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Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Woman killed in ATV accident

Lynn Hobbs
Saturday, November 15, 2025
An Eatonton woman was killed early Saturday in an ATV accident, according to authorities.Amanda Swearingen, 43, died when the Polaris UTV she was driving went off the road and overturned, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.
Prior to last Tuesday’s council meeting, retired Eatonton Fire Department Deputy Chief Carl Buckner, Sr. (center, white shirt) was presented with an official plaque recognizing “25 years of untiring service to the citizens of Eatonton,” by Mayor John Reid, EFD Chief Jamey Williamson, and all city council members. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Prior to last Tuesday’s council meeting, retired Eatonton Fire Department Deputy Chief Carl Buckner, Sr. (center, white shirt) was presented with an official plaque recognizing “25 years of untiring service to the citizens of Eatonton,” by Mayor John Reid, EFD Chief Jamey Williamson, and all city council members. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Council increases Briar Patch financial commitment

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met on Wednesday, Nov. 5, with a relatively light agenda, resulting in a brief 35-minute meeting. Also of note, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker returned to the council following recovery from a serious bicycle accident.
Janie Reid

Janie Reid

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Janie Reid: ‘I have not closed the door on politics’

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
After losing her Ward 3 council seat to Fred Lowe in last Tuesday’s municipal election, Janie Reid will remain in office until the end of 2025, with Lowe assuming the position in the new year.Regardless, Reid says she may have lost an election, but she’s not going to be stepping out of public life.
Duck season kicks off Nov. 22 and youth, active-duty mitary, and veterans have the opportunity for special early hunting Nov. 15-16. CONTRIBUTED

Duck season kicks off Nov. 22 and youth, active-duty mitary, and veterans have the opportunity for special early hunting Nov. 15-16. CONTRIBUTED

Georgia duck hunting season opens soon

News Staff
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Waterfowl hunters will soon be able to return to their favorite spots as Georgia’s duck season kicks off Nov. 22, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) confirmed.
Reverend Sidney Jackson, a veteran himself, gave the invocation before the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday at the Putnam County Veterans Roll of Honor Park in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Reverend Sidney Jackson, a veteran himself, gave the invocation before the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday at the Putnam County Veterans Roll of Honor Park in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Veterans Day ceremony honors military sacrifice

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
A brisk November wind couldn’t keep Putnam County residents away Tuesday morning as they gathered at the Putnam County Veterans Roll of Honor Park to celebrate local veterans and recognize the legacy of the park’s late founder, Bob Landau.
Fred Lowe

Fred Lowe

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Lowe outlines vision upon winning Ward 3 seat

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Eatonton Ward 3 Councilman-elect Fred Lowe was not available to comment this week, but he used a Facebook livestream address late last week to thank voters for their support and outline his priorities as he prepares to take office early next year.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Authorities seek downtown juvenile joyriders

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Several teens joyriding through downtown Eatonton late Saturday night ended up fleeing from law enforcement, with one being transported to the hospital.According to Sgt.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Uncertainty still hangs over federal program that feeds the hungry

Ty Tagami
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Georgia politicians continued to blame each other Monday for the lapse in federal food assistance funding, amid confusion about the government’s response to two federal lawsuits.On Friday, judges ordered the Trump administration to resume depositing funds into the accounts of recipients of a U.S.
Over 100 cadets volunteered to play students, injured and deceased, during the three exercises. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

Over 100 cadets volunteered to play students, injured and deceased, during the three exercises. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

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GMC partners with first responders for emergency preparedness exercise

Bailey Ballard
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Georgia Military College (GMC) and GMC Preparatory School, in collaboration with Milledgeville and Baldwin County first responders, conducted the first large-scale Emergency Preparedness Exercise on Nov. 1 on GMC’s Main Campus in Milledgeville.
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