Local News

From left to right: Kelli Smith, Megan Coile and Kayla Grier. (Submitted Photos)

From left to right: Kelli Smith, Megan Coile and Kayla Grier. (Submitted Photos)

Incumbents Smith, Coile, Grier to run

News Staff
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Oglethorpe County’s judicial incumbents plan to defend their positions in this year’s election.   Kelli Paradise Smith, the clerk of superior clerk, Megan Coile, the chief magistrate judge, and Kayla Grier, the probate judge, all told The Oglethorpe Echo that they plan to run again.
86 pounds of methamphetamine along with a Springfield 9 mm handgun and $32,000 seized. (Submitted Photo)

86 pounds of methamphetamine along with a Springfield 9 mm handgun and $32,000 seized. (Submitted Photo)

Former Stephens resident arrested in drug seizure

News Staff
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Jose Macias-Garcia, who recently lived in the Sims Cross Road area in Stephens, was arrested as part of a drug bust at several properties in Athens-Clarke County on Friday, according to a release from the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office.
Members of the Maxeys Community Club had supper and listened to guest speaker Sheriff David Gabriel at their meeting on Feb. 1. About 35 members and guests attended this month’s meeting, the club’s first with a speaker since the pandemic. (Photo/Tyler Lary)

Members of the Maxeys Community Club had supper and listened to guest speaker Sheriff David Gabriel at their meeting on Feb. 1. About 35 members and guests attended this month’s meeting, the club’s first with a speaker since the pandemic. (Photo/Tyler Lary)

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Maxeys builds community through monthly meetings

Tyler Lary
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Members of the Maxeys Community Club ate, chatted and listened to guest speaker Sheriff David Gabriel at its meeting on Feb. 1. About 35 members and guests attended this month’s community club meeting, its first with a speaker since the pandemic.
The new fire truck acquired by the Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department replaces an aging 1978 model. This 2023 model offers a significant upgrade in firefighting capabilities, chief Heath Baker said.

The new fire truck acquired by the Arnoldsville Volunteer Fire Department replaces an aging 1978 model. This 2023 model offers a significant upgrade in firefighting capabilities, chief Heath Baker said.

Fire departments receive funding for new equipment

Kayla Lopez
Thursday, February 15, 2024
Oglethorpe County's fire departments have secured nearly $400,000 in funding to renew aging equipment. Officials said the upgrades are a game-changer, allowing county departments to tackle pressing needs and enhance efficiency.
Katie Brunson (left) with exchange student Sergio Alio, who is from Madrid and attends Oglethorpe County High School.

Katie Brunson (left) with exchange student Sergio Alio, who is from Madrid and attends Oglethorpe County High School.

Organization looks to place exchange students in county

Lee Short
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Finding enough families to host exchange students in Oglethorpe County has been a challenge.    However, Michelle Bakke, the regional director for International Experience in Raleigh, North Carolina, is committed to bringing the benefits of hosting these students to small-county families.
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education — Guillermo Camacho (from left), Tim Poole, Beverley Levine, Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox — gets into the One School One Book spirit by grabbing their copies of “Simon B. Rhymin’ ” at the meeting on Tuesday night. (Ellie Pool/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Oglethorpe County Board of Education — Guillermo Camacho (from left), Tim Poole, Beverley Levine, Becky Soto, Susan Robinson and Jake Willcox — gets into the One School One Book spirit by grabbing their copies of “Simon B. Rhymin’ ” at the meeting on Tuesday night. (Ellie Pool/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE approves intercom system, new locks

Ellie Pool
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education approved an intercom system for the middle and high school, and new classroom locks for all its schools at Tuesday night’s meeting.   “If we have the money; it’s a good safety move,” said Becky Soto, BOE chair.
Robert Lee Turner, affectionately known as Mr. Robert by residents, spends much of his day on a road grader, scraping dirt roads throughout Oglethorpe County. Turner is technically part time, but often works full days. (Abby Peacock/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Robert Lee Turner, affectionately known as Mr. Robert by residents, spends much of his day on a road grader, scraping dirt roads throughout Oglethorpe County. Turner is technically part time, but often works full days. (Abby Peacock/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Dirt roads safe, thanks to Mr. Robert

Abby Peacock
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
With a brown baseball cap pulled low, paired with a worn gray flannel and stained jeans, Robert Lee Turner steps out from around the corner of a yellow John Deere grader.
Kendall Strickland, owner of Strickland Pride Produce, sells vegetables at the grand opening of his store's new Crawford location on Feb 5. About 50 people attended the ribbon cutting to shop his selection of fruits, vegetables and other goods. (Margaux Binder/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Kendall Strickland, owner of Strickland Pride Produce, sells vegetables at the grand opening of his store's new Crawford location on Feb 5. About 50 people attended the ribbon cutting to shop his selection of fruits, vegetables and other goods. (Margaux Binder/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New location provides Strickland room to grow

Margaux Binder
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Pattie Wardell and her husband, Rick, were among a group of about five volunteers who helped Kendall Strickland, owner of Strickland Pride Produce, set up tables, arrange produce and manage the checkout counter during the grand opening of Strickland Pride Produce.