Grady and Simone Jones, pastor at Texas AME Church, were instrumental in helping make the soon-to-be revealed bronze statue of Tuskegee Airman Hiram Little a reality for Eatonton. An open-to-the-public unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Veterans Wall of Honor Park alongside East Marion Street, near The Hut. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Grady and Simone Jones, pastor at Texas AME Church, were instrumental in helping make the soon-to-be revealed bronze statue of Tuskegee Airman Hiram Little a reality for Eatonton. An open-to-the-public unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Veterans Wall of Honor Park alongside East Marion Street, near The Hut. IAN TOCHER/Staff

From concept to creation: Honoring Eatonton’s Tuskegee Airman

Ian Tocher
What began more than two decades ago with Simone and Grady Jones wondering why so few people in his hometown knew Hiram Little’s story is about to become a permanent part of downtown Eatonton. An 8-foot-tall bronze statue atop a 4-foot granite base will soon commemorate Little, a Putnam County…
Justin N. Harris

Justin N. Harris

Search for old classroom leads to arrest

Lynn Hobbs
While out on routine patrol, Eatonton Police Department Sgt. Eli James saw a lower window busted out of the City Annex Building. When asked, the dispatcher told Sgt. James that no one on a previous shift had reported the broken window.James reportedly saw a steel bar and a rock laying on the porch…
Putnam kicker Alex Jiminez makes a long field goal in the closing seconds of the first half Friday night at home versus the Laney Wildcats. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Putnam kicker Alex Jiminez makes a long field goal in the closing seconds of the first half Friday night at home versus the Laney Wildcats. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Putnam loses region opener to Wildcats

Brandon Park
The Putnam County War Eagles (3-1, 0-1) found themselves treading unfamiliar waters last Friday night in the region opener, losing 42-26 against the Laney Wildcats (2-2, 1-0).For the first three games, the Putnam defense has shut down their opponent’s offense. However, it was the War Eagles that…
Oklahoma musings

Oklahoma musings

Oklahoma musings

Loran Smith
In September 1965, when NBC sent Jim Simpson and Bud Wilkinson to Athens to broadcast the GeorgiaAlabama game, it was the first time network television had ever telecast a game from UGA’s historic campus.They arrived on Thursday, and the late Dan Magill was the dedicated host, which meant that I,…
Freshman quarterback Bennett Haley (11) completes a first-quarter handoff to his brother, Brady, last Friday night in Gatewood’s 30-6 win over the visiting Riverside Military Academy Eagles.

Freshman quarterback Bennett Haley (11) completes a first-quarter handoff to his brother, Brady, last Friday night in Gatewood’s 30-6 win over the visiting Riverside Military Academy Eagles.

Gators win, enter district play on a roll

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Gatewood (2-3) picked up its secondstraight victory Friday night at home in Eatonton with a dominating 30-6 win over Riverside Military Academy (2-4). Though obviously pleased with the win, Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he was most encouraged by the way his team played.“They (Riverside) were…
Niece searching for MIA uncle finds him at home

Niece searching for MIA uncle finds him at home

Niece searching for MIA uncle finds him at home

Dick Yarbrough
You may have read my accounts of Pat Boggs, my fraternity brother at UGA and a Marine Corps pilot who went missing in action during the Vietnam War.One of my columns wondering what had happened to him made it to Monterey, Calif., where his brother-in-law, Ron Breuch, filled me in on the details.…

Letters to the Editor

News Staff
Dear Editor,In this day and age of AI and negativity hitting all of us practically non-stop, there remains a place of tranquility and history combined to take us all back to a more peaceful time.Just off Dennis Station Road, Roger Pierce and his friends have built an entire early-1900s village with…
David C. Heath

David C. Heath

David C. Heath

News Staff
CMSGT (Retired) David C. Heath, age 88, of Euharlee, GA, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, surrounded by love and faith.Born August 15, 1938, in Fair Haven, Vermont, alongside his twin sister, David grew up deeply rooted in his Green Mountain heritage, always guided by the principles of…
Jonathan Curtis Batchelor

Jonathan Curtis Batchelor

Jonathan Curtis Batchelor

News Staff
February 2, 1985 - September 17, 2026Jonathan Curtis “JoJo” Batchelor, age 41, of Milledgeville, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2026.A native of Eatonton, JoJo was born on February 2, 1985, to the late Franklin Curtis Batchelor and Gloria Johnston Batchelor. He lived in Hancock County most of…
Craig E. Winters

