BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

Two dead, two injured when tree falls on truck

News Staff
Two men lost their lives, and two others were injured when a tree fell on their pickup as they traveled Pea Ridge Road around 6:15 Friday morning.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said 24-year-old Logan Christopher Deal and 25-year-old Jakob Hogan Tapley, both of Ellabell, Georgia, had already…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Putnam County Grand Jury delivers indictments

Lynn Hobbs
A Putnam County Grand Jury was presented 17 cases on June 15, including aggravated assaults that involved a gun and a knife; fighting with law enforcement officers; stealing vehicles; cruelty to children; and felony shoplifting. The jurors handed down true-bill indictments in each case.The 23…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

County commission receives data center presentation

Ian Tocher
As data center development continues spreading outward from metro Atlanta, Putnam County may eventually find itself on the radar of companies searching for sites capable of supporting the next generation of digital infrastructure. That was the message delivered last month by Middle Georgia…
Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

Two dead, property damaged after storm

Lynn Hobbs
Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, left their mark on portions of Putnam County last week. A downed tree claimed the lives of two young men, while other fallen trees caused power outages and blocked roadways.The two men, 24-year-old Logan…
The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood softball eyes return trip to Columbus

Lance McCurley
The Gatewood softball team may have graduated five seniors from last year’s successful squad, but head coach Dena Stancil believes the Lady Gators have the talent and experience necessary to make another deep postseason run.After reaching the Elite Eight in Columbus last season, Gatewood enters the…
Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood athletics succeeds in 2025-26 campaign

Lance McCurley
Gatewood School’s athletic programs continued their tradition of excellence during the 2025-26 school year, producing state championships, deep postseason runs, and strong finishes across multiple sports.“I thought we had a really good year athletically,” Gatewood Athletic Director Troy Burner said…
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: Gavin

Ronda Rich
From the oven, I pulled a peach cobbler that bubbled and popped beautifully. Outside, spring had come calling to resurrect what winter had lulled to sleep. The trees and shrubs were a lovely green and nearly in full bloom.I took off my apron and watched two birds flitting outside the window,…
Journey Waller (10) goes up for a layup during a playoff game against Chattooga on Feb. 25. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Journey Waller (10) goes up for a layup during a playoff game against Chattooga on Feb. 25. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Lady War Eagles prep for season through summer games

Lance McCurley
Coming off a Final Four appearance, Putnam County girls head basketball coach Derrick Arrington returned to the gym with his team this summer. The focus was on development, competition, and preparing for the challenges that await during the 2026-27 season.“We were excited to get back in the…
Legislature kills sales tax for property tax swap

Legislature kills sales tax for property tax swap

Legislature kills sales tax for property tax swap

Ty Tagami
Democrats in the Legislature on Monday closed the door on Republican proposals to implement new local sales taxes to offset homeowner property tax bills.On the fourth day of their special session, Republicans got a redo of a vote Saturday that nixed the tax swap.Republicans have a majority in the…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Letter to the Editor: Questioning need for fire chief vehicle

News Staff
Dear Editor,After reading about the Putnam County-Eatonton automatic aid agreement between the fire departments (The Eatonton Messenger, Page A2, June 11, 2026), I believe this is a good thing. At the same time, however, it appears to show that the city cannot stand on its own with its current fire…
Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin recognized the Superintendent’s Students of the Month for May, including (l-r) Gerard Garcia Ortiz, Kenzie Nelson, Lila Langford, and Trinity Martin. ALIVIA BLANTON /Staff

Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin recognized the Superintendent’s Students of the Month for May, including (l-r) Gerard Garcia Ortiz, Kenzie Nelson, Lila Langford, and Trinity Martin. ALIVIA BLANTON /Staff

Board of Education reviews FY27 budget

Alivia Blanton
The Putnam County Board of Education reviewed its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget during a combined work session and regular meeting on June 15.The board also approved construction-related projects, software purchases and personnel recommendations, while discussing future facilities plans.Much of…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

Two dead, property damaged after storm

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season,...
BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

Two dead, two injured when tree falls on truck

Friday, June 19, 2026

Two men lost their lives, and two others were injured when a tree fell on their pickup as they traveled Pea Ridge Road around 6:15 Friday morning.

News 

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Sports 

The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood softball eyes return trip to Columbus

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
The Gatewood softball team may have graduated five seniors from last year’s successful squad, but...
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Community 

Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin recognized the Superintendent’s Students of the Month for May, including (l-r) Gerard Garcia Ortiz, Kenzie Nelson, Lila Langford, and Trinity Martin. ALIVIA BLANTON /Staff

Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin recognized the Superintendent’s Students of the Month for May, including (l-r) Gerard Garcia Ortiz, Kenzie Nelson, Lila Langford, and Trinity Martin. ALIVIA BLANTON /Staff

Board of Education reviews FY27 budget

Alivia Blanton
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Education reviewed its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget during a...
Brer Rabbit, Joel Chandler Harris’ most famous character, stands watch over the unique Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Brer Rabbit, Joel Chandler Harris’ most famous character, stands watch over the unique Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Uncle Remus Museum to offer free admission

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Eatonton’s world-famous Uncle Remus Museum will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of...
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Obituaries 

Gerald Alvin Grimes

Gerald Alvin Grimes

Gerald Alvin Grimes

News Staff
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Gerald Alvin Grimes, age 79, formerly of Milledgeville, Georgia, passed away peacefully on June 10,...
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