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Gary Phillip McElhenney (FILE PHOTO)

Gary Phillip McElhenney (FILE PHOTO)

County Commissioner McElhenney dies

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Putnam County lost a dedicated public servant Sunday afternoon as District 1 County Commissioner Gary Phillip McElhenney, 77, passed away at Landmark Hospital in Athens following a multi-week hospitalization.McElhenney fell ill late in March and initially was hospitalized at St.
Eric Arena was a reluctant guest of honor May 15 for a retirement party at The Plaza in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eric Arena was a reluctant guest of honor May 15 for a retirement party at The Plaza in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Arena retiring as Putnam schools superintendent

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Eric Arena is retiring after more than 12 years as the superintendent of the Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS).Several of Arena’s colleagues and friends surprised him on May 15 with a party at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton to recognize his contributions and wish him well in the future.
Jeffery Alvis Jr.

Jeffery Alvis Jr.

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No helmet, stolen motorcycle: biker cruises to jail

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Driving an out-of-state motorcycle in Georgia is perfectly legitimate. But one man learned the hard way that riding one while not wearing a helmet is illegal – especially when the motorcycle is stolen.
Willie Reid holds up the sign he received to honor his 56 years of service. CONTRIBTUED

Willie Reid holds up the sign he received to honor his 56 years of service. CONTRIBTUED

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BOE honors bus driver of 56 years

Bailey McCully
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The Putnam County Board of Education honored Superintendent Eric Arena and bus driver Willie Reid on May 20 for their years of service to the Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS).Reid received the Bus Driver of the Year award for his 56 years of driving history with PCCSS.
A good-sized crowd was on hand last Thursday for the official opening of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam’s new ReStore retail outlet. IAN TOCHER/Staff

A good-sized crowd was on hand last Thursday for the official opening of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam’s new ReStore retail outlet. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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New home for Putnam Habitat for Humanity

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
It’s been in the works for two-and-a-half years but officially became a reality last Thursday when Habitat for Humanity of Putnam (HFHP) Board President Bucky Kahl cut the ribbon to open the organization’s new ReStore building at 866 Harmony Rd., Eatonton.
The two-person crew of the “Queen’s Lair” selected a framed wooden print of Lake Sinclair as their Best Decorated runner-up prize.

The two-person crew of the “Queen’s Lair” selected a framed wooden print of Lake Sinclair as their Best Decorated runner-up prize.

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Pirates parade on Lake Sinclair

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Saturday’s overcast weather no doubt hurt the turnout for the 13th annual Pirate Parade on Lake Sinclair, but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits of the 20-odd crews who did show up.Last year’s parade probably had twice as many participants.
GSP Trooper Alan Rhodes holds the gun recovered from underneath the trailer after PCSO Col. Russell Blenk, EPD Chief Howell Cardwell, PCSO Sgt. Justin Brock and Cpl. Chris Donovan had gone under there and gotten the offenders out. CONTRIBUTED/EPD

GSP Trooper Alan Rhodes holds the gun recovered from underneath the trailer after PCSO Col. Russell Blenk, EPD Chief Howell Cardwell, PCSO Sgt. Justin Brock and Cpl. Chris Donovan had gone under there and gotten the offenders out. CONTRIBUTED/EPD

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Chase, manhunt end with two suspects captured

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Two men are in jail after a high-speed chase and manhunt that lasted more than eight hours ended under a residential trailer on May 16, authorities say.“It was one of those good days,” said Putnam County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Col. Russell Blenk. “We had everybody there, other agencies helping us.
The driver of this Toyota Corolla was killed when the car crashed straighton into the Budget Rental box truck Friday afternoon on the Sparta Highway. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

The driver of this Toyota Corolla was killed when the car crashed straighton into the Budget Rental box truck Friday afternoon on the Sparta Highway. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

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Eatonton father killed in head-on collision

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
An Eatonton father was apparently killed in a head-on collision Friday, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Terence Butts, 45, of Eatonton, died in the crash that happened around 3:45 p.m. May 17.
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