Local News

Tamita Brown, who co-owns Caribe United Farm in Crawford with her husband Gabriel Jimenez, said the reduced daylight hours make it more difficult to tend to her chores during the winter. (Gabriel Jimenez/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Tamita Brown, who co-owns Caribe United Farm in Crawford with her husband Gabriel Jimenez, said the reduced daylight hours make it more difficult to tend to her chores during the winter. (Gabriel Jimenez/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Winter is not a time for farmers to chill out

John Henry Hammond
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Winter isn’t a time of rest for Oglethorpe County farmers.    Instead, it’s a challenging season that demands farmers juggle numerous tasks. From protecting livestock and crops from the harsh conditions to preparing the farm for a successful harvest, the demands are varied and constant.
Erin Campbell, founder of the Athens Area Diaper Bank, moves boxes labeled for Oglethorpe County at the organization’s warehouse in Bogart. The nonprofit sends free diapers to locations in Oglethorpe County. (Sarah Donehoo/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Erin Campbell, founder of the Athens Area Diaper Bank, moves boxes labeled for Oglethorpe County at the organization’s warehouse in Bogart. The nonprofit sends free diapers to locations in Oglethorpe County. (Sarah Donehoo/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Nonprofits, individuals come together to help year-round

Riley Kehoe and Lilly Kersh and Janai Wells and Samantha Hurley and Sydney Rainwater and Navya Shukla
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
An array of nonprofits, government organizations, churches and other institutions offer assistance throughout the year to individuals and families in need in Oglethorpe County.   About 11.
The Christmas in Oglethorpe parade ended with a greeting from Santa Claus, who threw out candy to the spectators while riding his golf cart. The parade was full of various sponsors who led floats down Main Street. (Lily Reid Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo))

The Christmas in Oglethorpe parade ended with a greeting from Santa Claus, who threw out candy to the spectators while riding his golf cart. The parade was full of various sponsors who led floats down Main Street. (Lily Reid Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Parade, market bring community together

Lily Reid Aldrich
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Christmas spirit filled Oglethorpe County this past weekend with an array of festivities bringing the community together to enjoy the sights and sounds of parades and markets.    Lexington’s Christmas in Oglethorpe included a parade down Main Street and a market at the Lexington Community Center.
By Emily Lupo

By Emily Lupo

Emergency vehicles a tight fit

Emily Lupo
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department recently shared a Facebook post from Chief Jehu Post asking: “Will a fire truck fit down your driveway?
Lexington City Clerk Kim Bradford stands at the door of the new Lexington City Hall, which is being remodeled. Mayor Craig Snow said the renovations and a new parking lot are nearly complete. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington City Clerk Kim Bradford stands at the door of the new Lexington City Hall, which is being remodeled. Mayor Craig Snow said the renovations and a new parking lot are nearly complete. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New Lexington City Hall, parking lost almost ready

John James
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
The new Lexington City Hall is nearing the end of its renovation process.   Mayor Craig Snow said the new location — which is the same building as the old county probation office — should be done with renovations soon, complete with an all-new parking lot.
Danny Sanders, owner of Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply, stands next to the store's pecan cracker-sheller. It can process 10 pounds of pecans a minute. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Danny Sanders, owner of Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply, stands next to the store's pecan cracker-sheller. It can process 10 pounds of pecans a minute. (Dink Nesmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Go nuts: Sanders adds pecan cracker-sheller

Jared Smith
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Oglethorpe Feed and Hardware Supply has added a pecan cracker-sheller — just in time for pecan season.    The machine is available during store hours and until the end of the season. It costs 75 cents per pound to use and can process 10 pounds of pecans per minute.
The Oglethorpe Echo

The Oglethorpe Echo

New Ace owner, store settle into transition

News Staff
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Tripp Strickland, the new co-owner of two local Ace Hardware stores, has rebranded the Crawford store to Oglethorpe Ace Hardware, signaling a new chapter for the store and its role in the community.
Sharon Crawford (left) and Delbra Kendrick (right), hosts of the "War Room Show" work with the Oglethorpe County Senior Center’s Christy Kearns (front left) and Sheryl Howard (center) to spread gifts at the center earlier this month. The “War Room Show” worked with other organizations to buy and donate presents to those in need. (Meadow Barrow/The Oglethorpe Echo))

Sharon Crawford (left) and Delbra Kendrick (right), hosts of the "War Room Show" work with the Oglethorpe County Senior Center’s Christy Kearns (front left) and Sheryl Howard (center) to spread gifts at the center earlier this month. The “War Room Show” worked with other organizations to buy and donate presents to those in need. (Meadow Barrow/The Oglethorpe Echo))

A season of giving

Meadow Barrow
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Sharon Crawford, co-host of the “War Room Show,” said she knows the value of receiving gifts during the holiday season.    “I remember the time when I was the person on the other side who needed encouraging words,” Crawford said.

BOE starts work on drainage at track

Cassidy Hettesheimer
Sunday, December 10, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education is moving forward with grounds and facilities improvements.   Sod and track drainage work started this week with the goal of having everything complete in time for the Gary Matthews Invitational, the first track invitational in the spring.

BOC OKs additional payment to company

Jay Reece
Thursday, December 7, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners approved a payment of $217,000 to C.W. Matthews Contracting at its meeting on Monday.    C.W. Matthews was hired to resurface Hargrove Lake and Smithonia Roads. C.W. Matthews also restriped nearly every county road as a part of the project.