The mobile home on Sunset Drive is totally destroyed after a fire. The family’s pets perished in the fire. (Contributed photo)

The mobile home on Sunset Drive is totally destroyed after a fire. The family’s pets perished in the fire. (Contributed photo)

Two mobile homes destroyed by fire; one family displaced

News Staff
Putnam County Fire Department personnel were busy shuttling water from a fire hydrant to a burning mobile home this morning.Around 5:20 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, the fire department received a call that a trailer was on fire on the 100 block of Pineview Drive in the Crooked Creek community on Lake…
Rasha Ellison breaks loose for a big gain during Putnam County’s 24-21 scrimmage win over West Laurens on Friday night. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Rasha Ellison breaks loose for a big gain during Putnam County’s 24-21 scrimmage win over West Laurens on Friday night. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County rallies past West Laurens in scrimmage

News Staff
Putnam County got a valuable preseason scrimmage test Aug. 14 against one of the state’s more experienced programs, with the War Eagles coming away with a 24-21 victory over West Laurens.The result offered Putnam a chance to measure itself against a team that reached the Class 3A semifinals last…
Lily Arthur takes a swing at the plate for Gatewood as the Gators continue their strong start to the season. Arthur has helped lead the way both at the plate and in the circle during Gatewood’s three-game winning streak. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Lily Arthur takes a swing at the plate for Gatewood as the Gators continue their strong start to the season. Arthur has helped lead the way both at the plate and in the circle during Gatewood’s three-game winning streak. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood softball off to solid start

News Staff
Gatewood softball has turned a competitive start into a strong early-season run.The Gators entered Monday, Aug. 17, at 1-2 overall after dropping a pair of close games, but they left the day with a three-game winning streak and a 3-2 record.Gatewood opened the season Aug. 13 at home against…
Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen scrambles out of the pocket for a first down against Edmund Burke. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen scrambles out of the pocket for a first down against Edmund Burke. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Preparation key to Gators’ early success

Lance McCurley
Gatewood is heading into the regular season with a little more confidence after using a pair of preseason scrimmages to identify weaknesses and make improvements. The Gators hosted Edmund Burke Academy on July 31, before facing Central Fellowship Christian Academy in Eatonton last Friday.The…
Putnam County quarterback Caleb Reeves (14) drops back in the pocket with running back Elijah Dunn (3) providing pass protection during a padded camp in Eatonton last month. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County quarterback Caleb Reeves (14) drops back in the pocket with running back Elijah Dunn (3) providing pass protection during a padded camp in Eatonton last month. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam looks to measure up against West Laurens

Lance McCurley
Putnam County will get one of its biggest tests of the preseason Friday when it hosts West Laurens in a scrimmage.For head coach Joel Harvin and his team, the matchup is about much more than simply getting back on the field. With the regular season approaching, the War Eagles are looking to see how…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: On red-and-black — and silver

Loran Smith
Fall football practice has begun, and the natives are restless — not with criticism, but with anticipation and expectations. This has been the way it is since shoulder pads were invented.I, too, have those same “can’t wait” feelings and have been uplifted by the emotions that come with seeing my…
Georgia Benjamin-Smith/File Photo

Georgia Benjamin-Smith/File Photo

Benjamin-Smith: Wandering and wondering

News Staff
Again, I am wandering and wondering. I think it is the largest ingredient in my life, and I really enjoy every day of it.July and the beginning of August have been busy, busy, busy. The sad time was when Bryant (“Benji”) went back to school on July 10. Benji is my grandson and a student at Emmanuel…
Ian Tocher/Staff

Ian Tocher/Staff

Tocher: The news that really matters

Ian Tocher
You are holding in your hands right now a very important, consequential, personal, and public documentation of the world you live in.For years, we have been told print is dying. The future, we have been assured, is digital, where news can move faster, reach farther and cost less. Smartphones and…
Jeffrey Lemming

