Local News

Guests look over tables of auction items at the annual MOAS Bark & Wine at Historic Smithonia Farm on May 18. This year's auction featured over 100 donated items, including pieces by local artists and gift certificates for local businesses. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Guests look over tables of auction items at the annual MOAS Bark & Wine at Historic Smithonia Farm on May 18. This year's auction featured over 100 donated items, including pieces by local artists and gift certificates for local businesses. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

MOAS Bark & Wine raises $20,000

Torin Smith
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Sounds of music, dinner and laughter filled Historic Smithonia Farm at Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter’s ninth annual Bark & Wine fundraiser on Saturday. The Bark & Wine is MOAS’ largest fundraiser of the year, and it features live music, local beer and wine, a raffle and an auction.

Board to decide book's future

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Library Board of Trustees will meet at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 23 to decide what to do with a controversial book. The board’s Book Action Committee has suggested the book “All Boys Aren’t Blue” by George M.
Katie Pierce, who lives in Crawford, was selected as Oglethorpe County’s paramedic of the year at the Region 10 banquet last month. She’s been a paramedic for the past seven months. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Katie Pierce, who lives in Crawford, was selected as Oglethorpe County’s paramedic of the year at the Region 10 banquet last month. She’s been a paramedic for the past seven months. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Adrenaline rush key for Katie Pierce in EMS job

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Despite being a paramedic for only seven months at Oglethorpe County Emergency Medical Services, Katie Pierce was selected as the county’s paramedic of the year.    The accomplishment was a surprise.    “It’s amazing,” she said.   Pierce was recognized at the Region 10 banquet last month.
Grace Foland (from left), Ellen Hgay and Miley Christian show their silver medals after finishing in second in the Fashion Design category with their project called Fashion Forward. All three are sophomores at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

Grace Foland (from left), Ellen Hgay and Miley Christian show their silver medals after finishing in second in the Fashion Design category with their project called Fashion Forward. All three are sophomores at OCHS. (Submitted Photo)

FCCLA students head to nationals in Seattle

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Five Oglethorpe County High School students will head to Seattle next month to compete in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) national championship.

Backpacks searched during OCMS lockdown

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Oglethorpe County Middle School was under soft lockdown for about two hours Tuesday morning after a “possible threat” was found written on a stall in the seventh grade boys restroom.
Oglethorpe County residents George Gray (left) and Matt Chastain made a recruiting video for The American Legion’s Sons of The Legion that has been nationally distributed to other squadrons. The short lasts 2 minutes, 22 seconds. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County residents George Gray (left) and Matt Chastain made a recruiting video for The American Legion’s Sons of The Legion that has been nationally distributed to other squadrons. The short lasts 2 minutes, 22 seconds. (Submitted Photo)

Local men make nationally recognized American Legion video

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Sons of The American Legion - Matt's Story from The American Legion on Vimeo.   Two Oglethorpe County residents starred in a video produced for the Sons of The American Legion that has received national recognition.
Jef Whatley will perform his first solo concert in seven years when he plays at Oglethorpe Fresh on Saturday, May 18. Whatley moved to Oglethorpe County from Athens last August. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Jef Whatley will perform his first solo concert in seven years when he plays at Oglethorpe Fresh on Saturday, May 18. Whatley moved to Oglethorpe County from Athens last August. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Local musician Jef Whatley makes Oglethorpe debut

Torin Smith
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
After years of playing with different groups in Athens, local musician Jef Whatley will perform his first solo concert in seven years on Saturday, May 18 at Oglethorpe Fresh.    A new resident of Oglethorpe, the concert will be his first in the county.