Sludge

Residents reported concerns about the smell from soil amendments near the intersection of Crawford-Smithonia and Suddeth roads in December. The odor has plagued the county for years. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Residents reported concerns about the smell from soil amendments near the intersection of Crawford-Smithonia and Suddeth roads in December. The odor has plagued the county for years. (Dakota Meeks/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Sludge still smelly issue for residents

Dakota Meeks
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Living in the country means experiencing all sorts of smells. But last December, Lisa Stacy noticed an odor unlike any other. It permeated her nose and clothes. “Initially, I really thought a deer got hit by a car,” Stacy said.
Commissioners David Clarke and Howard Sanders at the BOC meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Commissioners David Clarke and Howard Sanders at the BOC meeting on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Proposed ordinance silenced in meeting

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The proposed noise ordinance that led residents to pack the Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday went quietly away.

Only few issues with sludge since ordinance

Sara Micale
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Chairman Jay Paul said there have been minimal complaints about sludge since the Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners passed a soil amendment ordinance last year.     “The sludge issue has been, relatively speaking, very quiet in the county,” he said.
Ruth Wilson is pictured leading the 2022 Winterville Marigold Festival Parade. She is on her parade horse, "Major." (Photo/ Ruth Wilson)

Ruth Wilson is pictured leading the 2022 Winterville Marigold Festival Parade. She is on her parade horse, "Major." (Photo/ Ruth Wilson)

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Q&A: Wilson balances teaching, farming, battling sludge

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Lexington resident Ruth Wilson is an ES paraprofessional at Oglethorpe County Elementary School, where she teaches third through fifth grades. She also owns Echo Hill Farm on Duck Pond Road and is a voice against sludge dumping in the county.   Comments edited for length and clarity.
Commissioners Howard Sanders (from left), Will Brown and Tracy Norman discuss adding Hugh Culbreth Road to the truck traffic ordinance during Monday’s commission meeting. (Garrett Kicklighter/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Commissioners Howard Sanders (from left), Will Brown and Tracy Norman discuss adding Hugh Culbreth Road to the truck traffic ordinance during Monday’s commission meeting. (Garrett Kicklighter/The Oglethorpe Echo)

No new solar farms for now

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
The Oglethorpe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on solar projects during its monthly meeting on Monday.

State meeting next step in sludge battle

Caroline Embleau
Thursday, September 8, 2022
The battle against sludge continues in Oglethorpe County as officials push for more local monitoring rights, and changes proposed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture are under consideration.    The Georgia Department of Agriculture proposed soil amendment reforms on July 15.