Lexington

Members of the Red Hat Society meet at restaurants or in members’ homes, such as this Christmas gathering. The only requirements: members must be at least 50 years old and wear purple clothing and red hats. (Submitted Photo)

Members of the Red Hat Society meet at restaurants or in members’ homes, such as this Christmas gathering. The only requirements: members must be at least 50 years old and wear purple clothing and red hats. (Submitted Photo)

Red Hat Society helps bring women together

Maura Rutledge
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Scarlet hats and purple clothing aren’t a traditional combination, but they’re the signature look of the Red Hat ladies of Lexington. Despite their regal appearance, they said they “just like to have fun.”  “The Red Hats are just a fun group of ladies. We don't have a set program.
The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

The Oglethorpe County Chamber of Commerce sign hangs from the Crawford Depot. New “Patriot Bucks” program aims to boost small businesses by rewarding residents for shopping local. (Photo/Ansley Gavlak)

Chamber launches Patriot Bucks to encourage local spending

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Shopping in Oglethorpe County just got easier with the launch of Patriot Bucks. The $10 cards were to be randomly mailed to 250 households this week to encourage local spending. The cards can be used like cash for any item or service at participating businesses within the county.
Ronnie Boggs (left) and Ashley Simpson stand with the portraits of Thomas and Anne Goulding last month. They have returned to Lexington after a 10-year absence.

Ronnie Boggs (left) and Ashley Simpson stand with the portraits of Thomas and Anne Goulding last month. They have returned to Lexington after a 10-year absence.

Decade-long effort brings historic Goulding portraits back to Lexington

Molly Moore
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
For ages, two weathered faces lingered quietly in a small church lobby in Oglethorpe County, until their disappearance pushed a local historian’s search for answers.  After nearly a year of restoration and more than a decade of advocacy, the 1843 portraits of Rev.
The congregation proceeds into St. Paul Methodist Church for the rededication service in Lexington on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Many reasons caused the church to be closed for several years. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

The congregation proceeds into St. Paul Methodist Church for the rededication service in Lexington on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Many reasons caused the church to be closed for several years. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Years after closing, service and fellowship mark St. Paul’s reopening

Susanna Johnson
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Neither storms, nor a pandemic, nor even a financial scam could stop the members of St. Paul Methodist Church from bringing their ancestors’ church back to life. St. Paul, located at 660 Comer Road in Lexington, opened its doors to the public Sunday for the first time in five years.
Kathleen deMarrais poses for a photo outside the Rowdy Rooster, which she owns with Jamie Lewis, in Lexington on Nov. 4, 2025. DeMarrais has won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Studies Association (AESA), a research organization for educators she has been involved in since the 1980s. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Kathleen deMarrais poses for a photo outside the Rowdy Rooster, which she owns with Jamie Lewis, in Lexington on Nov. 4, 2025. DeMarrais has won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Studies Association (AESA), a research organization for educators she has been involved in since the 1980s. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Rowdy Rooster owner honored for lifetime of teaching, research, service

Susanna Johnson
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Some residents may have noticed the Rowdy Rooster was closed last weekend.  That’s because Kathleen deMarrais was heading home from New Mexico with a new honor —  the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Educational Studies Association (AESA).
Rebecca Smith (left), Lucille Endriss (middle) and Gail Spearing (right) volunteer as poll workers for the Lexington mayoral race between Cory Crayton and Evelyn Reece. There are 176 voters who are eligible to vote in this election. (Mia Fishman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Rebecca Smith (left), Lucille Endriss (middle) and Gail Spearing (right) volunteer as poll workers for the Lexington mayoral race between Cory Crayton and Evelyn Reece. There are 176 voters who are eligible to vote in this election. (Mia Fishman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Reece wins Lexington mayoral race

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Evelyn Reece will be the next mayor of Lexington.  Reece defeated Cory Crayton, a member of the Lexington City Council and Historic Preservation Board, to win the nonpartisan mayoral race, garnering 58% of the vote on Tuesday.
Cory Crayton (left) and Evelyn Reece (right), the candidates in Lexington’s nonpartisan mayoral race, spoke to The Oglethorpe Echo about their views on key issues. (Submitted Photo)

Cory Crayton (left) and Evelyn Reece (right), the candidates in Lexington’s nonpartisan mayoral race, spoke to The Oglethorpe Echo about their views on key issues. (Submitted Photo)

Q&A: Lexington mayoral candidates speak about city’s issues

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
 Cory Crayton and Evelyn Reece, the candidates in Lexington’s nonpartisan mayoral race, spoke to The Oglethorpe Echo about their views on key issues, such as city utilities, economic development and historic preservation. Early voting for the Lexington mayoral race is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct.
The Crawford City Council Sandra Sheridan (from left), Brenda Butler, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance, Mayor Seavy O’Neal, Kathy Little, Carol McGrath and Johnny Shedd met on Nov. 12 , 2024 for its monthly meeting. Sheridan stepped down last month after serving on the council for nearly 15 years. (Photo/ Sarah Coyne)

The Crawford City Council Sandra Sheridan (from left), Brenda Butler, city clerk Amy Wall-Lance, Mayor Seavy O’Neal, Kathy Little, Carol McGrath and Johnny Shedd met on Nov. 12 , 2024 for its monthly meeting. Sheridan stepped down last month after serving on the council for nearly 15 years. (Photo/ Sarah Coyne)

Sheridan steps down from Crawford City Council

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Crawford City Council member Sandra Sheridan, who has served on the city council for nearly 15 years, announced her resignation last month.  After moving forward with selling her house and moving out of the county, Sheridan said “it was time to resign.” “It was fun,” Sheridan said.
Rubble sits outside of 112 W. Main Street on Sept. 3, 2025 in Lexington, Georgia. The downtown commercial core is a part of Lexington's Downtown Master Plan aimed at revitalizing the city. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Rubble sits outside of 112 W. Main Street on Sept. 3, 2025 in Lexington, Georgia. The downtown commercial core is a part of Lexington's Downtown Master Plan aimed at revitalizing the city. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Lexington’s master plan reveals blueprint for revamping notable properties

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
 CORRECTION: Information was incorrect about which organization had invested funds into the restoration of the Historic Oglethorpe Jail in the Sept. 11, 2025 print edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. The correct information is in the story below.