Local News

Company helps county assess properties

John James
Thursday, January 25, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners approved an extension with Georgia Mass Appraisal Services & Solutions, Inc. at its meeting on Jan. 9.  GMASS specializes in value assessments on real estate property, which is the cost of a piece of land if it went up for sale.
Corrine Thiel (from left), president of Oglethorpe County Lions Club, Virginia Sanders, founder of Covered with Love and Emma Walter, secretary of Oglethorpe County Lions Club display a blanket from Covered with Love to include in pajama packs. The club donates pajamas and other items to Piedmont Athens Regional for children with extended stays. (Submitted Photo).

Corrine Thiel (from left), president of Oglethorpe County Lions Club, Virginia Sanders, founder of Covered with Love and Emma Walter, secretary of Oglethorpe County Lions Club display a blanket from Covered with Love to include in pajama packs. The club donates pajamas and other items to Piedmont Athens Regional for children with extended stays. (Submitted Photo).

Lions Club helps sick kids with pajama packs

Lily Reid Aldrich
Thursday, January 25, 2024
The Oglethorpe County branch of Lions Club has been helping children and families in need by making pajama packs for kids with extended stays at Piedmont Athens Regional.    Corrine Thiel, president of Oglethorpe Lions Club, coordinates the creation of the packs with the club members and Piedmont.
Fester Hagood performs at the No. 3 Railroad on Jan. 14th with Pickled Holler and Julie Gribble. His next Mojo Confessional Songwriter Showcase is scheduled for Feb. 11. (Submitted Photo/Julie Gribble)

Fester Hagood performs at the No. 3 Railroad on Jan. 14th with Pickled Holler and Julie Gribble. His next Mojo Confessional Songwriter Showcase is scheduled for Feb. 11. (Submitted Photo/Julie Gribble)

No. 3’s monthly showcase celebrates local songwriters

Izzy Wagner
Thursday, January 25, 2024
The warm lights from the interior of No. 3 Railroad Street illuminate the empty street. Inside, a sizable crowd gathers to attend the first Mojo Confessional Songwriter Showcase of 2024, a night of original music by local artists.
Graph of data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health of Oglethorpe County's COVID-19 levels in the past six months.

Graph of data provided by the Georgia Department of Public Health of Oglethorpe County's COVID-19 levels in the past six months.

COVID, flu slow after recent spike

Lily Murphy
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
COVID-19 and flu levels in Oglethorpe County have leveled off after a post-holiday spike.    There were six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Oglethorpe County as of Jan. 11, but only two confirmed cases on Jan. 15, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Danny Morcom (Submitted Photo)

Danny Morcom (Submitted Photo)

New mayor brings government experience to Arnoldsville

Jordan Howard
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Arnoldsville Mayor Danny Morcom is ready to officially embrace the position in 2024 after serving as mayor pro tem for almost nine months.    Morcom and Arnoldsville City Council members began tackling issues facing the city in the first city council meeting of the year on Jan. 18.
A crane moves a beam to the roof of the new Oglethorpe Elementary School. The school is on track to have students enter by January 2025. (Photo/Jim Bass)

A crane moves a beam to the roof of the new Oglethorpe Elementary School. The school is on track to have students enter by January 2025. (Photo/Jim Bass)

Oglethorpe's new elementary school takes shape, on schedule

Jim Bass
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Construction on the new Oglethorpe County Elementary School remains on schedule and on budget, as crews begin the brick-laying process.    Heavy rain and temperatures below freezing haven’t stopped progress for Parrish Construction Group, which is managing the project.
School buses sit outside the Oglethorpe County transportation office on Oct. 22, 2022. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

School buses sit outside the Oglethorpe County transportation office on Oct. 22, 2022. (Photo/Megan Fitzgerald)

School closings are group decisions

Zeke Palermo
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
When Oglethorpe County experienced recent freezing temperatures, students across the county held their breath each morning hoping for school closures or delays.
Will Eberhart (left) and Douglas Cosby move and organize boxes of food before they load cars at the Lexington Baptist Church’s monthly food pantry in December. Cars wind around the block in downtown Lexington waiting to receive the food. (Samantha Hurley/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Will Eberhart (left) and Douglas Cosby move and organize boxes of food before they load cars at the Lexington Baptist Church’s monthly food pantry in December. Cars wind around the block in downtown Lexington waiting to receive the food. (Samantha Hurley/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Here to help

Samantha Hurley and Riley Kehoe
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Douglas and Linda Cosby receive, sort and organize volunteers to help them distribute the food during the mobile food pantry, which is scheduled for the second Monday of every month, rain or shine.
The Emergency Medical Services office on Athens Road flooded last Tuesday when the stormwater ditch behind the building overflowed. (Submitted Photo)

The Emergency Medical Services office on Athens Road flooded last Tuesday when the stormwater ditch behind the building overflowed. (Submitted Photo)

Storm repairs almost finished

John James
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Public Works department is nearly finished with repairs after the heavy rains last week.    Adam Nation, the public works director, said 15 trees were down throughout the county after the storm on Jan. 9.

News roundup: Royston’s Jordan will run for DA

News Staff
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
David Jordan, an attorney in Royston and a professor of business at Emmanuel University, will run for District Attorney of the Northern Judicial Circuit, which includes Franklin, Hart, Madison, Elbert and Oglethorpe counties.   D.