Local News

Abby (left), with Who Whiz Golden, and Emma Gabriel, with Gaybars Superstar, placed in the top 10 in several events at the Georgia 4-H State Horse Show in Perry earlier this month. They train at their family arena in Colbert. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Abby (left), with Who Whiz Golden, and Emma Gabriel, with Gaybars Superstar, placed in the top 10 in several events at the Georgia 4-H State Horse Show in Perry earlier this month. They train at their family arena in Colbert. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Gabriel sisters are serious in the saddle

Jennifer Xia
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
For Abby and Emma Gabriel, horses aren’t just a hobby — they’re part of home.  The sisters walk out of their Colbert home each morning straight into the connected barn, where eight horses wait to be fed, brushed and ridden. It’s a routine they’ve known for as long as they can remember.
Members of The Oglethorpe Echo staff show several of the awards the paper won at the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. Eric NeSmith, president of the Georgia Press Association, (from left) is pictured with The Echo business manager Trisha Bearden, editor Andy Johnston, marketing manager Lourdes Boyd and Dink NeSmith, chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Inc. (Submitted Photo)

Members of The Oglethorpe Echo staff show several of the awards the paper won at the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. Eric NeSmith, president of the Georgia Press Association, (from left) is pictured with The Echo business manager Trisha Bearden, editor Andy Johnston, marketing manager Lourdes Boyd and Dink NeSmith, chairman of The Oglethorpe Echo Legacy Inc. (Submitted Photo)

The Echo is second in general excellence, wins 14 GPA awards

News Staff
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The Oglethorpe Echo was second in General Excellence, the top category in the Georgia Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest.
Chase Beck, son of Wendy and Basil Beck, feeds a bull at Beaver Dam Farms in Smithonia. The Becks have a herd of about 300 registered Black Angus and six registered wagyu cattle as part of their beef operation. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Chase Beck, son of Wendy and Basil Beck, feeds a bull at Beaver Dam Farms in Smithonia. The Becks have a herd of about 300 registered Black Angus and six registered wagyu cattle as part of their beef operation. (Photo/Alex Perri)

Taking beef to the next level

Alex Perri
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Living in bustling Miami for years, the Beck family dreamed of owning land where they could grow their own food. Kenny Rogers’ former estate, Beaver Dam Farms, turned out to be a perfect fit.
Rick Skoglund (left) hands over the keys to the property of Mathews Used Cars to Mike and Mari Robb, the new owners. The dealership has been in business since 1965, with Skoglund buying it from Raymond Mathews in 2010. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Rick Skoglund (left) hands over the keys to the property of Mathews Used Cars to Mike and Mari Robb, the new owners. The dealership has been in business since 1965, with Skoglund buying it from Raymond Mathews in 2010. (Photo/Elizabeth Kim)

Mathews Used Cars closing after 60 years

Elizabeth Kim
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Mathews Used Cars will close its doors next week after 60 years in business. The dealership’s property and building have been sold, but owner Rick Skoglund will continue to to sell its current inventory.
Oglethorpe County Elections Supervisor Marilyn Huff-Waller asks "Where are all the voters?" the morning of the special election at the county elections office on June 17. Though Election Day turnout was slow, Election Assistant Steve McCannon said the county was ahead of other parts of the state in early voting. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Oglethorpe County Elections Supervisor Marilyn Huff-Waller asks "Where are all the voters?" the morning of the special election at the county elections office on June 17. Though Election Day turnout was slow, Election Assistant Steve McCannon said the county was ahead of other parts of the state in early voting. (Photo/Dink NeSmith)

Turnout is low for special election

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
A special election Tuesday cemented primary choices for the Public Service Commission and an open seat on the Winterville City Council, despite low turnout.

County's first drone will be for mapping

Zach Leggio
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
The first of three new drones has arrived in Oglethorpe County.  The Parrot ANAFI USA drone, roughly 15 inches by 15 inches in size, will be used by the county for mapping and surveying purposes.
(The Oglethorpe Echo File Photos & Submitted Photos)

(The Oglethorpe Echo File Photos & Submitted Photos)

Arts!Oglethorpe celebrates three decades on the stage

Jennifer Xia
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
In 1995, Sonja Roach stood behind a curtain in the Oglethorpe County High School cafeteria, waiting to take the stage as an Irish mother in Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” with Oglethorpe Community Theater.
Andrew Majsztrik stands next to his welcome sign at Andrew’s Farm & Nursery in Arnoldsville. The sign, designed by Letter It in Lexington, leads to the 65 acres of land Majsztrik uses for his businesses. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Andrew Majsztrik stands next to his welcome sign at Andrew’s Farm & Nursery in Arnoldsville. The sign, designed by Letter It in Lexington, leads to the 65 acres of land Majsztrik uses for his businesses. (Photo/Jennifer Xia)

Majsztrik hopes nursery will become ‘destination’

Jennifer Xia
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Andrew Majsztrik’s first word wasn’t “mom” or “dad” — it was “lawn mower.” By the age of 9, he began knocking on doors in his New Jersey neighborhood, asking to mow lawns.  “One person was crazy enough to say yes to a 9-year-old, so I ran and got my push mower,” Majsztrik said.