Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale (4th from left, holding sign), Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (in green), and State Senator Rick Williams (far right), joined family members of Sgts. Monica and Billue as they received official sign replicas similar to those posted alongside Hwy. 16 in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale (4th from left, holding sign), Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (in green), and State Senator Rick Williams (far right), joined family members of Sgts. Monica and Billue as they received official sign replicas similar to those posted alongside Hwy. 16 in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Highway dedication keeps GDC officers’ names alive

Ian Tocher
END OF WATCH: JUNE 13, 2017Nine years after two Georgia correctional officers were killed aboard a prison transport bus in Putnam County, their families, colleagues, and community members gathered near the scene Sunday to ensure their names will not be forgotten.Sunday afternoon’s ceremony was held…
The ribbon falls to officially open Tee Time 44 last Thursday, a new electronic golf training and bar/restaurant for gourmet-seeking golf enthusiasts.

The ribbon falls to officially open Tee Time 44 last Thursday, a new electronic golf training and bar/restaurant for gourmet-seeking golf enthusiasts.

Tee Time 44 brings golf and great food

Story And Photo By Ian Tocher
Golf may be the game, but the owners of Tee Time 44 want customers to know they don’t need a good swing – or any swing at all – to enjoy their new Lake Country business.Bryan and Amy Pulliam celebrated the opening of Tee Time 44 with a Sept. 10 ribbon-cutting hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber…
Is a write-in candidacy right in the future?

Is a write-in candidacy right in the future?

Is a write-in candidacy right in the future?

Dick Yarbrough
I’ve not decided, okay?These kinds of decisions require time and a lot of thought. And I’m not talking about whether to eat my peas with a fork or a spoon or not to eat peas at all. I am talking about am I right in being a write-in candidate for governor of the Great State of Georgia.I need to make…

Just asking …

News Staff
Dear Editor,One common interpretation of INTEGRITY is whether a person’s “word is their bond.”As part of the candidate qualification process, each Republican candidate was asked to sign a questionnaire.Question number 11 asked each candidate: “Will you support the Republican nominee in the General…
Martin Neal Drinkard

Martin Neal Drinkard

Martin Neal Drinkard

News Staff
It is with great sadness that the family of Martin Neal Drinkard announces his passing on September 11, 2026, after a brief illness. He was 84. Marty was born on June 29, 1942, to parents Walter David Drinkard and Mildred Pate Drinkard.He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Helen…
Deloris Feyaerts

Deloris Feyaerts

Deloris Feyaerts

News Staff
Deloris Feyaerts 86, passed away at her residence on Monday, September 7, 2026 surrounded by her family. Deloris was born in Rome, Georgia on August 25, 1940 to the late Harvey Paschel James and Martha Blanch Clack James. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Karel Andre Feyaerts of 64…

Glenda Jo Ogle Haggard

News Staff
Glenda Jo Ogle Haggard, age 75, of Eatonton, Georgia, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026. Glenda was born on August 31, 1951, in Langdale, Alabama, to Joe Edward Ogle and Mary Magdalene Holland Ogle.Her father’s career with the U.S. Army took the family to many places during her childhood,…
CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

News Staff
Submit your events to editor@msgrnews.com See more events and a regional events calendar online at msgrnews.com.LOOK FOR THE CALENDAR MENU ITEM.PUTNAMTHURSDAY, SEPT. 17What: Flannery O’Connor Book Club When: 2-3 p.m. Where: Georgia Writers Museum, 109 S. Jefferson Ave., Eatonton More Info: Dr.…
L-R: Kevin Tomson-Hooper is joined by Simone and Grady Jones, posing with the block of granite that will soon support a bronze statue of Eatonton’s own Hiram Little. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Kevin Tomson-Hooper is joined by Simone and Grady Jones, posing with the block of granite that will soon support a bronze statue of Eatonton’s own Hiram Little. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Statue of Tuskegee Airman cleared for landing

Ian Tocher
A project that took off with an idea, a conversation, a $5,000 retainer, and no real idea of where the rest of the money would come from is finally ready to land Sept. 30, at Eatonton’s Veterans Wall of Honor Park.A bronze statue honoring Eatonton native and Tuskegee Airman Hiram Little will be…
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…
Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties has signed on as Diamond Sponsor for Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ 2026 Monte Carlo Night at The Ritz. Proceeds from the Oct. 15 event will support critical home repairs, reliable transportation, and beds for children throughout Greene and Putnam counties. CONTRIBUTED

Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties has signed on as Diamond Sponsor for Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ 2026 Monte Carlo Night at The Ritz. Proceeds from the Oct. 15 event will support critical home repairs, reliable transportation, and beds for children throughout Greene and Putnam counties. CONTRIBUTED

NHN Monte Carlo Night at The Ritz coming next month

News Staff
Greensboro-based Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) will bring the elegance and excitement of Monte Carlo to Lake Oconee with its Monte Carlo Night at The Ritz event, Oct. 15 at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.NHN recently announced Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties as a Diamond Sponsor of the…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
L-R: Kevin Tomson-Hooper is joined by Simone and Grady Jones, posing with the block of granite that will soon support a bronze statue of Eatonton’s own Hiram Little. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Kevin Tomson-Hooper is joined by Simone and Grady Jones, posing with the block of granite that will soon support a bronze statue of Eatonton’s own Hiram Little. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Statue of Tuskegee Airman cleared for landing

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 17, 2026
A project that took off with an idea, a conversation, a $5,000 retainer, and no real idea of where...
Putnam County Permit Manager Rindi Daniel with the Public Works Department briefly addressed the commission to recommend the county acceptance the roads for the Harmony Farm subdivision phase three, Harmony Farms Orchard, and Harmony Grove Court. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Permit Manager Rindi Daniel with the Public Works Department briefly addressed the commission to recommend the county acceptance the roads for the Harmony Farm subdivision phase three, Harmony Farms Orchard, and Harmony Grove Court. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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County commission addresses nuisance properties, PUD expansion

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 10, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners backed away from some of the county’s property regulations...
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale (4th from left, holding sign), Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (in green), and State Senator Rick Williams (far right), joined family members of Sgts. Monica and Billue as they received official sign replicas similar to those posted alongside Hwy. 16 in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale (4th from left, holding sign), Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills (in green), and State Senator Rick Williams (far right), joined family members of Sgts. Monica and Billue as they received official sign replicas similar to those posted alongside Hwy. 16 in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Highway dedication keeps GDC officers’ names alive

Thursday, September 17, 2026

END OF WATCH: JUNE 13, 2017Nine years after two Georgia correctional officers were killed aboard a prison transport bus in Putnam County, their families, colleagues, and community members gathered near the scene Sunday to ensure their names will not be forgotten.

News 

Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties has signed on as Diamond Sponsor for Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ 2026 Monte Carlo Night at The Ritz. Proceeds from the Oct. 15 event will support critical home repairs, reliable transportation, and beds for children throughout Greene and Putnam counties. CONTRIBUTED

Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties has signed on as Diamond Sponsor for Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ 2026 Monte Carlo Night at The Ritz. Proceeds from the Oct. 15 event will support critical home repairs, reliable transportation, and beds for children throughout Greene and Putnam counties. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

NHN Monte Carlo Night at The Ritz coming next month

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Greensboro-based Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) will bring the elegance and excitement of Monte...
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Sports 

London Humphreys (16) elevates to haul in a pass from Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

London Humphreys (16) elevates to haul in a pass from Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Dawgs unsatisfied despite another lopsided victory

Brad Hanson
Thursday, September 17, 2026
ATHENS — For the second game in a row, a quick and efficient start to the game allowed the Georgia...
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Community 

The ribbon falls to officially open Tee Time 44 last Thursday, a new electronic golf training and bar/restaurant for gourmet-seeking golf enthusiasts.

The ribbon falls to officially open Tee Time 44 last Thursday, a new electronic golf training and bar/restaurant for gourmet-seeking golf enthusiasts.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Tee Time 44 brings golf and great food

Story And Photo By Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Golf may be the game, but the owners of Tee Time 44 want customers to know they don’t need a good...
Rotary Raffle prize sponsor Leslie Grant of Grant Decor (left) poses with Rotarian Donna O’Neal in presenting a 36-inch Christmas wreath valued at $300 to Week 35 winner Julie Chirumbole, who was unavailable for the photo. CONTRIBUTED

Rotary Raffle prize sponsor Leslie Grant of Grant Decor (left) poses with Rotarian Donna O’Neal in presenting a 36-inch Christmas wreath valued at $300 to Week 35 winner Julie Chirumbole, who was unavailable for the photo. CONTRIBUTED

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Rotary Raffle Week 35

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
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Obituaries 

Martin Neal Drinkard

Martin Neal Drinkard

Martin Neal Drinkard

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
It is with great sadness that the family of Martin Neal Drinkard announces his passing on September...
Deloris Feyaerts

Deloris Feyaerts

Deloris Feyaerts

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Deloris Feyaerts 86, passed away at her residence on Monday, September 7, 2026 surrounded by her...
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