June 26, 2026
Maeve Haydock’s mural will feature Lena Wise, a longtime Oglethorpe County educator and namesake of the community center in Crawford. (Submitted Photo)
Thursday, June 25, 2026
A plain wall at the Lena Wise Community Center will soon become a colorful tribute to the community, thanks to a mural designed by 15-year-old Oglethorpe County student Maeve Haydock. The mural incorporates several elements specific to the county.
Becky Soto began her new job as business manager of The Oglethorpe Echo this week. Her previous jobs had been in the banking industry. (Trisha Bearden/The Oglethorpe Echo)
The interior of the building being added onto the existing bay of the Arnoldsville Fire Department is estimated to cost $150,000. The renovations are expected to be finished as early as next month. (Lexie Shadix/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Fireworks light up the sky over Bryan Park during the annual Fourth of July show in 2025. (Elizabeth Kim/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.
OCHS cross country runners Julian George (from left) John Adams and Payton Duvall run during practice at the new cross country course at Oglethorpe County Middle School on Tuesday. The course was completed in early April. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
Campers and staff members pose for a photo after the second annual Bonds Movement Youth Football Camp at Oglethorpe County High School in Lexington on Saturday. Bonds, an OCHS alum who created and runs the camp, currently plays for South Carolina State. (Ethan Greene/The Oglethorpe Echo)
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)
