News

JDP council member Patricia Bailey makes a point about a proposed initiative to donate school supplies. IAN TOCHER/Staff

JDP council member Patricia Bailey makes a point about a proposed initiative to donate school supplies. IAN TOCHER/Staff

JDP advisory council leadership challenged

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
The Jimmy Davis Park Partnership Advisory Council held a scheduled meeting last Wednesday evening at the downtown Eatonton but county-owned and operated facility at 125 Hogan Boulevard, led by appointed advisory council Chairperson Janie Reid, who is also an elected City of Eatonton councilmember.
Putnam County Fire Department’s personnel scan the lake from “Sinclair 1” searching Lake Sinclair with other agencies for the missing jet ski rider. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County Fire Department’s personnel scan the lake from “Sinclair 1” searching Lake Sinclair with other agencies for the missing jet ski rider. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

PWC accident claims life of Ellenwood man

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
An Ellenwood man lost his life while out on Lake Sinclair enjoying the July Fourth holiday.Christopher Grant Jr., 30, died from accidental drowning when he fell off the personal watercraft (PWC) he was riding.
Late last month, Bluestem Brands announced the impending termination of 160 employees from its Eatonton branch on Industrial Boulevard. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Late last month, Bluestem Brands announced the impending termination of 160 employees from its Eatonton branch on Industrial Boulevard. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Bluestem passes out pink slips in Eatonton

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
One hundred and sixty employees of Eatonton’s Bluestem Brands distribution center (148 Industrial Blvd.) received bad news on June 23, when they were told their jobs would soon be eliminated due to downsizing and the likely closure of the facility this fall.
The overturned tritoon is eased to the shoreline by a Putnam County Sheriff’s patrol boat. CONTRIBUTED

The overturned tritoon is eased to the shoreline by a Putnam County Sheriff’s patrol boat. CONTRIBUTED

Holiday outing on lake turns into tragedy

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
A fun holiday on the lake with friends, family, and fireworks was literally turned upside down and left a mother grieving the loss of her young child.Four-year-old Tilly Roache, of Lithonia, died from delayed complications due to drowning, said Putnam County Coroner Hollis Harrison.
Photo courtesy of Baldwin County Fire Rescue

Photo courtesy of Baldwin County Fire Rescue

Body of missing man recovered from Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
Sunday, July 6, 2025
The Baldwin County Public Safety Dive team located the body of the missing man who fell off the jet ski on Lake Sinclair Friday. The body of Christopher Grant, of Dekalb County, was discovered at 12:09 a.m.
The capsized tritoon is being pushed by Putnam County Sheriff’s boats to the shore after a fireworks show on Lake Oconee July 4. (Contributed)

The capsized tritoon is being pushed by Putnam County Sheriff’s boats to the shore after a fireworks show on Lake Oconee July 4. (Contributed)

Pontoon capsizes; 4-year-old flown to hospital

Lynn Hobbs
Saturday, July 5, 2025
A 4-year-old girl is in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta following a boating accident on Lake Oconee on July 4th. “It’s a miracle that baby is alive,” Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Saturday at about 2:30 p.m.
Dep. Lt. Brandon Towe gets ready to go back out in the water to continue the search. (Photo by Lynn Hobbs)

Dep. Lt. Brandon Towe gets ready to go back out in the water to continue the search. (Photo by Lynn Hobbs)

Dive teams searching for man who fell into Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, July 4, 2025
UPDATED AT 3 P.M. SATURDAYThe search for the man who fell off of the jet ski on Lake Sinclair July 4 continued Saturday, and authorities are saying the man is from the Dekalb County area. Around 9 a.m.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Transgender athletes law among those taking effect July 1

Ty Tagami
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Beginning Tuesday this week, Georgians will reap what their state lawmakers sowed when a slew of new laws take effect, from divisive limits on transgender student athletes to a broadly popular guarantee to keep in vitro fertilization (IVF) legal.
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