Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

MAC hosts annual youth rally

Ian Tocher
More than 100 children and their family members attended Saturday at Oconee Springs Park for the annual youth rally hosted by Mothers Against Crime (MAC), a longtime Putnam County organization focused on providing positive experiences for local youth.The event featured inflatable waterbased…

Messenger places first for sports, photos, lifestyle coverage

Josh Lurie
Awards were presented at the Georgia Press Association annual convention June 12 at Jekyll Island. There were 477 awards presented in 44 categories to 73 newspapers.Editor Ian Tocher was awarded first-place awards for Photo Essay, Sports Section — along with sportswriter Lance McCurley —and…
Juana Hernandez Arieto

Juana Hernandez Arieto

Mothers fight to defend their children at Dairy Festival

Lynn Hobbs
Instead of milk mustaches, several people left the annual Dairy Festival with scrapes and bruises June 6 when a small fight broke out. One was taken to the hospital, and two women and two juveniles were arrested.“That group just had a bad day all the way around; but other than that, the Dairy…
Justin Peeples

Justin Peeples

GDNR patrolling Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
Four men who came from coastal Florida to enjoy a vacation on Lake Sinclair found lodging in Putnam County Jail last week.Justin Peoples, 18, of Yulee, Fla.; Peyton Casey, 18, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; William Colby Crabtree, 19, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and Cody Kenneth Mooney, 20, also of…
Grease Monkey

Grease Monkey

Grease Monkey:

News Staff
Grease Monkey, a locally owned automobile service, recently opened its doors at 101 Walmart Dr. in Eatonton. “We opened this location in 2023 built on customer service,” said James Painter, co-owner of Grease Monkey.“We take convenience, customer opinion, the vehicle and more into consideration for…

History of democracy in Putnam: 2000-Present

News Staff
Since the turn of the millennium, the history of democracy in Putnam County has been defined by modernization and a commitment to civic partnership. Over the past two decades, the county has continually adapted its electoral processes to empower its citizens and build lasting trust.This “bicycle-to…
Author Charles Seabrook and photographer Ann Litrel will present their new book, 35 Natural Wonders of Georgia, on July 9 at Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Author Charles Seabrook and photographer Ann Litrel will present their new book, 35 Natural Wonders of Georgia, on July 9 at Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

35 Natural Wonders of Georgia to See Before You Die

News Staff
If you are trying to stretch your vacation dollars and explore the great state of Georgia, Charles Seabrook and Ann Litrel have done the homework for you. They have collaborated on a unique book that works like a bucket list to help you discover the best places to visit, practically in your…
CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

Moonlight on Main returns to Greensboro

News Staff
Downtown Greensboro will come alive this Friday night as the Moonlight on Main Summer Concert Series continues with an evening of great music, delicious food, family-friendly activities, and spectacular fireworks.The free community concert featuring Nu South Playaz begins at 7 p.m. on North Main…

Piedmont named to Fortune’s America’s Most Innovative Companies 2026 list

News Staff
Piedmont has been recognized on Fortune’s America’s Most Innovative Companies 2026 list, ranking No. 124 out of 300 organizations nationwide.Notably, Piedmont is the only health system in Georgia to earn a place on the 2026 list and ranks within the Top 25 organizations in the health care industry…

Piedmont Athens Regional recognizes Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Day

News Staff
In recognition of Idiopathic Hypersomnia Awareness Day on June 13, Piedmont Athens Regional is raising awareness about chronic sleep disorders and encouraging individuals experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness to speak with their primary care physician about possible causes and treatments.…
Hidden Jewel relocates in Eatonton

Hidden Jewel relocates in Eatonton

Hidden Jewel relocates in Eatonton

News Staff
The Hidden Jewel Rehabilitation and Empowerment Center has reopened at 202 N. Jefferson Ave., Ste. C, Eatonton. Owner and therapist Shaqueena Baker said The Hidden Jewel provides both inperson and virtual services for individuals, couples, and group counseling.Most insurance, including Medicare and…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

MAC hosts annual youth rally

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

More than 100 children and their family members attended Saturday at Oconee Springs Park for the annual youth rally hosted by Mothers Against Crime (MAC), a longtime Putnam County organization focused on providing positive experiences for local youth.

News 

Putnam Past

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
LAST YEAR, JUNE 19, 2025 If walls could talk, the ones of the historical Wards Chapel AME Church...
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Sports 

Elijah Dunn carries the ball for Putnam County during a padded camp in Eatonton ahead of the 2024 season. LANCE McCURLEY/ Staff

Elijah Dunn carries the ball for Putnam County during a padded camp in Eatonton ahead of the 2024 season. LANCE McCURLEY/ Staff

Dunn ready to set standard for War Eagles

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Putnam County senior Elijah Dunn isn’t interested in talking about individual accolades until one...
Former major leaguer and now Gatewood baseball head coach Brandon Moss has turned his team into a perennial favorite once playoff time rolls around. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Former major leaguer and now Gatewood baseball head coach Brandon Moss has turned his team into a perennial favorite once playoff time rolls around. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Moss sets high standard for Gators baseball

Trey Norris
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
When Gatewood hired former Major League Baseball All-Star Brandon Moss in 2021, it generated plenty...
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Community 

Grease Monkey

Grease Monkey

Grease Monkey:

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Grease Monkey, a locally owned automobile service, recently opened its doors at 101 Walmart Dr.
Author Charles Seabrook and photographer Ann Litrel will present their new book, 35 Natural Wonders of Georgia, on July 9 at Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Author Charles Seabrook and photographer Ann Litrel will present their new book, 35 Natural Wonders of Georgia, on July 9 at Georgia Writers Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

35 Natural Wonders of Georgia to See Before You Die

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
If you are trying to stretch your vacation dollars and explore the great state of Georgia, Charles...
View More

Obituaries 

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