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Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo from Social Media)

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Two dead, property damaged after storm

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, left their mark on portions of Putnam County last week. A downed tree claimed the lives of two young men, while other fallen trees caused power outages and blocked roadways.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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County commission receives data center presentation

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
As data center development continues spreading outward from metro Atlanta, Putnam County may eventually find itself on the radar of companies searching for sites capable of supporting the next generation of digital infrastructure.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Putnam County Grand Jury delivers indictments

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
A Putnam County Grand Jury was presented 17 cases on June 15, including aggravated assaults that involved a gun and a knife; fighting with law enforcement officers; stealing vehicles; cruelty to children; and felony shoplifting. The jurors handed down true-bill indictments in each case.
MGRC Executive Director Greg Boike spoke before the Eatonton City Council twice on Monday night. (Ian Tocher/Staff)

MGRC Executive Director Greg Boike spoke before the Eatonton City Council twice on Monday night. (Ian Tocher/Staff)

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City approves personnel study, considers tax relief option

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
The Eatonton City Council approved changes Monday night to a long-standing personnel study agreement with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission and later took steps toward exploring a new property tax relief option for homeowners.
Kathryn Roper was named the grand prize winner, receiving a gift basket filled with items from participating vendors. CONTRIBUTED

Kathryn Roper was named the grand prize winner, receiving a gift basket filled with items from participating vendors. CONTRIBUTED

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Murder whodunit draws large crowd to downtown Eatonton

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
An estimated 500 amateur sleuths took over downtown Eatonton last Saturday as they investigated a fictional murder, followed a trail of conflicting clues, and considered a cast of colorful suspects during the inaugural Eatonton Murder Mystery Shopping Crawl.
The Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant is near Baxley in South Georgia. COURTESY OF GEORGIA POWER

The Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Power Plant is near Baxley in South Georgia. COURTESY OF GEORGIA POWER

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Two aging nuclear reactors cleared to power another generation

Ty Tagami
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
A nuclear power plant in Georgia that predates Jimmy Carter's presidency has received a new lease on life, with federal regulators approving an additional 20 years of operation, Georgia Power announced Monday.The licenses for the two reactors at the Edwin I.
Justin Peeples

Justin Peeples

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GDNR patrolling Lake Sinclair issues BUIs

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Four men who came from coastal Florida to enjoy a vacation on Lake Sinclair found lodging in Putnam County Jail last week.Justin Peoples, 18, of Yulee, Fla.; Peyton Casey, 18, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; William Colby Crabtree, 19, of Jacksonville, Fla.
Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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MAC hosts annual youth rally

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
More than 100 children and their family members attended the annual youth rally on Saturday at Oconee Springs Park, hosted by Mothers Against Crime, a longtime Putnam County organization dedicated to providing positive experiences for local youth.
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