On Friday, July 24, Chairman John Daniell participated in a conference call with area healthcare providers and hospitals regarding COVID-19.

Oconee County Fire Rescue proudly announces the completion of 210 hours of Firefighter I training by six Oconee County Volunteer Firefighters.

Oconee County Water Resources will conduct smoke testing in the Athens Ridge/ The Falls, Harden Hill Road, and Summit Grove Drive areas on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31.

On Friday, July 24, Chairman John Daniell participated in a conference call with area healthcare providers and hospitals regarding COVID-19.

On Friday, July 24, Chairman John Daniell participated in a conference call with area healthcare providers and hospitals regarding COVID-19.

On Friday, July 24, Chairman John Daniell participated in a conference call with area healthcare providers and hospitals regarding COVID-19.

Oconee County Water Resources will conduct smoke testing in the Athens Ridge/ The Falls, Harden Hill Road, and Summit Grove Drive areas on Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31.

Oconee County Fire Rescue proudly announces the completion of 210 hours of Firefighter I training by six Oconee County Volunteer Firefighters.

On Friday, July 24, Chairman John Daniell participated in a conference call with area healthcare providers and hospitals regarding COVID-19.

2026 Qualifying Notice

The Oconee County Democratic Party of Georgia has requested that the Oconee County Election Superintendent serve as its qualifying agent during the upcoming qualifying period for the May 19, 2026, General Primary. Qualifying fees may be paid by exact cash, personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to Oconee County Board of Elections. 

The Oconee County Republican Party will serve as their own qualifying agent during the upcoming qualifying period for the May 19, 2026, General Primary. Qualifying fees will be collected and made payable to the Oconee County Republican party at the time of qualifying. Qualifying will be held in the North High Shoals Conference room located on the second floor of the Oconee County Administrative Building located at 7635 Macon Hwy, Watkinsville, GA   30677.  Please contact Kathy Hurley with any questions at oconeegopchair@gmail.com.  

The Oconee County Election Superintendent will serve as qualifying agent for independent candidates during the upcoming qualifying period for the May 19, 2026, General Primary. Qualifying fees may be paid by exact cash, personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to Oconee County Board of Elections. 

Qualifying will be held in the Board of Elections and Registration Office at 7635 Macon Hwy, Watkinsville, GA.  Qualifying is Monday, March 2^nd through Thursday, March 5^th from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and Friday, March 6^th from 9:00 am until 12:00 Noon. The General Primary will be held on May 19, 2026 and the General/Special Election will be held on November 3, 2026. 

 The Oconee County Election Superintendent will serve as qualifying agent for the City of Watkinsville during the upcoming qualifying period for the November 3, 2026, General/Special Election. Qualifying fees may be paid by exact cash, personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to Oconee County Board of Elections.

(O.C.G.A. 21-2-9) Qualifying will be held in the Board of Elections and Registration Office at 7635 Macon Hwy, Watkinsville, GA.  Qualifying is Monday, March 2^nd through Thursday, March 5^th from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm and Friday, March 6^th from 9:00 am until 12:00 Noon. The General/Special Election will be held on November 3, 2026. 

For more information on the qualifying process in Oconee County, please contact the elections office at (706) 769-3958 or visit our website at www.oconeecounty.com/elections

BOARD OF ELECTIONS MEETING NOTICE:

The next Board of Elections meeting will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. 

Meeting will be held at:

Oconee County Administrative Building located at 7635 Macon Hwy. Watkinsville, GA 30677.

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners presented a proclamation recognizing “Government Communicators Day” to the county’s Communications Department at its February Regular Meeting on February 3. Celebrated this year on February 20, “Government Communicators Day” highlights the contributions of public communication professionals across the nation. The Oconee County Communications Department is dedicated to building trust and transparency with the community through effective, impactful, and successful communication strategies. 

Check out full details on the proposed continuation of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST).

Award recognizes ongoing efforts to protect local environment

The Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission recently received a 2025 Governor’s Circle Award for its outstanding achievements in community beautification and environmental sustainability. The Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) presented the award in recognition of exemplary performance in litter reduction, waste minimization, and community greening. 

To qualify for the Governor’s Circle Award, affiliates must be certified and in good standing with Keep America Beautiful (KAB), the national nonprofit that oversees state and local programming. Additionally, the affiliate must be an active member of the KGBF network. Certified KAB affiliates are required to effect meaningful, positive, and lasting change by directly addressing community needs in the areas of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, and beautification.

“Across Georgia, we’re focused on creating clean, green, and beautiful communities for everyone to enjoy,” said Natalie Johnston-Russell, executive director of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. “This year’s award recipients exemplify what’s possible when passion meets action, and we’re proud to recognize their outstanding contributions.”

“We are honored to serve alongside the 78 affiliates in Georgia that work each day to create clean, green, and beautiful communities for everyone to enjoy,” said Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission Executive Director Cindy Pritchard. “We are privileged to engage with the citizens of Oconee County in support of this mission, and we thank all of our many volunteers who make a beautiful Oconee County a reality.” 

For more information about Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission, or to volunteer, visit www.OconeeCountyGA.gov/kocbc. 

Online registration for Spring 2026 programs is now OPEN!

We offer fun recreation youth programs for boys and girls beginning at three years old and a few adult activities to keep your families active this spring.

Programs vary from youth soccer leagues and youth instructional programs to adult softball leagues. Check out all our available programs in our Spring 2026 Activity Guide or by browsing through our website.

Registration link: http://register.communitypass.net/OconeeCounty

Oconee County Parks & Recreation Awarded $500,000 Grant for New Tennis Courts

The Oconee County Parks & Recreation Department scored a major win this summer with a $500,000 grant from the USTA Southern Enhanced Build It Forward program to support the construction of sixteen 78-foot tennis courts at Oconee Veterans Park. The award includes $10,000 from USTA Georgia.

This investment will expand Oconee County’s current recreational facilities, provide more opportunities for competitive play, and give residents of all ages greater access to the lifelong benefits of tennis.

“The support of USTA Southern through the Enhanced Build It Forward grant of $500,000 will make a significant impact on tennis playing opportunities in Oconee County,” said Lisa Davol, Oconee County Parks & Recreation Director. “Funding will be used directly for the Oconee Veterans Park Tennis Court Expansion project that includes adding an additional 16 lighted tennis courts, additional parking, restrooms, and infrastructure, as well as resurfacing and relighting the existing eight courts. We appreciate the USTA Southern investment for facility enhancements and support in growing the lifetime sport of tennis.” 

About Oconee County Parks & Recreation Department The Oconee County Parks & Recreation Department works to create meaningful recreational experiences, promote wellness, and enhance community through park spaces and programs that inspire connections and lifelong memories. For more information about Oconee County Parks & Recreation, visit www.OconeeCountyGA.gov/parks. 

The dates have been set for the 2025-2026 Heritage Park Invasive Species Removal Work Days. Visit https://oconeecountyga.gov/1124/Heritage-Park-Invasive-Plant-Species-Rem to learn more or to register as a volunteer!