Local News

Miriam Pledger (left), founder of Restore Hope Again, holds a painting of the support group’s logo with Patricia Shelton (right), a member of the administration team. Restore Hope Again is a Christian-based support group in Oglethorpe County.

Miriam Pledger (left), founder of Restore Hope Again, holds a painting of the support group’s logo with Patricia Shelton (right), a member of the administration team. Restore Hope Again is a Christian-based support group in Oglethorpe County.

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Restore Hope Again: Support group fosters resilience, community

Lee Short
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Miriam Pledger began Restore Hope Again as a way to foster connection and resilience for those struggling within Oglethorpe County — for free.  “If God blessed me, I’m going to turn around and help others that don’t have the finances or the insurance,” Pledger said.
The fundraiser thermometer outside the Macon Coil building has been filled in to show that $65,000 has been raised to turn the facility into the Lexington Community Center. The goal is $200,000. (Jordan Howard/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The fundraiser thermometer outside the Macon Coil building has been filled in to show that $65,000 has been raised to turn the facility into the Lexington Community Center. The goal is $200,000. (Jordan Howard/The Oglethorpe Echo)

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No completion date for Macon Coil renovation

Jordan Howard
Thursday, February 8, 2024
The Lexington Downtown Development Authority has raised approximately $65,000 of its $200,000 goal to turn the Macon Coil building into a community center, said Linda Parish of the Lexington DDA.
Oglethorpe County High School’s 2024 STAR student Macie McDaniel (left) and STAR teacher Eric Schmidt (right) share a laugh during the Oglethorpe Rotary Club meeting at the Farm Bureau on Feb. 2. McDaniel, a senior, and Eric Schmidt, who retired last year, were recognized during the meeting.

Oglethorpe County High School’s 2024 STAR student Macie McDaniel (left) and STAR teacher Eric Schmidt (right) share a laugh during the Oglethorpe Rotary Club meeting at the Farm Bureau on Feb. 2. McDaniel, a senior, and Eric Schmidt, who retired last year, were recognized during the meeting.

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McDaniel selected as 2024 STAR Student, Schmidt picked as STAR Teacher

Jim Bass
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
She’s at the top of the OCHS Class of 2024 and was 2023’s Miss Oglethorpe County, and now senior Macie McDaniel has added 2024 STAR student to her list.   “Academics is where I really strive, and so having something to really validate my academic achievement is just amazing,” McDaniel said.
Tiara McRae, the legal advocate for Project Safe, stands in front of an art wall. The art is all created by individuals who have experienced domestic abuse and told their story at an event called Through an Open Window. (Lily Murphy/Oglethorpe Echo).

Tiara McRae, the legal advocate for Project Safe, stands in front of an art wall. The art is all created by individuals who have experienced domestic abuse and told their story at an event called Through an Open Window. (Lily Murphy/Oglethorpe Echo).

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Project Safe adds services to Oglethorpe

Lily Murphy
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Oglethorpe County residents who have experienced domestic abuse can now be served in the county where they live.
Chief Magistrate Judge Megan Coile discusses the new ordinances with the Board of Commissioners in its monthly meeting on Monday. The ordinances, which passed unanimously, give deputies the option to impose lower-level charges for a variety of offenses. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Chief Magistrate Judge Megan Coile discusses the new ordinances with the Board of Commissioners in its monthly meeting on Monday. The ordinances, which passed unanimously, give deputies the option to impose lower-level charges for a variety of offenses. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Ordinances lower penalties on lesser offenses

Avi Young
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved four ordinances that offer the possibility of a lighter penalty for lower-level offenses during its monthly meeting on Monday night.
Chamber of Commerce board members (from left) Peter King, Ronnie Boggs, Linda Parish, Tom Thon, Claudia Reit, Owen Bullard and Williamson Sintyl host the first business after hours meeting of the year on Jan. 25 at the Crawford Depot. The meeting gave the board time to introduce themselves and their goals. (Sarah Myers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Chamber of Commerce board members (from left) Peter King, Ronnie Boggs, Linda Parish, Tom Thon, Claudia Reit, Owen Bullard and Williamson Sintyl host the first business after hours meeting of the year on Jan. 25 at the Crawford Depot. The meeting gave the board time to introduce themselves and their goals. (Sarah Myers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Local businesses continue to be focus of chamber

Sarah Myers
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Williamson Sintyl became the new chairman of the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce last month. After being elected to a three-year term by the other board members, Sintyl took on this role with the intention of “serving, supporting and promoting local businesses.
Katherine Ratcliffe answers questions from David Robinson, an attendee of the online dating event last Friday. Robinson lives in Comer and often visits the Oglethorpe County Library. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

Katherine Ratcliffe answers questions from David Robinson, an attendee of the online dating event last Friday. Robinson lives in Comer and often visits the Oglethorpe County Library. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

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Love is in the air at the library

Izzy Wagner
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Oglethorpe County Library branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe has been in a relationship for five months that started on a dating site — match.com. Although she said it was an arduous process, Ratcliffe said she’s extremely grateful she stuck with it.
The city of Arnoldsville water tower is located on 154 Yancey Rd, Winterville, GA. (Photo/Tyler Lary)

The city of Arnoldsville water tower is located on 154 Yancey Rd, Winterville, GA. (Photo/Tyler Lary)

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Arnoldsville residents experience water issues

Tyler Lary
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Arnoldsville residents experienced low water pressure in January.    Members of the community voiced their complaints on Facebook, with one resident mentioning a “sulfur” odor coming from the water.

News Roundup: Troop 97 Boy Scout earns Eagle

News Staff
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Hayden Simpson of Troop 97 in Crawford will be awarded Eagle Scout in a ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Crawford Depot.   He’ll be the first Eagle Scout awarded in this troop since it was revived three years ago, said Scoutmaster Jeff Simpson, Hayden’s father.

School system receives $10,000 in grants

News Staff
Thursday, February 1, 2024
The Oglethorpe County School System has been awarded $10,000 from the Rural Workforce Preparedness Grant, Sara Hughes, the director of federal programs, said in an email release to The Oglethorpe Echo.