Photos by IAN TOCHER/Staff L-R: Appearing here in the opposite order they took the podium Aug. 20, at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton are (l-r) State Representative Trey Rhodes, State Senator Rick Williams, and State Rep. Dale Washburn, who each addressed issue and concerns specific to their Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience.

Photos by IAN TOCHER/Staff L-R: Appearing here in the opposite order they took the podium Aug. 20, at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton are (l-r) State Representative Trey Rhodes, State Senator Rick Williams, and State Rep. Dale Washburn, who each addressed issue and concerns specific to their Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience.

E-P Chamber hosts Putnam’s state legislators

Ian Tocher
State tax policy, school-zone cameras, education, health care, and local transportation were discussed among other concerns Aug. 20, when three state-level legislators met with local business and community leaders at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.Hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber…
Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves had a big night for the War Eagles in their Aug. 28 win over Hancock Central. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves had a big night for the War Eagles in their Aug. 28 win over Hancock Central. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam pounds Hancock

Lance McCurley
Putnam County continued its strong start to the 2026 season, rolling through Hancock Central 55-6 to improve to 2-0 Friday night in Sparta.The War Eagles controlled the game on both sides of the ball, using a balanced rushing attack to build a commanding lead while the defense kept the Bulldogs out…
Gatewood junior Mikaela Angel has helped spark the Gators’ offense from the leadoff spot as the team enters region play with a 7-3 record. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Gatewood junior Mikaela Angel has helped spark the Gators’ offense from the leadoff spot as the team enters region play with a 7-3 record. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Gatewood softball builds momentum for region play

Lance McCurley
Gatewood softball has found its stride at the right time.The Gators enter the week with a 7-3 overall record after winning three of four games following a comeback victory Aug. 18 over Athens Christian.Gatewood trailed Athens Christian before rallying for the win, a result head coach Dena Stancil…
Remembering ‘59

Remembering ‘59

Remembering ‘59

Loran Smith
It has become customary in recent years for the leading football schools to open the season with a team perceived to have little or no chance of winning these so-called cupcake games.However, you may recall that Appalachian State in the opening game Sept 1, 2007, upset Michigan at Ann Arbor, 34-32.…
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.

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.

Homegrown talent finds Habitat home

Story And Photos By 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…

Passionate response to PDA critic

Tom Thompson Eatonton
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…
When in-laws attack

When in-laws attack

When in-laws attack

Dick Yarbrough
I have warned my two kids that if they ever contemplated divorcing their spouse, I was keeping the one they brought.My son-in-law is a retired public schoolteacher with a PhD, a coach, and was named Georgia’s Teacher of the Year.He can build anything, including the house they have occupied for the…

Marlene Jordan Marsh

News Staff
Mrs Marsh was born on November 10, 1939 and passed away August 30, 2026 Marlene went to Putnam County High School and graduated in 1957 and also was the Dairy Queen that year.She became a BSRN at the Medical College of GA in Augusta.She worked with the nursing care unit of VA in Augusta She married…
Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

Annie Jo Taylor Griffith

News Staff
Mrs. Annie Jo Taylor Griffith, age 77, passed away Thursday, August 26, 2026 in a Covington hospital. Memorial services were held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 1, 2026 in the chapel of Williams Funeral Home of Eatonton. The family received friends from 1:00 PM until the service time.Mrs. Griffith…
Joseph Batchelor

Joseph Batchelor

Joseph Batchelor

News Staff
Joseph Batchelor, 76, of Gray, passed away Monday Aug. 24, 2026.Funeral services were held graveside, 10:00 AM, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, at Fortville Cemetery with Dr. Ron McClung officiating.Joe was born Aug. 10, 1950, to the late Grady Berry Bachelor Sr. and the late Mary Mercer Batchelor in…

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

News Staff
Submit your events to editor@msgrnews.com See more events and a regional events calendar online at msgrnews.com.LOOK FOR THE CALENDAR MENU ITEM.PUTNAMFRIDAY, SEPT. 11What: 9/11 25th Anniversary Remembrance When: 8:30-11 a.m. Where: PC Veterans Wall of Honor Park, 304 W. Marion St., Eatonton More…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Photos by IAN TOCHER/Staff L-R: Appearing here in the opposite order they took the podium Aug. 20, at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton are (l-r) State Representative Trey Rhodes, State Senator Rick Williams, and State Rep. Dale Washburn, who each addressed issue and concerns specific to their Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience.

Photos by IAN TOCHER/Staff L-R: Appearing here in the opposite order they took the podium Aug. 20, at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton are (l-r) State Representative Trey Rhodes, State Senator Rick Williams, and State Rep. Dale Washburn, who each addressed issue and concerns specific to their Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce audience.

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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 discussed among other concerns Aug. 20, when three state-level legislators met with local business and community leaders at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton.

News 

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Sports 

Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves had a big night for the War Eagles in their Aug. 28 win over Hancock Central. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves had a big night for the War Eagles in their Aug. 28 win over Hancock Central. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Putnam pounds Hancock

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Putnam County continued its strong start to the 2026 season, rolling through Hancock Central 55-6...
Gatewood junior Mikaela Angel has helped spark the Gators’ offense from the leadoff spot as the team enters region play with a 7-3 record. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Gatewood junior Mikaela Angel has helped spark the Gators’ offense from the leadoff spot as the team enters region play with a 7-3 record. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Gatewood softball builds momentum for region play

Lance McCurley
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Gatewood softball has found its stride at the right time.
Remembering ‘59

Remembering ‘59

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Remembering ‘59

Loran Smith
Thursday, September 3, 2026
‘59 It has become customary in recent years for the leading football schools to open the season...
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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.

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.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Homegrown talent finds Habitat home

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 3, 2026
For Putnam County’s Trinity Carter, starting her career didn’t even require leaving home.
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Obituaries 

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