Representatives of Putnam County Stone encouraged support for its quarry proposal at Saturday’s Dairy Festival. Putnam County Stone’s Facebook page

Representatives of Putnam County Stone encouraged support for its quarry proposal at Saturday’s Dairy Festival. Putnam County Stone’s Facebook page

Putnam County Stone requests quarry application withdrawal

Ian Tocher
Wisconsin-based Putnam County Stone has formally requested to withdraw its controversial rezoning application to establish a rock quarry alongside Dennis Station Road. The move could halt what was expected to be one of the county’s most closely watched public hearings in years, though questions…
Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

News Staff
Great weather for the Putnam County Dairy Festival on Saturday. I have been there when it was 100 degrees, cold, windy, or rainy over the years. Just wish we could have a band in the parade. Zeke says it ain’t a parade without a band. I remember the Air Force bands of yesterday, as well as the…

County opens data center discussion

Ian Tocher
The Putnam County Commission met June 5, with commissioners tackling alcohol licensing enforcement, commercial growth, and how the county might prepare for emerging technologies like data centers.Commissioners unanimously voted to table an alcohol license application submitted by Welcome to the…

Nominees for state office to be decided next Tuesday

Josh Lurie
With the field of dozens of candidates for state office narrowed down, final choices for party nominee will be chosen June 16 with early voting wrapping up Friday.Voters who chose a party in the May 13 primary will only be able to vote for the same party in Tuesday’s runoff unless a non-partisan…
Manning Brothers: More than half a century of innovative food service

Manning Brothers: More than half a century of innovative food service

Manning Brothers: More than half a century of innovative food service

News Staff
Great people meet challenges with innovative solutions, and we’ve been there. Whatever your food service opportunity, we’ve likely seen it—and solved it—before. At Manning Brothers, you are served by people with real-world, frontline experience.With a staff comprised of former cooks, hospitality…
Members of the Eatonton Fire Department, including Fire Chief Jamey Williamson driving the department’s vintage fire truck were near the head of the parade through downtown streets.

Members of the Eatonton Fire Department, including Fire Chief Jamey Williamson driving the department’s vintage fire truck were near the head of the parade through downtown streets.

Dairy Festival 2026

News Staff
Members of the Eatonton Fire Department, including Fire Chief Jamey Williamson driving the department’s vintage  re truck were near the head of the parade through downtown streets. 

History of Democracy in Putnam County: 1950-2000

News Staff
“America will never be destroyed from the outside,” wrote President Abraham Lincoln. “If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed it ourselves.”Putnam County’s identity has been forged through historical, economic, and social change that continually tested and reshaped its…
The most prominent features of the refurbished back entrance to the Georgia Writers Museum are the new wheelchair ramp, new doors, and decorative shutters covering long-ago bricked-in window openings. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The most prominent features of the refurbished back entrance to the Georgia Writers Museum are the new wheelchair ramp, new doors, and decorative shutters covering long-ago bricked-in window openings. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Georgia Writers Museum revitalizes historic rear facade

News Staff
You may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but for Georgia Writers Museum, appearances matter.Located at a highly visible entrance to Eatonton’s historic downtown at Highway 44 and South Jefferson Avenue, the museum is one of the first landmarks visitors encounter. While the front of the…
Charles Seabrook

Charles Seabrook

Georgia Writers Museum hosts a special ‘Bucket List’ experience

News Staff
“Bucket List” is a phrase made famous by the hit movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. What would be the sights in Georgia that would make your “must-see” bucket list?Georgia Writers Museum is excited to bring 35 Natural Wonders of Georgia to See Before You Die as its July Meet the…
Lake Oconee Elks Lodge No. 2849 (871 Harmony Rd., Eatonton) recently staged several Bingo games at the Georgia War Veterans home in Milledgeville. Ten Elks volunteers and more than 25 students from Georgia Military College helped the veterans play their Bingo cards. CONTRIBUTED

