oconee county
-
Education
Oconee County Schools is 70 Followers Away From Meeting Social Media Goal
The Oconee County Board of Education highlights gaining social media followers in its 2024-2025 plans to reach the community. With less than 70 followers until completing the 20,300 goal, the county is close to accomplishing one of its community engagement plans. According to a November 2024 Pew Research report, “about…
-
2024 Election
Oconee Board of Elections Faces More Than 300 Voter Challenges Ahead of Nov. 5
What are these Challenges? The challenges stem from a new Georgia law, Senate Bill 189, which went into effect July 1. Part of the law allows Georgia voters to challenge other voters’ registrations. Most of Cruz and Aleshire’s challenges are against people who have moved to another county or state…
-
High School Sports
Seniors Lead Oconee County Girls Tennis to State Finals
Brinley Bartlett and Isabel Miller led a first-round sweep of Cedar Grove in the state tournament; it pushed the Oconee County girls’ tennis team closer to a title. But, that wasn’t the only important thing about it. The win was not important just because Miller remained undefeated in No.1 doubles. The…
-
Education
Librarians, Experts: Book Challenges Across Northeast Georgia Can Disrupt Understanding of LGBTQIA+ Community
A trip to the library, for many children, can mean an introduction to a new place, time or group of people. It can also be a place where children see themselves in the books that they pick up off the shelves. However, in some counties in Georgia, books connected to…
-
Northeast Georgia News
Oconee County Fire Rescue Asks for Volunteers to Join Their Program
Oconee County Fire Rescue, located in Watkinsville, Georgia, is currently accepting volunteers in its firefighter and medical responder program. To become a volunteer firefighter or medical responder in Oconee County, you must be a resident of Watkinsville, Bishop or North High Shoals. You must also pass a criminal background check,…
-
Northeast Georgia News
Oconee County Brings in Specialized Van to Determine Road Repaving Needs
Lights flash behind David McGhee as he begins his 390-mile journey surveying roads in Oconee County. McGhee is an operator with consulting firm Infrastructure Management Services or IMS. He is traveling through the county in a van equipped with state-of-the-art lasers to analyze the road conditions. “I collect all the data that…
-
In-Depth
Facebook Local News Groups Work To Inform, Engage Residents
In the early morning hours of March 19, a gunman killed 23-year-old RaceTrac employee Elijah Wood. As rush hour began, posts on the Oconee 411 Facebook group page asked about the police activity at the RaceTrac station on Macon Highway. Later, using information from county officials, local news groups from…
-
In-Depth
Watkinsville Mayor Resigns, Walks Out Of City Hall During Council Meeting
Watkinsville Mayor Bob Smith announced his resignation, effective immediately, during the March 17 council meeting. Soon after, Smith posted an official statement to his mayoral Facebook page outlining how he came to this decision. It was a shock to everyone in the meeting, including the council. I think if we…
-
COVID-19 Coverage
‘Romancing the Coast’: The Effect of COVID-19 on Local Art
Karl Enter, an Oconee County resident and artist, has always had art in his life; after all, it was his father, Harold Enter, who began drawing on letters back home from the front during World War II. “I always had art stuff just laying around,” Enter said. “I did a…
-
2020 Election
Oconee County Prepares for Increase in Absentee Voting
Absentee voting has always been a practical means of voting in statewide elections. Now, in 2020, it’s essential. Claire Vogel will be one Oconee County resident voting through an absentee ballot in the November general election. Vogel, a third-year student at the University of Michigan, will send in her absentee…