Local News

Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel (from left), Comer Police Department Chief Dennis Bell and Deputy Tommy Epps look for evidence in the pickup truck. Bell is a former investigator with the State Insurance Commission. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel (from left), Comer Police Department Chief Dennis Bell and Deputy Tommy Epps look for evidence in the pickup truck. Bell is a former investigator with the State Insurance Commission. (Submitted Photo)

Officials search stolen pickup found in quarry

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Comer Police Chief Dennis Bell said he has a strong lead for the suspect who stole and dumped a pickup truck that was found in a flooded quarry in Oglethorpe County.   The stolen truck was recovered from the quarry on Allgood Road on Jan.

Man arrested for burglary of grocery store

News Staff
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
The Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man suspected of breaking into Sandy Cross Grocery in the early morning hours of Jan. 8.   Jeffery O’Neal Bugg, 35, of the Glade Community, was arrested Tuesday morning after a short foot chase in the rain, Sheriff David Gabriel said.
Susan Flores (from left), Jeanne Jones, Monica Patrick and Faith Dynarski-Hughes prepare the food for the Oglethorpe County High School marching band's pancake breakfast fundraiser last month. The band’s booster club holds fundraisers throughout the year to help with the costs of instruments, uniforms and other items. (Submitted Photo)

Susan Flores (from left), Jeanne Jones, Monica Patrick and Faith Dynarski-Hughes prepare the food for the Oglethorpe County High School marching band's pancake breakfast fundraiser last month. The band’s booster club holds fundraisers throughout the year to help with the costs of instruments, uniforms and other items. (Submitted Photo)

Band booster club hits the right notes on fundraising

Dawn Sawyer
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Members of the Oglethorpe County High School marching band’s booster club spend a lot of time at the rec department. They don’t get to see much of the action because they’re manning the concession stands.   The money earned there is just one part of the booster club’s fundraising efforts.
Members of last year’s Leadership Oglethorpe program for middle school students display their certificates during the graduation ceremony. This year’s program begins next month. (Submitted Photo)

Members of last year’s Leadership Oglethorpe program for middle school students display their certificates during the graduation ceremony. This year’s program begins next month. (Submitted Photo)

Leadership program ready for new year

Dawn Sawyer
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
This year marks the fifth iteration of Leadership Oglethorpe, a program dedicated to growing a new generation of career-minded individuals with leadership capabilities.
Braiden Carithers, the office manager for United Country Southern Select Properties, operates a drone, which is used for a variety of purposes, including taking images of land and property, and game recovery. (Submitted Photo)

Braiden Carithers, the office manager for United Country Southern Select Properties, operates a drone, which is used for a variety of purposes, including taking images of land and property, and game recovery. (Submitted Photo)

Eye in the sky: Wilson’s company uses drone for land imaging, game recovery

John James
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
United Country Southern Select Properties is taking a new approach to real estate — specifically on the technical side.   Phil Wilson has owned the company since early 2019, offering real estate and hunting services to clients around the Southeast.
Weddings at The Gillen House include space to accommodate more than 100 guests. Co-owners Edward Toledano and Cynzia Sanchez were able to hold a test run when they hosted a wedding for Sanchez’s daughter last spring. (Submitted Photo)

Weddings at The Gillen House include space to accommodate more than 100 guests. Co-owners Edward Toledano and Cynzia Sanchez were able to hold a test run when they hosted a wedding for Sanchez’s daughter last spring. (Submitted Photo)

Gillen House owners add weddings to B&B

Lily Reid Aldrich
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
The Gillen House has expanded into the wedding business.   Edward Toledano and Cynzia Sanchez, co-owners of the bed and breakfast in Maxeys, can now host weddings and other events.    “Our hope was to sustain the property and keep things going steadily,” Toledano said.
(Evan Smoak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

(Evan Smoak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County sees increase in overdoses

Emily Lupo and Evan Smoak
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Oglethorpe County is experiencing an increase in drug overdoses.    Angela Jackson, 911 director, said there have been 40 overdoses since Jan. 1, 2020 with 16 a result of prescription drugs.    “I would caution anyone who is buying drugs illegally,” Sheriff David Gabriel said.
Jane Kidd, a Crawford resident, is the Alex Gregory Distinguished Fellow and Leader in Residence in the Leadership Program at Georgia College & State University. (Submitted Photo)

Jane Kidd, a Crawford resident, is the Alex Gregory Distinguished Fellow and Leader in Residence in the Leadership Program at Georgia College & State University. (Submitted Photo)

Kidd shares leadership through GCSU role

McCain Bracewell
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Jane Kidd never realized how connected she was to Georgia College & State University.   Her family has roots all over the Milledgeville campus. Russell Auditorium is named for her great-grandfather, Richard B. Russell Sr.
Crowds gather to watch a youth basketball game at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department on Dec. 5. Stands on both courts in the gym were packed with parents and other attendees. Recreation Department staff say space is at a premium with continued growth in their athletic programs. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crowds gather to watch a youth basketball game at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department on Dec. 5. Stands on both courts in the gym were packed with parents and other attendees. Recreation Department staff say space is at a premium with continued growth in their athletic programs. (McCain Bracewell/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tight for space

Jordyn Gershoni and Christian Kirby II
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Brody Bearden has often found himself searching for small fields or empty patches of grass so the Little League baseball teams he coaches can practice. That’s because space at the Oglethorpe County Recreation Department’s Bryan Park is limited.