Local News

The Oglethorpe County School System hired 22 new employees for various positions. They recently attended the new employee orientation in advance of the first day of school, which is Thursday, Aug. 8. (Submitted Photo)

The Oglethorpe County School System hired 22 new employees for various positions. They recently attended the new employee orientation in advance of the first day of school, which is Thursday, Aug. 8. (Submitted Photo)

Students’ proof of residency an issue heading into school year

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Oglethorpe County students are at risk of not being able to receive their homeroom assignments and schedule if their residency forms aren’t completed by Aug. 5.

No one hurt in house fire in Colbert

Echo Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
A house on Mitchell Farm Road in Colbert was damaged by a fire on Saturday.  No one was home at the time of the blaze, but two pets died in the fire, county officials said.
Braelee Roberts (left) and her grandmother Judy Hicks look for a new book during the annual Community Day at Bryan Park last August. The annual Community Day will start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. (Landen Todd/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Braelee Roberts (left) and her grandmother Judy Hicks look for a new book during the annual Community Day at Bryan Park last August. The annual Community Day will start at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. (Landen Todd/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Community Day helps mark end of summer, start of school year

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Students can have one last celebration before heading back to school at the annual Oglethorpe County Community Day, which will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department.

Sheriff wants to stay the course

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Sheriff David Gabriel said he plans to continue the momentum he’s built heading into his third term. “A lot of it is just maintaining what we’ve gained,” he said. “We’ve done a good job really changing things and reducing crime and reducing fatalities and accidents.
The parking lot of the Golden Pantry in Lexington was closed off Monday as workers evaluated the damage caused when lightning hit the store on Friday, July 19. The store reopened Wednesday morning. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The parking lot of the Golden Pantry in Lexington was closed off Monday as workers evaluated the damage caused when lightning hit the store on Friday, July 19. The store reopened Wednesday morning. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Golden Pantry reopens after lightning strike

Echo Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
The Golden Pantry in Lexington reopened Wednesday after a lightning strike caused electrical damage to the store. Marketing director Katie Morris stated in an email that lightning hit the building on Friday, July 19.
Oglethorpe native Emily Williams is the newest Madison and Oglethorpe County Extension Agent for UGA Family and Consumer Sciences. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe native Emily Williams is the newest Madison and Oglethorpe County Extension Agent for UGA Family and Consumer Sciences. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Williams brings her passion and teaching experience to extension

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Emily Williams hopes to bring knowledge from her education background in her new role as the UGA Family and Consumer Sciences extension agent for Madison and Oglethorpe counties. She taught for nine years, including her most recent job as an OCHS food science teacher and FCCLA adviser.
Senior, Rylie Campbell (Right) participates in his first marching band season. “I really like being around other people and making new friends,” said Campbell. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Senior, Rylie Campbell (Right) participates in his first marching band season. “I really like being around other people and making new friends,” said Campbell. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Camp isn’t a drag for OCHS marching band

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Members of the Oglethorpe County High School marching band have been working on this year’s show at a two-week camp at the school.  Nine hours a day, band members have been learning basic techniques and going through conditioning to prepare for the upcoming season.
This dog was one of two that were visible at the abandoned Benton Road residence on Monday afternoon. Neighbors say anywhere from 2-20 dogs are loose on the property in the absence of the owner. (Zeke Palermo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

This dog was one of two that were visible at the abandoned Benton Road residence on Monday afternoon. Neighbors say anywhere from 2-20 dogs are loose on the property in the absence of the owner. (Zeke Palermo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Abandoned dogs at Carlton property worry neighbors

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Neighbors are concerned about a number of dogs roaming free at a vacant residence on Benton Road in Carlton. They say the property, a 1.
Oglethorpe County Library branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe has worked with her staff to sponsor programs and events for children and adults this summer. Ratcliffe has been the branch manager since June 2023. (Wyatt Meyer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County Library branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe has worked with her staff to sponsor programs and events for children and adults this summer. Ratcliffe has been the branch manager since June 2023. (Wyatt Meyer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Library has busy summer

Wyatt Meyer
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Katherine Ratcliffe knows all about the impact a library’s reading program can have on a child.  “I really credit a summer reading program with changing everything for me,” she said.