Lexington

Henry the Rooster was a common sight at the Golden Pantry in Lexington through the winter, even becoming the store’s unofficial mascot. He disappeared sometime last month. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Henry finds roost, but then vanishes from Golden Pantry

Dakota Meeks

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Henry came to the Golden Pantry whenever he pleased. Sometimes he showed up in the early morning, and then disappeared in the afternoon. But he wasn’t like most regular customers. Henry was a rooster, who became part of the Lexington store’s daily routine and even its unofficial mascot.

Macie McDaniel received a certificate for being named Oglethorpe County High’s STAR student at a Rotary Club meeting in February 2024. She was honored with 2024 STAR teacher Eric Schmidt (from left), Christan McDaniel and Phillip McDaniel, her mom and dad. (JIM BASS/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

McDaniel overcomes brain surgery on her way to UGA

Sean King

Friday, April 10, 2026

Trumpets and horns sound throughout the Oglethorpe County Middle School band room. Notes blend and provide a harmonious sound. For one student, though, it wasn’t pleasant. Macie McDaniel, a 2024 OCHS alum from Lexington, said she had migraines almost every day in band class.

Blazer's Hot Wings is located in Lexington at 640 Athens Road. The dine-in or drive-thru restaurant is known for its crispy wings and large menu. (Finley Millwood/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County Food Tour, Part II

Finley Millwood

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

From crispy wings to bold international flavors, this Oglethorpe County food tour highlights some of the county’s must-try spots.Starting with Blazer’s of Lexington, where crispy meets juicy hot wings.

Arnoldsville Mayor Danny Morcom (right), shown with council members Joel Kriner (middle) and Blake Arnold, would like to create plaques to recognize each of the city’s previous mayors. (Luis Vaquero/The Oglethorpe Echo)

City Roundup: Crawford continues with water plant upgrades

Ansley Gavlak

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Crawford is continuing upgrades to its water plant while ensuring the system remains in compliance with the correct number of operators. Mayor Alan Erwin said a major focus has been making sure the equipment is functioning properly and maintained on a regular schedule.

Interior repairs are being made to downtown Lexington buildings. Rick Hawkins owns the buildings and currently listing via Facebook Marketplace. (Photo/Finley Millwood)

Hawkins’ buildings back on the market

Finley Millwood

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Repairs have been made to two of the four buildings owned by Rick Hawkins, and five of his buildings in Lexington are back on the market. The buildings at 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118 W. Main St. are listed for sale on Hawkins’ Facebook Marketplace, with descriptions of each building.

Alan Erwin is sworn in as the mayor of Crawford earlier this month. He took over Seavy O’Neal, who didn’t run for reelection last year. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County mayors prioritize clean cities for 2026

Ansley Gavlak

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

A clean city is the priority for Crawford Mayor Alan Erwin in 2026. “We just want to get our city back up to par, cleaned up, and well maintained to where people that live in the city of Crawford are proud of their surroundings, as well as myself,” he said.

The monks walk through Oglethorpe County on Sunday afternoon. (Photo/Steven Colquitt)

Monks walk for peace

Grace Burnett

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Wingate Downs received a surprise call Saturday from the group of Buddhist monks walking from Texas to Washington. They needed a place to stay that night after traveling from Oconee County. He jumped at the chance.

Maxeys leadership includes (from left) city council members Carrie Hayes, Carrie Hyatt, Danny Gorman, Mayor Edward Toledano, Shirley Callahan, Doug Miller and city clerk Jenny Yearwood-Parker. The city is adding online bill pay for water bills next month. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Lexington denied for rural zone designation

Ansley Gavlak

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Lexington wasn’t one of the seven cities selected for rural zone designation. The Northeast Georgia Regional Commission reviewed and submitted the application on the city’s behalf.

Linda Moore (left) is the chairperson of Lexington’s Downtown Development Authority and Linda Parish, is chair of the Historic Preservation Commission. The DDA has two open spots and the HPC has one open spot. (Submitted Photo)

Lexington needs DDA, commission spots filled

Grace Burnett

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Organizations in Lexington say they need more residents to serve. Two spots need to be filled on Lexington’s Downtown Development Authority and one spot is open on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.

Thomas Dickerson (left) and his dad, Joe Ed Dickerson, pose in front of the 1967 Chevrolet C-10 at the Thomas Performance Engineering shop in Lexington last week. Thomas plans to open the shop in early 2026. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Dickerson’s rebuilt truck shines at show

Neva Drane

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Thomas Dickerson wasn’t raised in the automotive industry, though he always had an interest in building, whether it was with Lego bricks or his grandfather’s Lionel trains. It wasn’t long before he discovered his passion for automobiles.