New Gatewood Head of School Jon Fadely takes a turn behind the wheel of the Gators’ football-themed golf cart, a fitting ride for the avid golfer who lives with his wife at Reynolds in Greene County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

New Gatewood Head of School Jon Fadely takes a turn behind the wheel of the Gators’ football-themed golf cart, a fitting ride for the avid golfer who lives with his wife at Reynolds in Greene County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood’s new leader makes purpose his priority

Ian Tocher
Growing up in Maryland, Jon Fadely, 55, said he spent a lot of his youth in St. Michaels on Chesapeake Bay, “just doing a lot of fishing and crabbing and having a lot of great experiences living in a rural area.”He eventually attended Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and earned a degree in…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Dawgs’ days of summer

Loran Smith
It is difficult to carry on a conversation this time of year without the topic turning to football. Excitement will build steadily over the next four weeks, though the final days of preseason camp often bring a cloud of fatigue and impatience.College football fans can hardly wait for the season to…
Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he loves his players, the game of football, and the challenges it brings with each new season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he loves his players, the game of football, and the challenges it brings with each new season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Tenured Gators coach loves the game

Ian Tocher
For Gatewood head football coach Jeff Ratliff, the start of a new season still brings the same excitement, even after more than three decades on the sidelines.Entering his 33rd season overall in coaching and his 16th at Gatewood, including 14 years as its head coach, Ratliff said the routine may be…
Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves lines up under center during a practice last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves lines up under center during a practice last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

The heat is on for Putnam football

Lance McCurley
With summer workouts complete, Putnam County has officially turned its attention toward the start of the 2026 football season.The War Eagles recently wrapped up the Georgia High School Association’s mandatory acclimation week, the final step before players could put on full pads and begin preparing…
Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Dick Yarbrough/File Photo

Yarbrough: Okefenokee named ‘World Heritage Site,' mining threat remains

Dick Yarbrough
Though this is somewhat old news as I write this, to those who fought the fight, it remains exceptionally good news. Our Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge has officially been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The designation came a couple of weeks ago during a meeting of the World Heritage…
Gary Denham

Gary Denham

Gary Denham

News Staff
Gary “Slim” Thomas Denham, a loving husband, dedicated father and Bawbaw to his grandchildren, son, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew and friend went to his forever home on July 21st, 2026.Gary is survived by his loving wife of almost 25 years, Beckie Denham and his children, Kristen (Matt Walker…
Ronald Warren Butts

Ronald Warren Butts

Ronald Warren Butts

News Staff
Ronald Warren Butts, age 54, of Eatonton, Georgia, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on July 29, 2026.Born in Milledgeville, Georgia, in 1972, Ronald spent most of his life in Eatonton, where he built a life defined by faith, family, hard work, and laughter. He was a devoted father to his…
Veta Bush Powers

Veta Bush Powers

Veta Bush Powers

News Staff
Veta Bush Powers, 85, of Eatonton, peacefully entered her Heavenly home on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family in the comfort of her home.Born June 24, 1941, in Macon to Gladys J. Bush and Walter T. Bush Sr., Veta was proud to call Macon her hometown. She was raised there…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Kemp touts data centers, calls AI ‘scary’ but essential

Ty Tagami
Gov. Brian Kemp weighed in on the rush to develop artificial intelligence, calling the technology “scary” while also welcoming data centers to Georgia and criticizing others who would pause their development.“I’m not saying we need a data center in every community that’s out there, but to have a…
Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Second phase begins on Highway 44

T. Michael Stone
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the second phase of the Highway 44 widening project in Greene County is now underway.GDOT District 2 Communications Officer Will Volk told The Eatonton Messenger that Pittman Construction Company began work on Phase 2 last week.The…
Jason Hicks

Jason Hicks

GBI arrests man on 8 felony counts for child pornography

Lynn Hobbs
An Eatonton man has been arrested for sexual exploitation of children, authorities say.Jason Hicks, 55, of Eatonton, was arrested Thursday, July 23, and charged with eight felony counts of possession or control of any material depicting a minor in sexually explicit conduct, according to Putnam…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition
Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

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Second phase begins on Highway 44

T. Michael Stone
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the second phase of the Highway 44...
New Gatewood Head of School Jon Fadely takes a turn behind the wheel of the Gators’ football-themed golf cart, a fitting ride for the avid golfer who lives with his wife at Reynolds in Greene County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

New Gatewood Head of School Jon Fadely takes a turn behind the wheel of the Gators’ football-themed golf cart, a fitting ride for the avid golfer who lives with his wife at Reynolds in Greene County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Gatewood’s new leader makes purpose his priority

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Growing up in Maryland, Jon Fadely, 55, said he spent a lot of his youth in St. Michaels on Chesapeake Bay, “just doing a lot of fishing and crabbing and having a lot of great experiences living in a rural area.

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Sports 

Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Smith: Dawgs’ days of summer

Loran Smith
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
It is difficult to carry on a conversation this time of year without the topic turning to football.
Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he loves his players, the game of football, and the challenges it brings with each new season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gators head coach Jeff Ratliff said he loves his players, the game of football, and the challenges it brings with each new season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Tenured Gators coach loves the game

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
For Gatewood head football coach Jeff Ratliff, the start of a new season still brings the same...
Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves lines up under center during a practice last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Putnam County junior quarterback Caleb Reeves lines up under center during a practice last week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

The heat is on for Putnam football

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
With summer workouts complete, Putnam County has officially turned its attention toward the start...
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Obituaries 

Gary Denham

Gary Denham

Gary Denham

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Gary “Slim” Thomas Denham, a loving husband, dedicated father and Bawbaw to his grandchildren, son,...
Ronald Warren Butts

Ronald Warren Butts

Ronald Warren Butts

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Ronald Warren Butts, age 54, of Eatonton, Georgia, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on...
Veta Bush Powers

Veta Bush Powers

Veta Bush Powers

News Staff
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Veta Bush Powers, 85, of Eatonton, peacefully entered her Heavenly home on Tuesday, July 28, 2026,...
View More