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John Cross, co-owner of Putnam County Stone, is a 20-plus-year quarry veteran who hopes to establish a new granite quarry alongside Dennis Station Road in southwest Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

John Cross, co-owner of Putnam County Stone, is a 20-plus-year quarry veteran who hopes to establish a new granite quarry alongside Dennis Station Road in southwest Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Rocky road remains for quarry plan

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
As debate continues over a proposed rock quarry in southwest Putnam County, John Cross, co-owner of Putnam County Stone, said his goal is simple: answer questions and earn trust.
PCCSS Superintendent Derrick Austin (left) presented school bags and certificates to Putnam County students receiving Superintendent Student of the Month Awards for February (l-r): Catherine Wooten, Sophia Kelly, and Rivka Brown. ALIVIA BLANTON/Staff

PCCSS Superintendent Derrick Austin (left) presented school bags and certificates to Putnam County students receiving Superintendent Student of the Month Awards for February (l-r): Catherine Wooten, Sophia Kelly, and Rivka Brown. ALIVIA BLANTON/Staff

Putnam Board of Education approves $246K in purchases

Alivia Blanton
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
The Putnam County Board of Education approved the purchase of a $149,000 school bus, a $97,000 facilities contract, and discussed an $18 million banking proposal Feb. 23, during the second of two routinely scheduled monthly meetings.
Bradley K. Rutledge II

Bradley K. Rutledge II

Another nude man arrested in Putnam County

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
It’s been 52 years since the widespread cultural streaking fad of 1974, and almost two weeks since a nude man was arrested in Putnam County. Friday, it happened again.“There’s a naked outbreak,” Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills quipped Friday.
Naked man with criminal record arrested in the woods

Naked man with criminal record arrested in the woods

Naked man with criminal record arrested in the woods

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, February 27, 2026
It’s been one week since Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputies chased a naked man through the woods and later arrested him clad in a beekeeper’s suit he had found. Today, deputies once again found themselves searching the woods for another naked man, Sheriff Howard Sills said.
Photo from Google

Photo from Google

Georgia Power predicts lower consumer energy costs

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
On Feb. 17, Georgia Power filed its expected Fuel Cost Recovery and Storm Cost Recovery cases with the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC).Together, the cases seek to lower costs for customers through two distinct filings.
Othniel T. Smith

Othniel T. Smith

Fentanyl, nudity, beekeeper’s suit, fried chicken...

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
An Atlanta man arrived in Putnam County approximately two weeks ago and is now accused of handing a bag of fentanyl to a store clerk, crashing his car through a resident’s driveway gate, running away from K9 deputies, and prowling naked in another resident’s front yard before being arrested clad in...
Putnam General Hospital staff and local officials, including Putnam County Clerk of Courts Trevor Addison (far left) and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce CEO Robbie King, with Putnam General CEO Alan Horton (second and third from left, respectively), join office and medical staff members in celebrating the installation of a high-tech mammography machine at the Eatonton-based medical center. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Putnam General Hospital staff and local officials, including Putnam County Clerk of Courts Trevor Addison (far left) and Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce CEO Robbie King, with Putnam General CEO Alan Horton (second and third from left, respectively), join office and medical staff members in celebrating the installation of a high-tech mammography machine at the Eatonton-based medical center. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

New mammography machine put into service at PGH

Skyla Morris
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Putnam General Hospital (PGH) has expanded its services in Eatonton with a new 3-D mammography machine, the GE Healthcare Senographe Pristina. Hospital staff and leadership celebrated the occasion Feb. 12, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
Jerome L. Johnson

Jerome L. Johnson

Man hit with brick in bar brawl

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
An Eatonton man is behind bars facing charges related to hitting another man in the head with a brick during a bar brawl, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Jerome Lorenzo Johnson, 43, of Custer Avenue, Eatonton, is facing charges that include aggravated assault and aggravated stalking.
The site concept plan for Harmony Village provides for an assisted living center (lower) built alongside up to 124 individual, age-restricted cottages. CONTRIBUTED

The site concept plan for Harmony Village provides for an assisted living center (lower) built alongside up to 124 individual, age-restricted cottages. CONTRIBUTED

Commissioners approve 63-acre Harmony Village

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Following months of delays and nearly two hours of debate last Tuesday night, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners approved a 63-acre mixed-use senior living development along Harmony Road, clearing the way for an assisted living and memory care facility surrounded by age-restricted cottages.
Eatonton resident Janet Kelhoffer addressed the Eatonton City Council on Monday night with local concerns about a proposed granite quarry farther south in the county. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton resident Janet Kelhoffer addressed the Eatonton City Council on Monday night with local concerns about a proposed granite quarry farther south in the county. IAN TOCHER/Staff

City council hears quarry concerns, approves house rezoning

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Eatonton City Council met Monday night for its second of two regularly scheduled meetings in February.
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