Source of the controversy: two buckets of coal ash at the soon-to-beactivated Plant Branch facility for treating coal ash and transforming it into a concretehardening agent. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

Source of the controversy: two buckets of coal ash at the soon-to-beactivated Plant Branch facility for treating coal ash and transforming it into a concretehardening agent. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

EPA proposes new coal ash permit plan

Ian Tocher
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a new permitting approach that could affect coal ash cleanup projects nationwide, including ongoing closure and recycling efforts at Georgia Power’s retired Plant Branch in southern Putnam County.In an Advance Notice of Proposed…
Putnam County quarterback Caleb Reeves (left) gets set to take a snap from the shotgun formation during the team’s padded camp in Eatonton on July 16. JCVISUALS/Contributed

Putnam County quarterback Caleb Reeves (left) gets set to take a snap from the shotgun formation during the team’s padded camp in Eatonton on July 16. JCVISUALS/Contributed

War Eagles wrap up camp, prepare for preseason

Lance McCurley
Putnam County enters preseason practice with a sense of momentum after what head coach Joel Harvin described as one of the program’s most productive summers in recent years.The War Eagles began the GHSA’s heat acclimatization this week, the final step before preseason camp officially ramps up.…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Summers past

Loran Smith
Every time I hear the acronym NIL—that dastardly trio of letters—I can't help but flash back to another era and reflect on how much college athletics has changed. I enjoy reminiscing, but I also wonder whether the athletes of yesteryear—the few still with us—feel cheated by the financial…
Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Yarbrough: Politics with a mouthful of BBQ?

Dick Yarbrough
Is there any way we can bridge the political, cultural, and social abyss in which we find ourselves today? How about with a plate of baby back ribs, pulled pork slathered in Kinder's Original Barbecue Sauce, a slice of Texas toast, baked beans, corn on the cob, sweet tea, and peach cobbler…
Georgia Benjamin-Smith/File Photo

Georgia Benjamin-Smith/File Photo

Benjamin-Smith: Family, flowers, and gospel singing

News Staff
Hello, Eatonton and Putnam County. I am wandering and wondering, as usual, but this time I wandered to some different places.I spent four days in Macon with two of my daughters. I don’t think I want to tell you about all the places we visited, but I definitely did not miss a meal. I watched loads…
Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

News Staff
Phyllis Marie King Couch of Eatonton passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the age of 80.Born Aug. 17, 1945, in Durham, North Carolina, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Henry Eldridge King and Zenobia Branch King. She graduated from Southern High School in Durham in 1963 and began working…
Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Pho & More restaurant introduces Vietnamese cuisine to Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Less than four months after opening its doors at 113 Harmony Crossing, Pho & More has already built a loyal following.Following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, owners Marino and Summer Graf said the welcome they have received from…
Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Future plans outlined by new PGH chief

Ian Tocher
Just seven weeks into his tenure as chief executive officer of Putnam General Hospital, Todd “Tog” Goss says one of the hospital’s biggest challenges has nothing to do with patient care. Instead, it’s making sure people know what PGH has to offer.Speaking July 15 to local community leaders during…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Putnam man’s death under investigation

Lynn Hobbs
A death investigation is underway after a Putnam County man’s body and car were found submerged in the Oconee River at Lake Sinclair early Saturday, according to authorities.Hancock County Coroner Dontrelle Andrews identified the man as 26-year-old Tyrin Winkfield, of northeastern Putnam County.…
Amaury Saradinas Reyes

Amaury Saradinas Reyes

Party brawl sends one to hospital, two behind bars

Lynn Hobbs
Two people were arrested after a party got out of hand over the weekend.Amaury Saradinas Reyes, 31, of Florida, was arrested around 4 a.m. July 14 and booked into Putnam County Jail on one count of aggravated assault. He was later released on a $5,000 cash bond.Jose Marie Palafox, 21, of Eatonton,…
L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

Songs & Drives for Lives coming to Cuscowilla

News Staff
The Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health announced last week that tickets, sponsorships, and golf team registrations are now on sale for the inaugural Songs & Drives for Lives, a two-day fundraising event presented by The Oconee Cellar Sept. 13-14, at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee (126…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Future plans outlined by new PGH chief

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Just seven weeks into his tenure as chief executive officer of Putnam General Hospital, Todd “Tog”...
Source of the controversy: two buckets of coal ash at the soon-to-beactivated Plant Branch facility for treating coal ash and transforming it into a concretehardening agent. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

Source of the controversy: two buckets of coal ash at the soon-to-beactivated Plant Branch facility for treating coal ash and transforming it into a concretehardening agent. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

Exclusive Subscriber Content

EPA proposes new coal ash permit plan

Thursday, July 23, 2026

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a new permitting approach that could affect coal ash cleanup projects nationwide, including ongoing closure and recycling efforts at Georgia Power’s retired Plant Branch in southern Putnam County.

News 

A drone flight over the Stillwater subdivision shows site work that has been completed alongside Scott Road (left), near Highway 44 in Putnam County. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK ENGEL

A drone flight over the Stillwater subdivision shows site work that has been completed alongside Scott Road (left), near Highway 44 in Putnam County. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK ENGEL

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Stillwater stirs up plans for growth

Maureen Stratton
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Businesses along the Scott Road corridor in Putnam County have welcomed the addition of the new...
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Sports 

Putnam County quarterback Caleb Reeves (left) gets set to take a snap from the shotgun formation during the team’s padded camp in Eatonton on July 16. JCVISUALS/Contributed

Putnam County quarterback Caleb Reeves (left) gets set to take a snap from the shotgun formation during the team’s padded camp in Eatonton on July 16. JCVISUALS/Contributed

Exclusive Subscriber Content

War Eagles wrap up camp, prepare for preseason

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Putnam County enters preseason practice with a sense of momentum after what head coach Joel Harvin...
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Smith: Summers past

Loran Smith
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Every time I hear the acronym NIL—that dastardly trio of letters—I can't help but flash back to...
View More

Community 

Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Pho & More restaurant introduces Vietnamese cuisine to Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Less than four months after opening its doors at 113 Harmony Crossing, Pho & More has already built...
L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

Songs & Drives for Lives coming to Cuscowilla

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health announced last week that tickets, sponsorships,...
The daughter of Steffen Thomas and Sara Douglass Thomas, Lisa Conner with some of the artwork in the museum. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

The daughter of Steffen Thomas and Sara Douglass Thomas, Lisa Conner with some of the artwork in the museum. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

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Steffen Thomas Museum celebrates Founders’ Day

Leigh Lofgren
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The Steffen Thomas Museum (STMA) had its annual Founders’ Day Sunday to honor the life of founder...
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Obituaries 

Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Phyllis Marie King Couch of Eatonton passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the age of 80.
Frank Thompson

Frank Thompson

Frank Thompson

News Staff
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
On June 29, 2026, Frank Thompson passed away at the home where he and his beloved wife of nearly 44...
Nick Herring

Nick Herring

Nick Herring

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Mr. Nick Herring, age 57, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
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