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With her birthday matching her zip code – 3-10-24 – Verlia Mae Lockhart celebrated her 100th trip around the sun on Monday with Eatonton City Council members. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With her birthday matching her zip code – 3-10-24 – Verlia Mae Lockhart celebrated her 100th trip around the sun on Monday with Eatonton City Council members. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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City recognizes century citizen; approves cellular subscription

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Eatonton City Council met Monday night and the first order of business was a proclamation recognizing the 100th birthday of resident Verlia Mae Lockhart, who walked to and from the meeting, leaving with a couple of family members shortly after she received honors from Eatonton Mayor John Reid.
The Ford Ranger after it had overturned several times. Driver Jimmy Earnhardt Palmer later died from his injuries. CONTRIBUTED

The Ford Ranger after it had overturned several times. Driver Jimmy Earnhardt Palmer later died from his injuries. CONTRIBUTED

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Single-car crash kills 21-year-old man

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
A 21-year-old Jasper County man was killed in a single-car crash over the weekend in Putnam County, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Votes tallied for bond referendum, presidential primary

Rufus Adair
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Last week’s presidential preference primary and local bond referendum saw only one of every six eligible Putnam County voters cast ballots that approved the sale of up to $22 million in general obligation bonds and – surprise, surprise – backed Joe Biden and Donald Trump as the Democratic and...
NFL star Warrick Dunn with I’Keirra in the living room of her brand-new home. EMME CLAUSE/Staff

NFL star Warrick Dunn with I’Keirra in the living room of her brand-new home. EMME CLAUSE/Staff

Habitat and WDC combine on two furnished homes

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
A Habitat for Humanity (HFH) home represents stability, connection, and love. It is a place for new beginnings and making lifelong memories with family and friends.Last Tuesday, two Putnam families, led by single moms I’Keirra and Barbara, were blessed with new homes and new starts of their own.
Rivian has released its concept drawing of a smaller SUV, the R2, that it will begin building at its Illinois plant instead of its proposed Georgia facility at Stanton Springs North. MOTORTREND.COM

Rivian has released its concept drawing of a smaller SUV, the R2, that it will begin building at its Illinois plant instead of its proposed Georgia facility at Stanton Springs North. MOTORTREND.COM

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Senators question state commissioner on Rivian

Dave Williams
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
The state’s top economic development official expressed disappointment Monday with electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian’s decision to delay building a new plant east of Atlanta but said the company remains committed to Georgia.
The State of Georgia has committed to spending nearly $200 million on improvements to the property it purchased for the Rivian EV manufacturing plant off of I-20 in Morgan and Walton counties, including a frontage road and new exit on the interstate. MARK ENGEL/File photo

The State of Georgia has committed to spending nearly $200 million on improvements to the property it purchased for the Rivian EV manufacturing plant off of I-20 in Morgan and Walton counties, including a frontage road and new exit on the interstate. MARK ENGEL/File photo

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Rivian pulls plug on EV plant, at least for now

Dave Williams
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Rivian announced March 7 that it is delaying indefinitely its plan to build an EV plant east of Atlanta, near Madison. Instead, Rivian said it will initially begin building its new R2 midsize SUV at its present location in Illinois.
Tom Rosseter stands in front of what will soon be the Old School History Museum Wall of Fame, where an inaugural class of 11 Putnam County-based Hall of Fame members will be forever commemorated at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Tom Rosseter stands in front of what will soon be the Old School History Museum Wall of Fame, where an inaugural class of 11 Putnam County-based Hall of Fame members will be forever commemorated at The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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OSHM Wall of Fame to highlight Putnam sports greats

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Tom Rosseter, the man behind the rise of The Plaza Arts Center from the ruins of an old school building, decided almost two years ago that Eatonton needs a proper way to remember and recognize its hall-of-fame-worthy athletic heroes.
U.S. Representative Mike Collins states his case March 7 on the U.S. House of Representatives floor regarding his Laken Riley Act, introduced in response to a brutal murder two weeks earlier at the University of Georgia in Athens. CONTRIBUTED

U.S. Representative Mike Collins states his case March 7 on the U.S. House of Representatives floor regarding his Laken Riley Act, introduced in response to a brutal murder two weeks earlier at the University of Georgia in Athens. CONTRIBUTED

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Bipartisan support pushes Laken Riley Act through U.S. House

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
On March 7 the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 7511, the Laken Riley Act,as legislation to give ICE and state governments more tools in the fight against illegal alien crime. The bill passed 251-170, with 37 Democrats joining all House Republicans in support.
Michael Dakota Poteat

Michael Dakota Poteat

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Putnam County Jail Report (3/14/24)

News Staff
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
MONDAY, MARCH 4Michael Dakota Poteat, 34, of Hogansville – probation violation (possession of stim drugs, possession of firearm by convicted felon)Mark Mayfield Jones, 54, of Eatonton – bench warrant, failure to appear (criminal trespass, family violence)Jamie Leanne Blackmon, 44, of Monticello –...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Sports betting gets first airing in Georgia House

Dave Williams
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Legislation legalizing sports betting in Georgia that the state Senate passed last month got its first hearing Tuesday in the state House of Representatives.Under Senate Bill 386, the Georgia Lottery Corp. would oversee sports betting, awarding licenses to 16 sports betting providers, Sen.
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