Jalon (center) and Gerald (behind) give campers high-fives after being introduced before the start of the event. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Jalon (center) and Gerald (behind) give campers high-fives after being introduced before the start of the event. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Kilgore brothers lead Eatonton youth football camp

Story And Photos By Lance Mccurley
Former Putnam County standouts Jalon and Gerald Kilgore returned home on Saturday, July 11, with one goal in mind: to give back to the community that helped shape them.The brothers hosted the inaugural Jalon and Gerald Kilgore Football Camp at Al Reaves Field in Eatonton, welcoming nearly 100 young…
Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Smith: The British Open

News Staff
The British Open will be played this week at Royal Birkdale in Southport on the west coast of Great Britain, and I will enjoy golf’s oldest championship through coverage on the Peacock network.For 37 years, I made the trip across the Atlantic for this wonderful event, appreciating the uniqueness of…
In addition to several lead and secondary roles, the Broadway Intensive production of Shrek the Musical includes many supporting-cast opportunities for local actors. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In addition to several lead and secondary roles, the Broadway Intensive production of Shrek the Musical includes many supporting-cast opportunities for local actors. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Broadway-caliber ‘Shrek’ impresses at The Plaza

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
In one of the venue’s most ambitious productions to date, The Plaza Arts Center’s Broadway Intensive production of Shrek the Musical proves that community theater can deliver professional-level dancing and singing, elaborate staging, and impressive technical work.Presented through a partnership…
Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Yarbrough: A letter, a bracelet, and God’s anonymous hand

Columnist
The Beloved Woman Who Shared My Name had a refrigerator magnet that said: “Coincidence is God’s Way of Remaining Anonymous.”I have just experienced a number of coincidences that will require some explanation, so please bear with me.This column generates quite a bit of reader response, depending on…
Bill Crane/Staff

Bill Crane/Staff

Crane: A tale of two ‘Landos

One Man’s Opinion
Once upon a time, there were several magical places in the Land of 1,000 Lakes. In the central region of Florida, far away from the beaches and their bugs, a cluster of kingdoms grew, each created to offer respite and pleasure for families from around the world.My first trip to Orlando was in 1974.…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

GBI investigates holiday weekend drowning on Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the drowning of a Habersham County man on Lake Sinclair over the July 4th holiday weekend.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said he emailed the GBI on Thursday and requested their agency investigate the drowning of 34-year-old David Hoyt…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

P&Z refiling resumes quarry fight

Ian Tocher
Putnam County Stone (PCS) LLC has formally refiled its rezoning application for a proposed quarry in Putnam County, restarting the county’s review process with what officials describe as a “substantially revised proposal.”The new application seeks to rezone 342.87 acres from Agricultural (AG) to…
Victoria M. Lacuesta

Victoria M. Lacuesta

Thief accused of stealing $280K nabbed at airport

Lynn Hobbs
A Texas woman was arrested after authorities say she scammed more than $280,000 from a Putnam County resident.Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said his office received a call from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after the woman attempted to leave the country from Hartsfield-Jackson…
Trish Jones

Trish Jones

MAG presents new local artist exhibition

News Staff
The Madison Artists Guild (MAG) recently announced it will present a special exhibition of paintings by former Madison resident Trish Jones, a self-taught artist known for a style that feels both familiar and fresh.Jones’ acrylic paintings are typically created “alla prima,” a direct, wet-on-wet…
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: A piece of my past

Dixie Divas
A Texas newspaper story began with the words, “Faded country music star Johnny Rodriguez …”Faded.That hurt my heart. It sounded so brutal.From the age of 12 to the edge of 15, Johnny Rodriguez was my girlhood crush. I was absolutely convinced that one day I would marry him and my name would be…
The Lady War Eagles will have to replace the production of team captain Jamie Maria (24) in 2027. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The Lady War Eagles will have to replace the production of team captain Jamie Maria (24) in 2027. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam girls soccer eyes next step after return trip to playoffs

Lance McCurley
The Putnam County girls soccer team took a big step forward during the 2026 season, returning to the playoffs after missing the postseason the year before. Head coach Michael Abney said he was proud of the progress the team made, especially considering the challenges the Lady War Eagles faced…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Putnam County citizens react to a 3-2 vote by the county’s planning-andzoning commission to allow Wisconsin-based Putnam County Stone to withdraw its initial quarry permit application “without prejudice.” IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County citizens react to a 3-2 vote by the county’s planning-andzoning commission to allow Wisconsin-based Putnam County Stone to withdraw its initial quarry permit application “without prejudice.” IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Seeing Red: P&Z approves quarry application withdrawal

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
The Putnam County Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3-2 last Thursday night to allow Putnam County...
Jalon (center) and Gerald (behind) give campers high-fives after being introduced before the start of the event. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Jalon (center) and Gerald (behind) give campers high-fives after being introduced before the start of the event. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Kilgore brothers lead Eatonton youth football camp

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Former Putnam County standouts Jalon and Gerald Kilgore returned home on Saturday, July 11, with one goal in mind: to give back to the community that helped shape them.

News 

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

P&Z refiling resumes quarry fight

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Putnam County Stone (PCS) LLC has formally refiled its rezoning application for a proposed quarry...
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Sports 

Loran Smith/Columnist

Loran Smith/Columnist

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Smith: The British Open

News Staff
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The British Open will be played this week at Royal Birkdale in Southport on the west coast of Great...
The Gatewood girls volleyball team looks to make some headway this season under rookie head coach Hannah Getty (center). CONTRIBUTED

The Gatewood girls volleyball team looks to make some headway this season under rookie head coach Hannah Getty (center). CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Getty takes over Gatewood volleyball program

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
When Gatewood School needed someone to take over its volleyball program, Hannah Getty didn’t...
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Community 

The young cast of “Shrek The Musical” is looking forward to performing over a two-weekend run at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

The young cast of “Shrek The Musical” is looking forward to performing over a two-weekend run at The Plaza Arts Center in downtown Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

‘Shrek The Musical’ bringing big laughs to The Plaza

News Staff
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Get ready for a swampload of fun as Shrek The Musical comes to life this week, on stage at The...
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Obituaries 

Frank Thompson

Frank Thompson

Frank Thompson

News Staff
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
On June 29, 2026, Frank Thompson passed away at the home where he and his beloved wife of nearly 44...
Nick Herring

Nick Herring

Nick Herring

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Mr. Nick Herring, age 57, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

John Stickline

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
John “Jack” Stickline, 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 26, 2026.
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