News

Councilmember at Large, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker introduced the City of Eatonton’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget for approval Aug. 18, during a routinely scheduled council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Councilmember at Large, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker introduced the City of Eatonton’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget for approval Aug. 18, during a routinely scheduled council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Budget resolution signed, one-way street approved

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Monday night in its second of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings.Of significance to most in-town residents was a motion by Councilmember at Large, Mayor Pro Tem Chip Walker, for Mayor John Reid to sign a resolution to adopt the city’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
Putnam County Fire Dept. firefighters watch for flare ups amidst the smoke after putting out the flames of the fire in a log cabin on Rockville Springs Drive Monday. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Fire Dept. firefighters watch for flare ups amidst the smoke after putting out the flames of the fire in a log cabin on Rockville Springs Drive Monday. CONTRIBUTED

Newly staffed fire station, fireboat battle blaze

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
A fire broke out in a house on the 200 block of Rockville Springs Drive on Monday. There are no fire hydrants in that area, but thankfully, there’s Lake Sinclair, said Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain.
In a photograph from May 12, the Sunset Bar & Grill sits tucked away in the trees shortly after construction got underway on downtown Eatonton’s East Marion Street. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In a photograph from May 12, the Sunset Bar & Grill sits tucked away in the trees shortly after construction got underway on downtown Eatonton’s East Marion Street. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Frustrated business owner addresses city council

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The Eatonton City Council met Aug. 5 at the county administration building for its first of two regularly scheduled meetings each month.Speaking before the council was city resident and business owner Robert Johnson, owner of the Sunset Bar & Grill at 205 E. Marion St., in downtown Eatonton.
Cory Jensen

Cory Jensen

Speeding more than 100 adds cruelty charges for child, pet

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 14, 2025
A homeless man is now sleeping and eating in jail after authorities caught him reportedly driving 110 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone with a young child and dog in the car, driving on the wrong side of the road, and committing quite a few other traffic and obstruction-related offenses.
Sgt. Dillon Waldroup

Sgt. Dillon Waldroup

Waldroup promoted to sergeant

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell proudly announced the promotion of officer Dillon Waldroup to sergeant at the Eatonton Police Department on July 21.“This achievement reflects his dedication, discipline, and commitment to serving our community with professionalism and integrity,” Cardwell said.
Putnam County Charter School System Superintendent Derick Austin gave a detailed accounting of the organization’s latest budget on Monday, with another similar meeting to come at 5 p.m., Aug. 18, at the Board of Ed building in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Charter School System Superintendent Derick Austin gave a detailed accounting of the organization’s latest budget on Monday, with another similar meeting to come at 5 p.m., Aug. 18, at the Board of Ed building in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

PCCSS superintendent Austin addresses $54-million budget

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 14, 2025
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) Board of Education held a pair of public education meetings on Monday about its Fiscal Year 2026 budget, with about a dozen citizens attending each time.
Three Eatonton men remain hospitalized in serious and critical condition from injuries sustained in a head-on collision that involved this Mitsubishi Eclipse and Toyota Corolla Saturday. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

Three Eatonton men remain hospitalized in serious and critical condition from injuries sustained in a head-on collision that involved this Mitsubishi Eclipse and Toyota Corolla Saturday. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

UPDATE: Three seriously injured in head-on collision

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
A head-on collision caused by a driver passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone sent three Eatonton men to a hospital with serious injuries Saturday, according to authorities.Injured in the crash were Dazavius Little, 28, Sandy Brown, 46, and William Few, 26, all of Eatonton.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Georgia lawmakers to weigh repealing state income tax

Dave Williams
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Policy wonks on both sides of an upcoming debate in the General Assembly over whether to eliminate Georgia’s income tax are advocating a cautious approach.“That’s a very lofty goal,” said Danny Kanso, senior fiscal analyst with the progressive-leaning Georgia Budget & Policy Institute.
This grounddelivery service package at Mario Munoz' house contained 25 pounds of meth. CONTRIBUTED/ PCSO

This grounddelivery service package at Mario Munoz' house contained 25 pounds of meth. CONTRIBUTED/ PCSO

$2M in meth seized on Shady Dale Road

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
More than 50 kilos of methamphetamine will never make it to the streets after it was seized in Putnam County by Putnam, Jasper, and federal authorities.Putnam County Sheriff’s Lt. Harry Luke estimated the street value of the approximate 108 pounds of meth to be around $2 million.
Subscribe to