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Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

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Second phase begins on Highway 44

T. Michael Stone

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the second phase of the Highway 44 widening project in Greene County is now underway.GDOT District 2 Communications Officer Will Volk told The Eatonton Messenger that Pittman Construction Company began work on Phase 2 last week.

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Kemp touts data centers, calls AI ‘scary’ but essential

Ty Tagami

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Gov. Brian Kemp weighed in on the rush to develop artificial intelligence, calling the technology “scary” while also welcoming data centers to Georgia and criticizing others who would pause their development.

District 2 Commissioner Steve Hersey raised several concerns about county spending throughout last Tuesday’s meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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BOC considers SPLOST, fire code revisions, board appointments

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Public opposition to the proposed rock quarry again dominated public comments that opened the Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting July 21.

A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED

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Blazes burn boat, barn

Lynn Hobbs

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Putnam County Fire Department firefighters fought a barn fire Thursday evening, July 23, and a boat fire Friday morning, July 24, according to Fire Chief Thomas McClain. No one was injured in either incident.

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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County taking politics out of paving plans

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

During its regularly scheduled meeting on July 21, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners took a step toward taking politics out of road paving decisions.

Ricky Barnes

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Dozen drug dealers off of Eatonton’s streets

Lynn Hobbs

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

An investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies that began earlier this year culminated last week with the arrest of a dozen suspected drug dealers in Eatonton.

St. Mary’s and community leaders pose for a photo to celebrate breaking ground for the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

St. Mary’s breaks ground for $45.6M Good Samaritan Pavilion

Skyla Morris

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Leaders from St. Mary’s Health Care System and the community it serves broke ground today on the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion, a $45.

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Dog attack sends woman to hospital

Lynn Hobbs

Thursday, July 23, 2026

A 40-year-old woman came from out of town to visit her father, who lives on Lake Sinclair.She got up early Saturday and went for a morning jog. As she ran along the 300 block of Cold Branch Road, a German Shepherd ran through the open gate of a residence and attacked her.

A drone flight over the Stillwater subdivision shows site work that has been completed alongside Scott Road (left), near Highway 44 in Putnam County. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARK ENGEL

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Stillwater stirs up plans for growth

Maureen Stratton

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Businesses along the Scott Road corridor in Putnam County have welcomed the addition of the new Stillwater subdivision currently under construction. However, some residents remain concerned about traffic congestion, particularly the two-lane bottleneck approaching the Ga.

Amaury Saradinas Reyes

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Party brawl sends one to hospital, two behind bars

Lynn Hobbs

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Two people were arrested after a party got out of hand over the weekend.Amaury Saradinas Reyes, 31, of Florida, was arrested around 4 a.m. July 14 and booked into Putnam County Jail on one count of aggravated assault. He was later released on a $5,000 cash bond.

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