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

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.

Local News

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...
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...
Countryside Manor serves as a venue for weddings, celebrations and community events in Winterville. Co-owner Claudia Reit said major startup costs included commercial insurance and property taxes, adding she shopped around to find the best insurance coverage for the venue. (Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Countryside Manor serves as a venue for weddings, celebrations and community events in Winterville. Co-owner Claudia Reit said major startup costs included commercial insurance and property taxes, adding she shopped around to find the best insurance coverage for the venue. (Emilie Sullivan/The Oglethorpe Echo)

More than paperwork: Owners officials talk about realities of launching new county businesses

Finley Millwood and Emilie Sullivan
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Opening a business in Oglethorpe County can begin with a simple idea, but turning that idea into...
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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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Sports

Stanley Lattimore returns to OCHS as the wrestling coach, taking over for Steve Mason. Lattimore will also serve as the defensive line coach for the football team. (Submitted Photo)

Stanley Lattimore returns to OCHS as the wrestling coach, taking over for Steve Mason. Lattimore will also serve as the defensive line coach for the football team. (Submitted Photo)

Lattimore’s return among OCHS coaching changes

Ethan Greene
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Co-athletic director Michael Holland and the OCHS administration needed to fill four spots — boys...
New Oglethorpe County High School boys basketball coach Dayon Toomer, shown with his fiancé Antorya and children Carson and Cionni, was hired on April 28. Toomer's eldest children, Chassity and Mason, aren’t pictured. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

New Oglethorpe County High School boys basketball coach Dayon Toomer, shown with his fiancé Antorya and children Carson and Cionni, was hired on April 28. Toomer's eldest children, Chassity and Mason, aren’t pictured. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Toomer wants to create family culture with OCHS boys basketball

Ethan Greene
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Dayon Toomer has yet to lead a practice at Oglethorpe County High School, but he’s already...
Defensive back Nicah Pass reaches for the ball during football practice on May 15. Pass, a senior, plays alongside his brother, Zion, a sophomore. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

Defensive back Nicah Pass reaches for the ball during football practice on May 15. Pass, a senior, plays alongside his brother, Zion, a sophomore. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)

OCHS football team looks to build on 2025's success

Ethan Greene
Thursday, May 21, 2026
The Oglethorpe County football team wrapped up a 10-day, no-pads installation camp last week as the...
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