News

L-R: Putnam General Hospital Authority Board member Lou Benjamin, PGH Human Resources Director Rhonda Largo, and hospital CEO Alan Horton address county commissioners with detailed financial stats displayed on screens behind them. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Putnam General Hospital Authority Board member Lou Benjamin, PGH Human Resources Director Rhonda Largo, and hospital CEO Alan Horton address county commissioners with detailed financial stats displayed on screens behind them. IAN TOCHER/Staff

PGH makes pay pitch to BOC

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Putnam General Hospital (PGH) made an impassioned plea for financial help to increase staff pay last Friday afternoon during a work session for the Putnam County Commission.
‘Buster’ Williams

‘Buster’ Williams

Know your Neighbor: ‘Buster’ Williams

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
For Eatonton native Robert “Buster” Williams, it’s all about the kids. The longtime Putnam County Recreation Department youth baseball coach insists he gets every bit as much enjoyment seeing his young players have fun on the field as he does by watching them win a game.
Katie Reis

Katie Reis

Bride hopeful causes court disturbance

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
An Eatonton woman who reportedly had a tantrum in Putnam County Probate Court last week was arrested on misdemeanor charges.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said 51-year-old Katie Reis walked into the probate office on July 25 and said she was there to get married.
Investigator Clay Wiggins (right) and Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Wright Barksdale after the award was announced. CONTRIBUTED

Investigator Clay Wiggins (right) and Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Wright Barksdale after the award was announced. CONTRIBUTED

Ocmulgee DA investigator Wiggins earns state honor

Debbie Lurie-smith
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
The only circuit-wide investigator for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, which includes Putnam County, was honored last week with statewide recognition for his outstanding investigative work leading to convictions in homicide and death penalty cases.Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney T.
Rep. Mike Collins

Rep. Mike Collins

Collins joins primary to challenge U.S. Sen. Ossoff next year

Ty Tagami
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
A second Republican congressman has joined the race to unseat U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff next year.In a brief announcement on social media Monday, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Jackson, joined fellow GOP Rep. Buddy Carter, R-St.Simons, in the campaign to replace Democrat Ossoff with a Republican.
Along with several Putnam County Elementary School students at the ribbon cutting, Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin (center, pink tie) was joined by BOE board members Charles Trumbo (left, back row), BOE Chair Dr. Steve Weiner (sunglasses), and (l-r, back row,) Doris Clemons, Carol Ann Guthrie, and Rev. Simone Jones. PCES Principal Whitney Smith is standing to Austin’s right. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Along with several Putnam County Elementary School students at the ribbon cutting, Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin (center, pink tie) was joined by BOE board members Charles Trumbo (left, back row), BOE Chair Dr. Steve Weiner (sunglasses), and (l-r, back row,) Doris Clemons, Carol Ann Guthrie, and Rev. Simone Jones. PCES Principal Whitney Smith is standing to Austin’s right. IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘Collaboration’ key to new Putnam elementary school

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Sixteen months since the groundbreaking last March, and only a year after construction began, the new Putnam County Elementary School officially opened with a late-afternoon ribbon cutting last Thursday, hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce.
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Ellis. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Ellis. IAN TOCHER/Staff

POW stay in ‘Hanoi Hilton’ provides life lessons

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
Following an introduction by BankSouth President and CEO Harold Reynolds, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Lee Ellis took the stage at Lake Oconee Church last Thursday evening, where he presented “Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton,” a harrowing tale of courage, character, and resilience.
Subscribe to