News

District 10 Congressman Mike Collins (center) speaks with Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute (in green), with (l-r) County Clerk Lynn Butterworth, Eatonton Councilmember Janie Reid and Eatonton Mayor John Reid among local dignitaries touring the county’s new fire station under construction behind the county offices off the Hwy. 441 bypass. IAN TOCHER/Staff

District 10 Congressman Mike Collins (center) speaks with Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute (in green), with (l-r) County Clerk Lynn Butterworth, Eatonton Councilmember Janie Reid and Eatonton Mayor John Reid among local dignitaries touring the county’s new fire station under construction behind the county offices off the Hwy. 441 bypass. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Congressman Collins visits PC Commission

Rufus Adair
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Old-school politics were on full display April 6 in Putnam County. A tour of a new building under construction. Public visibility and handshaking.
Maximino Dominic Hernandez Bautista

Maximino Dominic Hernandez Bautista

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Officers balance safety during high-speed chase

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 20, 2023
An alleged drunk driver who passed an officer’s patrol car and then led authorities on a high-speed chase in rainy conditions is now in jail, according to authorities, and Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell credits the officers for keeping Eatonton’s streets safe for other drivers.
Putnam County Sheriff's Photo/File Photo

Putnam County Sheriff's Photo/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Sheriff Sills rants on recidivism

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 20, 2023
After the arrest of six local men last week on drug-selling-related charges, local authorities expressed fervent frustration at the number of previous times the suspects had been convicted of similar charges.
A copy of the Eatonton Messenger with Spivey's story featured in it. IAN TOCHER/Staff

A copy of the Eatonton Messenger with Spivey's story featured in it. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Frank Spivey:Putnam County’s ‘Marble King’

Rufus Adair
Thursday, April 20, 2023
On one of the walls in the north hallway at the Plaza Arts Center hangs a photograph – and with it, one of my favorite stories to tell visitors to the Old School History Museum.
J.S. “Sammy” Blackwell Jr. sits in one of his conjoined showrooms in downtown Eatonton as he reminisces about the history of Blackwell Furniture.

J.S. “Sammy” Blackwell Jr. sits in one of his conjoined showrooms in downtown Eatonton as he reminisces about the history of Blackwell Furniture.

Blackwell Furniture closing

Ian Tocher
Thursday, April 20, 2023
A literal end of an era arrived for Eatonton on April 13, as Blackwell Furniture, a mainstay of the city’s downtown business fabric for 78 years, officially began its going-out-of-business sale. Opened in 1945 by John Samuel Blackwell Sr.
Smith Communications Business Manager Cassandra Fowler is announced as the 2022 Employee of the Year by President and CEO A. Mark Smith Sr. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Smith Communications Business Manager Cassandra Fowler is announced as the 2022 Employee of the Year by President and CEO A. Mark Smith Sr. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Fowler named employee of the year for Smith Communications

Ian Tocher
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Smith Communications, parent company for The Eatonton Messenger, Lake Oconee News, The Baldwin Bulletin and The Jones County News, held a company-wide business meeting April 14, at Rock Eagle’s Founders’ Lodge, where Smith Communications Business Manager Cassandra Fowler received the company’s...
Board members test designs on the in-scale map while discussing budgetary concerns and the site. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

Board members test designs on the in-scale map while discussing budgetary concerns and the site. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

Putnam BOE meets with architects about new school

Bailey Ballard
Thursday, April 20, 2023
The Putnam County Board of Education met on April 10, with Breaux and Associates Architects to directly discuss designs for the new elementary school. This work session was in preparation for board meeting updates on April 17.
GaFCP Regional Manager Adam Swymer (center) joins a discussion in one of the small groups. LENA HENSLEY/Staff

GaFCP Regional Manager Adam Swymer (center) joins a discussion in one of the small groups. LENA HENSLEY/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Family Connection continues plan for Putnam community

Lena Hensley
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) held another community meeting on March 29, with 28 representatives of various charities, businesses and service organizations present. The meeting started by reviewing the amended FY24 Annual Plan proposal.
Eatonton Fire Department’s new Rescue 1 truck. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Eatonton Fire Department’s new Rescue 1 truck. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City Fire Department now has a rescue truck

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The City of Eatonton recently added a new truck to its fleet at Eatonton Fire Department. The shiny red Ford F550 “Rescue 1” pickup is being used by firefighters on medical and injury calls, vehicle crashes, and any other rescue work.
Danny R. Rivera

Danny R. Rivera

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Man arrested in connection with shooting on Highway 44

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
An arrest has been made in connection with an early February shooting in Putnam County, but no one has been charged for the shooting itself, Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said. The victim, 67-year-old Ralph Rella, was a night manager at the Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Lake Oconee.
Subscribe to