Local News

Katie Edwards, a counselor at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, helps third-grader Londyn Wilson with a work- sheet during a guidance lesson last month. The lessons are regularly held to guide students' empathy, emotion regulation, perseverance and more. (Navya Shukla/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

Katie Edwards, a counselor at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, helps third-grader Londyn Wilson with a work- sheet during a guidance lesson last month. The lessons are regularly held to guide students' empathy, emotion regulation, perseverance and more. (Navya Shukla/For The Oglethorpe Echo)

High need, low accessibility: Oglethorpe County residents face barriers to mental health care, even as teens and schools are willing to have the conversation

Navya Shukla and Sydney Rainwater
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Sonja Thompson Roach remembers the moment last year when a photographer took photos and interviewed her son and his friends for a Time magazine story on mental health and teens.
Advanced EMT Taylor Eidson stands in front of an Oglethorpe County ambulance. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Advanced EMT Taylor Eidson stands in front of an Oglethorpe County ambulance. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Q&A: Eidson loves to help friends, family

Zeke Palermo
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Oglethorpe County High School began offering a class titled "Emergency Medical Technician" in 2017 that is taught by Jason Lewis.  Like the certified nursing assistant classes offered at the school, it allows students to receive professional training and a basic EMT certification before graduation.
Jason Lewis is Oglethorpe County’s interim coroner after serving as the EMS director. He’s running unopposed in this year’s election. (Submitted)

Jason Lewis is Oglethorpe County’s interim coroner after serving as the EMS director. He’s running unopposed in this year’s election. (Submitted)

Election 2024 Q&A: Lewis experienced, but ‘still learning’ coroner position

Lily Murphy
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Jason Lewis, who is running for coroner, has been a paramedic for 27 years. He has been Oglethorpe County’s Emergency Medical Services director and recently stepped in as interim coroner when James Jackson resigned to run for sheriff.
The Winterville Community Garden is a city-sponsored space for gardeners to rent soil beds and grow fresh produce. Four beds are dedicated to providing produce to local food banks. (Submitted Photo)

The Winterville Community Garden is a city-sponsored space for gardeners to rent soil beds and grow fresh produce. Four beds are dedicated to providing produce to local food banks. (Submitted Photo)

Winterville Community Garden cultivates produce, generosity

Sara Micale
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Gardeners sow the seeds of plants, but also the spirit of generosity, at the Winterville Community Garden.      Founded in 2013 and located near Pittard Park in Winterville, the garden is a city-sponsored space for people to rent beds of compost and soil mix for growing produce.
Andy Barrs, CEO of Barrs Industries, proposes a large mixed-use development project at the Economic Development Authority meeting Tuesday night. Barrs hoped to gain county approval as he develops a 114-acre plot of land partially within Arnoldsville city limits. (Margaux Binder/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Andy Barrs, CEO of Barrs Industries, proposes a large mixed-use development project at the Economic Development Authority meeting Tuesday night. Barrs hoped to gain county approval as he develops a 114-acre plot of land partially within Arnoldsville city limits. (Margaux Binder/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Barrs seeks ‘blessing’ for development: Mixed-use project borders Highway 78 in Arnoldsville

Margaux Binder
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Andy Barrs proposed a development project at the Economic Development Authority meeting on Tuesday night.  Barrs, CEO of Barrs Industries, said he owns a 114-acre plot of land that borders U.S. Highway 78 and Arnoldsville Road.
The Lexington City Council gathers for its monthly meeting on March 14, 2024, where it discusses the agenda set by Mayor Craig Snow. (Tyler Lary/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Lexington City Council gathers for its monthly meeting on March 14, 2024, where it discusses the agenda set by Mayor Craig Snow. (Tyler Lary/ The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington looks to fill council seat

Jordan Howard
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The Lexington City Council is searching to fill its open seat.    Greg Reece and Cindy Haynes stepped away in December, and Jennifer Whitlock took over one of the seats, joining Ronnie Boggs, Jill Severn and Cory Crayton.    That leaves the city council one person short.
The Commercial Bank CEO Mike Sale (middle), meets with 4-H Americorps volunteer Kayla Latimer (left) and Oglethorpe County 4-H Agent Marcus Eason (right) to present a donation check to Oglethorpe County 4-H. The Commercial Bank gave the donation to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the local business. (Submitted Photo)

The Commercial Bank CEO Mike Sale (middle), meets with 4-H Americorps volunteer Kayla Latimer (left) and Oglethorpe County 4-H Agent Marcus Eason (right) to present a donation check to Oglethorpe County 4-H. The Commercial Bank gave the donation to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the local business. (Submitted Photo)

Bank's donation leads to 4-H scholarship fund

Sarah Myers
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The cost for a child to attend 4-H summer camp is the highest it has ever been, but a new Oglethorpe County 4-H summer camp scholarship fund has been created to help.

Grant helps MOAS offer free services

News Staff
Thursday, March 14, 2024
The Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter (MOAS) has received a $36,000 grant from the Banfield Foundation to provide spay and neuter services for 600 animals whose owners face financial hardship.

Trump, Biden receive most votes in county

News Staff
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Donald Trump and President Joe Biden were the clear winners with Oglethorpe County voters on Tuesday.   Trump, the former president, received 90.2% of votes in the Republican presidential primary and Biden received 93.8% of votes on the Democratic side.