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L-R: Superintendent Derick Austin named the March students of the month: Jai Hargrove, Abby Mashburn, Cobee Parham, and Jackson Stevenson. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Superintendent Derick Austin named the March students of the month: Jai Hargrove, Abby Mashburn, Cobee Parham, and Jackson Stevenson. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County BOE hears updates and appreciation

Alivia Blanton
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) approved routine agenda items, recognized students and staff, and reviewed district initiatives on March 16 and 23, during scheduled bi-monthly meetings.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Georgia Senate votes for rapid move to hand-marked paper ballots

Mark Niesse
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
A proposal for a quick switch to hand-marked paper ballots cleared the Georgia Senate on Friday, an idea that election officials say would disrupt this year’s elections.The Senate’s 32-21 party-line vote sets up a showdown over competing bills that would change Georgia’s voting system.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Georgia Senate puts its stamp on 2026-27 budget

Ty Tagami
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Georgia Senate approved its version of the $38.5 billion fiscal year 2027 budget Friday, sending it to the state House for negotiations over the disagreements.The House started the budget process, passing its version earlier this month.
Shortly after his Putnam High School stop, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves (right) visited Eatonton Mayor John Reid and his wife, Janie, at their SIPS 31024 coffee shop in downtown Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Shortly after his Putnam High School stop, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves (right) visited Eatonton Mayor John Reid and his wife, Janie, at their SIPS 31024 coffee shop in downtown Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Esteves to students: Dare to dream; but put in the work

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
At six-foot-six, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jason Esteves literally towered over a roomful of students last Friday at Putnam County High School. But he didn’t begin his pitch with talk of policy or politics.Instead, he started with a story. His own.
As usual, the fight begins on “The Jerry Springer Show.” LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

As usual, the fight begins on “The Jerry Springer Show.” LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

LCP presents two one-act plays

Leigh Lofgren
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The Lake Country Players performed two one-act plays in its latest production, which ended Sunday at Festival Hall in Greensboro.Directed by Mo Brower and Art Shutt, “Mere Mortals” and “I Hate Shakespeare!
Members of Putnam County High School’s Service Leadership Class prepared and served an extensive buffet meal at the Butler-Baker Alumni Project’s annual Luncheon of Remembrance. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Members of Putnam County High School’s Service Leadership Class prepared and served an extensive buffet meal at the Butler-Baker Alumni Project’s annual Luncheon of Remembrance. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Class still in session at Butler-Baker School

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Alumni, family members, and community supporters gathered last Saturday at Eatonton’s historic Butler-Baker School for the Butler-Baker Alumni Project Inc.’s (BBAPI) annual Luncheon of Remembrance — an event honoring the legacy of Putnam County’s historically Black school.
Within Putnam County, the Georgia Transmission project will include a series of large, lattice-style, steel structures, each standing between 100 and 150 feet tall and spaced about 1,200 feet apart. Overall, 203 structures are planned for the full 46.5-mile route across three counties, with many already in place, awaiting assembly. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Within Putnam County, the Georgia Transmission project will include a series of large, lattice-style, steel structures, each standing between 100 and 150 feet tall and spaced about 1,200 feet apart. Overall, 203 structures are planned for the full 46.5-mile route across three counties, with many already in place, awaiting assembly. IAN TOCHER/Staff

High-voltage lines being built through Putnam County

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
A major high-voltage transmission project currently under construction by Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) across central Georgia will bring new infrastructure through Putnam County as part of a broader regional power upgrade.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Driver dies in single-vehicle accident

News Staff
Monday, March 30, 2026
An Eatonton man was killed while driving home from work this morning, authorities say.Emergency personnel found that Kyle Philip Richardson had already died when they arrived on scene at the accident at 8:07 a.m., according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.
Carlton Wright

Carlton Wright

Credit card fraud grounds Wright brothers

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Two brothers were arrested for using their employer’s credit cards to buy gasoline totaling $7,750 for themselves and their family and friends, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.
Putnam County Fire Department firefighters extinguish what was left of a fire that burned this detatched garage to the ground last week. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Fire Department firefighters extinguish what was left of a fire that burned this detatched garage to the ground last week. CONTRIBUTED

Fire takes boat, Harley and hay

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, March 26, 2026
A Putnam County resident lost his boat and motorcycle in a fire last week, and a farmer lost some hay in a different fire, Putnam County Fire Chief Thomas McClain said.A field on Little Circle was being burned to clear out sagebrush when the fire spread into nearby hayfields.
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