Crawford

Katie and Jon Armour have renamed Nature's Harvest to Full Draw Processing. The processor plans to open this upcoming deer season. (Photo Submitted)

Katie and Jon Armour have renamed Nature's Harvest to Full Draw Processing. The processor plans to open this upcoming deer season. (Photo Submitted)

Nature’s Harvest sold, to open for deer season

Finley Millwood
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Growing up hunting with her dad prepared Katie Armour for her new adventure: owning a processing business. Armour, 41, and her husband, Jon, who is 43, closed on Nature’s Harvest at the end of March.  The couple decided to rename the business to Full Draw Processing.
From left, zoning board members Morgan Robinson, Jimmy Shealy and Sam Nash, along with Planning Director Jeff Sharp, prepare for the April 16 zoning board meeting. Board member JF Hansford was absent. During the meeting, the board approved multiple zoning and land-use requests, including a proposal for a wedding venue and updates to county solar battery regulations, while denying one subdivision variance request. (Photo/Emilie Sullivan)

From left, zoning board members Morgan Robinson, Jimmy Shealy and Sam Nash, along with Planning Director Jeff Sharp, prepare for the April 16 zoning board meeting. Board member JF Hansford was absent. During the meeting, the board approved multiple zoning and land-use requests, including a proposal for a wedding venue and updates to county solar battery regulations, while denying one subdivision variance request. (Photo/Emilie Sullivan)

Zoning board says yes to wedding venue

Emilie Sullivan
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
A proposed wedding venue on Comer Road moved one step closer to reality after the Oglethorpe County Zoning Board approved a rezoning request at its April 16 meeting. Owners Nelida and Greg Serrano, who attended the meeting, requested the rezone from agricultural residential to highway business.
Travis Hill, owner of Hill Renovations, hangs up 'The Local Spot' sign outside. The restaurant is located at 1185 Athens Road, and planned to open late April. (Photo Submitted)

Travis Hill, owner of Hill Renovations, hangs up 'The Local Spot' sign outside. The restaurant is located at 1185 Athens Road, and planned to open late April. (Photo Submitted)

Nation aims to bring family fun to Crawford restaurant

Finley Millwood
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Born and raised in Oglethorpe County, Stephanie Nation’s goal is to embody the saying “good laughs, good food, good people” with her new restaurant. “I really want it to just be somewhere fun that people can come, and if they're having a bad day, it will turn upside down,” Nation said.
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)

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)

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.
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)

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)

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)

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.
Mary Ann Cox, who lives in Crawford, incorporates her artwork into her seasonal style. This year, she compiled winter and holiday paintings and printed a small booklet to send to loved ones. (Photo/Maia Capuano)

Mary Ann Cox, who lives in Crawford, incorporates her artwork into her seasonal style. This year, she compiled winter and holiday paintings and printed a small booklet to send to loved ones. (Photo/Maia Capuano)

Artist combines love of painting, color with Christmas decorations

Maia Capuano
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Mary Ann Cox uses vintage elements, such as Christmas cards, and handcrafted pieces, such as a holly painting, to decorate for the holidays.   Cox has transformed her home into a merry oasis through her creativity and artistic abilities.
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.