Ricky Barnes
Dozen drug dealers off of Eatonton’s streets
Lynn Hobbs
An investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies that began earlier this year...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED
Putnam County Fire Department firefighters fought a barn fire Thursday evening, July 23, and a boat fire Friday morning, July 24, according to Fire Chief Thomas McClain. No one was injured in either incident.The call for the boat fire came in Friday morning while firefighters were still…
The Gatewood softball team gathers for a prayer before a scrimmage earlier this summer. CONTRIBUTED
With a successful summer behind them and opening day just around the corner, Gatewood’s softball team believes it has laid the foundation for a competitive 2026 season.The Gators open the year Aug. 4 in Dublin, facing Trinity Christian after months of building chemistry, competing against quality…
Bristol Harris is expected to be one of Putnam County’s top leaders in the circle this season. KIM CASH/ Contributed
With opening day less than a week away, the Putnam County softball team appears confident months of hard work and practice will pay off.The War Eagles will open their 2026 season next week with a two-game series against Northside-Columbus, marking the competition debut of first-year head coach…
Loran Smith/File Photo
When a new face rises to prominence in the sports world, fans and media alike become fascinated with the "inside" story, searching for the hidden details that reveal who the person really is.Ryan Fox, now New Zealand's newest sporting hero, is about as unassuming as they come. He flies coach,…
Harbor Club resident replaces weeds with wildflowers
What once was an overgrown patch of roadside weeds and neglected grass has become one of the most colorful spots at Harbor Club, thanks to one resident’s vision, diligence, and a little help from nature.Seven years after moving from Metro Atlanta to the Carriage Ridge neighborhood at Harbor Club,…
On God and this tiny rock
Sometimes I start these conversations not knowing where they are going to end. This is one of those times. The subject today concerns current events, the universe and religion. Now, you can see why I don’t know where this is headed. Any one of the topics is complex enough in its own right without…
Data center debate could soon reach Putnam
A new Politico poll suggests Americans are becoming increasingly skeptical of large-scale data centers, a shift that could have significant implications for largely rural communities like here in Putnam County.According to the Politico poll, opposition to data centers has risen sharply over the…
Ricky Barnes
An investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies that began earlier this year culminated last week with the arrest of a dozen suspected drug dealers in Eatonton.Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell said 12 people were arrested July 21 and charged with offenses related to the Georgia…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo
During its regularly scheduled meeting on July 21, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners took a step toward taking politics out of road paving decisions.The four-man board unanimously approved an artificial intelligence- based pavement assessment service that claims to provide an objective…
District 2 Commissioner Steve Hersey raised several concerns about county spending throughout last Tuesday’s meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff
Public opposition to the proposed rock quarry again dominated public comments that opened the Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting July 21.Still, commissioners spent most of the evening addressing changes to SPLOST funding agreements, adopting updated fire protection standards, authorizing…
CONTRIBUTED
Imagine seeing stories and poems transformed into works of visual art. That's the idea behind Paint Between the Lines, an innovative new collaboration between the Georgia Writers Museum (GWM) and The Artisans Village's popular annual exhibition, Dual Vision: Art Through Different Eyes.Traditionally…
District 2 Commissioner Steve Hersey raised several concerns about county spending throughout last Tuesday’s meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff
BOC considers SPLOST, fire code revisions, board appointments
Ian Tocher
Public opposition to the proposed rock quarry again dominated public comments that opened the...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED
Blazes burn boat, barn
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Putnam County Fire Department firefighters fought a barn fire Thursday evening, July 23, and a boat fire Friday morning, July 24, according to Fire Chief Thomas McClain. No one was injured in either incident.News
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo
County taking politics out of paving plans
Ian Tocher
During its regularly scheduled meeting on July 21, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners took a...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo
Putnam man’s death under investigation
Lynn Hobbs
A death investigation is underway after a Putnam County man’s body and car were found submerged in...
Thursday, July 23, 2026
A drone flight over the Stillwater subdivision shows site work that has been completed alongside Scott Road (left), near Highway 44 in Putnam County. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK ENGEL
Stillwater stirs up plans for growth
Maureen Stratton
Businesses along the Scott Road corridor in Putnam County have welcomed the addition of the new...
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Sports
The Gatewood softball team gathers for a prayer before a scrimmage earlier this summer. CONTRIBUTED
‘Scrappy’ Gators ready for 2026 season
Lance McCurley
With a successful summer behind them and opening day just around the corner, Gatewood’s softball...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Bristol Harris is expected to be one of Putnam County’s top leaders in the circle this season. KIM CASH/ Contributed
Putnam softball prepped for season opener
Lance McCurley
With opening day less than a week away, the Putnam County softball team appears confident months of...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Loran Smith/File Photo
Smith: Open Final
Loran Smith
When a new face rises to prominence in the sports world, fans and media alike become fascinated...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Community
Harbor Club resident replaces weeds with wildflowers
Harbor Club resident replaces weeds with wildflowers
Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
What once was an overgrown patch of roadside weeds and neglected grass has become one of the most...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
CONTRIBUTED
Paint Between the Lines combines authors with artists
News Staff
Imagine seeing stories and poems come to life in an exciting, amazing new way.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Employees and supporters of Seniors Helping Seniors Mid-South Georgia cheer as the ribbon is cut late last Tuesday to officially recognize the opening of the unique, new facility in Putnam County. CONTRIBUTED
Lake Country welcomes Seniors Helping Seniors
News Staff
The Greene and Putnam County Chambers of Commerce held a joint ribbon cutting July 21 to introduce...
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Obituaries
Phyllis Couch
Phyllis Couch
News Staff
Phyllis Marie King Couch of Eatonton passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the age of 80.
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Frank Thompson
Frank Thompson
News Staff
On June 29, 2026, Frank Thompson passed away at the home where he and his beloved wife of nearly 44...
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Nick Herring
Nick Herring
News Staff
Mr. Nick Herring, age 57, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
