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)

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.
Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, Georgia's on-time delivery for single-piece, first-class mail trailed behind the national average for both two-day and three-to-five day service. Nationwide, 81.9% of two-day mail was on time compared with Georgia's 61.6%, highlighting regional performance gaps. (Kimberly Thomas/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, Georgia's on-time delivery for single-piece, first-class mail trailed behind the national average for both two-day and three-to-five day service. Nationwide, 81.9% of two-day mail was on time compared with Georgia's 61.6%, highlighting regional performance gaps. (Kimberly Thomas/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Mail delivery continues to be an issue

Kimberly Thomas
Thursday, September 25, 2025
On some evenings in Oglethorpe County, the mail doesn’t arrive until after dinnertime. Residents say they’ve waited as late as 8 p.m. for delivery, a far cry from when letters and bills once showed up by early afternoon.   The delays reflect a broader shift in how the U.S.

The Echo: Amplified

What happens when a public university partners with a community newspaper? A beautiful collaboration and a reminder of all the things local news is meant to be: personal, rewarding and impactful.

 

To those who serve The Echo.

To those who read The Echo.

To those who believe in local news.

 

This documentary was directed by Julianna Duennes Russ and produced by Leighton Dancy, in collaboration with the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication and The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc. 

 

Special thank you to: Ralph Maxwell, Dink NeSmith, Amanda Bright, Andy Johnston, Lori Johnston, Trisha Bearden, Lourdes Tompkins, Blake Campbell, Kathleen deMarrais, Jamie Lewis, Barbara Cabaniss, Delbra Kendrick, Zachary Leggio, Adriana Cascio, Libby Hobbs, Jesse Wood. Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.

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Oglethorpe Echo
Leo Lazo and his wife Maria Lazo serve pupusas, tamales and pollo rostizado at El Mana 2. The first location opened in Gainesville in 2018. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Leo Lazo and his wife Maria Lazo serve pupusas, tamales and pollo rostizado at El Mana 2. The first location opened in Gainesville in 2018. (Photo/Libby Hobbs)

Salvadoran restaurant opens in Oak Tree Plaza

Libby Hobbs
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Thick cake tortillas stuffed with cheese, pork and beans are a staple in El Salvador. This dish, called a pupusa, can be found in Lexington, too.  Pupuseria El Mana 2, located at Oak Tree Plaza (777 Athens Road), held its grand opening on March 19.
Construction work at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Arnoldsville Road on Monday, March 24, 2025. Work started on March 20 and should be completed by the end of June, a Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman said. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Construction work at the intersection of U.S. Highway 78 and Arnoldsville Road on Monday, March 24, 2025. Work started on March 20 and should be completed by the end of June, a Georgia Department of Transportation spokesman said. (Photo/Andy Johnston)

Passing lane being added to 78 in Arnoldsville

Libby Hobbs
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Construction has begun on a passing lane on U.S. Highway 78 at the intersection with Arnoldsville Road that will give vehicles traveling east room to pass those turning left. The projected cost is $134,156.50 and is funded by the state.
Oglethorpe County native Brandon Colquitt shows off the crappie he caught at Clarks Hill Lake. He said most of the fishing spots in the county are on private property. (Submitted Photo)

Oglethorpe County native Brandon Colquitt shows off the crappie he caught at Clarks Hill Lake. He said most of the fishing spots in the county are on private property. (Submitted Photo)

Fishing options limited around county

Micahya Costen
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Fishing in Oglethorpe County is popular, but it isn’t always the easiest task — unless you know private pond owners.    “There’s not a lot of public opportunity (to fish) in Oglethorpe County,” said local guide Brandon Colquitt, who grew up in Lexington and now lives in Sandy Cross.
New Bethlehem Baptist Church is located in Carlton, Georgia. It is surrounded by farmland and contains a small school behind the church building. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

New Bethlehem Baptist Church is located in Carlton, Georgia. It is surrounded by farmland and contains a small school behind the church building. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

Church’s Black history celebration lasts entire month

Izzy Wagner
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Cows grazed silently in the vast fields outside of New Bethlehem Baptist Church in Carlton on Sunday. But within the church walls, the pastor’s voice boomed, filling every corner of the sanctuary.    Despite feeling under the weather that morning, the Rev.
Katherine Ratcliffe answers questions from David Robinson, an attendee of the online dating event last Friday. Robinson lives in Comer and often visits the Oglethorpe County Library. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

Katherine Ratcliffe answers questions from David Robinson, an attendee of the online dating event last Friday. Robinson lives in Comer and often visits the Oglethorpe County Library. (Photo/Izzy Wagner)

Love is in the air at the library

Izzy Wagner
Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Oglethorpe County Library branch manager Katherine Ratcliffe has been in a relationship for five months that started on a dating site — match.com. Although she said it was an arduous process, Ratcliffe said she’s extremely grateful she stuck with it.
Paul Thiel, director of operations for the Oglethorpe County School District, talks with Margaux Binder, business and infrastructure, and Jim Bass and Ellie Pool, education and schools reporters. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Paul Thiel, director of operations for the Oglethorpe County School District, talks with Margaux Binder, business and infrastructure, and Jim Bass and Ellie Pool, education and schools reporters. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Community connections

News Staff
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Twenty-seven months ago, The Oglethorpe Echo entered a new era. After decades of stewardship under the leadership of the Maxwell family, the ownership of the 148-year-old newspaper was transferred to a new nonprofit, The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy, Inc.
Carol Anderson Nimmons

Carol Anderson Nimmons

Obituary: Carol Anderson Nimmons

News Staff
Friday, September 1, 2023
Carol Anderson Nimmons of Watkinsville, a former resident of Oglethorpe County and Athens, died on Aug. 21 at the age of 82. She was the daughter of the late John Lee and Ruth Smith Anderson. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jan A. McGahee of Roswell, and a brother, Dr.