August 19, 2026
Londyn Colquitt takes a free pencil from one of the tables at Community Day on Saturday. Between 250-300 people attended the annual event. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
An evening shower didn’t slow Oglethorpe County’s annual Community Day last Saturday.
Karyn Gunter (left), the director of special education and student support, confers with Oglethorpe County School Superintendent Phillip Powell during a meeting on July 20. Powell will hold a community feedback time on Saturday. (Andy Johnston/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Kim Williams, a deputy with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, escorts Michael Thomas Dusch from the courthouse after he was sentenced to life for the murder of David John Stewart in Arnoldsville last year. He pleaded guilty to all nine counts. (Dink NeSmith/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Attendees check out the silent auction at MOAS’ 11th annual Bark & Wine at Countryside Manor in Winterville on Aug. 15. MOAS raised $50,000 at the event, doubling last year’s amount. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)
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.
OCHS receiver/defensive back Hayden Williams saw action during the Patriots’ victory over Glascock County in a scrimmage on Friday. He tore his ACL during the season, but has returned to play for the Patriots this season. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Luke Holbrooks (from left), Rex Allen and John Wanager practice with the cross country team inside OCHS on Monday. Many of the team’s practices this month have been indoors due to high temperatures and humidity. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Former OCHS and Athens Academy running back PayTon Xavier “Zay” Prince celebrates at his send-off party with a cookie cake at The Local Spot in Crawford on July 28. He has signed to play football at the University of the Cumberlands. (Submitted Photo)
