Local News

Oglethorpe part of rising budget trend

Jay Reece
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Property taxes will increase by 9.99% in 2024, despite a lower millage rate in Oglethorpe County. Rising home values drove the increase, but the trend is not unique to property.
Mary Ann Cox, a Lexington artist, created a poster called the "Twelve days of a Dog Gone Christmas" (pictured) to give to donors who donate to the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter and other shelters. She has raised over $500 in donations for the shelter. (Lily Reid Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mary Ann Cox, a Lexington artist, created a poster called the "Twelve days of a Dog Gone Christmas" (pictured) to give to donors who donate to the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter and other shelters. She has raised over $500 in donations for the shelter. (Lily Reid Aldrich/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Local artist gives back to shelters

Lily Reid Aldrich
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Local artist Mary Ann Cox is giving back to the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter and others by giving posters she created to those who donate to animal shelters.    The “Twelve Days of a Dog-Gone Christmas” is Cox’s adaptation of the song “Twelve Days of Christmas,” but themed around dogs.
Meadow Barrow/The Oglethorpe Echo

Meadow Barrow/The Oglethorpe Echo

Fewer speeding tickets given in school zones

Evan Smoak
Friday, December 1, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office has seen a reduction in speeding in school zones since ticketing started on Nov. 9.    “We are now down to 100-150 violations a day,” Sheriff David Gabriel said.

Rezone request may be withdrawn

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
The business owner who applied to rezone 12.3 acres on Double Bridges Road from agricultural to heavy industrial is considering withdrawing his application, County Planner McKenzie Spooner told The Oglethorpe Echo in an email on Wednesday morning.

News Roundup: COVID, flu kiosks set up in area

News Staff
Thursday, November 30, 2023
  The Northeast Health District provides around-the-clock COVID-19 and flu PCR testing at kiosks at these area locations: Old fire station, 3500 Atlanta Highway, Athens 30606 (entry is on Mitchell Bridge Road).  91 Albany Avenue, Danielsville 30633 (parking area near gazebo).
Oglethorpe County is one of Georgia’s largest agricultural producers, ranking 10th in total farm gate value (out of 159 counties), but is dominated by livestock, poultry and hay, not cotton. (Photo / Andy Johnston)

Oglethorpe County is one of Georgia’s largest agricultural producers, ranking 10th in total farm gate value (out of 159 counties), but is dominated by livestock, poultry and hay, not cotton. (Photo / Andy Johnston)

Oglethorpe County: Where cotton is no longer king

John Henry Hammond
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Phil Sanders sits at his dining table in Stephens and looks out on a once-familiar scene that’s now increasingly rare — cotton fields.  Cotton farming was once common in Oglethorpe County, but its presence has slowly waned.
Santa, who is a guest of honor at the Maxeys Christmas Parade, waves from his float in a recent parade. This is the fifth year for the parade, which also includes vendors, musical groups and food trucks.

Santa, who is a guest of honor at the Maxeys Christmas Parade, waves from his float in a recent parade. This is the fifth year for the parade, which also includes vendors, musical groups and food trucks.

Maxeys parade continues to grow

Jared Smith
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Organizers hope this year’s Maxeys Christmas Parade will bring Christmas spirit to the city and grow connections throughout the community.   “It’s about spreading good cheer, having fun in the community and starting off the Christmas season,” organizer Heather Parham said.
The Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department participated in a pressurized container fire control course hosted by Butch McDuffie, chief of the Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department in Danielsville, on Nov. 18. Multiple departments attended the eight-hour course, which took place at Beaverdam station and at Oglethorpe County High School.

The Beaverdam Volunteer Fire Department participated in a pressurized container fire control course hosted by Butch McDuffie, chief of the Shiloh Volunteer Fire Department in Danielsville, on Nov. 18. Multiple departments attended the eight-hour course, which took place at Beaverdam station and at Oglethorpe County High School.

Photo Package: Fire Training

Emily Lupo
Wednesday, November 29, 2023