Wednesday, January 07, 2026

Oconee County Election Board Considering Adding Second Early Voting Site To Increase Voter Turnout Heading Into May Primaries

***Final Decision Likely In February***

The Oconee County Board of Elections and Registration decided on Monday to explore adding a second venue for early voting in the May 19 Party Primary Elections to increase turnout in the Oconee Northeast Precinct, which includes Bogart.

Board Chair Jay Hanley said he had been approached by candidates who are running for House District 120 and are concerned about turnout in the Northeast Precinct, which falls in that District.

Sunday, January 04, 2026

Oconee County Democrats Join In Protests In Athens Against Strikes In Venezuela; Oconee Republican Party Facebook Page Includes Praise

***Two Rallies Planned By Democrats***

The Oconee County Democratic Committee announced on Sunday afternoon that it is joining two protests on Monday in Athens of Saturday’s aerial invasion of Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro.

The “Hands Off Venezuela” protests are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the corner of Alps Road and Baxter Streets and at 4 p.m. in downtown Athens outside the UGA Arch on Broad Street.

Oconee County Commission To Consider Rezones For Grocery Store And Gas Station, Large Residential Subdivision, Shopping Center

***County Initiated Rezone For Shopping Center***

Oconee County commissioners face an agenda with a long list of rezone requests in their first meeting of the New Year on Tuesday night, including three with the potential to have significant impact on development in the county in the coming years.

Members of the Bishop family, who own 17.8 acres stretching from Experiment Station Road along the east side of Bishop Farms Parkway to the Oconee Campus of the University of North Georgia, are seeking to rezone 4.8 acres at the corner of Bishop Farms Parkway and Experiment Station Road for a small grocery store, restaurant, and gas station.