Local News

Michael Doke, who lives in Sandy Cross, is a member of the Rick Fowler Band. He plays acoustic sets on Deadwood guitars, which are made by the Lexington company. (Submitted Photo)

Michael Doke, who lives in Sandy Cross, is a member of the Rick Fowler Band. He plays acoustic sets on Deadwood guitars, which are made by the Lexington company. (Submitted Photo)

Band to play Deadwood guitars in Lexington acoustic concert

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
The Rick Fowler Band will have a special sound for its concert at Meson Park on Saturday night. Band member Michael Doke, who lives in Sandy Cross, said the band will play an acoustic set on guitars made by Deadwood Guitars, the Lexington-based company owned by Jason Booth.
The Oglethorpe County Library Board of Trustees and guests discuss the controversial book "All Boys Aren't Blue" on May 23. The trustees voted 6-0 to move the book from the young adult to adult section of the library. (Zeke Palermo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe County Library Board of Trustees and guests discuss the controversial book "All Boys Aren't Blue" on May 23. The trustees voted 6-0 to move the book from the young adult to adult section of the library. (Zeke Palermo/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Board votes to relocate controversial book to adult section

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
The controversial book — “All Boys Aren’t Blue” — will be moved to the adult section of the Oglethorpe County Library. The library’s board of trustees voted 7-0 with two abstentions to accept the recommendation of the Book Action Committee to move the book.
Confetti fills the sky as Oglethorpe County High School graduates of the Class of 2024 celebrate and embrace following the conclusion of the ceremony on May 24. There were 154 graduates in this year’s class. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Confetti fills the sky as Oglethorpe County High School graduates of the Class of 2024 celebrate and embrace following the conclusion of the ceremony on May 24. There were 154 graduates in this year’s class. (Torin Smith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS grads take center stage

Torin Smith
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Family, friends and alumni filled Patriot Stadium on May 24 to watch the graduates of the Oglethorpe County High School’s class of 2024 receive their diplomas and move on to the next chapter of their lives.

News roundup: Gray Wolf to hold talk about quarry

Echo Staff
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Geological engineer Benjamin Black and representatives from Gray Wolf Quarries LLC will hold a discussion about the proposed dimension stone quarry on Lexington-Carlton Road from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 23 at Town and Country Kafe.
Maxeys was added to the National Register of Historical Places. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Maxeys was added to the National Register of Historical Places. (Sarah Coyne/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Maxeys adds historical marker downtown

Sarah Coyne
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Maxeys unveiled its historical marker on May 18. The Maxeys Historic Interest Group partnered with the Northeast Regional Commission to have the city added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Declining turkey population results in lower harvest

Declining turkey population results in lower harvest

Declining turkey population results in lower harvest

Jack Keys
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Eighty-seven turkeys were harvested in Oglethorpe County this spring, the lowest number since the Georgia Department of Natural Resources began publishing county-specific statistics in 2016. Georgia’s annual spring turkey hunting season began March 30 on private land and April 6 on public land.
Board of Education chair Becky Soto (from left), superintendent Beverley Levine, administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock, vice chair Tim Poole and board member Susan Robinson discuss a proposed Board of Education Code of Ethics. An official motion to approve the code, along with six other "new business" proposals, is scheduled for June 11. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Board of Education chair Becky Soto (from left), superintendent Beverley Levine, administrative assistant Sue Ann Blalock, vice chair Tim Poole and board member Susan Robinson discuss a proposed Board of Education Code of Ethics. An official motion to approve the code, along with six other "new business" proposals, is scheduled for June 11. (Jack Keys/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE discusses expanded breaks for students

Jack Keys
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education will look to approve a 2025-26 schedule that includes a full week off for students in October and Thanksgiving break, without distance learning days.
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.