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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.
Jay Paul

Jay Paul

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Paul has 2nd term in sights

News Staff
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Jay Paul plans to seek a second term as chair of the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners.   “I lived in this county all my life. It’s where I plan on dying,” he said Monday. “This position has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done in my life.
Oglethorpe County 911 dispatcher Amelia Priest surveys her workstation at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo/Zeke Palermo)

Oglethorpe County 911 dispatcher Amelia Priest surveys her workstation at the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 2, 2024. (Photo/Zeke Palermo)

New 911 tech allows texts, video

Zeke Palermo
Thursday, February 8, 2024
Residents can now text 911 when they need emergency services. Oglethorpe County 911 has joined 33 other public safety answering points in Georgia that accept and communicate with residents through text message, in addition to the traditional phone call.
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.