News

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Solar power and data centers a focus for PSC candidate

Ty Tagami
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
A solar power advocate running for a seat on Georgia's energy regulatory agency made his case without opposition on Wednesday after his opponent declined to participate in a televised debate.“Why didn't you have the courage to show up today and defend your six rate hikes in two years?
Lyn Romine (left) and Georgia Writers Museum Director Melissa Swindell made an impassioned pitch before the Eatonton Council to inaugurate its recently purchased, former Putnam County Elementary School as the host building for a special, touring Smithsonian exhibit next April. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lyn Romine (left) and Georgia Writers Museum Director Melissa Swindell made an impassioned pitch before the Eatonton Council to inaugurate its recently purchased, former Putnam County Elementary School as the host building for a special, touring Smithsonian exhibit next April. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton city council tables Smithsonian exhibit request

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Eatonton City Council spent much of its latest scheduled meeting, Oct. 7, debating whether it’s ready or even willing to host a touring Smithsonian Institution exhibit. The council ultimately tabled the proposal until a committee can review the space, policy, and cost issues involved.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Personal watercraft crash on Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
A crash between two personal watercraft resulted in one teen being flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital for injuries, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.The crash happened around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, on the Putnam County side of Lake Sinclair.
JoAnn Smith (l-r), Cassandra Fowler and Becky Meyer in front of The Messenger office. CONTRIBUTED

JoAnn Smith (l-r), Cassandra Fowler and Becky Meyer in front of The Messenger office. CONTRIBUTED

In memory of Becky Meyer

Bailey Ballard
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Rebecca Meyer, less formally known as Becky, was a voice for The Eatonton Messenger for 34 years.
Eatonton Mayor John Reid (center) was joined by his wife and City Councilmember for Ward 3 Janie Reid, and Ward 2 Councilmember James Gorley in accepting a $1 million Community Development Block Grant for flood mitigation work on the south side of the city. CONTRIBUTED

Eatonton Mayor John Reid (center) was joined by his wife and City Councilmember for Ward 3 Janie Reid, and Ward 2 Councilmember James Gorley in accepting a $1 million Community Development Block Grant for flood mitigation work on the south side of the city. CONTRIBUTED

Eatonton receives $1M grant for flooding fix

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
A long-standing flooding problem in one of Eatonton’s neighborhoods will soon get another major fix, thanks to a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) the city received Oct. 6. It represents the largest grant of its type the city has ever received.
Superintendent Derick Austin (right) with HEART recipient Florrie Willaims. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

Superintendent Derick Austin (right) with HEART recipient Florrie Willaims. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

PCMS performs for Board of Education

Bailey Ballard
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Putnam County Middle School presented its annual showcase to the Putnam County Board of Education on Oct. 6.The meeting began with the recognition of this month’s HEART recipients, Putnam County Charter School System bookkeeper Stephanie DeLoach and bus driver Florrie Williams.
Athens resident Paul Deaton is looking forward to showing off his find of West African art that he hopes to sell most of Oct. 11-20 while on display at Barrel 118 in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Athens resident Paul Deaton is looking forward to showing off his find of West African art that he hopes to sell most of Oct. 11-20 while on display at Barrel 118 in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Hidden African art collection to go on display, and on sale

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 9, 2025
When Athens resident Paul Deaton placed a bid on a climate-controlled storage unit nearly two years ago, he expected to find a few interesting items and hoped for some paintings or collectibles.
The new E.R. Snell plant in Eatonton should be operational sometime next month, Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute said at a recent commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The new E.R. Snell plant in Eatonton should be operational sometime next month, Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute said at a recent commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

BOC hears about local development

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 9, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners held its first of two scheduled monthly meetings on Oct.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Lake Sinclair drawdown requires permit procedure

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Every five years, Georgia Power lowers the water level of Lake Sinclair through a procedure called a “drawdown,” giving property owners the rare opportunity to repair, replace, or upgrade shoreline structures that are normally underwater or hard to reach.That time is returning Oct.
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