Local News

Judge assignment is next step in the writ process

The petition for mandamus filed against the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners calls for the BOC to fund and construct a dog impoundment facility, among other things. Fern Williams, an Oglethorpe County resident, filed the petition on May 17.

Proposed school budget on next week’s agenda

The Oglethorpe County School System’s proposed 2025 fiscal year budget is set to increase by more than $3.4 million from 2024. Instructional costs represent the “majority” of the rise in expenses compared to this past year’s budget, Board of Education Chair Becky Soto said.
Students, parents, teachers and administration members work together to come up with ideas on how to improve for the next school year. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Students, parents, teachers and administration members work together to come up with ideas on how to improve for the next school year. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Oglethorpe County Schools accredited through end of decade

Oglethorpe County schools received their accreditation from Cognia this spring and will be qualified until 2029. Cognia is a nationally recognized accreditation agency.
Kristina Turner, the Oglethorpe County School System’s director of nursing, said it’s a “golden opportunity” to have a school-based health center. Turner, Sara Hughes and Superintendent Beverley Levine co-wrote the school system’s grant application that resulted in the nearly million-dollar grant. (Cassidy Hettesheimer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Kristina Turner, the Oglethorpe County School System’s director of nursing, said it’s a “golden opportunity” to have a school-based health center. Turner, Sara Hughes and Superintendent Beverley Levine co-wrote the school system’s grant application that resulted in the nearly million-dollar grant. (Cassidy Hettesheimer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

School-based health center to serve students, could fill community need

Oglethorpe County High School graduate Harley Hayes had been traveling to Athens long before she was a University of Georgia student. She said she made the half-hour drive whenever she had to visit the doctor.
Marcia Connolly, who lives on Lexington-Carlton Road, is concerned about several aspects of the proposed dimension stone quarry. The vote was tabled again at Monday’s meeting. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Marcia Connolly, who lives on Lexington-Carlton Road, is concerned about several aspects of the proposed dimension stone quarry. The vote was tabled again at Monday’s meeting. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOC again tables its quarry vote

The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners again postponed a vote on the rezone request for the proposed dimension stone quarry on Lexington-Carlton Road.
Keith Hardman’s family attended the ceremony in which the flagpole at the Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department was dedicated to the former firefighter. Family members include (back row, from left) niece Ashley Escoe, niece Erin Bunch, sister Susan Robinson and nephew Josh Robinson; (front row, from left) granddaughter Caitlyn Ponder, daughter Brittany Ponder, wife Colleen and son-in-law Brian Ponder. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Keith Hardman’s family attended the ceremony in which the flagpole at the Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department was dedicated to the former firefighter. Family members include (back row, from left) niece Ashley Escoe, niece Erin Bunch, sister Susan Robinson and nephew Josh Robinson; (front row, from left) granddaughter Caitlyn Ponder, daughter Brittany Ponder, wife Colleen and son-in-law Brian Ponder. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Arnoldsville FD honors recently deceased firefighters in ceremony

Arnoldsville Fire Chief Heath Baker remembers Keith Hardman’s attention to detail when the department first thought about getting a flagpole for the fire station. A retired Navy pilot, Hardman always made sure the Stars and Stripes flew true.
Historic Smithonia Farm (clockwise from top left), Countryside Manor, the Platt Brooks Estate and the Grove at Bailey’s Farm are among the wedding venues in Oglethorpe County. The trend in rural, country and barn weddings have led to a recent increase in the number of wedding venues in the county. (Submitted Photos)

Historic Smithonia Farm (clockwise from top left), Countryside Manor, the Platt Brooks Estate and the Grove at Bailey’s Farm are among the wedding venues in Oglethorpe County. The trend in rural, country and barn weddings have led to a recent increase in the number of wedding venues in the county. (Submitted Photos)

Gettin’ hitched in the country

Wedding bells are ringing in Oglethorpe County.  Venue options have increased in the county as more couples seek rural and barn weddings, according to a 2023 global wedding report.
Chandler has kept the car in working condition by using "basic knowledge", like keeping it sheltered from outdoor conditions. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Chandler has kept the car in working condition by using "basic knowledge", like keeping it sheltered from outdoor conditions. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Donald Chandler’s 1971 Pinto shines during parade

Donald Chandler was faced with a daily commute from Athens to Lawrenceville and rising gas prices in 1973. So he traded in his 1970 Ford LTD and bought a Ford Pinto Runabout for $3,466.59.

Senior Center has Meals on Wheels

The Senior Center will provide Meals on Wheels (home-delivered meals) to residents who meet the qualifications and are in need of food assistance.  For more information, call the Senior Center at 706-743-8848 or email seniorcenter@oglethorpecountyga.gov.

Commercial Bank hires Brubaker

The Commercial Bank has hired Oglethorpe County native Dan Brubaker as a lender in its Crawford branch.  Brubaker serves as the vice president of the Oglethorpe County Farm Bureau, is a member of Comer Baptist Church and owns and operates DLB Farms, a poultry, cattle and hay farm.