L-R: City Attorney Chris Huskins, City Clerk Maria Jiminez, Wards 1&4 Councilor Marie Rainey, Mayor Pro-Tem Chip Walker, Ward 4 Councilor Teresa Doster, Ward 2 Councilor James Gorley, Wards 2&3 Councilor Michael Smith, Ward 3 Councilor Fred Lowe, City Administrator Gary Sanders, and Ward 1 Councilor Mylle Mangum had the honor of holding the first official meeting in Eatonton’s new city hall last Tuesday evening. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: City Attorney Chris Huskins, City Clerk Maria Jiminez, Wards 1&4 Councilor Marie Rainey, Mayor Pro-Tem Chip Walker, Ward 4 Councilor Teresa Doster, Ward 2 Councilor James Gorley, Wards 2&3 Councilor Michael Smith, Ward 3 Councilor Fred Lowe, City Administrator Gary Sanders, and Ward 1 Councilor Mylle Mangum had the honor of holding the first official meeting in Eatonton’s new city hall last Tuesday evening. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Old school now new city hall

Ian Tocher
Putnam County’s former elementary school began a new chapter Oct. 6, as the Eatonton City Council held its first meeting in the lobby there, marking a major step toward bringing city government and public safety departments together on one campus.The meeting also provided the unique property at 314…
With steady rain falling, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right, black jacket) addresses his team at midfield after a disappointing 30-17 loss last Friday to the visiting Windsor Academy Knights, from Macon.

With steady rain falling, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right, black jacket) addresses his team at midfield after a disappointing 30-17 loss last Friday to the visiting Windsor Academy Knights, from Macon.

Missed opportunities prove costly for Gators

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Gatewood had its chances to take control last Friday night in a rain-soaked Homecoming matchup against Windsor Academy. However, missed scoring opportunities and secondhalf turnovers proved costly as the Gators fell 30-17 to the visiting Knights from Macon.Gatewood struck first with a touchdown and…
Wideout Elijah Kelly is able to reach out and pull in a pass from quarterback Caleb Reeves in the rain last Friday night against the Glenn Hill Spartans. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Wideout Elijah Kelly is able to reach out and pull in a pass from quarterback Caleb Reeves in the rain last Friday night against the Glenn Hill Spartans. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Putnam pounds Glenn Hills, preps for Monticello

Brandon Park
It took just one snap for the War Eagles to jump on top of Glenn Hills last Friday night.In front of a soggy Homecoming crowd at War Eagle stadium, on the first play of the game, Putnam running back Elijah Dunn took the handoff from quarterback Caleb Reeves and was standing in the end zone 63 yards…
Fred Barber

Fred Barber

Fred Barber

Loran Smith
When someone leaves this old world, it’s always uplifting to realize his was a life well lived, and I can think of no one who had a more fulfilling life than Fred Barber.Fred was an accomplished, multifaceted person who found a way to excel and enjoy the benefits of his profession while still…
No debate on best candidate

No debate on best candidate

No debate on best candidate

Dick Yarbrough
I hope you saw the debates on Gray Media this past week between the gubernatorial candidates, Republican businessman Rick Jackson and Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor.I don’t think either helped or hurt their campaign. Pretty much boilerplate stuff, except when…

Promoting the party process

News Staff
Dear Editor,As of late there have been opinions, and misinformation, as to whatpolicies local political parties follow to interact with party qualified candidates and nominees both before and after the primary.There are two categories of party qualified primary election candidates: 1) unopposed,…

John Mitchell Leverett

News Staff
John Mitchell Leverett, 70, of Cordele, passed away Friday, October 9, 2026.A funeral service was held Monday, October 12, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services. The family received friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel.Known to his family, friends, and co…
Josephine Bohannon Roberts

Josephine Bohannon Roberts

Josephine Bohannon Roberts

News Staff
Mrs. Josephine “Jody” Roberts, age 91, passed away Friday, October 9, 2026. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m.Sunday, November 1, 2026 at Marshall Memorial Baptist Church.Mrs. Jody was born on August 7, 1935 in Milan, GA to the late Ishmael Worth and Joyce Estelle Taylor Bohannon.She was a…
CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

