Lexington

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.
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.”
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.
A sign marks the section of road named for Hamilton McWhorter Jr. on Highway 78 heading northwest from Lexington on Aug. 28, 2025. The Oglethorpe County native is remembered for his contributions to Lexington and the county. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

A sign marks the section of road named for Hamilton McWhorter Jr. on Highway 78 heading northwest from Lexington on Aug. 28, 2025. The Oglethorpe County native is remembered for his contributions to Lexington and the county. (Photo/Susanna Johnson)

Hamilton McWhorter Jr. Highway honors Oglethorpe's unsung hero

Susanna Johnson
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The road signs on Highway 78 between Crawford and Lexington reading “Hamilton McWhorter Jr. Highway” are hard to miss. But because of McWhorter’s “behind-the-scenes” nature, many may not know the extent of his contributions to Oglethorpe County.
Linda Parish and Gina Holloway scrape paint off a cabinet on Aug. 22, 2025 to prepare for First Friday. The cabinet will hold drinks and food for Lexington Market Place's First Friday event on Sept. 5, 2025. (Mia Fishman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Linda Parish and Gina Holloway scrape paint off a cabinet on Aug. 22, 2025 to prepare for First Friday. The cabinet will hold drinks and food for Lexington Market Place's First Friday event on Sept. 5, 2025. (Mia Fishman/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington Market Place seeks to revitalize downtown with First Friday event

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Over the years, downtown Lexington has shifted from a stop-and-shop town to a community many simply drive through.   But local business owners want the charm that Main Street once had to return — and that effort begins this week with First Friday.
Pine Grove Road's street sign stands in Arnoldsville, Ga, on Aug. 21, 2025. The city council unanimously approved adding waterline upgrades to the road's proposed paving plan. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Pine Grove Road's street sign stands in Arnoldsville, Ga, on Aug. 21, 2025. The city council unanimously approved adding waterline upgrades to the road's proposed paving plan. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Pine Grove Road paving plan sparks debate in Arnoldsville

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Pine Grove Road in Arnoldsville may be paved, but it might also need waterline work. Arnoldsville council member Blake Arnold introduced a motion last Thursday to explore adding waterline upgrades and a new fire hydrant to the Pine Grove Road paving project.
John Fortuna has been digging his own grave for the past year at his property in Lexington. He said he has only a few more inches to go until he reaches 6 feet deep. (Photo/Alex Perri)

John Fortuna has been digging his own grave for the past year at his property in Lexington. He said he has only a few more inches to go until he reaches 6 feet deep. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Digging his own grave

Alex Perri
Thursday, August 21, 2025
Lexington artist John Fortuna’s property is sprinkled with his handiwork.  His home, a 1,200-square-foot geodesic dome, he hand-built with his brother’s help.  Inside, the space is covered with his award-winning artwork. In his yard are two more domes he’s built to house his peacocks and chickens.
Property owner Rick Hawkins appears to be making progress on repairs to the buildings he owns in downtown Lexington. He owns six buildings, four of which are for sale, local representative Kathrine Clark said. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Property owner Rick Hawkins appears to be making progress on repairs to the buildings he owns in downtown Lexington. He owns six buildings, four of which are for sale, local representative Kathrine Clark said. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Hawkins, Lexington try to work through building issues

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Progress is being made after a stalemate between the City of Lexington and Rick Hawkins, the owner of derelict buildings in downtown Lexington.

Lexington budget rises $118K, but is balanced

Zach Leggio
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Lexington approved its budget for the 2025 fiscal year at $646,740, which includes a $118,803 increase. A large portion of the budget is dedicated to water services, which cost the city roughly $389,000. The budget, however, remains balanced.