The top of this large oak tree, obviously weakened by its decayed heartwood, fell onto a utility pole and knocked down power lines in Eatonton Saturday. VICTORIA ANADENKO/Staff

The top of this large oak tree, obviously weakened by its decayed heartwood, fell onto a utility pole and knocked down power lines in Eatonton Saturday. VICTORIA ANADENKO/Staff

Strong storms wreak havoc

Lynn Hobbs
Georgia has received above-normal rainfall since June 1, according to drought.gov and the National Weather Service. The heavy rainfall and strong winds have kept the public works and fire departments of Eatonton and Putnam County quite busy, most notably from downed trees. The fire department also…
Hans Dawson

Hans Dawson

Quarry owner continues lobbying local support

Story And Photo By Ian Tocher
Facing perhaps the most organized opposition his company has ever encountered, Hans Dawson of Wisconsin-based Land and Stone Products and co-owner of Putnam County Stone (PCS), said the controversy over a proposed granite quarry in Putnam County has become as much about communication as it is about…
Working under the stage name “Burnt Reynolds,” a street performer with the Milledgeville-based Strange Bedfellows group entertained street-side Eatonton shoppers last Friday during An Evening in Eatonton, presented by Eatonton Main Street. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGE A5 IAN TOCHER/Staff

Working under the stage name “Burnt Reynolds,” a street performer with the Milledgeville-based Strange Bedfellows group entertained street-side Eatonton shoppers last Friday during An Evening in Eatonton, presented by Eatonton Main Street. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGE A5 IAN TOCHER/Staff

County approves road work, golf course bids

Ian Tocher
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners took steps last Friday afternoon to reshape the county’s sign regulations. The board also approved road resurfacing projects, advanced plans for the next transportation sales tax, and authorized the acceptance of bids for a new irrigation system at the…
Gatewood’s Lawson Moore emerges as national pitching star

Gatewood’s Lawson Moore emerges as national pitching star

Gatewood’s Lawson Moore emerges as national pitching star

Story And Photo By Trey Norris
STATESBORO – Friday, May 29, afternoon marked one of the greatest performances in Gatewood baseball history when Lawson Moore tossed a complete game no-hitter. The sophomore left-hander struck out eight Heritage batters while walking none in a 7-0 state-championship-clinching victory at Georgia…
Gators win program’s fifth state championship

Gators win program’s fifth state championship

Gators win program’s fifth state championship

Story And Photos By Trey Norris
Gators win program’s fifth state championshipSTATESBORO — If there was any doubt about Gatewood’s status as the GIAA’s premier baseball program over the past four seasons, the Gators’ latest state championship run put those questions to rest.Gatewood secured its fourth consecutive title and fifth…
Gators bring home third consecutive state title trophy

Gators bring home third consecutive state title trophy

Gators bring home third consecutive state title trophy

Trey Norris
The Gatewood baseball team has done it again.The Gators secured their third consecutive GIAA Class AA state championship last week, May 30, 2025, defeating the Southwest Georgia Academy Warriors at Synovus Park in Columbus.Gatewood head coach Brandon Moss said he was proud of his players, who…
Wooten ices game for Gators

Wooten ices game for Gators

Wooten ices game for Gators

Lance McCurley
MACON – During the third game of the 2024 state championship series, Lawson Wooten was entrusted with finishing out the contest on the mound, a role that could help secure his team a title.On Tuesday, Wooten was put into a similar situation against Edmund Burke Academy (EBA) in game three of this…
Gators gut Spartans for second-straight state title

Gators gut Spartans for second-straight state title

Gators gut Spartans for second-straight state title

Story And Photos By Trey Norris
The Gatewood Gators won their second-consecutive GIAA state championship Monday, May 18, 2024, after a thrilling three-game series that ended with a 6-0 shutout victory over Edmund Burke Academy (EBA) at Tattnall Square Academy in Macon.The Gators’ victory came behind five shutout innings from…
FINALLY!

