Nikki Barker (left) of the Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store, helps workers temporarily cover up the statue of Hiram Little.

Nikki Barker (left) of the Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store, helps workers temporarily cover up the statue of Hiram Little.

CAST IN BRONZE: Local hero Little's legacy

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
After years of planning, fundraising, and more than a little uncertainty, a nine-foot bronze tribute to Eatonton native and Tuskegee Airman Hiram Little is standing tall in his hometown, ready for its public reveal.Created by internationally renowned sculptor Basil Watson, the statue was affixed…
Mother Nature knows best

Mother Nature knows best

Mother Nature knows best

Lee Coleman
REPORTWe needed lemonade to get through the high water temperatures, dropping lake levels, and our fish habitats clinging to the cool of deep water and shade to escape the pressures of the transition to fall last week.Alas, the break we needed, and Mother Nature, arrived right on queue.At the end…
Despite losing his helmet, Gavin Aultman continues to help running back Kumari Thomas push forward for extra yards last Friday night against Aquinas. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Despite losing his helmet, Gavin Aultman continues to help running back Kumari Thomas push forward for extra yards last Friday night against Aquinas. BRANDON PARK/Staff

War Eagles run all over Aquinas

Brandon Park
Putnam County War Eagles’ head coach Joel Harvin must be a pretty good repairman.After the region-opening home loss to Laney Sept. 25, Harvin said his team would fix what needed to be fixed before facing Aquinas (3-2, 1-1) last Friday in the second region game of the season.Obviously, he meant it,…
Drew Love catches a pass for a touchdown in Gatewood’s annual “Gold Out” game in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. TREY NORRIS//Staff

Drew Love catches a pass for a touchdown in Gatewood’s annual “Gold Out” game in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. TREY NORRIS//Staff

Gators on a roll with win over Trinity

Ian Tocher
Gatewood’s slow start to the season is quickly becoming just a memory. The Gators turned in what head coach Jeff Ratliff called “their most complete performance of the season” Friday night in Eatonton, rolling through Trinity Christian 48-13 for their third-straight win. More importantly, it put…
These should be great debates

These should be great debates

These should be great debates

Dick Yarbrough
Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you have no doubt been inundated with political ads from businessman Rick Jackson and former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who are running for governor; and incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican challenger Congressman Mike Collins, each vying for…
Wandering and wondering

Wandering and wondering

Wandering and wondering

Guest Columnist
I am wandering and wondering, as usual.Sometimes it gets me in trouble, and sometimes I get a pat on the back, but I promise I will continue, no matter what happens.Now, let me tell you about some happenings. On September 11th, Mothers Against Crime sponsored its annual candlelight vigil at…
Ruby Jean Hallman

Ruby Jean Hallman

Ruby Jean Hallman

News Staff
Mrs. Ruby Jean Roberts Hallman, 90, of Eatonton, GA passed away on September 27, 2026. A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Pine Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, September 30, 2026 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Ruby was born on…
Robert Lee McElhannon

Robert Lee McElhannon

Robert Lee McElhannon

News Staff
Robert Lee McElhannon, 81 of Eatonton passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Robert was born in Greensboro, GA on December 8, 1944 to the late Emory Thomas McElhannon and Clarhinda Young McElhannon. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, one brother and daughter Jackie Jaime,…
PUTNAM PETE

PUTNAM PETE

PUTNAM PETE

News Staff
Really good to see the Hiram Little statue in Downtown Eatonton at Veterans Park. A great local effort and a true tribute to airman Hiram Little, the Little family, and the brave Tuskegee Airmen of World War II.This tribute is good for Eatonton, the local area, and even Georgia in general. Not sure…
Katherine Abernathy

Katherine Abernathy

Putnam teen dies in vehicle crash

Lynn Hobbs
A vehicle crash in Putnam County took the life of a teen Friday afternoon, leaving her family and friends grieving their unexpected loss.Katherine Elizabeth Abernathy, 17, of Eatonton, was killed instantly in a two-vehicle crash on State Route 44/Greensboro Road, according to authorities.Katherine…

Citizen seeks clarity on $17k county bill

Ian Tocher
Putnam County citizen Don Sadler has formally asked county commissioners to investigate legal fees associated with drafting bylaws for a now-dissolved advisory committee. However, District 2 Commissioner Richard Garrett said in an email to Sadler that information he obtained from the county…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Despite losing his helmet, Gavin Aultman continues to help running back Kumari Thomas push forward for extra yards last Friday night against Aquinas. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Despite losing his helmet, Gavin Aultman continues to help running back Kumari Thomas push forward for extra yards last Friday night against Aquinas. BRANDON PARK/Staff

War Eagles run all over Aquinas

Brandon Park
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Putnam County War Eagles’ head coach Joel Harvin must be a pretty good repairman.
Nikki Barker (left) of the Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store, helps workers temporarily cover up the statue of Hiram Little.

Nikki Barker (left) of the Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store, helps workers temporarily cover up the statue of Hiram Little.

CAST IN BRONZE: Local hero Little's legacy

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

After years of planning, fundraising, and more than a little uncertainty, a nine-foot bronze tribute to Eatonton native and Tuskegee Airman Hiram Little is standing tall in his hometown, ready for its public reveal.

News 

PUTNAM PETE

PUTNAM PETE

PUTNAM PETE

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Really good to see the Hiram Little statue in Downtown Eatonton at Veterans Park.
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Sports 

Mother Nature knows best

Mother Nature knows best

Mother Nature knows best

Lee Coleman
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
We needed lemonade to get through the high water temperatures, dropping lake levels, and our fish...
Drew Love catches a pass for a touchdown in Gatewood’s annual “Gold Out” game in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. TREY NORRIS//Staff

Drew Love catches a pass for a touchdown in Gatewood’s annual “Gold Out” game in support of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. TREY NORRIS//Staff

Gators on a roll with win over Trinity

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Gatewood’s slow start to the season is quickly becoming just a memory.
Georgia linebacker Chris Cole returns an Oklahoma fumble 85 yards for a touchdown. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Georgia linebacker Chris Cole returns an Oklahoma fumble 85 yards for a touchdown. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Georgia’s defense turns over Sooners

Brad Harrison
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
In terms of total yardage, things shook out close to even on Saturday between Georgia and Oklahoma.
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Community 

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Obituaries 

Ruby Jean Hallman

Ruby Jean Hallman

Ruby Jean Hallman

News Staff
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Mrs. Ruby Jean Roberts Hallman, 90, of Eatonton, GA passed away on September 27, 2026.
View More