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L-R: Former Georgia State Patrol officer and Governor’s Security Detail member Alan Hardwick, Better Business Bureau Vice President Jason Blankenship, E-PCOC President Robbie King, and Dr. John Wheeler of Pathfinders Counseling Service. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Former Georgia State Patrol officer and Governor’s Security Detail member Alan Hardwick, Better Business Bureau Vice President Jason Blankenship, E-PCOC President Robbie King, and Dr. John Wheeler of Pathfinders Counseling Service. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Awareness at heart of beating modern personal threats

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
As part of its Business Breakfast Series, the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce (E-PCOC) presented a community safety forum Oct. 28 at the county commission building, featuring a fraud prevention expert, a former state trooper, and a local trauma counselor.
Amber N. McDade

Amber N. McDade

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Woman arrested for pointing gun at deputy

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Around 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 30, Putnam County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jim Barbee thought he was responding to a routine complaint call to remove a trespasser. But upon his arrival, instead of a trespasser, he found a loaded handgun pointed at him.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Sheriff’s office investigating rocks thrown at vehicles

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, October 31, 2025
Putnam County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating several incidents of vehicles damaged by rocks thrown and a log left in the lane of traffic.Five different vehicles were damaged while traveling on Monticello Road between 10 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct.
With a video of the intersection of Twin Bridges and Dennis Station Roads playing on screens behind him, past county chairman Billy Webster addressed the current Putnam County Commission about the intersection’s safety issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With a video of the intersection of Twin Bridges and Dennis Station Roads playing on screens behind him, past county chairman Billy Webster addressed the current Putnam County Commission about the intersection’s safety issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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BOC considers rezoning, rebates, rollback rates

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 21 for its second of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Putnam couple remembered fondly by friends

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
A local couple’s death in a vehicle crash last week left many people in Middle Georgia in mourning, as well as recalling happy memories.
Kevin Tomson Hooper of The Artisans Village displayed to the EPTAH group a laptop image of the statue being created by worldrenowned sculptor Basil Watson of Eatonton native and Tuskegee Airman Col. Hiram Little Sr. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Kevin Tomson Hooper of The Artisans Village displayed to the EPTAH group a laptop image of the statue being created by worldrenowned sculptor Basil Watson of Eatonton native and Tuskegee Airman Col. Hiram Little Sr. IAN TOCHER/Staff

EPTAH addresses local development, tourism efforts

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Members of the Eatonton-Putnam Tourism, Arts, and Heritage (EPTAH) group met Oct. 15 at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, where conversation turned toward one of Georgia’s more controversial new industries: data centers.
With downtown Eatonton’s historic train trestle and Ebeneezer Baptist Church in the background, brand-new EV charging stations installed alongside Willie Bailey Drive await final approval and activation through Georgia Power, expected to come within the next month. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With downtown Eatonton’s historic train trestle and Ebeneezer Baptist Church in the background, brand-new EV charging stations installed alongside Willie Bailey Drive await final approval and activation through Georgia Power, expected to come within the next month. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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City council approves oleanders, road closure, aerial fiber install

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Tuesday night for its second of two regularly scheduled monthly seminars. Wards 1 & 4 Councilmember Marie Rainey, Ward 2 Councilmember James Gorley, and Councilmember at Large and Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker were absent.
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