News

Approximately 150 local residents participated in a march Jan. 15 to acknowledge Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a march to and from the Putnam County Courthouse from Ebeneezer Baptist Church near downtown Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Approximately 150 local residents participated in a march Jan. 15 to acknowledge Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a march to and from the Putnam County Courthouse from Ebeneezer Baptist Church near downtown Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

The Eatonton Messenger's Year in Photos

The Eatonton Messenger
Thursday, January 2, 2025
The Eatonton Messenger presents a gallery of 2024's best photos featured in the newspaper.
Newly-elected Putnam County Board of Education District Four representative Charles Trumbo and his wife, Joelle, share a laugh with Judge Brenda Trammell just before he is sworn in. CONTRIBUTED/Alyssa Martinez

Newly-elected Putnam County Board of Education District Four representative Charles Trumbo and his wife, Joelle, share a laugh with Judge Brenda Trammell just before he is sworn in. CONTRIBUTED/Alyssa Martinez

Elected officials take their oaths

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, January 2, 2025
They’re all legal now.Putnam County’s 12 recently elected officials took their oaths for their respective offices Monday, Dec. 23, in the main courtroom at Putnam County Courthouse. The oaths were administered by Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Brenda H.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

More arrests, charges in Waffle House shooting

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, December 26, 2024
The investigation of the shooting at the Waffle House in Eatonton is now in its eighth week. Recently, another arrest was made, and more charges were added to previous arrests this week, bringing the total arrests to four.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Georgia unemployment up slightly in November

Dave Williams
Thursday, December 26, 2024
The state Department of Labor reported Thursday that Georgia's unemployment rate rose slightly last month but remains lower than the national rate.Georgia's unemployment rate for November was 3.7%, up from 3.6% in October and half a percentage point below the national rate.
Leon Culver Kelly

Leon Culver Kelly

Putnam inmate killed in state facility in Macon

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, December 26, 2024
A longtime Putnam County man was killed in a state prison recently, according to authorities.According to his obituary, Leon Culver Kelly, 47, of Eatonton, died Monday, Dec. 9, leaving his family and friends to cherish his memory.
L-R: Newly elected District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney, District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, Commissioner Jeff Wooten of District 4, retiring Putnam County Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Alford, County Chairman Bill Sharp, and District 3 Commissioner Dr. Steve Hersey stepped forward for Alford’s retirement recognition. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Newly elected District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney, District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, Commissioner Jeff Wooten of District 4, retiring Putnam County Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Alford, County Chairman Bill Sharp, and District 3 Commissioner Dr. Steve Hersey stepped forward for Alford’s retirement recognition. IAN TOCHER/Staff

County commission concludes 2024 with marathon meeting

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Last Tuesday, the final Putnam County Commission meeting of the year, and the last for outgoing District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, was extended to nearly two and a half hours.
Taylor Borders and her daughter, Autumn (far left), were the first in line on the sidewalk at Whataburger for the ribboncutting ceremony, which earned Borders free weekly Whataburger meals for a year. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Taylor Borders and her daughter, Autumn (far left), were the first in line on the sidewalk at Whataburger for the ribboncutting ceremony, which earned Borders free weekly Whataburger meals for a year. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Whataburger opens in Eatonton

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Just five months after breaking ground in Eatonton, Whataburger opened on a cool, foggy morning last Wednesday. Located near Walmart and Waffle House alongside Hwy. 441 on the west side of town, Eatonton’s newest fast-food outlet immediately started doing brisk business.
Stephen Mariani

Stephen Mariani

City’s Flock cameras aid in solving crime, arrest

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, December 19, 2024
According to police reports, at 1 a.m., on Thursday, Dec. 12, a black convertible stealthily pulled into a parking space at the Sumter Street Station apartment complex.Two masked men dressed in black got out of the car and silently pulled on the door handles of every vehicle in the parking lot.
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