Oglethorpe County is rich in history. It’s one of our points of pride.
The newspaper you’re reading has been chronicling this community’s history for 150 years. We believe that makes The Oglethorpe Echo the oldest, continuously operated business in the county.
Your newspaper strives to be more than just a newspaper. The Echo wants to be a good citizen, too.
That’s why we’re stepping up to help solve a series of vandalism acts on an important Oglethorpe County landmark.
Howard’s Covered Bridge — built in 1904-05 — is under assault from vandals wielding cans of spray paint. As the historical marker reads, “This bridge bears the name of a pioneer family who settled near Big Cloud’s Creek in the late 1700s.”
We have partnered with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office to help stop the criminal acts and catch the parties responsible for the graffiti. The initiative is three-fold:
- Warning signs have been posted, informing the public of 24-hour video surveillance.
- The camera will be monitored by Sheriff David Gabriel’s dispatch office.
- The Oglethorpe Echo, in addition to paying for the equipment, is offering — through the sheriff’s office — a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the party or parties responsible for the vandalism.
If you have information, you’re encouraged to contact the sheriff’s office. During business hours, call 706-743-8101 and ask for an investigator. You can also email this address: info@oglethorpesheriff.org.
Vandalism isn’t just a prank; it’s a crime.
Please help us solve this series of crimes that target Oglethorpe County’s rich history.
