In his remarks, U.S. Army Sgt. and Vietnam veteran Rudy Hicks urged attendees to remember both the sacrifices made by America’s military and the responsibilities of those still living. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In his remarks, U.S. Army Sgt. and Vietnam veteran Rudy Hicks urged attendees to remember both the sacrifices made by America’s military and the responsibilities of those still living. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Memorial Day: Ceremony recognizes Putnam County’s fallen veterans

Ian Tocher
Under gray skies Monday morning in downtown Eatonton, veterans, families and community members gathered at Putnam County Wall of Honor Park to remember local service members who never returned home.The annual Memorial Day ceremony centered on remarks from U.S. Army Sgt. Rudy Hicks, a Vietnam…

Short; not so sweet

News Staff
Dear editor,I am totally opposed to the rock quarry here in Putnam County. I live on Lake Sinclair and do not want any more noise or anything to poison our air, land, or water from runoff into the lake, or additional truck traffic. I could go on and on, but you get the point.Best regards, Tim Moore…

Putnam Pete

News Staff
It was nice to see a big crowd at the “Mothers Against Crime” dinner on Saturday night. Massive storms ceased at 6 p.m., just in time to allow clear skies for the event to begin at Eatonton’s First Methodist Church. Hats off and appreciation to Georgia Smith and all the MAC members and workers for…

Putnam driver perishes in crash

Lynn Hobbs
Memorial Day turned tragic for a local family when a Putnam County man lost his life in a vehicle crash.Johnie Prothro, 85, of Eatonton, succumbed to his injuries sustained in the two-vehicle crash on State Route 16/Sparta Highway.Prothro, driving eastbound in a Kia Soul, was making a left turn…
Steve Hersey

Steve Hersey

Hersey, Ray, Olson win GOP nominations for BOC

Josh Lurie
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners was set to have a new look in 2027 regardless of the election as Chairman Bill Sharp and Commissioner Jeff Wooten chose not to run for re-election.After the results were counted Tuesday night, the three candidates who campaigned together for change will get…
Corey A. Hickey

Corey A. Hickey

‘To never see the light of day again’

Lynn Hobbs
When Corey Andrew Hickey was arrested in October, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills described the criminal acts Hickey was charged with as “vile and disgusting.”Evidently, a Putnam County Jury and Superior Court Judge had similar thoughts because on Thursday, May 21, the 38-year-old Hickey was…
Harbor Club is coming home to relaxed luxury

Harbor Club is coming home to relaxed luxury

Harbor Club is coming home to relaxed luxury

News Staff
Harbor Club is a gated lakefront community nestled along the shoreline of Lake Oconee in Greene County.Originally developed late in the 1980s, the developers wanted to establish a close-knit community able to enjoy the benefits of the lake, a top-notch golf course, and a full range of recreational…
World War II heroes

World War II heroes

World War II heroes

Ronda Rich
Tink and I were at lunch recently with a friend who started talking about his Grandfather’s bravery and medals won during World War II.When the war began, he was initially deferred because of college. But several months later, he was drafted. He then requested to become a pilot. Once trained, he…
Gatewood Grads 2026

Gatewood Grads 2026

Gatewood Grads 2026

News Staff
Gatewood School recognized two outstanding members of its Class of 2026 for exceptional academic achievements: Class of 2026 Valedictorian Lily Huskins and Class of 2026 Salutatorian Presley Moss.
Longtime Eatonton residents Joy and Don Hollis recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and their adult daughters — Amy, Holly, Karen, and Lyndsey — wanted to mark the occasion by publicly wishing them a Nifty 50 and many more years together. CONTRBITED

Longtime Eatonton residents Joy and Don Hollis recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and their adult daughters — Amy, Holly, Karen, and Lyndsey — wanted to mark the occasion by publicly wishing them a Nifty 50 and many more years together. CONTRBITED

Golden anniversary

News Staff
Longtime Eatonton residents Joy and Don Hollis recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and their adult daughters — Amy, Holly, Karen, and Lyndsey — wanted to mark the occasion by publicly wishing them a Nifty 50 and many more years together.
Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties sales leaders Scott Hoersten and Mary Luster (right) joined 16time Sales Executive of the Month Traci Johnson for a celebratory photo. CONTRIBUTED

Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties sales leaders Scott Hoersten and Mary Luster (right) joined 16time Sales Executive of the Month Traci Johnson for a celebratory photo. CONTRIBUTED

Johnson named Sales Executive of the Month, Hoersten and Luster also honored

News Staff
Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties is pleased to announce Traci Johnson as the Sales Executive of the Month for April 2026, as well as Scott Hoersten and Mary Luster as Monthly Sales Leaders.Johnson’s latest recognition continues an exceptional run, as she earns Sales Executive of the Month for the…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Miriam Hatcher expresses concern about a proposed rock quarry coming to Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Miriam Hatcher expresses concern about a proposed rock quarry coming to Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton city council hears quarry concerns

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The Eatonton City Council moved quickly through a varied agenda Monday evening that included public...
A chain hangs from the overturned Nissan as Hurt’s Towing prepares to remove it from the woods at the end of East Sumter Street Monday. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

A chain hangs from the overturned Nissan as Hurt’s Towing prepares to remove it from the woods at the end of East Sumter Street Monday. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Stolen car crashes while fleeing police

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
A man accused of fleeing authorities after allegedly committing a crime in Washington County hit a...
In his remarks, U.S. Army Sgt. and Vietnam veteran Rudy Hicks urged attendees to remember both the sacrifices made by America’s military and the responsibilities of those still living. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In his remarks, U.S. Army Sgt. and Vietnam veteran Rudy Hicks urged attendees to remember both the sacrifices made by America’s military and the responsibilities of those still living. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Memorial Day: Ceremony recognizes Putnam County’s fallen veterans

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Under gray skies Monday morning in downtown Eatonton, veterans, families and community members gathered at Putnam County Wall of Honor Park to remember local service members who never returned home.The annual Memorial Day ceremony centered on remarks from U.S. Army Sgt.

News 

Putnam Pete

News Staff
Thursday, May 28, 2026
It was nice to see a big crowd at the “Mothers Against Crime” dinner on Saturday night.
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Sports 

Gatewood celebrates on the field after sweeping Trinity Christian to clinch its sixth straight GIAA Class 2A state championship appearance. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood celebrates on the field after sweeping Trinity Christian to clinch its sixth straight GIAA Class 2A state championship appearance. TREY NORRIS/Staff

FOUR IN A ROW?

Story And Photos By Trey Norris
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Dominating wins of 5-1 and 8-0 over Trinity Christian last Thursday sent Gatewood’s baseball team...
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Community 

The Farm at Oconee eventually hosted a packed house filled with patriotic concert goers last Saturday for the annual Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) Memorial Day Weekend Concert. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The Farm at Oconee eventually hosted a packed house filled with patriotic concert goers last Saturday for the annual Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) Memorial Day Weekend Concert. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

Patriotic performances highlight OPAS Memorial Day concert

News Staff
Thursday, May 28, 2026
The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) Memorial Day Weekend Concert brought the community...
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Obituaries 

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