Local News

Hazel Sanders, owner of Hazel's Hair Salon in Lexington, sees customers of all ages, but has built a reputation with kids, including Jaden Hayes (left), 14, who has had his hair cut by Sanders for nearly nine years. Blade Dozier (center) from Wilkes County, receives his first haircut from Sanders in July 2020, and Sanders gave Bella Sheridan (right), who is 7, her first haircut as a toddler and continues to cut her hair. (Submitted Photos)

Hazel Sanders, owner of Hazel's Hair Salon in Lexington, sees customers of all ages, but has built a reputation with kids, including Jaden Hayes (left), 14, who has had his hair cut by Sanders for nearly nine years. Blade Dozier (center) from Wilkes County, receives his first haircut from Sanders in July 2020, and Sanders gave Bella Sheridan (right), who is 7, her first haircut as a toddler and continues to cut her hair. (Submitted Photos)

Special service: Sanders brings comfort to customers of all ages at her shop or in their homes

Margaux Binder
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Barbara Laubert, a 90-year-old Lexington resident, and her 93-year-old husband Andy exchange compliments and smiles in their home. Andy Laubert, however, shares his best jokes with Hazel Sanders, owner of Hazel’s Hair Salon, as she trims his white curls.
The historical marker commemorates the conclusion of the William Bartram Trail. The marker is located near Arnoldsville on U.S. 78. (Photo/Michael Johnson)

The historical marker commemorates the conclusion of the William Bartram Trail. The marker is located near Arnoldsville on U.S. 78. (Photo/Michael Johnson)

Historical markers highlight county's past

Michael Johnson
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Oglethorpe County is home to 12 historical markers highlighting important people, places and events in the area’s past, only some of which might be known to residents.   The county’s most recent marker was erected in 2020, commemorating the birthplace of the Columbia Theological Seminary.
John Fortuna receives a certificate from Kathleen deMarrais, presi- dent of Historic Oglethorpe County after receiving the annual Historic Oglethorpe County Annual Award at the organization’s banquet on March 1. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

John Fortuna receives a certificate from Kathleen deMarrais, presi- dent of Historic Oglethorpe County after receiving the annual Historic Oglethorpe County Annual Award at the organization’s banquet on March 1. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

Fortuna recognized for historic efforts

Izzy Wagner
Thursday, March 7, 2024
A heavy, wooden plaque, engraved with award recipients dating back decades, made its way around the table. Attendees of the Historic Oglethorpe County Awards Banquet carefully held it in their hands before passing it to the person beside them.
Amy Delfin-Torres can't contain her excitement during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Town and Country Kafe on March 2. About 50-60 customers and staff joined owners Josh Robayo, Amy Delfin-Torres and Willie Torres outside to participate in the ceremony, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Torres took a second to thank those in attendance. "Without you, there's nothing," he said. (Sarah Myers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Amy Delfin-Torres can't contain her excitement during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Town and Country Kafe on March 2. About 50-60 customers and staff joined owners Josh Robayo, Amy Delfin-Torres and Willie Torres outside to participate in the ceremony, which was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Torres took a second to thank those in attendance. "Without you, there's nothing," he said. (Sarah Myers/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Town and Country Kafe Grand Opening

Sarah Myers
Thursday, March 7, 2024
Town and Country Kafe, a Spanish-inspired cafe and restaurant in Crawford, had its grand opening Saturday, after delaying its opening last November due to building renovations.    The Chamber of Commerce board members hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the restaurant’s opening.

Sintyl to run against Saxon in District 2

Echo Staff
Friday, March 1, 2024
Williamson Sintyl said he’ll run against incumbent Andy Saxon for the District 2 seat on the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.   Sintyl, 30 and a native of Haiti, was selected as the chairman of the Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce last month.
Oglethorpe County EMS Director Jason Lewis assists OCHS students Sarah Noltensmeier (left) and McKenna Wells (right) as they work through stations, each focusing on a different area. Other stations include bleeding control techniques, spinal immobilizations, airway management and patient assessment.

Oglethorpe County EMS Director Jason Lewis assists OCHS students Sarah Noltensmeier (left) and McKenna Wells (right) as they work through stations, each focusing on a different area. Other stations include bleeding control techniques, spinal immobilizations, airway management and patient assessment.

In a rush to help

Kayla Lopez
Friday, March 1, 2024
The interruption of the tone at the Oglethorpe County EMS station signals a sudden stillness. When the familiar address of an EMT’s family comes across the radio paging system, the mood shifts from routine to heart-pounding.
The Crawford City Council is scheduled to vote on a beer and wine license for Crawford Pizza in March. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Crawford City Council is scheduled to vote on a beer and wine license for Crawford Pizza in March. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford Pizza seeks beer, wine license

Jordan Howard
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Crawford Pizza is seeking a beer and wine license, which will be voted on at the March city council meeting, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance said.    In other Crawford news: The council discussed the invoice for the sewer cleanup as the one item of new business.
The student employees of Patriot Perk include (from left) Lucas Stanley, Kayla McCommons, Hunter Long, Xavian Smith, Khalic Hardy, Dallas Miller, Kayla Bass and Trevor Roberts. They serve coffee to the faculty and staff at Oglethorpe County High School. (Ellie Pool/Oglethorpe Echo)

The student employees of Patriot Perk include (from left) Lucas Stanley, Kayla McCommons, Hunter Long, Xavian Smith, Khalic Hardy, Dallas Miller, Kayla Bass and Trevor Roberts. They serve coffee to the faculty and staff at Oglethorpe County High School. (Ellie Pool/Oglethorpe Echo)

Patriot Perk serves coffee, life lessons for OCHS students

Ellie Pool
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Staff at Oglethorpe County High School can get freshly brewed coffee delivered to them every morning by students in the life skills class, who run a coffee shop called Patriot Perk.   The students also provide sweet treats on Fridays, but the impact of the program is beyond the food and drink.
Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter Grants Coordinator Shaina Knight (left) and Shelter Director Erica Hendrix (right) standing in front of the trailer the shelter will operate the free vaccine clinic out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project and is sponsored by the Banfield Foundation and MOAS Pets. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter Grants Coordinator Shaina Knight (left) and Shelter Director Erica Hendrix (right) standing in front of the trailer the shelter will operate the free vaccine clinic out of. The clinic is part of the MOAS Underserved Animal Project and is sponsored by the Banfield Foundation and MOAS Pets. (Lee Short/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Grant provides funds for MOAS’ free vaccination clinic

Lee Short
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Up to 1,000 Oglethorpe County pets will receive free vaccines in Meson Park on Saturday through the MOAS Underserved Animal Project, which is focusing on the county due to its higher poverty rate and size.