News

Keith Cormican talks to news reporters Sunday after he found Gary Jones’s body. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Keith Cormican talks to news reporters Sunday after he found Gary Jones’s body. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Body of missing boater recovered

Lynn Hobbs
Sunday, March 9, 2025
The body of Gary Jones was recovered about noon Sunday, March 9, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.Keith Cormican, of Bruce’s Legacy of Wisconsin, found Jones’s body on the 29th day of the search.
Surrounded by family and friends at high noon on Saturday, Eatonton Mayor John Reid with his wife and city councilmember Janie Reid (center), cut the ribbon to Sips, their new coffee shop and restaurant at 104 E. Marion St., in downtown Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Surrounded by family and friends at high noon on Saturday, Eatonton Mayor John Reid with his wife and city councilmember Janie Reid (center), cut the ribbon to Sips, their new coffee shop and restaurant at 104 E. Marion St., in downtown Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Sips 31024 becomes Eatonton’s latest eatery

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Sips 31024 Coffee Café held its official Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday at noon, surrounded by a crowd of more than 30 well-wishers that included family, friends, fellow business owners, and several local government officials from both the city and county.“We’re happy.
A driver who ran a red light at the intersection of Pea Ridge Road, Twin Bridges Road and U.S. Hwy. 441 crashed into this car. Air bags apparently saved the car’s occupants from being seriously injured. MATT SMITH/Staff

A driver who ran a red light at the intersection of Pea Ridge Road, Twin Bridges Road and U.S. Hwy. 441 crashed into this car. Air bags apparently saved the car’s occupants from being seriously injured. MATT SMITH/Staff

Driver cited for running red light on 441

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Three people, including two infants, were taken to the hospital for complaints of injuries following a vehicle crash Thursday, Feb. 27, according to Putnam County Sheriff’s Office reports.
A large group of parishioners and church officials participated Sunday in a groundbreaking ceremony for construction to double the size of Lakeside Baptist Church alongside Hwy. 441 in southern Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

A large group of parishioners and church officials participated Sunday in a groundbreaking ceremony for construction to double the size of Lakeside Baptist Church alongside Hwy. 441 in southern Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lakeside Baptist readies for year of construction

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Putnam County’s Lakeside Baptist Church, less than a mile north of Lake Sinclair on the east side of Hwy. 441, is about to double in size. The church held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the occasion this past Sunday as part of its weekly service led by Senior Pastor Tim Oliver.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Georgia lawmakers adopt record mid-year budget

Dave Williams
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
The General Assembly passed a record $40.5 billion mid-year budget on Monday, prioritizing hurricane relief and prisons.The mid-year budget, which covers state spending through June 30, passed the Georgia House of Representatives 168-5 and the state Senate 55-1.It increases state spending by $4.
Both Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters responded to Wednesday’s blaze on Mulberry Street in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Both Eatonton and Putnam County firefighters responded to Wednesday’s blaze on Mulberry Street in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Fire destroys three houses in Eatonton

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
According to Eatonton Fire Department Chief Jamey Williamson, last week, firefighters responded to fires at three different houses last week, according to Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson. All three buildings were vacant, and no one was injured.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills pilots a patrol boat Saturday, while Detective J.D. Turk closely watches the water on Lake Oconee in search of presumed drowned victim Gary Jones. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills pilots a patrol boat Saturday, while Detective J.D. Turk closely watches the water on Lake Oconee in search of presumed drowned victim Gary Jones. CONTRIBUTED

Search efforts for Jones scaled back

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Search efforts for the body of Gary Jones in Lake Oconee using dogs and divers have been suspended until further notice, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills announced Sunday.“Georgia DNR game wardens and Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies will continue to conduct shoreline searches daily,” he added.
(Stock photo)

(Stock photo)

Burning leaf pile becomes a wildfire

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Breezy conditions yesterday, combined with low humidity, caused an intentional fire to get out of control quickly. The fire started on a pile of leaves in a residential yard. A resident of Steel Bridge Court was burning leaves in their yard when the fire crept from the leaf pile to a large barn.
The house caught fire on Wednesday morning. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The house caught fire on Wednesday morning. IAN TOCHER/Staff

BREAKING: Two blazes keep firefighters busy

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
The air within the city of Eatonton was smoky on Feb. 26 due to two fires happening simultaneously, but Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson said everything is contained.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Putnam residents lose $100K-plus to scammers

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
In less than two months, scammers have stolen more than $100,000 from people in Putnam County, according to Sheriff Howard Sills.“There has been an extraordinary increase in scam callers in our community over the last several weeks,” he said. “Since Jan.
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