Oglethorpe County EMS shift supervisor and paramedic Dylan Smith assembles a search-and-rescue drone at the EMS station in Crawford on Aug. 29. Smith and local emergency crews work alongside UGA disaster management researchers to integrate advanced aerial technology into rural operations. (ISABELLA PANG/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Oglethorpe County EMS shift supervisor and paramedic Dylan Smith assembles a search-and-rescue drone at the EMS station in Crawford on Aug. 29. Smith and local emergency crews work alongside UGA disaster management researchers to integrate advanced aerial technology into rural operations. (ISABELLA PANG/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Partnership with UGA gives boost to emergency services

Reaching the scene is often the largest hurdle for first responders when there’s an emergency somewhere across Oglethorpe County’s more than 400 square miles.
Superintendent Phillip Powell talks with his staff about possibly buying the CommonLit English program at the BOE work session on Aug. 25. The cost of $6,850 was discussed and will be voted on at the next BOE meeting on Sept. 8. (Sophia Bobo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

Superintendent Phillip Powell talks with his staff about possibly buying the CommonLit English program at the BOE work session on Aug. 25. The cost of $6,850 was discussed and will be voted on at the next BOE meeting on Sept. 8. (Sophia Bobo/The Oglethorpe Echo).

BOE recommends CommonLit purchase during work session

Oglethorpe County Schools don’t have a consistent curriculum assessment tool for sixth through 12th...
Loretta Jack (left), Tara Huff (middle) and Brittanie Wright stand outside their new restaurant, Wright’s Southern Cafe, which is scheduled to open on Sept. 26. Wright is leasing the building and will run the restaurant with help from her mother and grandmother. (Maura Potvin/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Loretta Jack (left), Tara Huff (middle) and Brittanie Wright stand outside their new restaurant, Wright’s Southern Cafe, which is scheduled to open on Sept. 26. Wright is leasing the building and will run the restaurant with help from her mother and grandmother. (Maura Potvin/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Family’s five generations to bring Southern soul food to Crawford

Opening Wright’s Southern Cafe is a dream come true for Brittanie Wright, who started cooking with...
The Crawford Depot on Feb. 2, 2025 in Crawford, Ga. The Restoration Run's proceeds support upkeep and maintenance of the Depot. (Photo/Olivia Wilson)

The Crawford Depot on Feb. 2, 2025 in Crawford, Ga. The Restoration Run's proceeds support upkeep and maintenance of the Depot. (Photo/Olivia Wilson)

Annual race has helped fund Depot for 22 years

A new deck, repairs to the loading dock and stabilized ramp railings are the newest renovations to...
The Oglethorpe Echo e-Edition

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.

Naomi McPeake skies for a shot in front of teammates Azalee Ring (22) and Hayley Matthews during a recent match at OCHS. The Patriots play Jackson County and Cedar Shoals at Cedar Shoals on Thursday. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Naomi McPeake skies for a shot in front of teammates Azalee Ring (22) and Hayley Matthews during a recent match at OCHS. The Patriots play Jackson County and Cedar Shoals at Cedar Shoals on Thursday. (Photo/Ty Johnston)

Prep roundup: Cross country has strong showing at East Jackson

 The Oglethorpe County boys cross country team finished 10th out of 21 teams at the North Georgia...
Allie Tilley is the new athletic trainer at Oglethorpe County High School this year. She has been an athletic trainer for 10 years, including time at Clarke Central in Athens. (SYDNEY JARRARD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Allie Tilley is the new athletic trainer at Oglethorpe County High School this year. She has been an athletic trainer for 10 years, including time at Clarke Central in Athens. (SYDNEY JARRARD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

New OCHS trainer brings experience to the position

Before Allie Tilley took the athletic training position at Oglethorpe County High School in...