August 31, 2026
Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo
Friday, August 28, 2026
The majority of Oglethorpe County’s inmates don’t stay in the county jail. Instead, they reside roughly 45 minutes away at the Hart County Jail, the result of a November 2025 intergovernmental agreement between Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel and Hart County Sheriff Chris Carroll.
Lindsie Moore started K&L Farm Stand, a self-serve operation in Winterville, in a storage shed with lighting and refrigeration last year. She added dirty sodas to the variety of baked goods at the urging of her children. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)
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 Winterville last year. He pleaded guilty to all nine counts. (Dink NeSmith/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.
Members of the OCHS cheerleading team practice their routines at the school system’s multipurpose building last week. The team features 12 seniors. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)
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)