CALENDAR OF COMMUNITY EVENTS

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.PUTNAMOCT. 15, 16, 18What: Blithe Spirit When: Oct. 15, 16 @ 7 p.m.; Oct. 18 @ 2 p.m. Where: The Plaza Arts Center, 305 N. Madison Ave., Eatonton More Info…
GATEWOOD SCHOOLS HOMECOMING 2026

GATEWOOD SCHOOLS HOMECOMING 2026

GATEWOOD SCHOOLS HOMECOMING 2026

News Staff
The wet weather Friday night didn’t dampen spirits at Gatewood School’s 2026 Homecoming ceremony, held during halftime of the Gators’ game against Windsor Academy. Sixteen senior girls participated with their fathers and guardians, including 2026 Gatewood Homecoming Queen Isabel Leeper, accompanied…
Michael Ludwick

Michael Ludwick

Two arrested for murder near Rooty Creek

Lynn Hobbs
A man was killed at Rooty Creek Friday and two men are in Putnam County jail facing murder charges in connection with his death.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills identified the victim as 19-year-old Zachary Brandon Smith. Sills said Smith was living in Milledgeville, but the address on his driver…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
L-R: City Attorney Chris Huskins, City Clerk Maria Jiminez, Wards 1&4 Councilor Marie Rainey, Mayor Pro-Tem Chip Walker, Ward 4 Councilor Teresa Doster, Ward 2 Councilor James Gorley, Wards 2&3 Councilor Michael Smith, Ward 3 Councilor Fred Lowe, City Administrator Gary Sanders, and Ward 1 Councilor Mylle Mangum had the honor of holding the first official meeting in Eatonton’s new city hall last Tuesday evening. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: City Attorney Chris Huskins, City Clerk Maria Jiminez, Wards 1&4 Councilor Marie Rainey, Mayor Pro-Tem Chip Walker, Ward 4 Councilor Teresa Doster, Ward 2 Councilor James Gorley, Wards 2&3 Councilor Michael Smith, Ward 3 Councilor Fred Lowe, City Administrator Gary Sanders, and Ward 1 Councilor Mylle Mangum had the honor of holding the first official meeting in Eatonton’s new city hall last Tuesday evening. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Old school now new city hall

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Putnam County’s former elementary school began a new chapter Oct. 6, as the Eatonton City Council held its first meeting in the lobby there, marking a major step toward bringing city government and public safety departments together on one campus.The meeting also provided the unique property at 314...

News 

Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

Putnam Pete

News Staff
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Glad to see Hurricane Isaias came and went and just gave us some rain and little damage.
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Sports 

With steady rain falling, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right, black jacket) addresses his team at midfield after a disappointing 30-17 loss last Friday to the visiting Windsor Academy Knights, from Macon.

With steady rain falling, Gatewood head coach Jeff Ratliff (right, black jacket) addresses his team at midfield after a disappointing 30-17 loss last Friday to the visiting Windsor Academy Knights, from Macon.

Missed opportunities prove costly for Gators

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Gatewood had its chances to take control last Friday night in a rain-soaked Homecoming matchup...
Wideout Elijah Kelly is able to reach out and pull in a pass from quarterback Caleb Reeves in the rain last Friday night against the Glenn Hill Spartans. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Wideout Elijah Kelly is able to reach out and pull in a pass from quarterback Caleb Reeves in the rain last Friday night against the Glenn Hill Spartans. BRANDON PARK/Staff

Putnam pounds Glenn Hills, preps for Monticello

Brandon Park
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
It took just one snap for the War Eagles to jump on top of Glenn Hills last Friday night.
Fred Barber

Fred Barber

Fred Barber

Loran Smith
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
When someone leaves this old world, it’s always uplifting to realize his was a life well lived, and...
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Community 

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Obituaries 

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