State Rep. Trey Rhodes addresses the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience Aug. 20 at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, discussing issues and concerns facing his constituents. IAN TOCHER/Staff

State Rep. Trey Rhodes addresses the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience Aug. 20 at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, discussing issues and concerns facing his constituents. IAN TOCHER/Staff

E-P Chamber hosts Putnam’s state legislators

Ian Tocher
State tax policy, school-zone cameras, education, health care, and local transportation were among the issues discussed Aug. 20, when three state legislators met with local business and community leaders at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.Hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Remembering ‘59

Loran Smith
It has become customary in recent years for the leading football schools to open the season against a team perceived to have little or no chance of winning — the so-called “cupcake” games.However, you may recall that on Sept. 1, 2007, Appalachian State upset Michigan at Ann Arbor, 34-32. Not only…
Putnam County’s own Trinity Carter said she’s excited and happy about landing her first career position at home with Habitat for Humanity of Putnam as its new public relations and marketing representative. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County’s own Trinity Carter said she’s excited and happy about landing her first career position at home with Habitat for Humanity of Putnam as its new public relations and marketing representative. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Homegrown talent finds Habitat home

Ian Tocher
For Putnam County’s Trinity Carter, starting her career didn’t even require leaving home.Carter, 21, recently joined Habitat for Humanity of Putnam (HFHP) as its new public relations and marketing representative. She graduated in May from Milledgeville’s Georgia College & State University with…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Letter to the Editor: Passionate response to PDA critic

News Staff
Dear Editor,Last week’s letter to the Editor by Dale Bills raised some interesting questions and reflections. Who is Dale Bills, Citizen of Putnam County? Is he a member of the Putnam County Taxpayer Watchdog group?Referring to Walt Rocker’s report to the Board of Commissioners, Mr. Bills states…
Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Yarbrough: When in-laws attack

Dick Yarbrough
I have warned my two kids that if they ever contemplated divorcing their spouse, I would keep the one they brought.My son-in-law is a retired public schoolteacher with a Ph.D., a coach, and a former Georgia Teacher of the Year. He can build anything, including the house they have occupied for the…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Marlene Jordan Marsh

News Staff
Mrs. Marsh was born Nov. 10, 1939, and passed away Aug. 30, 2026. Marlene attended Putnam County High School and graduated in 1957. She also worked at Dairy Queen that year.She earned her Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing (BSRN) from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and worked in…
Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

News Staff
Mrs. Annie Jo Taylor Griffith, 77, passed away Thursday, Aug. 26, 2026, in a Covington hospital. Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home of Eatonton. The family received friends from 1 p.m. until the service.Mrs. Griffith was born…
Joseph Batchelor

Joseph Batchelor

Joseph Batchelor

News Staff
Joseph Batchelor, 76, of Gray, passed away Monday, Aug. 24, 2026.Funeral services were held graveside at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at Fortville Cemetery, with Dr. Ron McClung officiating.Joe was born Aug. 10, 1950, in Haddock to the late Grady Berry Batchelor Sr. and Mary Mercer Batchelor…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Budget approved; county to seek solid waste bids

Ian Tocher
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners approved its fiscal 2027 budget and authorized rebidding the county’s solid waste contract. At its Aug. 18 meeting, it approved new oversight of SPLOST and T-SPLOST spending during its Aug. 18 meeting.The board also approved a 199-foot Verizon…
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: Dolly Parton

Ronda Rich
When I was 15, I first met Dolly Parton. By then, she was already a star with hits like “Jolene.” She was not, however, the superstar she would become.My sister, a journalist in Nashville, was friends with Dolly, which is how I met her. She was incredibly beautiful, with the most unbelievable…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Letter to the Editor: Plenty of quarry questions remain

News Staff
Dear Editor,Putnam residents and our elected officials should ask important questions about the prolonged quarry fight. As we are entering the eighth month of the dispute, let’s consider some key issues.Putnam Stone accuses its opponents of being transplants, keyboard warriors, and spreading lies…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
State Rep. Trey Rhodes addresses the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience Aug. 20 at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, discussing issues and concerns facing his constituents. IAN TOCHER/Staff

State Rep. Trey Rhodes addresses the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience Aug. 20 at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, discussing issues and concerns facing his constituents. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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E-P Chamber hosts Putnam’s state legislators

Thursday, September 3, 2026

State tax policy, school-zone cameras, education, health care, and local transportation were among the issues discussed Aug. 20, when three state legislators met with local business and community leaders at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.

News 

An uncapped fire hydrant alongside Eatonton’s Willie Bailey Street relieves water pressure to allow repairs further down the line. BRANDON PARK/Staff

An uncapped fire hydrant alongside Eatonton’s Willie Bailey Street relieves water pressure to allow repairs further down the line. BRANDON PARK/Staff

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Water main break leaves some customers dry

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Downtown Eatonton restaurants, other businesses, and homes were without water Tuesday due to a...
Governor Brian Kemp (right) recently reappointed Trevor J. Addison, Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts for Putnam County, to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. CONTRIBUTED

Governor Brian Kemp (right) recently reappointed Trevor J. Addison, Clerk of Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts for Putnam County, to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority. CONTRIBUTED

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Kemp reappoints Addison to Court Clerks authority

News Staff
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Governor Brian Kemp has reappointed Trevor J.
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Sports 

Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Remembering ‘59

Loran Smith
Thursday, September 3, 2026
It has become customary in recent years for the leading football schools to open the season against...
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Labor Day goings on

Loran Smith
Thursday, August 27, 2026
For the first two weeks of September in Athens, Georgia, we can expect a transition to early fall...
Gatewood junior running back and linebacker Brady Haley has been one of the Gators’ most dependable players through the first two games of the season, contributing on both sides of the ball. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood junior running back and linebacker Brady Haley has been one of the Gators’ most dependable players through the first two games of the season, contributing on both sides of the ball. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Gators grounded by Briarwood, fall to 0-2 on season

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Gatewood’s early struggles continued last Friday night in Warrenton, as the Gators dropped a 26-8...
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Community 

Putnam County’s own Trinity Carter said she’s excited and happy about landing her first career position at home with Habitat for Humanity of Putnam as its new public relations and marketing representative. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County’s own Trinity Carter said she’s excited and happy about landing her first career position at home with Habitat for Humanity of Putnam as its new public relations and marketing representative. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Homegrown talent finds Habitat home

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 3, 2026
For Putnam County’s Trinity Carter, starting her career didn’t even require leaving home.
David and Jesse Hodge of Eatonton’s new Crooked D Creamery were on hand for the OSHM Ice Cream Social, explaining the ice cream-making process and giving out free, freshly made samples to an appreciative audience. CONTRIBUTED

David and Jesse Hodge of Eatonton’s new Crooked D Creamery were on hand for the OSHM Ice Cream Social, explaining the ice cream-making process and giving out free, freshly made samples to an appreciative audience. CONTRIBUTED

OSHM hosts nostalgic ice cream social

News Staff
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Eatonton’s Old School History Museum (OSHM) at The Plaza Arts Center hosted its annual Ice Cream...
The Swingin’ Medallions will bring their signature Southern sound to The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton on Sept. 19. CONTRIBUTED

The Swingin’ Medallions will bring their signature Southern sound to The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton on Sept. 19. CONTRIBUTED

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A Night of Timeless Sound

News Staff
Thursday, August 27, 2026
As summer begins to soften into fall, the rhythms of the South will come alive in Eatonton when a...
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Obituaries 

Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

News Staff
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Mrs. Annie Jo Taylor Griffith, 77, passed away Thursday, Aug. 26, 2026, in a Covington hospital.
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