Julie Noltensmeier laughing while trying to work in her office at the EMS station on Athens Road on Sept. 3, 2026. Noltensmeier describes EMS as a second family that hangs out and chats while not on call, often causing her to shut her door and put in earbuds when she needs to focus on her work. (SARAH ROPER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Julie Noltensmeier laughing while trying to work in her office at the EMS station on Athens Road on Sept. 3, 2026. Noltensmeier describes EMS as a second family that hangs out and chats while not on call, often causing her to shut her door and put in earbuds when she needs to focus on her work. (SARAH ROPER/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Noltensmeier is ‘mom’ to many at EMS

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Although they don’t call her mom, Julie Noltensmeier is the center of Oglethorpe County’s EMS family. Being older than most of her co-workers, she keeps the door to her office open for anyone.

Local News

Henrietta (Nell) Browne stands over her daughter Nicole Browne at Altered Ego, their sewing shop in downtown Comer. The store officially opened on Aug. 28. (Photo/Ren Grimsley)

Henrietta (Nell) Browne stands over her daughter Nicole Browne at Altered Ego, their sewing shop in downtown Comer. The store officially opened on Aug. 28. (Photo/Ren Grimsley)

Mother-daughter duo open sewing shop in Comer

Ren Grimsley
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Henrietta “Nell” Browne learned to sew out of necessity while growing up in Comer. 
Superintendent Phillip Powell holds up an Oglethorpe County T-shirt during the Sep. 8 Board of Education meeting. The BOE plans to decide the official colors of the school system at the Oglethorpe County Branding Guide Night on Oct. 5 (Photo/Walker Durham).

Superintendent Phillip Powell holds up an Oglethorpe County T-shirt during the Sep. 8 Board of Education meeting. The BOE plans to decide the official colors of the school system at the Oglethorpe County Branding Guide Night on Oct. 5 (Photo/Walker Durham).

Powell says attendance up at all schools

Walker Durham
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Superintendent Phillip Powell leaned into his priorities of improving attendance and increased...
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The Oglethorpe Echo e-Edition

Videos

The Echo: Amplified

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.

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Oglethorpe Echo
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Sports

The Oglethorpe County High School softball team breaks down their after game cheer at the Clarke Central high school on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. The Patriots beat Clarke Central 12-1 during its makeup game. (SYDNEY JARRARD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO))

The Oglethorpe County High School softball team breaks down their after game cheer at the Clarke Central high school on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026. The Patriots beat Clarke Central 12-1 during its makeup game. (SYDNEY JARRARD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO))

Prep Report: Baker, Wisham spark softball team’s victory

News Staff
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Haleigh Baker threw a five-inning complete game and Emily Wisham went 4-for-4 with three RBIs to...
Junior Rex Allen (left) sprints with sophomore Julian George at the end of cross country practice at OCHS on Friday. It was one of the few times OCHS runners have been able to train outside due to extreme heat and high wet bulb temperatures. (SYDNEY JARRARD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Junior Rex Allen (left) sprints with sophomore Julian George at the end of cross country practice at OCHS on Friday. It was one of the few times OCHS runners have been able to train outside due to extreme heat and high wet bulb temperatures. (SYDNEY JARRARD/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO)

Cross country faces training challenges amid soaring heat

Sydney Jarrard
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Oglethorpe County High School athletics have modified practices to keep athletes safe as the summer...
Members of this year’s OCHS Sports Hall of Fame include (top, from left) Sean Daniel, Jimmy Davenport, Antonio Jewell and LaTasha Bonds Martin; (bottom, from left) Ryan Martin, Everneda Moore, Eric Pittard and Kindra Mattox Sapp. (Submitted Photo)

Members of this year’s OCHS Sports Hall of Fame include (top, from left) Sean Daniel, Jimmy Davenport, Antonio Jewell and LaTasha Bonds Martin; (bottom, from left) Ryan Martin, Everneda Moore, Eric Pittard and Kindra Mattox Sapp. (Submitted Photo)

OCHS Sports Hall of Fame to induct eight more alumni

Will Hearn
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Eight former Oglethorpe County High School athletes will cement their legacies in school history on...
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