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From left, Morgan Robinson, Sam Nash, JF Hansford, Jimmy Shealy and Chair Janet Hill, who joined by Zoom, attend the Feb. 12 zoning board meeting. At the end of the table is Jeff Sharp, director of planning, zoning and compliance. Teresa Campbell, planning assistant and permitting administrator, sits at the desk on the far left taking meeting minutes. One of the approved items by the board was a variance to acreage rules requested by William Cunningham. (Photo Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

From left, Morgan Robinson, Sam Nash, JF Hansford, Jimmy Shealy and Chair Janet Hill, who joined by Zoom, attend the Feb. 12 zoning board meeting. At the end of the table is Jeff Sharp, director of planning, zoning and compliance. Teresa Campbell, planning assistant and permitting administrator, sits at the desk on the far left taking meeting minutes. One of the approved items by the board was a variance to acreage rules requested by William Cunningham. (Photo Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Zoning Board denies paving variance

Emilie Sullivan
Thursday, February 19, 2026
The Oglethorpe County Zoning Board reinforced the county’s continued push to enforce development requirements at its monthly meeting on Feb. 12.  The board denied a request to waive a paving requirement for a private access drive, required by a previously approved rezoning.
Monica Kaufman Pearson speaks to the congregation during the inaugural Black History Collaborative at Thankful Baptist Church in Stephens on Sunday. Kaufman Pearson was a groundbreaking news anchor in Atlanta. (Photo/ Mia Tanner)

Monica Kaufman Pearson speaks to the congregation during the inaugural Black History Collaborative at Thankful Baptist Church in Stephens on Sunday. Kaufman Pearson was a groundbreaking news anchor in Atlanta. (Photo/ Mia Tanner)

Event brings together ‘faith, fellowship, shared heritage’

Mia Tanner
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Monica Kaufman Pearson, the first woman and African American to anchor the daily evening news in Atlanta, spoke to about 100 people on Sunday at the inaugural Black History Collaborative, a faith-centered celebration honoring African American heritage, achievement and unity.
Landon Howard (from left) Cole Faust, Caden Berggren and Ledger Coley compete in the agriculture mechanics event at the FFA Area 2 CDEs on Feb. 10. They finished in second and advanced to the state competition on March 20. (DAKOTA MEEKS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Landon Howard (from left) Cole Faust, Caden Berggren and Ledger Coley compete in the agriculture mechanics event at the FFA Area 2 CDEs on Feb. 10. They finished in second and advanced to the state competition on March 20. (DAKOTA MEEKS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Dellinger, other OCHS students shine in FFA

Dakota Meeks
Thursday, February 19, 2026
For OCHS senior Andee Dellinger, middle school FFA is where she discovered that her future would be grounded in teaching agriculture.

Soto won't seek another term on BOE

Jessie Isaacs
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Becky Soto said she will not seek reelection to the Oglethorpe County Board of Education when her term ends in December.  After 12 years on the BOE and a decade as chair, Soto said she has been contemplating the decision for about a year.
Twona Price (left), Chase Watkins, Marquita Arnold Freeman, Kayden Watkins, Debbie Watkins and Randy Watkins pose for a photo at the rotary club on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Kayden was named star student of the year. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

Twona Price (left), Chase Watkins, Marquita Arnold Freeman, Kayden Watkins, Debbie Watkins and Randy Watkins pose for a photo at the rotary club on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Kayden was named star student of the year. (Photo/Jasmine Milbourne)

OCHS STAR student is Watkins’ latest accolade

Jasmine Milbourne
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School science teacher Jennifer Yauck said what senior Kayden Watkins has accomplished is remarkable.  “He's followed a path of excellence ever since I have known him,” Yauck said, “and that is amazing.
Jo Harrison transfers completed cupcake batter into a bowl for the CAYA House annual Valentine's Day fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Lexington, Georgia. Every year, Harrison has returned to help her daughter, Jill Kort, bake cupcakes. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Jo Harrison transfers completed cupcake batter into a bowl for the CAYA House annual Valentine's Day fundraiser on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, in Lexington, Georgia. Every year, Harrison has returned to help her daughter, Jill Kort, bake cupcakes. (Photo/Sydney Shankman)

Teamwork key for red velvet success

Sean King and Sydney Shankman
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
When lifelong friends Jill Kort and Becky Soto started the Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cupcake Fundraiser, Kort said she had no idea it would have such lasting success.

Sykes found guilty; released on $25,000 bond before sentencing

Sarah Owens
Thursday, February 12, 2026
An Oglethorpe County woman convicted of attempting to kill her teenage son by slitting his throat in 2021 was released on a $25,000 bond on Feb. 5, the same day the jury returned a guilty verdict. It was an uncommon move in a violent felony case, Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney D.

Peach Express armed robbery suspect arrested

Sarah Owens
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Deputies with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office arrested Kendrick Tyree Walter on Feb. 5 and charged him with armed robbery for an incident at the Peach Express in Crawford last month. Walter, 32, of Lexington, is accused of entering the gas station on Dec.
Malcolm Mitchell, author and former NFL athlete, teaches students about the power of reading at OCES, on Feb. 4, 2026. “I learned that reading was like magic,” Mitchell said. (CHARLOTTE COCHRAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Malcolm Mitchell, author and former NFL athlete, teaches students about the power of reading at OCES, on Feb. 4, 2026. “I learned that reading was like magic,” Mitchell said. (CHARLOTTE COCHRAN/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

OCES students pack gym to read along with Mitchell

Charlotte Cochran
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Former UGA and NFL receiver Malcolm Mitchell began the Reading Rally at Oglethorpe County Elementary School with pregame stretches. But the tone quickly shifted when he shared his own story.
Arts! Oglethorpe vice president Bly Hartley (left) and performer Renee Evans rehearse a scene for "Almost, Maine" at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Feb. 5. Arts! Oglethorpe will perform the play on Feb. 20-21 at the Historic Crawford School. (Photo/Addison Simmons)

Arts! Oglethorpe vice president Bly Hartley (left) and performer Renee Evans rehearse a scene for "Almost, Maine" at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Feb. 5. Arts! Oglethorpe will perform the play on Feb. 20-21 at the Historic Crawford School. (Photo/Addison Simmons)

Arts! Oglethorpe brings stories to stage with ‘Almost, Maine’

Addison Simmons
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Arts! Oglethorpe will take its Historic Crawford School audience on a journey north — to a small town near the Canadian border for a night full of hope, disappointment, joy and heartbreak.  Following its 30th season, members of Arts!