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Traffic backed up on US 441. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Traffic backed up on US 441. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Three dead after pickup crashes into 18-wheeler

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills has released the names of the victims of the fatal crash.The driver of the pickup was Derek William Stevens, 35, of Alto; the passengers were Johnathan Tyler Haney, 25, of Clermont, and Brysten David Lee Stevens, 18, of Flowery Branch.
L-R: Conyers Honor Flight representatives Delores Thrash and Tony Wilson join VFW Thrift Store Manager Nikki Barker on The Plaza stage with Roger Jennings, Bob Long, and Randy Fabricius of Middle Georgia Honor Flight as they receive donations for Honor Flights scheduled later this year. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Conyers Honor Flight representatives Delores Thrash and Tony Wilson join VFW Thrift Store Manager Nikki Barker on The Plaza stage with Roger Jennings, Bob Long, and Randy Fabricius of Middle Georgia Honor Flight as they receive donations for Honor Flights scheduled later this year. CONTRIBUTED

Eatonton VFW prepares for 2025 Honor Flights

News Staff
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The Eatonton Veterans Thrift Store hosted a check presentation ceremony for the Middle Georgia Honor Flight and Honor Flight of Conyers on Thursday evening at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton, followed by an information session on how to get involved with the honor flights.
Filmmaker Joel Fendelman said he was surprised by some of the subtleties of rural Indiana life he encountered and recorded while making the documentary “North Putnam.” CONTRIBUTED

Filmmaker Joel Fendelman said he was surprised by some of the subtleties of rural Indiana life he encountered and recorded while making the documentary “North Putnam.” CONTRIBUTED

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‘North Putnam’ film reflects local issues

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
The sixth and final installment of The Southern Circuit Film Tour passed through The Plaza Arts Center last Wednesday night with the showing of “North Putnam,” a film about a small, rural town in mid-Indiana and its high school, which in some ways may seem familiar to those in its Georgia namesake...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Women arrested for public affray

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
While out on patrol last week, Eatonton Police Department officer Kevin Malloy reportedly saw two women punching out their differences on the sidewalk.Malloy wrote in his incident report that he was driving south on Martin Luther King Jr.
Ricardo Hernandez Matio

Ricardo Hernandez Matio

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Traffic stop yields bag of cocaine

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
A man who was stopped by Eatonton police for running a red light ended up in jail for cocaine possession and other charges.
Firefighter Denise Hill and Fire Chief Jamey Williamson share the story of the search for the missing man who, ironically, Hill had just met the day before he got lost. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Firefighter Denise Hill and Fire Chief Jamey Williamson share the story of the search for the missing man who, ironically, Hill had just met the day before he got lost. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Man lost in brush found safe by firefighter

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
A lost Eatonton man was found safe a few hours after he was reported missing. The timing of his rescue seemed preordained, as his rescuer had just met him the day before.James Timothy Smith, 48, was last seen when he purchased some groceries from Ingles in Eatonton around 3:30 p.m.
Putnam County School Superintendent Derick Austin recognizes the Student of the Month of each school, from left, Hannah Erickson (PC High School), Zoe Almanza Patino (PC Primary School), Charles Jones (PC Middle School), and Myles Treadwell (PC Elementary School). Each student was celebrated at Monday night’s board of education meeting and recognized along with their family members. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County School Superintendent Derick Austin recognizes the Student of the Month of each school, from left, Hannah Erickson (PC High School), Zoe Almanza Patino (PC Primary School), Charles Jones (PC Middle School), and Myles Treadwell (PC Elementary School). Each student was celebrated at Monday night’s board of education meeting and recognized along with their family members. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

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BOE discusses new bus, personnel, school, camps

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Putnam County School Board members jumped early on the proverbial school bus at Monday night’s meeting and agreed to purchase a new bus before auto parts import tariffs increased the price.“The money is in the budget in transportation funds ….
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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County department wish lists – Part II

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
In a work session on April 11 at the county commission building, Putnam County department heads and representatives made their pitches before the Putnam County Board of Commissioners, explaining projects and/or acquisitions they would like to see funded over the next six years if a successful,...
The Pilot Club of Eatonton has announced that plans and preparations are well underway for the Dairy Festival 2025, to be held on Saturday, June 7. CONTRIBUTED

The Pilot Club of Eatonton has announced that plans and preparations are well underway for the Dairy Festival 2025, to be held on Saturday, June 7. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Dairy Festival returns to Eatonton in June

News Staff
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Beginning in 1953, Putnam County recognized its local dairy farmers and their contributions to the community at the annual Putnam County Dairy Festival.The Dairy Festival has always been held in June because it coincides with National Dairy Month.
Putnam County Clerk of Courts Trevor Addison (left), with his wife Pelar (pronounced “Pil-arr”) holding a family Bible, was sworn in Feb. 25 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp while the governor was holding the hand of Addison’s young daughter, Cora Rose. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Clerk of Courts Trevor Addison (left), with his wife Pelar (pronounced “Pil-arr”) holding a family Bible, was sworn in Feb. 25 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp while the governor was holding the hand of Addison’s young daughter, Cora Rose. CONTRIBUTED

Governor names Addison to statewide appointment

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
By executive order, Governor Brian Kemp announced on Jan. 6 that he had appointed Putnam County Clerk of Courts Trevor Addison to the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) board. Accompanied by his wife, Pelar, and 18-month-old daughter, Cora Rose, Addison was sworn in Feb.
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