July 9, 2026
Kassie Mathews, left, and Jesse Mathews, right pose for a photo before the Classic City Band's concert at Carnegie Hall in New York on Sunday, June 28, 2026. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Thursday, July 9, 2026
There are approximately 811 miles between Oglethorpe County’s northwestern border and New York’s iconic Carnegie Hall, but for four Oglethorpe County musicians, the gap felt much closer.
Michelle Mickens
Brooke Shook shows her children, Sonny Shook (left) and Copeland Shook, an iguana at The Oglethorpe County Library's reptile encounter on June 9. A total of 162 people were in attendance, which is a record for that event. (Submitted Photo)
Ashley Spearing, who grew up in Arnoldsville, didn’t let being diagnosed with metastatic thyroid carcinoma keep her from graduating with an associate’s degree in nursing from ABAC in May. She had her thyroid gland and 87 lymph nodes removed in February, 2025. (Submitted Photo)
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.
Former OCHS soccer player Anna Adams playing lacrosse at Truett McConnell University in 2025-26. (Submitted Photo)
OCHS cross country runners Julian George (from left) John Adams and Payton Duvall run during practice at the new cross country course at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Tuesday. The course was completed in early April. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Campers and staff members pose for a photo after the second annual Bonds Movement Youth Football Camp at Oglethorpe County High School in Lexington on Saturday. Bonds, an OCHS alum who created and runs the camp, currently plays for South Carolina State. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