FINALLY!

FINALLY!

Story And Photos By Trey Norris
It took more than three decades, but the Gatewood Gators are finally state champions.After coming close a few times over the baseball program’s 32-year history, the Gators won the 2023 GIAA Class AA season title over Southwest Georgia Academy. Gatewood finished its season with a 19-9 record after a…
PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD promotes Project R.E.A.C.H.

News Staff
The Putnam County Fire Department is among 29 fire departments in Georgia supporting Project R.E.A.C.H. (Recycling Every Aluminum Can Helps), a statewide recycling initiative administered by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation (GFBF). R.E.A.C.H. transforms aluminum can recycling into support…

LCP seeks performers for ‘Come From Away’

News Staff
The Lake Country Players are preparing to bring one of Broadway’s most inspiring and acclaimed musicals to downtown Greensboro this fall with a production of Come From Away, opening at Festival Hall in November.Based on the remarkable true story that unfolded in the days following Sept. 11, 2001,…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Two dead, property damaged after storm

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season,...
The top of this large oak tree, obviously weakened by its decayed heartwood, fell onto a utility pole and knocked down power lines in Eatonton Saturday. VICTORIA ANADENKO/Staff

The top of this large oak tree, obviously weakened by its decayed heartwood, fell onto a utility pole and knocked down power lines in Eatonton Saturday. VICTORIA ANADENKO/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Strong storms wreak havoc

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Georgia has received above-normal rainfall since June 1, according to drought.gov and the National Weather Service. The heavy rainfall and strong winds have kept the public works and fire departments of Eatonton and Putnam County quite busy, most notably from downed trees.

News 

Working under the stage name “Burnt Reynolds,” a street performer with the Milledgeville-based Strange Bedfellows group entertained street-side Eatonton shoppers last Friday during An Evening in Eatonton, presented by Eatonton Main Street. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGE A5 IAN TOCHER/Staff

Working under the stage name “Burnt Reynolds,” a street performer with the Milledgeville-based Strange Bedfellows group entertained street-side Eatonton shoppers last Friday during An Evening in Eatonton, presented by Eatonton Main Street. SEE MORE PHOTOS >> PAGE A5 IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County approves road work, golf course bids

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners took steps last Friday afternoon to reshape the county’s...
PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

PCFD promotes Project R.E.A.C.H.

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Putnam County Fire Department is among 29 fire departments in Georgia supporting Project R.E.A.
View More

Sports 

View More

Community 

Artist Pat Devine Barnes (center) accepted the blue ribbon, signifying her first-place finish in the 10th annual Lake Country Juried Art Show, from show cochairs Michele Hartung (left) and Cathy McIntire.

Artist Pat Devine Barnes (center) accepted the blue ribbon, signifying her first-place finish in the 10th annual Lake Country Juried Art Show, from show cochairs Michele Hartung (left) and Cathy McIntire.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Major milestone for juried art show

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Lake Country Juried Art Show celebrated a decade of showcasing regional artistic talent June 25...
Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin recognized the Superintendent’s Students of the Month for May, including (l-r) Gerard Garcia Ortiz, Kenzie Nelson, Lila Langford, and Trinity Martin. ALIVIA BLANTON /Staff

Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin recognized the Superintendent’s Students of the Month for May, including (l-r) Gerard Garcia Ortiz, Kenzie Nelson, Lila Langford, and Trinity Martin. ALIVIA BLANTON /Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Board of Education reviews FY27 budget

Alivia Blanton
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Education reviewed its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget during a...
View More

Obituaries 

Nick Herring

Nick Herring

Nick Herring

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

John Stickline

Exclusive Subscriber Content

John Stickline

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
John “Jack” Stickline, 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 26, 2026. Mr.
Gerald Alvin Grimes

Gerald Alvin Grimes

Gerald Alvin Grimes

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Gerald Alvin Grimes, age 79, formerly of Milledgeville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on June 10,...
View More