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Law enforcement and rescuers search Lake Oconee for a boater who has been missing since Saturday. (Photo taken and contributed by Casey Brady)

Law enforcement and rescuers search Lake Oconee for a boater who has been missing since Saturday. (Photo taken and contributed by Casey Brady)

New details revealed as search continues for missing boater

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, February 14, 2025
The search for Gary Larson Jones continued Friday, Feb. 14, on Lake Oconee by multiple law enforcement and emergency rescue agencies.
This photo of the unoccupied boat is how Jeff Everett learned of the couple that is presumed drowned in Lake Oconee.

This photo of the unoccupied boat is how Jeff Everett learned of the couple that is presumed drowned in Lake Oconee.

Putnam Sheriff takes over investigation of boating incident on Lake Oconee

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 13, 2025
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has now taken over the investigation of the abandoned boat found Saturday on Lake Oconee, the woman whose body was recovered by the Dept. of Natural Resources game wardens, and the missing man who was believed to have been with her on the boat.
Outbreaks of bird flu have contributed to the high price of eggs. STOCK PHOTO

Outbreaks of bird flu have contributed to the high price of eggs. STOCK PHOTO

State lifts poultry suspension after bird flu outbreak

Dave Williams
Thursday, February 13, 2025
The state Department of Agriculture has lifted a suspension of poultry activities in Georgia following the successful completion of testing for bird flu with no additional detections.Two cases of avian influenza (HPAI) were discovered last month in commercial poultry flocks in Elbert County.
Cathy Mize of Putnam Reads. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Cathy Mize of Putnam Reads. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam Reads partners with Parton’s Imagination Library

Ian Tocher
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Formerly part of the nationwide Ferst Readers organization, which started in nearby Morgan County by delivering new, age-appropriate books to young schoolchildren each month, Putnam Reads recently broke away to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides a similar service.
BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

One dead, one missing in Lake Oconee boating incident

Lynn Hobbs
Sunday, February 9, 2025
The body of a woman who is believed to have drowned was recovered in Lake Oconee by Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources law enforcement officers Sunday morning, and they are still searching for the man she may have been with.
David Spivey

David Spivey

Man charged with felony for multiple store thefts

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 6, 2025
A Milledgeville man with a record of shoplifting ended up in Putnam County jail after he committed the act one too many times, according to police records. He was stopped by store personnel as he tried to leave in a motorized shopping cart.A few weeks earlier, on Dec.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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ER nurse injured in crash

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 6, 2025
A Putnam County EMT and local nurse was severely injured in a car crash on her way to work recently.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Angela Franklin, 58, lost control of her vehicle during the recent ice storm while driving to her job in the emergency department at Putnam General Hospital.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills

Sheriff Sills considers impact of immigration

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 6, 2025
The Eatonton Messenger sat down with Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills to find out how or if he anticipates his office will be affected by President Donald Trump’s proclamation to close the southern border and deport undocumented residents who reside in or pass through Putnam County.
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