Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

News Staff
A Putnam County teen who was rescued from the bottom of Lake Sinclair Saturday night succumbed to his injuries Sunday at a Macon hospital. Kayden Weathers, 13, of Long Shoals Road, died at 4:17 p.m. Sunday at Atrium Health Navicent Children’s Care in Macon, said Putnam County Coroner Hollis…
Gates Lanzarone stands in the batter’s box during a game against Jasper County on March 31. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Gates Lanzarone stands in the batter’s box during a game against Jasper County on March 31. LANCE MCCURLEY/Staff

Lanzarone reflects on Putnam career, looks ahead to Reinhardt

Lance McCurley
Gates Lanzarone helped Putnam County baseball take an important step forward during his four-year career. Now, after leaving his mark on the War Eagles program, the former standout is preparing for the next chapter after signing with Reinhardt University.As he looks back on his time in the…
Habersham man found in Lake Sinclair

Habersham man found in Lake Sinclair

Habersham man found in Lake Sinclair

News Staff
A man who was staying with friends on Lake Sinclair for the holiday was found presumably drowned Friday afternoon, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.The body of David Hoyt Glass, 34 of Mt. Airy, Georgia, was discovered by Georgia DNR officers using sonar. Divers from the Baldwin…
Hans Dawson

Hans Dawson

Quarry owner continues lobbying local support

Story And Photo By Ian Tocher
Facing perhaps the most organized opposition his company has encountered, Hans Dawson of Wisconsin-based Land and Stone Products and co-owner of Putnam County Stone (PCS) said the controversy surrounding a proposed granite quarry in Putnam County has become as much about communication as…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

County approves road work, golf course bids

Ian Tocher
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners took steps Friday afternoon to reshape the county's sign regulations while also approving road resurfacing projects, advancing plans for the next Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST), and authorizing bids for a new irrigation…
PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD promotes Project R.E.A.C.H.

News Staff
The Putnam County Fire Department is among 29 fire departments in Georgia participating in Project R.E.A.C.H. (Recycling Every Aluminum Can Helps), a statewide recycling initiative administered by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.The program transforms aluminum can recycling into funding…
Abby Mashburn practices in the infield during a recent summer practice. CONTRIBUTED

Abby Mashburn practices in the infield during a recent summer practice. CONTRIBUTED

New era begins for Putnam softball under Dyar

Lance McCurley
A new era is underway for the Putnam County softball program, and first-year head coach Gabriel Dyar has spent the early weeks of the summer laying a strong foundation.After taking over the program just a few months ago, Dyar has been busy organizing tryouts, building his roster and getting his…
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: Happy birthday to this great land

Ronda Rich
Across the rippling creek and over a bridge with rusty rails, I followed Mama, who was carrying a warm chocolate cake.Like any four-year-old, I stopped at the center of the bridge, watching the lazy water bubble toward the Chattahoochee.“Little ‘un, c’mon,” Mama called over her shoulder. I ran to…
Caption: Putnam County running back Kumari Thomas tries to break a tackle during the team's intrasquad scrimmage on May 15. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Caption: Putnam County running back Kumari Thomas tries to break a tackle during the team's intrasquad scrimmage on May 15. IAN TOCHER/Staff

War Eagles embrace challenging 2026 schedule

Lance McCurley
Following a productive June, Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin believes his team is better prepared to face a demanding 2026 schedule.With a committed roster, three consecutive road games to open the season, and a revamped region slate awaiting, Harvin likes the direction his program is headed…
Early during the 2025 season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Early during the 2025 season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators look to take 2026 ‘one game at a time’

Lance McCurley
As Gatewood continues its summer workouts ahead of preseason practice, the Gators know they won’t have much time to ease into the 2026 season.Following a productive month of strength and conditioning work, 7-on-7 camps, and team development in June, Gatewood now turns its attention to the 2026…
C. Blayne May

C. Blayne May

Local prosecutors elected to State Bar of Georgia board

News Staff
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney C. Blayne May of Greensboro was elected, and his fellow Assistant District Attorney Stephen R. Morris of Madison was re-elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the 56,000-member State Bar of Georgia. They were installed on June 13.May…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Sunday, July 5, 2026

A Putnam County teen who was rescued from the bottom of Lake Sinclair Saturday night succumbed to his injuries Sunday at a Macon hospital. Kayden Weathers, 13, of Long Shoals Road, died at 4:17 p.m.

News 

PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD promotes Project R.E.A.C.H.

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Putnam County Fire Department is among 29 fire departments in Georgia participating in Project...
View More

Sports 

Caption: Putnam County running back Kumari Thomas tries to break a tackle during the team's intrasquad scrimmage on May 15. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Caption: Putnam County running back Kumari Thomas tries to break a tackle during the team's intrasquad scrimmage on May 15. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

War Eagles embrace challenging 2026 schedule

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Following a productive June, Putnam County head coach Joel Harvin believes his team is better...
Early during the 2025 season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Early during the 2025 season, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (center) held court with his players, cheerleaders, and parents of both near the 50-yard line at Sammons Field in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Gators look to take 2026 ‘one game at a time’

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
As Gatewood continues its summer workouts ahead of preseason practice, the Gators know they won’t...
View More

Community 

Artist Pat Devine Barnes (center) accepted the blue ribbon, signifying her first-place finish in the 10th annual Lake Country Juried Art Show, from show cochairs Michele Hartung (left) and Cathy McIntire. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Artist Pat Devine Barnes (center) accepted the blue ribbon, signifying her first-place finish in the 10th annual Lake Country Juried Art Show, from show cochairs Michele Hartung (left) and Cathy McIntire. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Major milestone for juried art show

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Lake Country Juried Art Show celebrated a decade of showcasing regional artistic talent June 25...
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

Exclusive Subscriber Content

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...
Ian Tocher/Staff

Ian Tocher/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Eatonton celebrates Juneteenth

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Big smiles and good times were the order of the day Saturday as Eatonton celebrated Juneteenth in...
View More

Obituaries 

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.
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,...
View More