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Georgia Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock introduced the American Family Act last week. CONTRIBUTED

Georgia Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock introduced the American Family Act last week. CONTRIBUTED

Warnock introduces child tax credit expansion

News Staff
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Georgia Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock introduced the American Family Act last week, a piece of legislation that would nearly double the annual Child Tax Credit (CTC). The bill would also provide a new $2,400, one-time “Baby Bonus” for newborns.
A Ford F150 driven by 21-year-old Omar Palacos-Balderas shows severe damage from an early Friday morning crash into parked construction equipment alongside Hwy. 441 north of Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

A Ford F150 driven by 21-year-old Omar Palacos-Balderas shows severe damage from an early Friday morning crash into parked construction equipment alongside Hwy. 441 north of Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Vehicle crash with bulldozer is a mystery

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A Milledgeville man was taken by ambulance to a hospital in serious condition Friday morning after his pickup crashed head-on into a piece of road construction equipment.
Yellow crime tape surrounds the burned mobile home on East Marion Street Monday. The left side of the home was completely burned away, and the rest of the interior gutted and/or charred by the flames. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Yellow crime tape surrounds the burned mobile home on East Marion Street Monday. The left side of the home was completely burned away, and the rest of the interior gutted and/or charred by the flames. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

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Blaze that razed home under investigation

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
A house fire that destroyed a home in Eatonton on Sunday morning is under investigation, officials say.Eatonton Fire Department was called out to the 400 block of East Marion Street about 1:30 a.m. April 13, Eatonton Fire Chief Jamey Williamson said.
Putnam General Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Pam Douglas with Chief of Staff Dr. Dan Bennett addressed Putnam County commissioners last week. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam General Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Pam Douglas with Chief of Staff Dr. Dan Bennett addressed Putnam County commissioners last week. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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County departments’ wish lists are long and expensive

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
In a work session last Friday at the county commission building, Putnam County department heads and representatives made their pitches before the County Board of Commissioners, explaining projects and/or acquisitions they would like to see funded over the next six years if a successful, renewed...
L-R: District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten speaks as Dr. Steve Hersey (Dist. 3), Richard Garrett (Dist. 2), Tom McElhenney (Dist. 1), Commission Chair Bill Sharp, County Attorney Adam Nelson, and County Manager Paul Van Haute look on April 4 during a scheduled commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: District 4 Commissioner Jeff Wooten speaks as Dr. Steve Hersey (Dist. 3), Richard Garrett (Dist. 2), Tom McElhenney (Dist. 1), Commission Chair Bill Sharp, County Attorney Adam Nelson, and County Manager Paul Van Haute look on April 4 during a scheduled commission meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Commissioners vote down construction moratorium

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners held its first of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings on April 4, ultimately dominated by discussion of a 90-day moratorium on issuing building permits in District 3, proposed by Commissioner Steve Hersey.
Lisa Simmons, co-owner of The Meat Locker with her husband Darin beside her, makes the official ribbon cut April 4 with Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce President Robbie King (in sunglasses) looking on. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Lisa Simmons, co-owner of The Meat Locker with her husband Darin beside her, makes the official ribbon cut April 4 with Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce President Robbie King (in sunglasses) looking on. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The Meat Locker officially arrives in Putnam County

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Though operating for more than a month now, The Meat Locker held its official ribbon cutting last Friday, jointly hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce and its Baldwin-based counterpart.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Single-car wreck claims life on Pea Ridge Road

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A Putnam County man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday. Authorities say the cause of the crash is unknown.Ryan Ramey, 40, of Cold Branch Road, was found deceased in his pickup truck by a deputy, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. There were no other people in the vehicle.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Developers, department heads discuss Harmony Road project

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Leaders of Putnam County’s various departments met April 3 to go over the plans for the Commercial Planned Unit Development, known as Goodwill of Middle Georgia’s Helms Farm campus, with the developers.
Dimas S. Ruiz

Dimas S. Ruiz

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Coworker charged for murder at Plantation Quail

T. Michael Stone
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A Greensboro man is being charged with murder after a shooting at the Plantation Quail business on Highway 15 between Greensboro and Siloam on April 4.According to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and officers with the Greensboro Police Department responded to 1940 Hwy.
Quirino V. Boles

Quirino V. Boles

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Voting fraud charge lands man in jail

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
An Eatonton man is in jail facing voter fraud charges, according to authorities.Quirino Voncell Boles, 44, of Hudson Drive, was arrested and held in Putnam County jail on Feb. 27 on the charges of false swearing, voting by an unqualified elector or giving false information, and probation violation.
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