Local News

Schools need proof of residency for students

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Oglethorpe County School System will begin conducting a regular residency audit on students this year. Students entering the third, sixth and ninth grades will need to provide proof of residency in the county before Aug.
Fireworks fill the night sky during a recent Fourth of July celebration at Bryan Park. The Oglethorpe Rec Department will hold its sixth annual celebration and fireworks display, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Fireworks fill the night sky during a recent Fourth of July celebration at Bryan Park. The Oglethorpe Rec Department will hold its sixth annual celebration and fireworks display, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sixth annual fireworks celebration set for July 4

Echo Staff
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Rec Department’s sixth annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks will be held at Bryan Park next week.  The event begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4 with vendors and food trucks, and the fireworks will start around 9 p.m.
Jason Lewis

Jason Lewis

Dual roles: Lewis remains both EMS director, coroner

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Jason Lewis will continue to fill two important roles in Oglethorpe County. Lewis, who has been director of Oglethorpe County EMS since 2016, also took over the coroner position earlier this year after James Jackson resigned to run for sheriff.
(McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

GDOT plans to improve Crawford intersection

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
The Georgia Department of Transportation is in the early stages of a project to improve the intersection at Highway 78 and North Street in downtown Crawford.  The proposed improvements will address upgrades to comply with GDOT standards and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Bill Sampson said he received tremendous support from the faculty, staff and students during his first year as principal at OCHS. He served as the assistant principal and assistant athletic director at OCHS prior to taking over as principal last summer. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Bill Sampson said he received tremendous support from the faculty, staff and students during his first year as principal at OCHS. He served as the assistant principal and assistant athletic director at OCHS prior to taking over as principal last summer. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sampson has successful start as principal

Torin Smith
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Bill Sampson said he let out a “sigh of relief” when the last of the graduates made their way across the field at Patriot Stadium on May 24.
Kim Bradford, from left, Charles Barrow, Jennifer Whitlock, Cory Crayton, Ronnie Boggs, and Craig Snow meet as the Lexington City Council at the Lexington City Hall on Thursday. The board approved the first reading of an ordinance that would provide legal accountability for not following historic preservation rules. Also attending the meeting was Jill Severn. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Kim Bradford, from left, Charles Barrow, Jennifer Whitlock, Cory Crayton, Ronnie Boggs, and Craig Snow meet as the Lexington City Council at the Lexington City Hall on Thursday. The board approved the first reading of an ordinance that would provide legal accountability for not following historic preservation rules. Also attending the meeting was Jill Severn. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington ordinance would add penalties to support preservation

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Lexington City Council approved the first reading of a historic preservation ordinance that would allow the Historic Preservation Commission to take legal action against violators within the city.
Jack Howard pictured in front of his house in Lexington, which has been owned by the Howard family since 1836. Howard was born in the house and moved back into it in 1996 following his mother's death. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jack Howard pictured in front of his house in Lexington, which has been owned by the Howard family since 1836. Howard was born in the house and moved back into it in 1996 following his mother's death. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Embracing the arts: Oglethorpe native explores passion after returning to childhood home

Jack Keys
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Members of the Howard family have lived in an antebellum home on Salem Church Road in Lexington for nearly four generations, dating back to 1836.  Now, thanks to owner Jack Howard, one of Oglethorpe County’s historic houses has a modern, artistic touch that also stretches beyond its walls.