May 23, 2026
The Oglethorpe County football team lines up to run a play during practice on Monday morning. The Patriots can begin practicing in pads on July 31. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
The track at Oglethorpe County High School, which had bubbled and ripped in places, has been removed and will be replaced. The track was under warranty, which means the replacement track won’t cost the school system. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
Pastor Ken Keely leads the congregation in worship as the church in Stephens celebrates its 210th anniversary on Sunday. The church, which was established in 1813, had a potluck lunch after the service and was scheduled to hold three nights of revival services this week. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
A worker sizes up a large tree that fell near Thaxton Wynne Road during the storms last week. Several roads throughout the county, including Highway 78, were closed by downed trees and debris. (ADAM NATION/FOR THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
Shirley Dillard (second from left) and Community Christmas volunteers make sure area families receive Christmas gifts every year. Dillard is the co-chair of the organization. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Two 40-foot long shipping containers give Shirley Dillard the space to store items for people and families in need. They’re located behind the Sheriff’s Office. (ANDY JOHNSTON/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
New Oglethorpe County Library Branch Manager Katherine Ratcliffe, who was born and raised in Oglethorpe County, has written six novels, five feature-length screenplays, numerous TV specs and pilots, and a self-improvement book. (LANDEN TODD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
The Oglethorpe County Board of Education’s Susan Robinson (from left), Tim Poole, Beverley Levine, Becky Soto and Jake Willcox meet on July 20. They selected Guillermo Camacho to fill the vacated District 1 seat. (MCCAIN BRACEWELL/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)
Joe Holtzleiter, the outgoing Rotary Club president, hands the gavel to new club president Jean Westmacott earlier this summer. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)