Local News

Fred Gretsch, who opened G Brand BBQ in Crawford in 2018, has opened a second location in Watkinsville. He said he wants to make sure that restaurant is stable before future expansion. (Sarah White/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Fred Gretsch, who opened G Brand BBQ in Crawford in 2018, has opened a second location in Watkinsville. He said he wants to make sure that restaurant is stable before future expansion. (Sarah White/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Gretsch opens G Brand location in Watkinsville

Jack Keys
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
G Brand BBQ’s success has led to a second location.  Owner Fred Gretsch opened another restaurant on Hog Mountain Road in Watkinsville in March, joining the original in Crawford, which opened in 2018. “It did immeasurably more than I could have ever thought,” he said. “It’s just been a blessing.
Jeff Welch, longtime educator and former superintendent of Oglethorpe County School System, is the new president of the Oglethorpe County Rotary Club. Recruitment will be a focus in Welch’s year in office. (Wyatt Meyer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jeff Welch, longtime educator and former superintendent of Oglethorpe County School System, is the new president of the Oglethorpe County Rotary Club. Recruitment will be a focus in Welch’s year in office. (Wyatt Meyer/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Welch to focus on growth as Rotary president

Wyatt Meyer
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Jeff Welch is the Oglethorpe County Rotary Club’s new president, but he is anything but new to Oglethorpe County.
Cody Gibbs, assistant chief of the Beaverdam VFD, said the decision to leave Oglethorpe Consolidated Fire and Rescue won’t impact the automatic aid agreements the station has with surrounding stations. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Cody Gibbs, assistant chief of the Beaverdam VFD, said the decision to leave Oglethorpe Consolidated Fire and Rescue won’t impact the automatic aid agreements the station has with surrounding stations. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Beaverdam makes move to lower ISO

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
 The Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department will go independent, likely later this month, with the aim of reducing homeowner insurance costs in the area. Beaverdam leadership notified Oglethorpe Consolidated Fire and Rescue of its plan to separate from the then-six-station alliance in June.
Heather Pillsbury, Crawford resident and mother of two, writes songs as a way to deal with her “deep feelings.” After teaching music for the past 10 years, Pillsbury has decided to pursue music full time. (Submitted Photo)

Heather Pillsbury, Crawford resident and mother of two, writes songs as a way to deal with her “deep feelings.” After teaching music for the past 10 years, Pillsbury has decided to pursue music full time. (Submitted Photo)

Crawford singer/songwriter expresses faith, thoughts through her songs

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
 Songwriting has been an escape for Heather Pillsbury. She hopes that her music can be an escape for listeners as well.
Sandra Sheridan (from left), Brenda Butler, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance, Mayor Seavy O’Neal, city attorney Mike Childs, Kathy Little, Carol McGrath and Johnny Shedd discuss topics at the Crawford City Council meeting on Tuesday night. The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow restaurants with the license to serve malt beverages and wine. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sandra Sheridan (from left), Brenda Butler, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance, Mayor Seavy O’Neal, city attorney Mike Childs, Kathy Little, Carol McGrath and Johnny Shedd discuss topics at the Crawford City Council meeting on Tuesday night. The city council approved the first reading of an ordinance that would allow restaurants with the license to serve malt beverages and wine. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford alcohol license gets first approval

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
Crawford’s City Council approved the first reading of the restaurant pouring license ordinance at its monthly meeting on Tuesday.  The council will host another public hearing at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, before its monthly meeting. It will become an ordinance if approved.
The fireworks show started at dusk and provided spectacular views over the lake at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department’s Bryan Park. The Oglethorpe County Community Day and Family Movie Night will be held at the park at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The fireworks show started at dusk and provided spectacular views over the lake at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department’s Bryan Park. The Oglethorpe County Community Day and Family Movie Night will be held at the park at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Fourth of July celebration has record numbers

Torin Smith
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
    Families, vendors and plenty of familiar faces gathered around the rec football field at Bryan Park at the Oglethorpe County Rec Department’s biggest Fourth of July celebration yet. Vendors’ tents and trucks surrounded the perimeter of the field last Thursday.

OCHS senior hopes to honor hidden heroes

Sarah Coyne
Thursday, July 4, 2024
When faced with the realization that many people go unrecognized, Abby Horton decided that the hidden heroes of Oglethorpe County deserve recognition. That thought came when she attended the strategic planning meeting for Oglethorpe County School System in May.
The entrance of JB's Farm in Arnoldsville where sludge has been spread since late May, according to neighbors. Its smell has prompted neighbors to make official complaints to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, but no action has been taken. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The entrance of JB's Farm in Arnoldsville where sludge has been spread since late May, according to neighbors. Its smell has prompted neighbors to make official complaints to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, but no action has been taken. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sludge concerns hit Lake Oglethorpe area

Jack Keys
Thursday, July 4, 2024
“Awful” and “intolerable” are words used by residents in the Lake Oglethorpe area to describe the smell of sludge being dumped at a nearby farm. Neighbors said the sludge, also called soil amendments, has been delivered to a farm on Wolfskin Road for “weeks” now.

Heat, lack of rain hit county hard

McCain Bracewell
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Ben Brubaker, a row crop farmer on Comer Road, said this summer’s prolonged heat and drought have substantially impacted his day-to-day operations.  “We’ve been having to run irrigation pretty much around the clock to just try to stay ahead of the heat and lack of rain,” he said.
Mercee Nimmons, 8, is recovering from several injuries that required her being airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta on June 26. The community has come together to help support the family, which lives in Lexington. (Submitted Photo)

Mercee Nimmons, 8, is recovering from several injuries that required her being airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta on June 26. The community has come together to help support the family, which lives in Lexington. (Submitted Photo)

Community comes together to support Nimmons family

McCain Bracewell
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Heather Nimmons had just dropped her youngest daughter off at a friend’s house a couple of miles from home when she received a call telling her to turn around and come back.  Her daughter was in an accident that led her to be airlifted to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia in Augusta.