Local News

Happy Helpings provides free summer meals to county children

Sarah Nanos
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Any child in the county can get free food during the summer — through the Happy Helpings program. “They’re not turning anybody away that lives in Oglethorpe County,” said Oglethorpe County School System parent mentor Kasey Taylor. “It’s not income-based at all.
Amanda Bright, assistant editor and instructor for The Oglethorpe Echo, accepts a first-place award from GPA president Keith Barlow in the News Photograph category, on behalf of Lux Corrona, at the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest hosted on Jekyll Island on June 12. The Echo took home nine individual and section awards for 2025, bringing its total to 41 GPA awards during the last four years of its partnership with the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. (Submitted Photo)

Amanda Bright, assistant editor and instructor for The Oglethorpe Echo, accepts a first-place award from GPA president Keith Barlow in the News Photograph category, on behalf of Lux Corrona, at the Georgia Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest hosted on Jekyll Island on June 12. The Echo took home nine individual and section awards for 2025, bringing its total to 41 GPA awards during the last four years of its partnership with the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. (Submitted Photo)

The Echo wins 9 GPA awards, including 4 first-place honors

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The Oglethorpe Echo earned nine section and individual awards in the Georgia Press Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest for its work in 2025.
The cast of “Come From Away” rehearses a scene while on stage at the Historic Crawford School on June 11. Like in the original Broadway version, rows of chairs are used to simulate rows of seats on an airplane during the story that takes place during Sept. 11, 2001. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The cast of “Come From Away” rehearses a scene while on stage at the Historic Crawford School on June 11. Like in the original Broadway version, rows of chairs are used to simulate rows of seats on an airplane during the story that takes place during Sept. 11, 2001. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Collective memory, empathy take center stage in Arts! Oglethorpe’s ‘Come From Away’

Sarah Nanos
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Rows of chairs became airplane seats as actors hurry across the stage — switching between Canadian and American accents — during rehearsal for the Tony Award-winning musical coming to Arts! Oglethorpe this month.
Carlie Gabriel, Callie Bridges, Katherine Horsley, Andee Dellinger, Elizabeth Cook and Jaliyah Turner pose for a photo at Oglethorpe County High School prom in the Smithonia Farm venue on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Addison Simmons/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Carlie Gabriel, Callie Bridges, Katherine Horsley, Andee Dellinger, Elizabeth Cook and Jaliyah Turner pose for a photo at Oglethorpe County High School prom in the Smithonia Farm venue on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Addison Simmons/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Fairytale come to life: Andee Dellinger’s journey from organizer to participant in OCHS prom

Addison Simmons and Mia Tanner
Thursday, June 18, 2026
After months spent planning Oglethorpe County High School’s 2026 “Night on the Bayou” prom, senior Andee Dellinger traded checklists and decorations for a night on the dance floor. By the morning of prom, all the decorating and setup had been finished the day before.
Crawford resident Shannon Arnold poses for a portrait with his running bibs in Maxeys on June 8, 2026. Arnold placed third in the Maxeys Model Mile 5K in May and will compete in the National Senior Games in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in July. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Crawford resident Shannon Arnold poses for a portrait with his running bibs in Maxeys on June 8, 2026. Arnold placed third in the Maxeys Model Mile 5K in May and will compete in the National Senior Games in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in July. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Floating on a cloud: Shannon Arnold’s unlikely running journey

Ethan Greene
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Crawford resident Shannon Arnold collects something unique: running bibs.  They sit in a stack in the back of his car, nestled among pairs of running shoes and the occasional medal.
Pageant winner Rachel Lowry receives flowers after being announced as Ms. Quiet Oaks 2026. Family members and friends of the Quiet Oaks community volunteered to help run the event, and Lowry will advance to the state-level pageant in Atlanta in August. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Pageant winner Rachel Lowry receives flowers after being announced as Ms. Quiet Oaks 2026. Family members and friends of the Quiet Oaks community volunteered to help run the event, and Lowry will advance to the state-level pageant in Atlanta in August. (Sarah Nanos/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Quiet Oaks brings back pageant, crowns winner

Sarah Nanos
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Surrounded by fellow Quiet Oaks residents, Rachel Lowry’s hands covered her mouth in excitement when she heard her name announced. The room filled with cheers and applause as she was presented with flowers and a tiara, crowning her Ms. Quiet Oaks 2026.  “It was wonderful,” Lowry said.
Children enjoy playing on an inflatable slide at Oglethorpe Children's Academy 20th anniversary celebration in Crawford on Friday. The center opened in 2006 and is the county’s only daycare center. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Children enjoy playing on an inflatable slide at Oglethorpe Children's Academy 20th anniversary celebration in Crawford on Friday. The center opened in 2006 and is the county’s only daycare center. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

‘A beacon in the community’: Oglethorpe Children’s Academy turns 20

Ethan Greene
Thursday, June 11, 2026
On a normal day, Oglethorpe Children’s Academy is winding down by 4:30 p.m. This past Friday afternoon, however, the academy resembled a massive community reunion.
Surrounded by friends, family and local officials, Stephanie Mattox-Nation gets ready to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of The Local Spot, a new restaurant in Crawford, on Friday morning. The business, located at 1185 Athens Road, has a few unique appetizer options, such as Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and dill pickle and cream cheese bombs. (Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Surrounded by friends, family and local officials, Stephanie Mattox-Nation gets ready to cut the ribbon at the grand opening of The Local Spot, a new restaurant in Crawford, on Friday morning. The business, located at 1185 Athens Road, has a few unique appetizer options, such as Philly cheesesteak egg rolls and dill pickle and cream cheese bombs. (Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo)

The Local Spot opens in Crawford

Lexie Shadix
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
More than 20 people — including Crawford Mayor Alan Erwin and several city council members — watched Stephanie Mattox-Nation cut the red ribbon Friday morning in front of The Local Spot, officially opening the restaurant.