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The annual Taste of Eatonton event on The Plaza lawn serves up a wide variety of tasty dishes at an affordable price from several local eateries. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The annual Taste of Eatonton event on The Plaza lawn serves up a wide variety of tasty dishes at an affordable price from several local eateries. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Taste of Eatonton serves up local flavor

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Eatonton’s most flavorful evening will return next month when Taste of Eatonton, hosted by the Eatonton- Putnam Chamber of Commerce, takes over the grounds outside The Plaza Arts Center.
Putnam County High School’s MSgt. Michael Taylor (left) led several Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) members who served as the color guard last Thursday for the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County High School’s MSgt. Michael Taylor (left) led several Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) members who served as the color guard last Thursday for the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County honors 9/11 victims and first responders

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Community members gathered early last Thursday morning at the Putnam County Veterans Wall of Honor Park for a brief, solemn ceremony marking the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

City adopts ordinance banning vape, tobacco shops

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
The Eatonton City Council worked through a fairly lengthy agenda Monday night.The first order of business was approving a request from The Knights of Columbus to authorize its annual Tootsie Roll Drive to benefit Special Olympics Georgia. The event is scheduled this year for Oct.
Retiring Senior Personal Property Appraiser Leisa Reid reacts to receiving an official Putnam County proclamation recognizing her 48 years of service to the county from Chairman Bill Sharp prior to last Friday’s county commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Retiring Senior Personal Property Appraiser Leisa Reid reacts to receiving an official Putnam County proclamation recognizing her 48 years of service to the county from Chairman Bill Sharp prior to last Friday’s county commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Commission meeting opens with county recognitions

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 11, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met last Friday and opened with four public proclamations.The first acknowledged the retirement of Senior Personal Property Appraiser Leisa Reid in the county’s tax office and recognized her 48 years of service to Putnam County.
Eatonton City Councilmember Janie Reid (right) addressed the Putnam County Commission last Friday, praising the efforts of Beyond the Bell Executive Director Sandra Dean to establish educational programs for kids at Jimmy Davis Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton City Councilmember Janie Reid (right) addressed the Putnam County Commission last Friday, praising the efforts of Beyond the Bell Executive Director Sandra Dean to establish educational programs for kids at Jimmy Davis Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Commissioners hear Jimmy Davis Park plans

Ian Tocher
Thursday, September 11, 2025
The Sept. 5 Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting focused on a proposed afterschool and summer enrichment program, as well as several land use and infrastructure issues.Commissioners Tom McElhenney (District 1), Richard Garrett (Dist. 2), Stephen Hersey (Dist.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Rivian opponents wait for judge’s decision

Skyla Morris
Thursday, September 11, 2025
Construction is expected to begin within the next year on Rivian Automotive’s $5 billion, 2,000-acre Stanton Springs electric vehicle manufacturing facility. Many Morgan County residents remain opposed to the plant, however, as the company increases efforts to make progress.
Smoke and flames can be seen on the back of the house as City of Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters begin to battle the blaze. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

Smoke and flames can be seen on the back of the house as City of Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters begin to battle the blaze. CHIEF WILLIAMSON/Contributed

Family survives house fire thanks to passerby

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, September 11, 2025
A passerby who alerted residents that their home was on fire may have saved their lives. However, the family’s pets perished in the house fire early Saturday morning.“It was two cats and one dog that didn’t make it,” Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson said. “And their car burned up, too.
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