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Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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County considers solid waste fees due to rising costs

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Putnam County residents could soon see a separate solid waste fee appear on their property tax bills as county leaders look for new ways to fund rising garbage collection and convenience center costs while lessening pressure on property taxes.
Eatonton Mayor John Reid (left) and Putnam County Commission Chairman Bill Sharp presided together last month over a meeting to determine a T-SPLOST funds distribution plan. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton Mayor John Reid (left) and Putnam County Commission Chairman Bill Sharp presided together last month over a meeting to determine a T-SPLOST funds distribution plan. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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County, city officials agree on T-SPLOST plan

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Putnam County and City of Eatonton officials met on June 30 at the county commission building to discuss plans to continue the one-percent Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST), which is designated for future transportation and capital improvement projects.
A few lights were out but the message remained clear Friday night as a drone show lit up the night sky over the Putnam County Recreation Center. IAN TOCHER/Staff

A few lights were out but the message remained clear Friday night as a drone show lit up the night sky over the Putnam County Recreation Center. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Drones deliver sky-high spectacle over Eatonton

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Four hundred synchronized drones transformed the night sky into a patriotic mosaic Friday night above the ballfields at the Putnam County Recreation Center.
Justin Flynn

Justin Flynn

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Heated confrontation leads to three arrests

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Holiday crowds and a heat index in the triple digits do not always make a good combination. It apparently became downright unpleasant for two families and two deputies on July 4th.
Putnam County citizens react to a 3-2 vote by the county’s planning-andzoning commission to allow Wisconsin-based Putnam County Stone to withdraw its initial quarry permit application “without prejudice.” IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County citizens react to a 3-2 vote by the county’s planning-andzoning commission to allow Wisconsin-based Putnam County Stone to withdraw its initial quarry permit application “without prejudice.” IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Seeing Red: P&Z approves quarry application withdrawal

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
The Putnam County Planning & Zoning Commission voted 3-2 last Thursday night to allow Putnam County Stone (PCS) to withdraw its controversial granite quarry rezoning application without prejudice.
Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Putnam teen’s death associated with drowning

Lynn Hobbs
Sunday, July 5, 2026
A Putnam County teen who was rescued from the bottom of Lake Sinclair Saturday night succumbed to his injuries Sunday at a Macon hospital. Kayden Weathers, 13, of Long Shoals Road, died at 4:17 p.m.
Habersham man found in Lake Sinclair

Habersham man found in Lake Sinclair

Habersham man found in Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, July 3, 2026
A man who was staying with friends on Lake Sinclair for the holiday was found presumably drowned Friday afternoon, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.The body of David Hoyt Glass, 34 of Mt. Airy, Georgia, was discovered by Georgia DNR officers using sonar.
C. Blayne May

C. Blayne May

Local prosecutors elected to State Bar of Georgia board

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney C. Blayne May of Greensboro was elected, and his fellow Assistant District Attorney Stephen R. Morris of Madison was re-elected to serve on the Board of Governors of the 56,000-member State Bar of Georgia. They were installed on June 13.
PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD Can Trailer Captain Alvin Yeoman looks forward to delivering another full load of empty aluminum cans to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation’s R.E.A.C.H. program. CONTRIBUTED

PCFD promotes Project R.E.A.C.H.

News Staff
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
The Putnam County Fire Department is among 29 fire departments in Georgia participating in Project R.E.A.C.H. (Recycling Every Aluminum Can Helps), a statewide recycling initiative administered by the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.
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