County Attorney Adam Nelson

County Attorney Adam Nelson

Putnam County Stone requests quarry application withdrawal

Ian Tocher
Wisconsin-based Putnam County Stone has formally requested withdrawal of its controversial rezoning application to establish a rock quarry along Dennis Station Road. The move could halt what was expected to be one of the county’s most closely watched public hearings in years, though questions…
Adrian Cornejo-Bueno

Adrian Cornejo-Bueno

Deputies assaulted; offender arrested

Lynn Hobbs
Two Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies recently responded to a 911 call about a fight and ended up in a violent struggle with the suspect. Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said one of the deputies was taken to the hospital following the incident.The suspect, later identified as Adrian…
Sammy Lackey

Sammy Lackey

Man menaces friends with gun; charged for terroristic threats

Lynn Hobbs
Several people called 911 after a friend allegedly pointed a gun at them and threatened to shoot up their house, according to law enforcement reports.Putnam County Deputy Sheriff Hollie Collins responded to a residence in the 100 block of Friendship Road between 7 and 8:30 a.m. on May 27, Sheriff…
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

County concerned about size of quarry crowd

Ian Tocher
As public opposition to a proposed granite quarry along Dennis Station Road continues to grow, Putnam County officials are racing against a tight deadline to secure a larger venue for upcoming public hearings expected to draw hundreds of residents.During the May 19 meeting of the Putnam County…
Store owner Neil Patel (third from left) was joined by Eatonton Mayor John Reid (blue shirt), two “saints” from BAPS Mandir, and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce CEO Robbie King (red shirt), among others, for a Memorial Day ribbon cutting at Stop N Go, on Eatonton’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Store owner Neil Patel (third from left) was joined by Eatonton Mayor John Reid (blue shirt), two “saints” from BAPS Mandir, and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce CEO Robbie King (red shirt), among others, for a Memorial Day ribbon cutting at Stop N Go, on Eatonton’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Blessings, business, and new beginning at Stop N Go

Story And Photo By Ian Tocher
A new convenience store opened its doors in Eatonton on Memorial Day, but for owner Nilesh “Neil” Patel, the launch of Stop N Go is about more than just business. It represents blessings, tradition, and building something lasting in a community he calls “home.”“This is a neighborhood store,” Patel…
Gatewood coaches want their players to be like “family” to each other, committed to helping whether in the gym or on the football field. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood coaches want their players to be like “family” to each other, committed to helping whether in the gym or on the football field. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gators begin summer workouts in preparation for 2026 season

Lance McCurley
With the start of summer workouts underway, the Gatewood football team has officially begun laying the groundwork for the 2026 season.The Gators opened their offseason conditioning program Monday, beginning a two-month focus on building strength, improving conditioning, and developing the…
Putnam County’s Emily Hardie recently signed to continue her golf career at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County’s Emily Hardie recently signed to continue her golf career at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

Hardie stays local, inks with GMC

Lance McCurley
Putnam County graduate Emily Hardie has signed with Georgia Military College to continue her golf career, joining former teammate Jade Mullis in Milledgeville.Hardie has been a steady presence in the Lady War Eagles program over the past four years, making an impact both on the course and in the…
Dennis Sanchez

Dennis Sanchez

Putnam boys soccer places nine on All-Region team

Lance McCurley
The Putnam County boys soccer team was well represented in the All-Region selections, with nine players earning postseason recognition.The honors underscore both the War Eagles’ overall competitiveness and the leadership provided by their veteran core, which helped stabilize and guide the team…

More quarry concerns

Dear Editor,
In less than 30 days, on July 2, the Putnam County Planning & Zoning Commissioners will attempt to vote again on the rezoning request made by Hans Dawson and Putnam County Stone LLC for 917.78 acres on Dennis Station Road to become an open-pit mine.As homeowners in District 4 since August 1999…
Ernie Brown Jr., was a USAF F4 fighter pilot in Vietnam who later in life lived in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Ernie Brown Jr., was a USAF F4 fighter pilot in Vietnam who later in life lived in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Eatonton vet inducted into ‘In Memory’ program

Ian Tocher
More than 760 Vietnam veterans, including Maj. Ernest Heywood “Ernie” Brown Jr. of Eatonton, will be inducted June 20 into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) 2026 In Memory Program. Brown, 85, died peacefully Sept. 23, 2025.He is survived by his wife, Susan, who wrote on his In Memory…
Nicholas J. Laguna

Nicholas J. Laguna

Teenage joy riders nabbed after driving stolen vehicles

Lynn Hobbs
A 17-year-old and a 13-year-old are accused of stealing two vehicles and taking them on joyrides last week, according to law enforcement reports.Nicholas Jesus Laguna, 17, of Glenwood Springs Road, was arrested May 30 on charges including felony second-degree burglary, two felony counts of criminal…
The Eatonton Messenger e-Edition

News 

View More

Sports 

Putnam County’s Emily Hardie recently signed to continue her golf career at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County’s Emily Hardie recently signed to continue her golf career at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville. CONTRIBUTED

Hardie stays local, inks with GMC

Lance McCurley
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Putnam County graduate Emily Hardie has signed with Georgia Military College to continue her golf...
View More

Community 

Store owner Neil Patel (third from left) was joined by Eatonton Mayor John Reid (blue shirt), two “saints” from BAPS Mandir, and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce CEO Robbie King (red shirt), among others, for a Memorial Day ribbon cutting at Stop N Go, on Eatonton’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Store owner Neil Patel (third from left) was joined by Eatonton Mayor John Reid (blue shirt), two “saints” from BAPS Mandir, and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce CEO Robbie King (red shirt), among others, for a Memorial Day ribbon cutting at Stop N Go, on Eatonton’s Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

Blessings, business, and new beginning at Stop N Go

Story And Photo By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
A new convenience store opened its doors in Eatonton on Memorial Day, but for owner Nilesh “Neil”...
Georgia Benjamin-Smith called recent Putnam High grad Amario up from the audience to share a little of his story as he prepares for college life. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Georgia Benjamin-Smith called recent Putnam High grad Amario up from the audience to share a little of his story as he prepares for college life. IAN TOCHER/Staff

MAC banquet celebrates community service

Ian Tocher
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Approximately 100 community members gathered Saturday evening in the banquet hall of Eatonton First...
View More

Obituaries 

Carey Wendel Shupe

Carey Wendel Shupe

Carey Wendel Shupe

News Staff
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Carey Wendel Shupe, 88, of Eatonton, Georgia, died May 22, 2026, in Eatonton, GA.
View More