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With his between-songs patter, Wynn Varble (left) kept his fellow songwriters (and the audience) laughing all night long with humorous stories that inevitably ended in a bizarre, unexpected twist. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With his between-songs patter, Wynn Varble (left) kept his fellow songwriters (and the audience) laughing all night long with humorous stories that inevitably ended in a bizarre, unexpected twist. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Songwriters Night

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Eatonton’s Briarpatch Farm welcomed a large, enthusiastic crowd on Saturday for “Songwriters Night: Love Builds Here,” an evening of live music, community, and generosity in support of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam (HFHP) and its most ambitious project yet.
The GBI was called in to oversee the crime scene at 106 Bob White Circle on Saturday morning, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. CONTRIBUTED

The GBI was called in to oversee the crime scene at 106 Bob White Circle on Saturday morning, which is standard in officer-involved shootings. CONTRIBUTED

Eatonton man dead, Baldwin sheriff’s deputy shot in standoff

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
An Eatonton man was found dead following an exchange of gunfire with a Baldwin County sheriff’s deputy Saturday morning, April 18, according to authorities.Rexell Dallas Rice, 58, of Possum Point Drive, died at the Lake Sinclair home of his ex-wife on Bob White Circle, off Sinclair Marina Road.
Nancy Bell, Chip Bell, and Lyn Romine played major roles in bringing The Smithsonian Institution’s “Voices & Votes: Democracy in America” traveling exhibit to Eatonton. They recently led docent training for the event, too. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Nancy Bell, Chip Bell, and Lyn Romine played major roles in bringing The Smithsonian Institution’s “Voices & Votes: Democracy in America” traveling exhibit to Eatonton. They recently led docent training for the event, too. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Smithsonian exhibit ready for Georgia debut in Eatonton

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
What began as an idea last summer has evolved into a source of hope earlier this year and is now a reality.
Under the watchful eye of Putnam County Elections Supervisor Kim Rudolph (not shown), three new local elections workers were receiving training last Friday afternoon at the county administration building. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Under the watchful eye of Putnam County Elections Supervisor Kim Rudolph (not shown), three new local elections workers were receiving training last Friday afternoon at the county administration building. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Accurate voting requires accurate voter knowledge

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
As Georgia’s general primary approaches, Putnam County Elections Supervisor Kim Rudolph is encouraging voters to double-check their registration information and understand key rules that could affect their participation — not only next month, but in a potential June runoff.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton City Council advances events and local projects

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
The Eatonton City Council moved quickly through its agenda on April 20, approving event permits, advancing a new ordinance on large gatherings, and hearing from a local entrepreneur seeking to open a downtown fitness facility.
Dylan Zamzow

Dylan Zamzow

Making a difference one pint at a time

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
The American Red Cross set up on April 9 at the Lake Oconee Lutheran Church community center alongside Hwy. 44 for its monthly collection from area blood donors.For Red Cross phlebotomist Dylan Zamzow, the work has become both routine and deeply meaningful over his five years on the job.
Former Major League Baseball players (l-r) Mike Fischlin, Stephen Drew, Glenn Hubbard, Bruce Benedict and J.D. Drew pose for photos next to Field 3 at the Greene County Recreation Complex during last year’s Fisch Camp. FILE PHOTO

Former Major League Baseball players (l-r) Mike Fischlin, Stephen Drew, Glenn Hubbard, Bruce Benedict and J.D. Drew pose for photos next to Field 3 at the Greene County Recreation Complex during last year’s Fisch Camp. FILE PHOTO

Fisch Camp returns to Greene County with MLB stars for youth baseball clinic

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Former Major League Baseball player and Greene County resident Mike Fischlin has partnered with the Greene County Recreation Department to host his 3rd annual Fisch Camp, a one-day junior baseball camp. After the success of two prior camps, Fischlin is excited to host the event again.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Commissioners name interim county manager finalists

News Staff
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
According to a press release on Monday afternoon, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners (BOC) has scheduled an executive session to conduct interviews this Friday to fill the position of interim county manager after longstanding County Manager Paul Van Haute recently announced plans to retire.
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