State, county brace for Hurricane Isaias

State, county brace for Hurricane Isaias

State, county brace for Hurricane Isaias

News Staff
Gov. Brian Kemp has declared an official state of emergency in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Isaias. “The forecast for Putnam County at the present time (Thursday afternoon) is only for potential high winds and flooding with the initial impact here arriving around 3 a.m. on Saturday,”…
Man blows hand off with pipe bomb

Man blows hand off with pipe bomb

Man blows hand off with pipe bomb

News Staff
A North Carolina man drove to Putnam County, where he blew his hand off with a pipe bomb, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. The man is currently under the care of Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center in Macon.“I have a warrant, but don’t want to arrest him until the hospital…
Local teen killed in crash with tree

Local teen killed in crash with tree

Local teen killed in crash with tree

News Staff
A call from iPhone Crash Detection sent local authorities and emergency personnel to a vehicle crash this morning (Thursday, Oct. 8), in which an Eatonton teen lost her life. The passenger was taken to an area trauma center.Harley Hall, 18, of Eatonton, was killed instantly when her airborne car…
Julius Terrill Brown

Julius Terrill Brown

Putnam County Jail Report

News Staff
MONDAY, SEPT. 28Julius Terrill Brown, 37, of Milledgeville – 5 of 10 days jail time Jason Maurice Cleveland, 23, of Greensboro – aggravated battery Matthew Eugene Brown, 42, of Eatonton – simple battery (family violence)TUESDAY, SEPT. 29Jonathon Elijah Howard, 26, of Eatonton – harassing…
Brandon Jackson smothers a Jefferson Co. runner well behind the line of scrimmage last Friday night against the Warriors. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Brandon Jackson smothers a Jefferson Co. runner well behind the line of scrimmage last Friday night against the Warriors. BRANDON PARK/Staff

War Eagles dominate big region win over Jefferson

Brandon Park
Much like the rain in Jefferson County last Friday night, the Putnam County War Eagles started off slow before pouring it on after halftime, beating the Warriors 44-14.The win moved the War Eagles to 5-1 overall, 2-1 in the region, and second in Class 2A-4 standings behind Monticello (2-0)…
After a great snap from Cayden Burner and perfect placement by Harrison Harper (3), freshman kicker Ruben Sanchez (45) came through last Friday with the extra point for a last-second tie that sent the Gators into overtime. IAN TOCHER/File photo

After a great snap from Cayden Burner and perfect placement by Harrison Harper (3), freshman kicker Ruben Sanchez (45) came through last Friday with the extra point for a last-second tie that sent the Gators into overtime. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gators step up in overtime against Flint River

Ian Tocher
For three quarters Friday night in Woodbury, Gatewood appeared to have everything under control. Then, with just 40 seconds left in Q4, the Gators trailed Flint River Academy by seven points. What happened next may say more about how far Gatewood has come this season than anything that happened in…
Ray Lamb

Ray Lamb

Ray Lamb

Loran Smith
When the final service took place last week for longtime Tigers’ football coach Ray Lamb, it was held in the Commerce stadium that bears his name.Friends statewide, mostly fellow high school coaches, attended, along with local citizens and two college head football coaches: Clay Hendrix of Furman…

Putnam County’s most unusual election

News Staff
Dear Editor,Are you paying attention, Putnam County voters?I hope you’re as concerned as I am about why three candidates who won the Republican Primary in May are now having to run campaigns against two Independent candidates and one write-in candidate.The two independent candidates – Mr. Pickens…
Okefenokee mining controversy hasn’t gone away

Okefenokee mining controversy hasn’t gone away

Okefenokee mining controversy hasn’t gone away

Dick Yarbrough
An update: It has been a little more than two months since our Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and to my knowledge, the United Nations has not installed a One World curriculum in the Charlton County school system, or started microchipping stray cats…
Daisy Pearl Reid 1945–2026

Daisy Pearl Reid 1945–2026

Daisy Pearl Reid 1945–2026

News Staff
To view the obituary, share a memory, or send gifts to the family, please visit our website at www.HurtsFuneralHome.com.

Rita Marie (Cockman) Cates

News Staff
December 17, 1957 — October 1, 2026Mrs. Rita Marie Cates, age 68, of Eatonton, died Thursday, October 1, 2026, at her home following an extended illness. She was a native of Guilford County, North Carolina, and in the early 1970s, the family moved to Savannah. She was a graduate of Savannah Tech…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
State, county brace for Hurricane Isaias

State, county brace for Hurricane Isaias

State, county brace for Hurricane Isaias

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Gov. Brian Kemp has declared an official state of emergency in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Isaias.

News 

Julius Terrill Brown

Julius Terrill Brown

Putnam County Jail Report

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
MONDAY, SEPT. 28 Julius Terrill Brown, 37, of Milledgeville – 5 of 10 days jail time Jason Maurice...
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Sports 

Brandon Jackson smothers a Jefferson Co. runner well behind the line of scrimmage last Friday night against the Warriors. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Brandon Jackson smothers a Jefferson Co. runner well behind the line of scrimmage last Friday night against the Warriors. BRANDON PARK/Staff

War Eagles dominate big region win over Jefferson

Brandon Park
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Much like the rain in Jefferson County last Friday night, the Putnam County War Eagles started off...
After a great snap from Cayden Burner and perfect placement by Harrison Harper (3), freshman kicker Ruben Sanchez (45) came through last Friday with the extra point for a last-second tie that sent the Gators into overtime. IAN TOCHER/File photo

After a great snap from Cayden Burner and perfect placement by Harrison Harper (3), freshman kicker Ruben Sanchez (45) came through last Friday with the extra point for a last-second tie that sent the Gators into overtime. IAN TOCHER/File photo

Gators step up in overtime against Flint River

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
For three quarters Friday night in Woodbury, Gatewood appeared to have everything under control.
Ray Lamb

Ray Lamb

Ray Lamb

Loran Smith
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
When the final service took place last week for longtime Tigers’ football coach Ray Lamb, it was...
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Community 

Blithe Spirit

Blithe Spirit

Blithe Spirit

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Laughter, mystery, and a little supernatural mischief are coming to The Plaza Arts Center in...
Rotarian and Rotary Area Governor Jennifer Pennington was joined by Rotary GRSP student Camilo Pareja of Columbia in presenting to Rotary Raffle Week 39 winner Kim Logan, who was not available for the photo, a pair of Apple AirPods and a fourpack of Apple AirTags valued at $350 total and sponsored by Advanced Audiology. CONTRIBUTED

Rotarian and Rotary Area Governor Jennifer Pennington was joined by Rotary GRSP student Camilo Pareja of Columbia in presenting to Rotary Raffle Week 39 winner Kim Logan, who was not available for the photo, a pair of Apple AirPods and a fourpack of Apple AirTags valued at $350 total and sponsored by Advanced Audiology. CONTRIBUTED

Rotary Raffle Week 39

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Rotary Raffle Week 39
Rotary Raffle Week 38 winner Rich Johns accepted from Rotarian Micki Tanner his prize of a $300 Home Depot gift card, sponsored by ProSouth Electric. CONTRIBUTED

Rotary Raffle Week 38 winner Rich Johns accepted from Rotarian Micki Tanner his prize of a $300 Home Depot gift card, sponsored by ProSouth Electric. CONTRIBUTED

Rotary Raffle Week 38

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Rotary Raffle Week 38
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Obituaries 

Lottie Marie Maddox Lewis

Lottie Marie Maddox Lewis

Lottie Marie Maddox Lewis

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Lottie Marie Maddox Lewis, age 90, of Morrow, Georgia, passed away peacefully Saturday morning,...
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