Howard Sills

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Putnam residents lose $100K-plus to scammers

Lynn Hobbs

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

In less than two months, scammers have stolen more than $100,000 from people in Putnam County, according to Sheriff Howard Sills.“There has been an extraordinary increase in scam callers in our community over the last several weeks,” he said.

A Georgia DNR aviation crew searches Lake Oconee for missing boater Gary Jones last week. CONTRIBUTED/Casey Brady

Missing boater search continues: Sheriff investigates phone data, sighting tips, dam area

Lynn Hobbs

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

The cell phone records of the late Joycelyn Nicole Wilson of Atlanta are being investigated in hopes of gaining new insight into her death and her fiancé’s disappearance.Wilson and her betrothed, Gary Laron Jones, were boating on Lake Oconee Saturday, Feb. 8, when a mysterious incident resulted in...

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills talks to reporters Monday about the boating incident on Lake Oconee, after which the body of Jocelyn Nicole Wilson was discovered. Her fiance, Gary Jones, remains missing. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

New details revealed in missing boater search

News Staff

Thursday, February 20, 2025

The search for Gary Laron Jones continued Tuesday on Lake Oconee by multiple law enforcement and emergency rescue agencies.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said nine Georgia Department of Natural Resources boats, a DNR helicopter, one PCSD boat, a boat with the Forsyth County dive team, and...

Law enforcement and rescuers search Lake Oconee for a boater who has been missing since Saturday. (Photo taken and contributed by Casey Brady)

New details revealed as search continues for missing boater

Lynn Hobbs

Friday, February 14, 2025

The search for Gary Larson Jones continued Friday, Feb. 14, on Lake Oconee by multiple law enforcement and emergency rescue agencies.

This photo of the unoccupied boat is how Jeff Everett learned of the couple that is presumed drowned in Lake Oconee.

Putnam Sheriff takes over investigation of boating incident on Lake Oconee

Lynn Hobbs

Thursday, February 13, 2025

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has now taken over the investigation of the abandoned boat found Saturday on Lake Oconee, the woman whose body was recovered by the Dept. of Natural Resources game wardens, and the missing man who was believed to have been with her on the boat.

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

One dead, one missing in Lake Oconee boating incident

Lynn Hobbs

Sunday, February 9, 2025

The body of a woman who is believed to have drowned was recovered in Lake Oconee by Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources law enforcement officers Sunday morning, and they are still searching for the man she may have been with.Putnam County Deputy Coroner Andre Williams identified the woman as...

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

ER nurse injured in crash

Lynn Hobbs

Thursday, February 6, 2025

A Putnam County EMT and local nurse was severely injured in a car crash on her way to work recently.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Angela Franklin, 58, lost control of her vehicle during the recent ice storm while driving to her job in the emergency department at Putnam General...

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills

Sheriff Sills considers impact of immigration

Lynn Hobbs

Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Eatonton Messenger sat down with Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills to find out how or if he anticipates his office will be affected by President Donald Trump’s proclamation to close the southern border and deport undocumented residents who reside in or pass through Putnam County.“We’ve got...

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Driver arrested for August fatality

Lynn Hobbs

Thursday, December 26, 2024

An Eatonton man has been arrested in the Aug. 30th death of another man, according to authorities.Sean Cameron Barrett, 22, of Lena Lane, was arrested Friday by Walton County Sheriff’s Office deputies on warrants issued by Putnam County on charges stemming from a fatal accident, Putnam County...

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

More arrests made in Waffle House shooting

Lynn Hobbs

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Two more men have been arrested in connection with the shooting at the Waffle House in Eatonton on Monday, Oct. 28, bringing the total arrests to three, with more pending, Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell said.“We’ve issued 20 warrants about that Waffle House case, but nobody is from Eatonton;...

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