News

The Cuscowilla Fore Good Tournament Steering Committee and Habitat for Humanity of Putnam team celebrated a successful tournament, raising more than $134,000 for HFHP’s planned Carter Crossing affordable housing development. CONTRIBUTED

The Cuscowilla Fore Good Tournament Steering Committee and Habitat for Humanity of Putnam team celebrated a successful tournament, raising more than $134,000 for HFHP’s planned Carter Crossing affordable housing development. CONTRIBUTED

HFHP Cuscowilla tourney raises $134k

News Staff
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Proceeds from the Cuscowilla Fore Good Un-Classic Golf Tournament on April 19 raised $134,500 to support initial construction for Habitat for Humanity of Putnam’s (HFHP) 30-acre affordable housing community.
Members of Georgia Humanities posed with panelists Cathy Cox, Gov. Nathan Deal, and Legislator Calvin Smyre shortly before their discussion on democracy and the current condition of state and federal politics took place. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Members of Georgia Humanities posed with panelists Cathy Cox, Gov. Nathan Deal, and Legislator Calvin Smyre shortly before their discussion on democracy and the current condition of state and federal politics took place. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Deal and Smyre discuss democracy for Voices and Votes

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
The month-long Smithsonian exhibit on American democracy, “Voices and Votes,” that opened Saturday morning at the Putnam County Annex building, served as the backdrop that evening for a wide-ranging and candid discussion on the state of the nation’s political system.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Burn ban goes into effect May 1

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
A burn ban will begin statewide on Friday, May 1, but it has nothing to do with the wildfires in southern Georgia or the drought conditions.“The outdoor burn ban is in effect every year from May 1 to Oct. 1,” Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain said.
Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Former teacher charged with child molestation

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
A Haddock man was arrested in Eatonton last week on child molestation charges.Michael Talton Lee Barnes, 24, of Haddock, was charged with four counts of child molestation and one count of enticing a child for indecent purposes, according to a notice by GBI Special Agent in Charge Mary Chandler.
H.E.A.R.T Award recipient Tracy Surmelin poses alongside Assistant Superintendent Scott Sauls. “I am definitely one to say that I am Putnam Proud,” Surmelin said when accepting the award. ALIVIA BLANTON/Staff

H.E.A.R.T Award recipient Tracy Surmelin poses alongside Assistant Superintendent Scott Sauls. “I am definitely one to say that I am Putnam Proud,” Surmelin said when accepting the award. ALIVIA BLANTON/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

PCCSS board addresses several financial issues

Alivia Blanton
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) Board of Education held its first of two monthly meetings on April 13, opening with a pair of employee recognitions before providing financial updates and policy reviews, plus announcing a proposed technology purchase and potential employee bonuses.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Housefire claims life of Eatonton man

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
A Putnam County man lost his life early Saturday morning in a house fire.Randy Wallace, 68, of the 100 block of Bear Creek Road, was found dead in his bedroom by Putnam County firefighters.
Thomas “Tog” Goss

Thomas “Tog” Goss

PGH names new CEO

Thomas Goss
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Following an extensive three-month search that included more than 90 candidates, the Putnam County Hospital Authority Board has announced the selection of Thomas “Tog” Goss as the incoming chief executive officer of Putnam General Hospital (PGH).Goss will officially assume his new role on June 1.
With his between-songs patter, Wynn Varble (left) kept his fellow songwriters (and the audience) laughing all night long with humorous stories that inevitably ended in a bizarre, unexpected twist. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With his between-songs patter, Wynn Varble (left) kept his fellow songwriters (and the audience) laughing all night long with humorous stories that inevitably ended in a bizarre, unexpected twist. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Songwriters Night

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Eatonton’s Briarpatch Farm welcomed a large, enthusiastic crowd on Saturday for “Songwriters Night: Love Builds Here,” an evening of live music, community, and generosity in support of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam (HFHP) and its most ambitious project yet.
Subscribe to