Craig E. Winters

Craig E. Winters

News Staff
October 10, 1951 – September 18, 2026Craig E. Winters, 74, passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord and Savior on September 18, 2026.Craig was born on October 10, 1951, in Marion, Ohio, to John and Frances Winters. He spent his life working hard, loving deeply, and holding tightly to his faith…

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

News Staff
PUTNAMTHURSDAY, SEPT. 24What: An Evening in Eatonton When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where: Various shops, Downtown Eatonton More Info: Visit Downtown Eatonton for an evening of shopping and dining. Stroll through participating businesses, enjoy great food, and pick up a punch card at any participating…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
L-R: Kevin Tomson-Hooper is joined by Simone and Grady Jones, posing with the block of granite that will soon support a bronze statue of Eatonton’s own Hiram Little. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Kevin Tomson-Hooper is joined by Simone and Grady Jones, posing with the block of granite that will soon support a bronze statue of Eatonton’s own Hiram Little. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Statue of Tuskegee Airman cleared for landing

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 17, 2026
A project that took off with an idea, a conversation, a $5,000 retainer, and no real idea of where...
Putnam County Permit Manager Rindi Daniel with the Public Works Department briefly addressed the commission to recommend the county acceptance the roads for the Harmony Farm subdivision phase three, Harmony Farms Orchard, and Harmony Grove Court. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Permit Manager Rindi Daniel with the Public Works Department briefly addressed the commission to recommend the county acceptance the roads for the Harmony Farm subdivision phase three, Harmony Farms Orchard, and Harmony Grove Court. IAN TOCHER/Staff

County commission addresses nuisance properties, PUD expansion

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 10, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners backed away from some of the county’s property regulations...
Grady and Simone Jones, pastor at Texas AME Church, were instrumental in helping make the soon-to-be revealed bronze statue of Tuskegee Airman Hiram Little a reality for Eatonton. An open-to-the-public unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Veterans Wall of Honor Park alongside East Marion Street, near The Hut. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Grady and Simone Jones, pastor at Texas AME Church, were instrumental in helping make the soon-to-be revealed bronze statue of Tuskegee Airman Hiram Little a reality for Eatonton. An open-to-the-public unveiling ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 30 at the Veterans Wall of Honor Park alongside East Marion Street, near The Hut. IAN TOCHER/Staff

From concept to creation: Honoring Eatonton’s Tuskegee Airman

Thursday, September 24, 2026

What began more than two decades ago with Simone and Grady Jones wondering why so few people in his hometown knew Hiram Little’s story is about to become a permanent part of downtown Eatonton.

News 

Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

News Staff
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Timed my return just right as I hope the 100 degree El Niño weather is gone.
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Sports 

Putnam kicker Alex Jiminez makes a long field goal in the closing seconds of the first half Friday night at home versus the Laney Wildcats. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Putnam kicker Alex Jiminez makes a long field goal in the closing seconds of the first half Friday night at home versus the Laney Wildcats. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Putnam loses region opener to Wildcats

Brandon Park
Thursday, September 24, 2026
The Putnam County War Eagles (3-1, 0-1) found themselves treading unfamiliar waters last Friday...
Oklahoma musings

Oklahoma musings

Oklahoma musings

Loran Smith
Thursday, September 24, 2026
In September 1965, when NBC sent Jim Simpson and Bud Wilkinson to Athens to broadcast the...
Freshman quarterback Bennett Haley (11) completes a first-quarter handoff to his brother, Brady, last Friday night in Gatewood’s 30-6 win over the visiting Riverside Military Academy Eagles.

Freshman quarterback Bennett Haley (11) completes a first-quarter handoff to his brother, Brady, last Friday night in Gatewood’s 30-6 win over the visiting Riverside Military Academy Eagles.

Gators win, enter district play on a roll

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Gatewood (2-3) picked up its secondstraight victory Friday night at home in Eatonton with a...
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Community 

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Obituaries 

Jonathan Curtis Batchelor

Jonathan Curtis Batchelor

Jonathan Curtis Batchelor

News Staff
Thursday, September 24, 2026
February 2, 1985 - September 17, 2026 Jonathan Curtis “JoJo” Batchelor, age 41, of Milledgeville,...
View More