News

Tobias H. Farley

Tobias H. Farley

Two shot but by whom?

T. Michael Stone
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Madison Police arrested an Eatonton man on aggravated assault charges after a husband and wife were shot during an altercation at a party attended by mostly family members on Meadow Ridge Road in the early morning hours of Dec. 14.
In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory (right) attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory (right) attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putting Putnam’s literal lifeline together

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 18, 2025
When Joe Thompson and James Gregory agreed to meet at Eatonton City Hall in June 1974, they had no idea of what they were getting into. They also had no uniforms, no equipment, and no guarantee of income.
Janie Reid

Janie Reid

Exit address from city councilmember Janie Reid

Janie Reid
Thursday, December 18, 2025
As many of you know, December 15th marked my final meeting as a member of the Eatonton City Council. I leave this role with a grateful heart, a deep sense of peace, and sincere gratitude.Serving alongside Mayor Reid and my fellow Councilmembers has been one of the great honors of my public life.
Mark Pinchukov played “Bohemian Rhapsody” during his recital Dec. 12 at Putnam County High School. Scan the QR code to watch his performance. VICTORIA ANADENKO/Staff

Mark Pinchukov played “Bohemian Rhapsody” during his recital Dec. 12 at Putnam County High School. Scan the QR code to watch his performance. VICTORIA ANADENKO/Staff

PCHS piano students present fall recital

Victoria Anadenko
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Students from the Putnam County High School piano class presented their Fall Piano Recital on Dec. 12, showcasing a wide range of musical styles and skill levels.
Ian Tocher/Staff

Ian Tocher/Staff

Santa arrives in Eatonton

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 18, 2025
For the second-straight year, the Eatonton Christmas parade featured an early-evening start on Saturday, which proved very popular with local Santa Claus fans.
Eatonton Mayor John Reid hugs his wife, Janie, at the close of her outgoing city council meeting on Monday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton Mayor John Reid hugs his wife, Janie, at the close of her outgoing city council meeting on Monday night. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton council holds final meeting of 2025

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 18, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Monday evening in a largely ceremonial and forward-looking session, highlighted by the final meeting for Ward 3 representative Janie Reid, who was defeated in November’s election for her seat after seven years on the council.
Eatonton police officers found these stolen rifles and a shotgun that two teens hid in the woods along with stolen bags of tools, trail cameras, and other hunting gear. The guns were loaded at the time. CONTRIBUTED/ EPD

Eatonton police officers found these stolen rifles and a shotgun that two teens hid in the woods along with stolen bags of tools, trail cameras, and other hunting gear. The guns were loaded at the time. CONTRIBUTED/ EPD

Drunk teens nabbed after stealing loaded guns

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, December 18, 2025
What turned into an unusual night, Dec. 12-13, for the Eatonton Police Department and a few city residents started when two 17-year-olds were hanging out and drinking Four Loko alcoholic beverages.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Woman injured in crash on 441

Lynn Hobbs
Saturday, December 13, 2025
A Canton woman was hospitalized for injuries sustained in a vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 441 and Twin Bridges Road on Dec. 12.Sara Walsh, 22, of Canton, was traveling south on Hwy. 441 around 11:50 a.m. when her 2012 Toyota Camry crashed into a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus.
Two dogs and two cats died early last Thursday morning in a house fire on Cape Harbor Drive. CONTRIBUTED

Two dogs and two cats died early last Thursday morning in a house fire on Cape Harbor Drive. CONTRIBUTED

Pets perish in Lake Sinclair home fire

Staff Reports
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Baldwin County Fire units Engine 6, Engine 7, and Engine 8, along with Battalion 1 and Squad 17, and Putnam County Fire Department responded to a structure fire call at 4:30 a.m. Dec. 4 on Cape Harbor Drive, west of the railway bridge on the southern side of Lake Sinclair.
Joel Wiggins (standing), managing partner of the Southern Group of Georgia and a representative of the C-PACE Alliance, addresses members of the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority last Thursday at Farmers & Merchants Bank on Lake Oconee Parkway. Melody Echols, program administrator with Peach State C-PACE, is seated at left. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Joel Wiggins (standing), managing partner of the Southern Group of Georgia and a representative of the C-PACE Alliance, addresses members of the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority last Thursday at Farmers & Merchants Bank on Lake Oconee Parkway. Melody Echols, program administrator with Peach State C-PACE, is seated at left. IAN TOCHER/Staff

LOADA weighs benefits of C-PACE development funding

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Members of the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority (LOADA) spent much of their meeting last Thursday at the Farmers & Merchants Bank on Lake Oconee Parkway discussing whether to recommend adoption of a new statewide financing tool designed to spur economic development without using public...
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