Local News

James Bennett stands at the door of a historic log cabin his team is deconstructing. Lucas Stephens stands in the background. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

James Bennett stands at the door of a historic log cabin his team is deconstructing. Lucas Stephens stands in the background. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Saving history, a log at a time

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
James Bennett’s latest project started with the deconstruction of an abandoned house from the mid-1800s on private property in the Sandy Cross area. Then he discovered an even older structure hidden in the woods right behind it.
Children enjoy Salem Baptist Church’s bounce house slide, an annual favorite at Community Day. The event was moved to OCMS, which might become a permanent home. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Children enjoy Salem Baptist Church’s bounce house slide, an annual favorite at Community Day. The event was moved to OCMS, which might become a permanent home. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Community Day might find new home after switch

Torin Smith
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
A last-minute venue change could alter a 22-year tradition in Oglethorpe County.

Schools benefit from $2.79 million in grants

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education was awarded a total of $2.79 million in grants during the 2023-24 fiscal year, in large part, thanks to the efforts of Sara Hughes, who was the director of federal programs/grant writing at that time.

Partnership to pay for paving job

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to give Lexington up to $25,000 to help repave the area around the Oglethorpe County Courthouse in its monthly meeting on Monday night.
Vehicles from the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to standoff in Maxeys on Wednesday afternoon. An unspecified number of people left the house before the man was arrested, the Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Vehicles from the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to standoff in Maxeys on Wednesday afternoon. An unspecified number of people left the house before the man was arrested, the Sheriff’s Office posted on its Facebook page. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Man arrested to end standoff in Maxeys

Echo Staff
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
A man was arrested about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to end a standoff at a house on Poplar Creek Road in Maxeys. An unspecified number of people left the house before he was arrested.
Naturalist Sarah Ratcliffe guides park visitors under Watson Mill Bridge, one of 16 remaining covered bridges in Georgia. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Naturalist Sarah Ratcliffe guides park visitors under Watson Mill Bridge, one of 16 remaining covered bridges in Georgia. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Watson Mill more than just a bridge

Jack Keys
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Summer programming is in full swing at Watson Mill Bridge State Park. From outdoor art classes to night hikes in search of nocturnal critters, naturalist Sarah Ratcliffe has been in charge of formatting a summer schedule for many ages.
Elizabeth Palmer (second from left) receives a trophy for being the valedictorian of the OCHS Class of 2022. She’s shown with salutatorian Myles Oliver (from left), former OCHS Principal Susie Johnson and honorarian Ella Mason. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Elizabeth Palmer (second from left) receives a trophy for being the valedictorian of the OCHS Class of 2022. She’s shown with salutatorian Myles Oliver (from left), former OCHS Principal Susie Johnson and honorarian Ella Mason. (Jack Casey/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS is Georgia Tech pipeline

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Oglethorpe County High School is on a streak of academic excellence.  Not only did its graduation rate increase from 94.2% in 2022 to 95.8% for 2023, but five recent OCHS graduates — one from each of the past five classes — are students at Georgia Tech.
This is one of the seven dogs rescued from the area surrounding an abandoned mobile home on Sunday. The dogs were taken to the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, where they are available for adoption. (Submitted Photo)

This is one of the seven dogs rescued from the area surrounding an abandoned mobile home on Sunday. The dogs were taken to the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter, where they are available for adoption. (Submitted Photo)

Dogs caught, available for adoption at MOAS

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Seven dogs are available for adoption at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter after being rescued from the area surrounding an abandoned mobile home on Benton Road in Carlton.
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.