Lake Oconee Elks Lodge No. 2849 (871 Harmony Rd., Eatonton) recently staged several Bingo games at the Georgia War Veterans home in Milledgeville. Ten Elks volunteers and more than 25 students from Georgia Military College helped the veterans play their Bingo cards. CONTRIBUTED

Lake Oconee Elks visit Georgia War Veterans home

News Staff
Lake Oconee Elks Lodge No. 2849 (871 Harmony Rd., Eatonton) recently staged several Bingo games at the Georgia War Veterans home in Milledgeville. Ten Elks volunteers and more than 25 students from Georgia Military College helped the veterans play their Bingo cards.
Rotary Raffle prize sponsor Tim Green (left) and Rotarian Rick Siddons presented a Tim Green Designs gift vasket valued at $300 to Rotary Raffle No. 19 prize winner Barbara Gniewek, who was unavailable for the photo. CONTRIBUTED

Rotary Raffle prize sponsor Tim Green (left) and Rotarian Rick Siddons presented a Tim Green Designs gift vasket valued at $300 to Rotary Raffle No. 19 prize winner Barbara Gniewek, who was unavailable for the photo. CONTRIBUTED

Rotary Super Raffle winners

News Staff
Rotary Raffle prize sponsor Tim Green (left) and Rotarian Rick Siddons presented a Tim Green Designs gift vasket valued at $300 to Rotary Raffle No. 19 prize winner Barbara Gniewek, who was unavailable for the photo.Rotarians Dom Serra (left) and Reid Conklin presented a $300 gift card, sponsored…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Post 6686 Commander Brian Alliston is bringing new ideas and plans to the Eatonton veterans’ institution, including a planned move from its current location, potentially to southern Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Post 6686 Commander Brian Alliston is bringing new ideas and plans to the Eatonton veterans’ institution, including a planned move from its current location, potentially to southern Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton VFW offers ambitious vision for future

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars post is looking toward a future that leaders say will look very...
Representatives of Putnam County Stone encouraged support for its quarry proposal at Saturday’s Dairy Festival. Putnam County Stone’s Facebook page

Representatives of Putnam County Stone encouraged support for its quarry proposal at Saturday’s Dairy Festival. Putnam County Stone’s Facebook page

Putnam County Stone requests quarry application withdrawal

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Wisconsin-based Putnam County Stone has formally requested to withdraw its controversial rezoning application to establish a rock quarry alongside Dennis Station Road.

News 

Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

News Staff
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Great weather for the Putnam County Dairy Festival on Saturday.
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Sports 

Jeremy Banks, the younger brother of Putnam County boys’ all-time leading scorer Eren Banks, averaged 10.5 points and 3.7 rebounds last season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Jeremy Banks, the younger brother of Putnam County boys’ all-time leading scorer Eren Banks, averaged 10.5 points and 3.7 rebounds last season. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

War Eagles begin summer workouts, prep for 2026-27

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
After reaching the Elite Eight last season, the Putnam County boys basketball team enters the...
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Community 

Crooked D Creamery founders and owners David Hodge (center, with scissors) and his wife, Jesse (center, sunglasses), welcomed a sizable crowd of well-wishers May 28 for their official ribbon cutting ceremony at 110 N. Jefferson Ave., in downtown Eatonton.

Crooked D Creamery founders and owners David Hodge (center, with scissors) and his wife, Jesse (center, sunglasses), welcomed a sizable crowd of well-wishers May 28 for their official ribbon cutting ceremony at 110 N. Jefferson Ave., in downtown Eatonton.

Crooked D Creamery scoops up success in Eatonton

Story And Photo By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Crooked D Creamery may be the newest sweet spot in downtown Eatonton, but co-owner David Hodge said...
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Obituaries 

Carey Wendel Shupe

Carey Wendel Shupe

Carey Wendel Shupe

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Carey Wendel Shupe, 88, of Eatonton, Georgia, died May 22, 2026, in Eatonton, GA.
Olene Farley Lee

Olene Farley Lee

Olene Farley Lee

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Olene Farley Lee was a woman whose life was defined by strength, perseverance, and an unwavering...
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