The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is considering a route just south of the city limits of Watkinsville as the recommended alternative for a truck bypass linking SR 15 with U.S. 441 to reduce traffic along Main Street inside the city.
Consultants for GDOT have considered and rejected a route inside the limits.
The three Republicans seeking to represent Oconee County in the Georgia General Assembly in January begin the fall campaign season with a significant financial advantage over the three Democrats seeking those same seats.
In the Senate District 46 contest, Republican Marc McMain reported in his July 31 Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report that he had a $124,111 Ending Monitory Balance, compared with $16,001 for Democrat Ray Smith.
The Oconee County Board of Commissioners is treating the previously scheduled stakeholders meeting with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) representatives to discuss a proposed truck bypass of SR 15 as a called meeting of the Commission.
That means at least a quorum of the commissioners--three members–is expected to attend and discuss official business. By state law, such a meeting must be open to the public.
The Oconee County Board of Education on Monday night officially adopted a property tax millage rate of 13.836 for 2026, down from 13.962 for 2025, but up slightly from the 13.813 originally proposed in May.
The adopted rate of 13.836 is the rollback rate, calculated to offset growth in the county Tax Digest due to reassessment of unchanged property. The Tax Digest is the total assessed value of property in the county.
Going into the November election, when control of Congress will be decided, Georgia’s 10th Congressional District, which includes Oconee County, is in a position to be the third most competitive of Congressional races for seats currently held by Republicans in Georgia.
In the May 19 party primaries, 58.2 percent of the votes cast in the 10th Congressional District were in the Republican Primary, with 41.8 percent in the Democratic Primary.
Roughly 10 percent of Oconee County residents are food insecure, and available providers are meeting the needs of only one in three of those people.
Some of those who are in need are not able to gain access to the services provided, and some don’t seek help because of the stigma associated with taking advantage of existing programs.
Mack “Dutch” Guest IV used his announced Meet and Greet at Wire Park in Watkinsville on Friday evening to mingle with what seemed to be a largely supportive crowd, shake hands, talk to the children, and chat informally.
The Republican candidate, who is seeking to represent Oconee County in state House District 121, wore a white polo shirt with his name stenciled in small letters on its chest and khaki shorts as he strolled the courtyard, casually interacting with people who approached him.
