Crawford

Alan Erwin, Crawford’s incoming mayor, poses at the Crawford Depot on Nov. 14 2025. Erwin will replace longtime Mayor Seavy O’Neal, who is stepping down, when he takes office Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Alan Erwin, Crawford’s incoming mayor, poses at the Crawford Depot on Nov. 14 2025. Erwin will replace longtime Mayor Seavy O’Neal, who is stepping down, when he takes office Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo/Mia Fishman)

Love for Crawford leads Erwin to mayor’s office

Mia Fishman
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
When current Crawford Mayor Seavy O’Neal announced he wouldn’t run for office again after serving for seven years, Alan Erwin told his wife he was ready for the challenge. Crawford City clerk Amy Wall-Lance later called Erwin, who ran unopposed, to let him know “he was in.” “You ready?” she asked.
The upstairs of the factory building was partially insulated for an apartment, and part of it has exposed brick walls and large windows. This is part of the Historic Jefferson Mill property in Crawford that went up for sale in October of 2025 for $1.6 million. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The upstairs of the factory building was partially insulated for an apartment, and part of it has exposed brick walls and large windows. This is part of the Historic Jefferson Mill property in Crawford that went up for sale in October of 2025 for $1.6 million. (Makenna Reavis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Historic mill seeks new owner and purpose

Makenna Reavis
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Jefferson Mill in Crawford is full of local history, and Gary Stacy hopes to keep it that way.  The building was built with brick made in Smithonia and was originally powered by a hydroelectric plant built at Watson Mill, giving it deep Oglethorpe County roots.
Crawford City Clerk Amy Wall-Lance (right) discusses the meeting agenda to the city council on Oct. 14. Willie Torres (left), who recently replaced Sandra Sheridan as a council member, and Brenda Butler (middle) listen to Wall-Lance. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford City Clerk Amy Wall-Lance (right) discusses the meeting agenda to the city council on Oct. 14. Willie Torres (left), who recently replaced Sandra Sheridan as a council member, and Brenda Butler (middle) listen to Wall-Lance. (Ansley Gavlak/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford to resubmit trail expansion grant

Ansley Gavlak
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
CLARIFICATION: Information was incorrect about which company was hired to clear the city streets from overgrown brush and limbs in the Lexington City Council minutes and the Oct. 30, 2025 print edition of The Oglethorpe Echo. The correct information is in the story below.
Chad Tracy, CEO of Patriot Construction, stands by Crawford Village’s first phase of 26 two-bedroom and 2½-bath rental units. These units are expected to be complete in 2-3 weeks. (Grace Burnett/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Chad Tracy, CEO of Patriot Construction, stands by Crawford Village’s first phase of 26 two-bedroom and 2½-bath rental units. These units are expected to be complete in 2-3 weeks. (Grace Burnett/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Phase one of Crawford Village expected to be complete soon

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Phase one of Crawford Village construction, including 26 two-bedroom, 2½-bath rental units, is expected to be complete in approximately 2-3 weeks.  All of Crawford Village, located near the intersection of Bunker Hill Road and Highway 78 and along Wheeler Circle, should be finished by 2030.
Willie Torres stands in front of the counter of his restaurant, Town and Country Kafe, that he co-owns with his wife, Amy Delfin-Torres. The couple decided to put the restaurant on the market after three years to pursue other personal opportunities like traveling. (photo/Emily Adams)

Willie Torres stands in front of the counter of his restaurant, Town and Country Kafe, that he co-owns with his wife, Amy Delfin-Torres. The couple decided to put the restaurant on the market after three years to pursue other personal opportunities like traveling. (photo/Emily Adams)

Torreses opt for new path, put restaurant up for sale

Emily Adams
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The sale of Town and Country Kafe in Crawford will mark a new chapter for owners Willie Torres and Amy Delfin-Torres. After three years of owning the restaurant, the couple is selling to “pursue new opportunities and personal growth.
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.
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.

Fire, auto accidents keep first responders busy

Alex Perri
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Firefighters and first responders were unusually busy last week, with one house fire and eight car accidents in the county.  No fatalities were recorded in any of the incidents, but three car accidents led to injuries.
David Charles Cheek, Tim Cheek’s son, was photographed in his grandfather’s uniform at Halloween one year. Tim Cheek said Charles was his dad’s name. (Submitted Photo)

David Charles Cheek, Tim Cheek’s son, was photographed in his grandfather’s uniform at Halloween one year. Tim Cheek said Charles was his dad’s name. (Submitted Photo)

A man ‘full of hope’

Elizabeth Kim
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Tim Cheek still recalls with great clarity the afternoon that he lost his father. His family had a less-than-pleasant lunch in their Crawford home that August day in 1995.