Local News

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.

New faces on councils in Crawford, Arnoldsville

Echo Staff
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
The Crawford and Arnoldsville city councils have undergone change. In Crawford, Carol McGrath has replaced Diane Brewer, who resigned in May.  McGrath, who has attended the past two meetings, joined Brenda Butler, Kathy Little, Johnny Shedd and Sandra Sheridan on the council.
A&B Emporium co-owner, Bret Williamson, stands at the front of the store. Alice Williamson said they plan to retire and have sold the space to Blake Arnold. (Grace Mains/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A&B Emporium co-owner, Bret Williamson, stands at the front of the store. Alice Williamson said they plan to retire and have sold the space to Blake Arnold. (Grace Mains/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A&B Emporium closes doors

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Alice and Bret Williamson look forward to visiting their grandchildren and taking more cruises with their newfound time. The Williamsons, who live in Lexington, are closing A&B Emporium in downtown Crawford on Thursday, July 18.  “My husband’s health is not the best,” Alice said.

Nimmons says ‘prayers’ help daughter’s recovery

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Heather Nimmons said her daughter Mercee Nimmons is doing well two weeks after returning home from the Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta.  Mercee even made it out to see fireworks on the Fourth of July. “The doctor told us, I don’t know how she was healing as well as she is,” Heather said.
Trey Miller (right) speaks to four players in his Dungeons & Dragons game held at the Oglethorpe County Library. The library will hold its final D&D session of the summer at 11 a.m. on July 20. Also pictured, from left: Jayla Andrews, Pam Mitchell and John Lombardi. (Zeke Palermo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Trey Miller (right) speaks to four players in his Dungeons & Dragons game held at the Oglethorpe County Library. The library will hold its final D&D session of the summer at 11 a.m. on July 20. Also pictured, from left: Jayla Andrews, Pam Mitchell and John Lombardi. (Zeke Palermo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Dungeons & Dragons players gather at library for games

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
A ragtag team of adventurers from across the Forgotten Realms defeated three gelatinous cubes aboard Captain Gill’s pirate ship before it was shattered by a kraken.

BOE sets 24.5% increase for out-of-district students

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
  Students who live outside Oglethorpe County must pay $3,374 to attend Oglethorpe County schools during the 2024-25 school year. This amount, a 24.5% increase from last year’s rate, was made official at the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.
Spencer Sato and Paul Thiel look at the unfinished gymnasium in the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School. Thiel said the project is on-time and on-budget. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Spencer Sato and Paul Thiel look at the unfinished gymnasium in the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School. Thiel said the project is on-time and on-budget. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New school moves ahead on schedule

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Paul Thiel estimates that 65-70% of construction in phase 1 for the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School is complete.  Thiel, the school system’s director of operations, said the project is on schedule for Dec. 4 and on budget for $41.5 million.
Volunteer Delsia Summerall (left) and Amanda York, the home delivery meals coordinator visit their first house on a recent Tuesday. The Oglethorpe County Senior Center delivers meals to residents throughout the county Monday through Wednesday every week. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Volunteer Delsia Summerall (left) and Amanda York, the home delivery meals coordinator visit their first house on a recent Tuesday. The Oglethorpe County Senior Center delivers meals to residents throughout the county Monday through Wednesday every week. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Meals on wheels: senior center makes special deliveries

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Amanda York and Oglethorpe County Senior Center volunteers filled their van with meals and goodies on a recent Tuesday. They drove off with a plan to drop off meals to residents ages 60 and up all across the county.