Local News

Amy Delfin-Torres can't contain her excitement during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Town and Country Kafe on March 2. About 50-60 customers and staff joined owners Josh Robayo, Amy Delfin-Torres and Willie Torres outside to participate in the ceremony, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Torres took a second to thank those in attendance. "Without you, there's nothing," he said. (Sarah Myers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Amy Delfin-Torres can't contain her excitement during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Town and Country Kafe on March 2. About 50-60 customers and staff joined owners Josh Robayo, Amy Delfin-Torres and Willie Torres outside to participate in the ceremony, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Torres took a second to thank those in attendance. "Without you, there's nothing," he said. (Sarah Myers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Town and Country Kafe Grand Opening

Sarah Myers
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Town and Country Kafe, a Spanish-inspired cafe and restaurant in Crawford, had its grand opening Saturday, after delaying its opening last November due to building renovations.    The Chamber of Commerce board members hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the restaurant’s opening.

Sintyl to run against Saxon in District 2

Echo Staff
Friday, March 1, 2024
Williamson Sintyl said he’ll run against incumbent Andy Saxon for the District 2 seat on the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.   Sintyl, 30 and a native of Haiti, was selected as the chairman of the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce last month.
Oglethorpe County EMS Director Jason Lewis assists OCHS students Sarah Noltensmeier (left) and McKenna Wells (right) as they work through stations, each focusing on a different area. Other stations include bleeding control techniques, spinal immobilizations, airway management and patient assessment.

Oglethorpe County EMS Director Jason Lewis assists OCHS students Sarah Noltensmeier (left) and McKenna Wells (right) as they work through stations, each focusing on a different area. Other stations include bleeding control techniques, spinal immobilizations, airway management and patient assessment.

In a rush to help

Kayla Lopez
Friday, March 1, 2024
The interruption of the tone at the Oglethorpe County EMS station signals a sudden stillness. When the familiar address of an EMT’s family comes across the radio paging system, the mood shifts from routine to heart-pounding.
The Crawford City Council is scheduled to vote on a beer and wine license for Crawford Pizza in March. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Crawford City Council is scheduled to vote on a beer and wine license for Crawford Pizza in March. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford Pizza seeks beer, wine license

Jordan Howard
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Crawford Pizza is seeking a beer and wine license, which will be voted on at the March city council meeting, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance said.    In other Crawford news: The council discussed the invoice for the sewer cleanup as the one item of new business.
The student employees of Patriot Perk include (from left) Lucas Stanley, Kayla McCommons, Hunter Long, Xavian Smith, Khalic Hardy, Dallas Miller, Kayla Bass and Trevor Roberts. They serve coffee to the faculty and staff at Oglethorpe County High School. (Ellie Pool/Oglethorpe Echo)

The student employees of Patriot Perk include (from left) Lucas Stanley, Kayla McCommons, Hunter Long, Xavian Smith, Khalic Hardy, Dallas Miller, Kayla Bass and Trevor Roberts. They serve coffee to the faculty and staff at Oglethorpe County High School. (Ellie Pool/Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriot Perk serves coffee, life lessons for OCHS students

Ellie Pool
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Staff at Oglethorpe County High School can get freshly brewed coffee delivered to them every morning by students in the life skills class, who run a coffee shop called Patriot Perk.   The students also provide sweet treats on Fridays, but the impact of the program is beyond the food and drink.
Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter Grants Coordinator Shaina Knight (left) and Shelter Director Erica Hendrix (right) standing in front of the trailer the shelter will operate the free vaccine clinic out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project and is sponsored by the Banfield Foundation and MOAS Pets. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter Grants Coordinator Shaina Knight (left) and Shelter Director Erica Hendrix (right) standing in front of the trailer the shelter will operate the free vaccine clinic out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project and is sponsored by the Banfield Foundation and MOAS Pets. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Grant provides funds for MOAS’ free vaccination clinic

Lee Short
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Up to 1,000 Oglethorpe County pets will receive free vaccines in Meson Park on Saturday through the MOAS Underserved Animal Project, which is focusing on the county due to its higher poverty rate and size.

News Roundup: MOAS to hold free clinic in Lexington

News Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter has received a grant to provide free vaccinations for 1,000 pets whose owners are in need of financial assistance in Oglethorpe County.   Vaccinations will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Nathan Wilson poses on a bench outside of Oglethorpe County High School on Jan. 31, 2024. Nathan Wilson was chosen as a finalist for the 2024 Questbridge scholarship. (Photo/Jim Bass)

Nathan Wilson poses on a bench outside of Oglethorpe County High School on Jan. 31, 2024. Nathan Wilson was chosen as a finalist for the 2024 Questbridge scholarship. (Photo/Jim Bass)

OCHS senior Nathan Wilson gets boost from scholarship program, awaits MIT decision

Jim Bass
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Nathan Wilson thought he’d attend Kennesaw State until he discovered the non-profit program QuestBridge at a chance encounter at an open house in August.    In October, Wilson was selected as a finalist for its National College Match Scholarship.
(Submitted Photo)

(Submitted Photo)

Deputies find 111 pounds of meth in car

News Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel said Tuesday his office continues to investigate the drug bust that led to the seizure of 111 pounds of crystal meth during a traffic stop last week.