August 13, 2026
Samantha Mathe tries on new sunglasses at Community Day. Most of the handouts involved the theme of hygiene and included deodorant, dental floss, hairbrushes, soap and socks. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
An evening shower didn’t slow Oglethorpe County’s annual Community Day last Saturday.
Susanne Price has been the certified family nurse practitioner at the Patriot Health Hub since July 13. She works there on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. (Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Arnoldsville mayor Danny Morcom (Top Left), Lexington Mayor Evelyn Reece (Top Right), Maxeys mayor Edward Toledano (Bottom Left), Crawford mayor Alan Erwin (Bottom Right).
Parents walk their children into Oglethorpe County Elementary School on the first day of school last Friday morning. Principal Katie Baldwin said OCES is working through issues with the morning drop off and afternoon pick up. (Ellie English/The Oglethorpe Echo)
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.
Former OCHS and Athens Academy running back PayTon Xavier “Zay” Prince celebrates at his send-off party with a cookie cake at The Local Spot in Crawford on July 28. He has signed to play football at the University of the Cumberlands. (Submitted Photo)
Oglethorpe County outside hitter Leanna Newton serves returns for her junior season after being named MVP of the Class A state championship match last year. She led the region with 425 kills last season. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Former OCHS soccer player Anna Adams playing lacrosse at Truett McConnell University in 2025-26. (Submitted Photo)
