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Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Georgia House passes fishing rights bill

Dave Williams
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Legislation guaranteeing Georgians the right to hunt and fish in the state's navigable rivers and streams cleared the Georgia House Monday. House Bill 1172, which passed 107-60, is a follow-up to a bill the General Assembly passed on the final day of last year's legislative session.
Perhaps in the 1940s, Black residents gather at H.H. Park’s Grocery on the corner of South Jefferson and Marion Street in Eatonton, current site of the Maggie Lane womenswear shop. This may have been on a weekend when local people traditionally dressed up for a trip into town. CONTRIBUTED

Perhaps in the 1940s, Black residents gather at H.H. Park’s Grocery on the corner of South Jefferson and Marion Street in Eatonton, current site of the Maggie Lane womenswear shop. This may have been on a weekend when local people traditionally dressed up for a trip into town. CONTRIBUTED

History celebrated in Eatonton

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Two meetings were held in Eatonton last week, the first on Monday at the downtown Georgia Writers Museum and then on Saturday at historic Butler-Baker School on Alice Walker Drive, to remember and discuss Black life in Eatonton and Putnam County by those who lived it, primarily through the 1950s to...
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Bond referendum required for road resurfacings

Rufus Adair
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Getting more for less – that is, more road resurfacing for less money – marks the major hope behind the financial juggling in the Putnam Board of Commissioners’ March 12 referendum seeking voter approval for a maximum $22-million sale of general obligation (G.O.) bonds.
Lajuan Evans

Lajuan Evans

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Murderer gets life with possibility of parole

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Jurors deliberated a little more than one hour before returning a guilty verdict on the man who fatally shot another man at the Shell Food Mart in Eatonton last summer.
Image provided by Google

Image provided by Google

Time to vote in Putnam County

Rufus Adair
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Putnam County voters were slow to go to the polls in the first week of the early voting phase for Georgia’s March 12 “Super Tuesday” presidential preference primary – even with a $24.5-million local bond referendum on the ballot as a spur.
BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

Jury finds Covington man guilty of murder

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
A Putnam County jury returned with a guilty verdict for the man who was accused of shooting to death Frederick Lamar Scott Jr. at the Shell Food Mart last summer. Lajuan Peire Evans, 25, of Covington, was found guilty of malice murder and other related charges this afternoon, Wednesday, Feb.
A House Bill would open the door for customers to purchase solar power. STOCK ART

A House Bill would open the door for customers to purchase solar power. STOCK ART

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Georgia lawmakers take up community solar bill

Dave Williams
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Legislation that would let Georgia Power customers buy electricity from third-party providers of solar energy got a first hearing in the General Assembly on Monday.
State Senator Rick Williams/CONTRIBUTED

State Senator Rick Williams/CONTRIBUTED

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Williams confirms reelection bid for state senate seat

State Sen. Rick Williams
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
State Senator Rick Williams officially confirmed on Feb. 19 that he will seek reelection to the State Senate to continue representing District 25. Senate District 25 includes all of Baldwin, Butts, Jasper, Jones, and Putnam counties, as well as parts of Henry and Bibb counties.
Lajuan Evans

Lajuan Evans

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Jury trial in progress for Shell Station murder

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
A murder trial is underway this week in Putnam County Superior Court with a panel of jurors hearing presentations by attorneys regarding the shooting death of 32-year-old Frederick Lamar Scott, Jr. of Eatonton.
Twelve members of the 2024 Eatonton Youth Leadership Class from Gatewood and Putnam High Schools line up behind Eatonton City Council members during a Feb. 19 council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Twelve members of the 2024 Eatonton Youth Leadership Class from Gatewood and Putnam High Schools line up behind Eatonton City Council members during a Feb. 19 council meeting. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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City council considers beautification, buildings and booze

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Eatonton City Council met Monday night and opened with the introduction of the 2024 Eatonton Youth Leadership Class by Councilmember Janie Reid.
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