Nature

Lexington’s Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, wears his tree-climbing gear. He used his skills to help clear debris during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Lexington’s Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, wears his tree-climbing gear. He used his skills to help clear debris during Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. (Emily Adams/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Hart makes tree care a high-flying career

Grace Burnett
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
 Frankie Hart, owner and operator of Hart Tree Care, offers tree removal, pruning, cabling and bracing, contract climbing, cat rescues and 24/7 emergency services — with the safety of both nature and people in mind.
A black bear in a pecan tree off Crawford Smithonia Road caused a stir on Friday morning. The bear was later named Elvis. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

A black bear in a pecan tree off Crawford Smithonia Road caused a stir on Friday morning. The bear was later named Elvis. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Bear sighted in Crawford, named Elvis

Leighton Dancy
Thursday, May 1, 2025
When Tony Resop let out his dogs at 7:30 a.m. Friday, the last thing he expected to see was a black bear in his neighbor’s pecan tree. “My first instinct was, ‘Oh my god, there’s a cow in the tree,’” Resop said. “My jaw just dropped. I said, ‘There is a bear in the tree.’ I just couldn’t believe it.
Kathrine Clark said she thinks feral hogs have begun to uproot her garden and destroy the fencing around her plants and flowers. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Kathrine Clark said she thinks feral hogs have begun to uproot her garden and destroy the fencing around her plants and flowers. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

Resident: Feral hogs make way to Lexington

Garrett Kicklighter
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
Lexington resident Kathrine Clark has noticed feral hog activity in downtown Lexington.   Clark and her husband live on Dupree Street, about a block from Highway 78, and a few weeks ago, she said she noticed digging in her flower beds and droppings on her lawn.    “We’re like, ‘Huh?
Master gardener Lamara Martin examines a daffodil before handing them out to guests at the Seed Swap. Martin, who lives in Athens, was one of two master gardeners at the Seed Swap, which was held March 4 at No. 3 Railroad Street. (SHELBY WINGATE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Master gardener Lamara Martin examines a daffodil before handing them out to guests at the Seed Swap. Martin, who lives in Athens, was one of two master gardeners at the Seed Swap, which was held March 4 at No. 3 Railroad Street. (SHELBY WINGATE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Get growing

Shelby Wingate
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Of all the seeds available at the Seed Swap, the Irish potatoes were the center of conversation.    With an early spring planting season, master gardener Lamara Martin took advantage of this growing interest, educating people on the benefits of homegrown produce.