September 9, 2026
OLIVIA SUITE/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Carrie Hayes (left) and Carrie Hyatt sit together at Maxeys monthly city council meeting on Sept. 8.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
In Maxeys, there’s Carrie 1 and Carrie 2. Also known as Carrie Hayes and Carrie Hyatt, both Carries serve as city council members and share a commitment to helping the community they call home.
A stump topped with the UGA power "G" symbol sits on the Watson family property in Stephens, created by Ken Watson (pictured) a banker, farmer and UGA alum. His daughter Mary Grace is a freshman at UGA. (Submitted Photo)
DINK NESMITH/THE OGLETHORPE ECHO Tony DeMarco, who is an Athens ophthalmologist and avid hunter, wraps up the owl he found in a barbed-wire fence on the opening day of dove season on Saturday. He said the owl later died.
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)
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.
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)
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)
Naomi McPeake skies for a shot in front of teammates Azalee Ring (22) and Hayley Matthews during a recent match at OCHS. The Patriots play Jackson County and Cedar Shoals at Cedar Shoals on Thursday. (Photo/Ty Johnston)
