Local News

Tina Shehee, nurse practitioner, sits in her office between patients. Shehee works Monday-Friday, with Wednesdays off for 14-hour shifts at Medlink Oglethorpe. (Lily Murphy/Oglethorpe Echo)

Tina Shehee, nurse practitioner, sits in her office between patients. Shehee works Monday-Friday, with Wednesdays off for 14-hour shifts at Medlink Oglethorpe. (Lily Murphy/Oglethorpe Echo)

Educating patients key for MedLink’s Shehee

Lily Murphy
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Tina Shehee joined MedLink Georgia’s Oglethorpe office this year as a nurse practitioner for patients 6 and up. Shehee was a registered nurse for 23 years, then returned to school and received her nurse practitioner license in 2019. Both of her degrees are from the University of North Georgia.
(Photo/Tyler Lary)

(Photo/Tyler Lary)

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Grant helps provide additions to Firefly Trail

Tyler Lary
Thursday, March 14, 2024
A $2.5 million grant from the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program funded the newly extended 6.5-mile trail in Greene County, just in time for the 13th annual Ticket to Ride event on Saturday, March 23.   The extension introduces two access points for the trail.
Crawford Pizza employees Elizabeth Russell (left) and Caitlin Hartrum stand in front of the restaurant’s mural earlier this month. Russell, who lives in Crawford, and Hartrum, who lives in Lexington, said it helps welcome people to the county. (Margaux Binder/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford Pizza employees Elizabeth Russell (left) and Caitlin Hartrum stand in front of the restaurant’s mural earlier this month. Russell, who lives in Crawford, and Hartrum, who lives in Lexington, said it helps welcome people to the county. (Margaux Binder/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mural gains popularity: Phrase on side of Crawford Pizza welcomes visitors to city

Margaux Binder
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Every day for almost a year, a large mural has greeted those who drive through downtown Crawford.    The mural’s bold, white letters — “It’s nice to have you in Crawford Georgia” — stand out against the red brick on an exterior wall of Crawford Pizza.
Born and Raised in Oglethorpe County, Katherine (left) and Sarah (right) Ratcliffe continue to serve the county. Katherine is the branch manger of the library and Sarah is a naturalist at Watson Mill Bridge State Park.(Photo/Michael Johnson)

Born and Raised in Oglethorpe County, Katherine (left) and Sarah (right) Ratcliffe continue to serve the county. Katherine is the branch manger of the library and Sarah is a naturalist at Watson Mill Bridge State Park.(Photo/Michael Johnson)

Ratcliffes are sisters in life, service

Michael Johnson
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Katherine and Sarah Ratcliffe were fully prepared to find a new place to call home when they left Oglethorpe County to go west in 2019. Born and raised in the county, they quit their jobs and started a new adventure.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

Miss Oglethorpe Pageant Canceled

Lee Short
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
The eighth annual Miss Oglethorpe Pageant, originally scheduled for March 16, has been canceled.    Organizer Joanne Wrenn said the cancellation was due to a lack of participation, likely due to March being a busy time of year for parents, along with the start of school spring sports.
A table of the candidates qualified for the general primary and nonpartisan election on May 21. The general election will be held on Nov. 5. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A table of the candidates qualified for the general primary and nonpartisan election on May 21. The general election will be held on Nov. 5. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Challengers take on Paul for chairman

Lee Short
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Jay Paul has opposition in his reelection bid.   Paul, the chair of the Oglethorpe County Commission, will face fellow Republican Wayne Loggans in the primary election, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21. Democrat Patrick Bonds also qualified to run for the position.

Bearden is The Echo’s new business manager

News Staff
Friday, March 8, 2024
The Oglethorpe Echo has a new staff member.    Trisha Bearden joined the 150-year-old newspaper as its business manager this week, said Dink NeSmith, chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc., the nonprofit that owns and operates the newspaper.
A sign in Peach Express in Crawford commemorates the $1 million jackpot won by an Oglethorpe County resident late last month. The resident wishes to remain anonymous.

A sign in Peach Express in Crawford commemorates the $1 million jackpot won by an Oglethorpe County resident late last month. The resident wishes to remain anonymous.

Resident strikes gold with $1 million lottery win

Kayla Lopez
Friday, March 8, 2024
An ordinary trip to a local gas station transformed into a million-dollar moment for an Oglethorpe County resident last week.   The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, bought the $1 million scratch-off, a Triple Jackpot ticket, at 8:58 a.m. Feb.