Jeffrey Lemming

Jeffrey Lemming

News Staff
Jeffrey Lynn Lemming, affectionately known as Jeff or "Lemdog," passed away peacefully on Aug. 7, 2026, in Greensboro, Georgia, after a courageous 12-year battle with cancer.A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Jeff will be remembered for his wisdom, humor, charm and…
Festival Hall Board Chairman Blayne May. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Festival Hall Board Chairman Blayne May. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

JLP performs Porter at Festival Hall

Leigh Lofgren
The Jazz Legacy Project (JLP) returned to a sold-out Festival Hall Thursday, Aug. 9, to present “Cole Porter: Jazz in Technicolor,” celebrating the legendary American composer and songwriter.Led by drummer and event narrator Justin Varnes, JLP also features saxophonist John Sandfort, bassist Kevin…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Neighborhood bar fined $17,000 by U.S. Court

Lynn Hobbs
A neighborhood hangout known for its pool tables, karaoke nights, live bands and cold beer has been ordered to pay more than $17,000 for copyright violations, according to court records.Broadcast Music Inc. filed a complaint in late January against Pals Watering Hole on Harmony Road and its owners,…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
The mobile home on Sunset Drive is totally destroyed after a fire. The family’s pets perished in the fire. (Contributed photo)

The mobile home on Sunset Drive is totally destroyed after a fire. The family’s pets perished in the fire. (Contributed photo)

Two mobile homes destroyed by fire; one family displaced

Friday, August 14, 2026

Putnam County Fire Department personnel were busy shuttling water from a fire hydrant to a burning mobile home this morning.Around 5:20 a.m. Friday, Aug.

News 

Putnam County Board of Education member Doris Clemons accepts a painting after her name was drawn during a raffle at the Putnam County Board of Education meeting. Clemons announced she would donate the artwork to the PCBOE. ALIVIA BLANTON/ Staff

Putnam County Board of Education member Doris Clemons accepts a painting after her name was drawn during a raffle at the Putnam County Board of Education meeting. Clemons announced she would donate the artwork to the PCBOE. ALIVIA BLANTON/ Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

BOE reviews budget, CTAE grants, HS theatre project

Alivia Blanton
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Education discussed its fiscal year 2027 budget, reviewed Career,...
View More

Sports 

Lily Arthur takes a swing at the plate for Gatewood as the Gators continue their strong start to the season. Arthur has helped lead the way both at the plate and in the circle during Gatewood’s three-game winning streak. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Lily Arthur takes a swing at the plate for Gatewood as the Gators continue their strong start to the season. Arthur has helped lead the way both at the plate and in the circle during Gatewood’s three-game winning streak. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood softball off to solid start

News Staff
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Gatewood softball has turned a competitive start into a strong early-season run.
Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen scrambles out of the pocket for a first down against Edmund Burke. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood quarterback Blake Brannen scrambles out of the pocket for a first down against Edmund Burke. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Preparation key to Gators’ early success

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Gatewood is heading into the regular season with a little more confidence after using a pair of...
View More

Community 

Latonya Taylor (third from left) prepares to cut the ribbon to officially open her Heal In-Ez Reiki & Wellness Spa Aug. 5, in a ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Latonya Taylor (third from left) prepares to cut the ribbon to officially open her Heal In-Ez Reiki & Wellness Spa Aug. 5, in a ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Reiki to make a difference

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
For Eatonton native Latonya Taylor, opening a Reiki practice in her hometown began with an...
View More

Obituaries 

Jeffrey Lemming

Jeffrey Lemming

Jeffrey Lemming

News Staff
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Jeffrey Lynn Lemming, affectionately known as Jeff or "Lemdog," passed away peacefully on Aug.
Gary Denham

Gary Denham

Gary Denham

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Gary “Slim” Thomas Denham, a loving husband, devoted father, and cherished Bawbaw to his...
Ronald Warren Butts

Ronald Warren Butts

Ronald Warren Butts

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Ronald Warren Butts, age 54, of Eatonton, Georgia, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on...
View More