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Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Kemp signs $36.1 billion state budget, a $3.7B increase

Dave Williams
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Gov. Brian Kemp signed what he called an “historic” $36.1 billion state budget Tuesday, which contains healthy raises for state employees and public school teachers.The fiscal 2025 budget, which takes effect July 1, represents an increase of $3.
Eddie W. Crawford Jr.

Eddie W. Crawford Jr.

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Convicted child molester’s appeal denied

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Eddie William Crawford Jr. will continue to spend the rest of his life in prison now that the Georgia Court of Appeals upheld his 2016 conviction.On Nov. 22, 2016, Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Alison T. Burleson sentenced Crawford to life in prison for child molestation.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills shows the samurai sword that was used in a recent attack on a man and his vehicle. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills shows the samurai sword that was used in a recent attack on a man and his vehicle. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

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Sword-swinging man jailed for aggravated assault

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
An Eatonton man is in jail after he tried to attack someone with a samurai sword, according to authorities.
Administrative Law Judge Charles R. Beaudrot determined that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs did not present enough evidence to warrant closing down Savannah Court at Lake Oconee Senior Care Center in Greensboro. (MARK ENGEL/Staff)

Administrative Law Judge Charles R. Beaudrot determined that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs did not present enough evidence to warrant closing down Savannah Court at Lake Oconee Senior Care Center in Greensboro. (MARK ENGEL/Staff)

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Savannah Court at Lake Oconee will remain open

Mark Engel
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
In a ruling handed down Friday afternoon, Administrative Law Judge Charles R. Beaudrot determined that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs did not present enough evidence to warrant closing down Savannah Court at Lake Oconee Senior Care Center in Greensboro.
The PCFCC group pretends to wash an elephant while two others wait outside. This activity is meant to show how when students miss school, they may be confused and left out when they return. EMME CLAUSE/Staff

The PCFCC group pretends to wash an elephant while two others wait outside. This activity is meant to show how when students miss school, they may be confused and left out when they return. EMME CLAUSE/Staff

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PCFCC addresses student absenteeism

Emme Clause
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The Putnam County Family Connection Collaborative (PCFCC) met for its monthly meeting on April 17 at The Plaza Arts Center reception hall, where approximately 15 community members involved in education, healthcare, local business, and more discussed rising rates of student absenteeism.
Leland Olinger contends that legalization would lead to fewer crimes and overall savings to the state. CONTRIBUTED

Leland Olinger contends that legalization would lead to fewer crimes and overall savings to the state. CONTRIBUTED

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Senate candidate focuses on marijuana legalization

Greenberry Moore
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Leland Olinger knows he isn’t your typical candidate for a state legislative seat, and a look at a photo of him tends to support that conclusion. However, the Senate hopeful says his message goes beyond his physical appearance.“The way I look gets people’s attention,” Olinger said recently.
Cheryl Leanne Watson

Cheryl Leanne Watson

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Putnam County Jail Report (5/2/24)

News Staff
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
MONDAY, APRIL 22Cheryl Leanne Watson, 42, of Eatonton – probation violation (possession of firearm by a convicted felon, possession of meth with intent to distribute, possession of drug-related object Jordan Harold Jackson, 20, of Augusta – sale of a Schedule I or II controlled substance, THC Delta...
A wrangler tries to rope a bull. (LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff)

A wrangler tries to rope a bull. (LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff)

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Pro rodeo rides into town

Story And Photos By Leigh Lofgren
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
The 25th annual Greene County Livestock Association and Greene Country 4H Pro Rodeo appeared at the Greene County AG Expo Center Apr. 26-27 on Weldon Smith Drive in Greensboro.
Eatonton Fire Department Chief Jamey Williamson holds one of the new 5-inch hose fittings he’s already received to replace the current 3-inch fittings (red fixture by his right hip). Now, he’s just awaiting delivery of new 5-inch fire hoses to install everything on the department’s trucks. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton Fire Department Chief Jamey Williamson holds one of the new 5-inch hose fittings he’s already received to replace the current 3-inch fittings (red fixture by his right hip). Now, he’s just awaiting delivery of new 5-inch fire hoses to install everything on the department’s trucks. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Fireworks grant lets EFD go with the flow

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
When the state of Georgia made consumer fireworks legal in July 2015, legislators also directed some of the new fireworks’ tax revenue be made available via grants to fire departments around the state.
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