Howard Sills

CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

Speed, traffic volume being tracked over safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, December 5, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads. Sills said he’s looking into possibly reducing the speed limits.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Juveniles nabbed for throwing rocks at vehicles

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Two Putnam County juveniles were arrested last week in connection with several incidents of vehicles damaged by rocks thrown, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.The two boys are each 14 years old; authorities are not identifying them due to their age. They were arrested Friday, Nov.
Amanda Swearingen

Amanda Swearingen

Eatonton woman killed in UTV accident; 2 injured

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, November 20, 2025
An Eatonton woman was killed early Saturday, Nov. 15, in a UTV accident, according to authorities.Amanda Swearingen, 43, died when the Polaris UTV she was driving went off the road and overturned, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Woman killed in ATV accident

Lynn Hobbs
Saturday, November 15, 2025
An Eatonton woman was killed early Saturday in an ATV accident, according to authorities.Amanda Swearingen, 43, died when the Polaris UTV she was driving went off the road and overturned, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Personal watercraft crash on Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
A crash between two personal watercraft resulted in one teen being flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital for injuries, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.The crash happened around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, on the Putnam County side of Lake Sinclair.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Milledgeville man dies in crash with log truck

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
A Milledgeville man lost his life early Tuesday morning when his vehicle crashed into a log truck, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Micky Lee Bartlett, 51, had already died when emergency workers arrived at the scene of the crash; Coroner Hollis Harrison pronounced him dead at 7:15 a.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills’ facial expression doesn’t hide his feelings on this holstered BB gun pistol and altered law enforcement badge used in several crimes in and around Putnam County. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills’ facial expression doesn’t hide his feelings on this holstered BB gun pistol and altered law enforcement badge used in several crimes in and around Putnam County. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Two arrested in investigation of burglaries, thefts, counterfeits

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
A four-month rash of burglaries, mail thefts, identity fraud, and shoplifting reportedly came to an end last week with the arrest of two men in Putnam County. And although many arrests are made without incident, these two were anything but, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Tubing accident sends 7-year-old to hospital

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
A seven-year-old girl was injured in a tubing accident on Lake Oconee on Saturday. She was riding on the inflatable raft with an eight-year-old girl at the time, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Shortly before 5 p.m.
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