben Pitts had said he wanted to open a restaurant there. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BUSINESS ROUNDUP: Community Cigar owner renovating warehouse for leasing

Sarah Nanos
Friday, July 31, 2026
Glynn Segars, who owns Community Cigar in downtown Lexington, is renovating the warehouse behind his store in order to lease it. The warehouse is being used as storage for various items, including 11 vats from Jekyll Brewing, which closed all five of its locations last year.

Booster club board ready to build on experience

Ethan Greene
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
The Oglethorpe County volleyball team won its first state championship last year, giving the school its first title since 2022. Months later, each player received a gold, gem-studded ring topped with the school’s logo and the team’s 32–8 record, and their jersey number on the sides.
Workers look to repair the gas leak on North Woodlawn Drive in Crawford on June 30 that county officials said was caused by a Kinetic crew. A Kinetic spokesman said utility companies had failed to mark the gas service line. (Submitted Photo)

Workers look to repair the gas leak on North Woodlawn Drive in Crawford on June 30 that county officials said was caused by a Kinetic crew. A Kinetic spokesman said utility companies had failed to mark the gas service line. (Submitted Photo)

County, Crawford officials unhappy with broadband subcontractors

Lexie Shadix
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Subcontractors for Kinetic (formerly Windstream), one of the county’s broadband service providers, hit a high-pressure natural gas line on North Woodlawn Drive, causing a natural gas leak near downtown Crawford on June 30.  No injuries were reported, but residents were forced to evacuate the area.
Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo

Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo

Fire departments still work as one

Lexie Shadix
Friday, July 24, 2026
Ethan Thaxton, the deputy chief at Salem Fire and Rescue, recently joined the roster of Crawford Volunteer Fire Department. While Thaxton lives near one of Salem’s stations, he works in Crawford, leading him to offer support to its team.

Powell to earn $170,000 a year

Ellie English
Thursday, July 23, 2026
New Oglethorpe County Superintendent Phillip Powell will earn an annual salary of  $170,000 under the terms of his contract, which was official on July 1.
Phillip Powell’s desk at the central office is filled with paperwork as he continues to assimilate to his new position as superintendent of the Oglethorpe County School System. Powell replaced Beverley Levine, who retired. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Phillip Powell’s desk at the central office is filled with paperwork as he continues to assimilate to his new position as superintendent of the Oglethorpe County School System. Powell replaced Beverley Levine, who retired. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Powell places emphasis on trust, relationships

Jasmine Milbourne
Thursday, July 23, 2026
When Phillip Powell was principal of Commerce Middle School, the students could choose a task for him if they performed well on the Georgia Milestones.  Some were outlandish. One time, he agreed to sumo wrestle the assistant principal. Another time, he had to eat dead tarantulas.
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved multiple policy updates Tuesday, including changes to employee leave, student device use and suicide prevention training, ahead of the upcoming school year. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved multiple policy updates Tuesday, including changes to employee leave, student device use and suicide prevention training, ahead of the upcoming school year. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE approves policies to be in line with state

Ellie English
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education unanimously approved several policy updates Tuesday night, including changes to employee leave and electronic device use to align with the new state requirements ahead of the school year.