oglethorpe county

Catherine Bowen Drewry, founder and co-chair of Community Christmas, accepts a donation from Jason Robertson in The Commercial Bank on Monday. Robertson works at Johnson & Johnson, which donates $5,000 annually to Community Christmas through its outreach program. (Photo/Katherine Davis)

Catherine Bowen Drewry, founder and co-chair of Community Christmas, accepts a donation from Jason Robertson in The Commercial Bank on Monday. Robertson works at Johnson & Johnson, which donates $5,000 annually to Community Christmas through its outreach program. (Photo/Katherine Davis)

Holiday tradition: Community Christmas continues to assist local children, families

Katherine Davis
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Community Christmas is continuing its nearly 30-year tradition of providing hundreds of local children with gifts under the tree and helping families cover essential bills. In order to do this, donations are needed.
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.
County residents and representatives gather on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, to hear the county's 5-year comprehensive plan update. There will be two more opportunities for public input before the plan is finalized. (Photo/Sophia Eppley)

County residents and representatives gather on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, to hear the county's 5-year comprehensive plan update. There will be two more opportunities for public input before the plan is finalized. (Photo/Sophia Eppley)

County seeks public input for new comprehensive plan

Sophia Eppley
Monday, December 1, 2025
Representatives from Arnoldsville, Crawford, Lexington and Maxeys gathered with county officials for the first county comprehensive plan public hearing on Nov. 18.  A comprehensive plan is a 20-year guide to growth and development for Georgia's local governments.
The Oglethorpe County High School cheerleading team won the Cougar Den Game Day Competition at Newnan High on Saturday. (Submitted Photo)

The Oglethorpe County High School cheerleading team won the Cougar Den Game Day Competition at Newnan High on Saturday. (Submitted Photo)

Prep Roundup: Gabriel’s 18 points spark Patriots

News Staff
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Carlie Gabriel scored 18 points to lead the Oglethorpe County girls basketball team to a 53-39 victory over Social Circle on Friday night. Gabriel added seven assists and five rebounds in the victory. Elin Turner had 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Rob Findley and Jillian Moore organize food at last year's Thanksgiving lunch at the Colbert-Benton Guest House. Organizer Flo Hix said 300 people were served in 2024.

Rob Findley and Jillian Moore organize food at last year's Thanksgiving lunch at the Colbert-Benton Guest House. Organizer Flo Hix said 300 people were served in 2024.

Colbert-Benton House to host community lunch on Thanksgiving Day

Katherine Davis
Thursday, November 20, 2025
More than 300 people came to eat Thanksgiving lunch last year at the Colbert-Benton Guest House.  This year, owner Flo Hix is hoping for 500. “The idea is about community,” she said. “Especially people who are alone at the holidays. It’s nice to have them have somebody to talk to.
Superior Court Clerk Kelli Paradise Smith (center) works with bailiffs Mike Haler, Olin “Smiley” Taylor, Joe Williams and Dave Williams in the Oglethorpe County Courthouse in Lexington. About 150 people can be summoned for a criminal trial in the county. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Superior Court Clerk Kelli Paradise Smith (center) works with bailiffs Mike Haler, Olin “Smiley” Taylor, Joe Williams and Dave Williams in the Oglethorpe County Courthouse in Lexington. About 150 people can be summoned for a criminal trial in the county. (Katherine Davis/The Oglethorpe Echo)

An inside look to navigating the courthouse

Gabrielle Gruszynski and Katherine Davis
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
On any given weekday, the Oglethorpe County Courthouse hums with steady activity — civil filings, property records and jury selections all pass through its doors. From marriage licenses to mortgages, most residents will interact with the local court system at some point.
Retired University of Georgia entomology professor and former extension specialist Dr. William Hudson reaches for a female Joro spider on Nov. 4, 2025, in Winterville, Ga. Known for their docile nature, Joro spiders have never been recorded harming humans. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Retired University of Georgia entomology professor and former extension specialist Dr. William Hudson reaches for a female Joro spider on Nov. 4, 2025, in Winterville, Ga. Known for their docile nature, Joro spiders have never been recorded harming humans. (Gabrielle Gruszynski/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A sticky web they weave

Gabrielle Gruszynski
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Big, brightly colored and impossible to miss, Oglethorpe County residents are spotting Joro spiders everywhere this fall.  “It’s just a crazy density,” said Elmer Gray, University of Georgia entomologist and Arnoldsville resident.
Oglethorpe County High School assistant principal Ean Sonnier discusses a grant worth $80,000 during the BOE meeting on Tuesday. The money has been earmarked for a new tractor, a welding cutter and other equipment for the agriculture program. (Drew Bearden/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Oglethorpe County High School assistant principal Ean Sonnier discusses a grant worth $80,000 during the BOE meeting on Tuesday. The money has been earmarked for a new tractor, a welding cutter and other equipment for the agriculture program. (Drew Bearden/The Oglethorpe Echo)

BOE purchases two new propane buses

Ella Jones
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education decided to purchase two propane-powered school buses to replace older models Tuesday, in order to keep the district’s transportation program running efficiently. Each bus will cost $155,033, with $88,110 in state bond funds applied to each purchase.