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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

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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

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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...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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State rep indicted in federal benefits case

Ty Tagami
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A metro Atlanta lawmaker accused of theft of government funds in connection with COVID-19 relief pleaded not guilty in federal court Monday.Rep. Sharon Henderson, D-Covington, walked into the courtroom in downtown Atlanta wearing ankle cuffs, after she was arrested at her home in the morning.U.S.
Paesha Brown

Paesha Brown

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Driver points gun at a passenger

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A Milledgeville woman was arrested for pointing a gun at the passenger of another vehicle while she was driving on U.S. Hwy. 441 last week.The passenger called 911 around 1:45 p.m. Dec. 1 and reported that a brown BMW was speeding and swerving in and out of traffic.
This countyowned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/ Staff

This countyowned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/ Staff

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Traffic study underway due to safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads, and is considering reducing the speed limits.
CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

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Christmas season arrives

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Approximately 150 people gathered Dec. 4 for the lighting of the Christmas tree in front of the Putnam County Courthouse.
Michael J. Beckham

Michael J. Beckham

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Three-peat DUIs in as many weeks

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A Wilkinson County man is in jail after he was arrested three times in less than three weeks for DUI.Michael Joseph Beckham, 52, of Ivey, is being held without bond in Putnam County Jail, facing the charge of driving under the influence of drugs, third offense, according to jail reports.
Putnam County District 3 Commissioner Steve Hersey remains skeptical of “payments in lieu of taxes” for proposed developments. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County District 3 Commissioner Steve Hersey remains skeptical of “payments in lieu of taxes” for proposed developments. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Commissioners debate PDA tax exemption resolution

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A lengthy, occasionally contentious discussion over the Putnam Development Authority (PDA) concluded the Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting on Friday.
CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

Speed, traffic volume being tracked over safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, December 5, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads. Sills said he’s looking into possibly reducing the speed limits.
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