Howard Sills

John David Lewis

John David Lewis

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Speeding fugitive talked out of woods

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Eatonton Police Department continues its work to keep dangerous drivers off the city’s streets. Last week, with assistance from Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies, the Eatonton police captured one and thus stopped his “occupation of hoodlumism,” according to Sheriff Howard Sills.
Putnam County firefighters extinguish a fire inside a truck trailer Monday on U.S. Hwy. 441. CONTRIBUTED/ PCFD

Putnam County firefighters extinguish a fire inside a truck trailer Monday on U.S. Hwy. 441. CONTRIBUTED/ PCFD

Truck hauling batteries catches fire

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Authorities said northbound traffic on U.S. Hwy. 441 was temporarily blocked Monday afternoon due to a fire in an 18-wheeler truck.
With a photo of the Dermonds’ Great Waters home on the TV mounted behind him, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills presents the evidence gathered so far in what he admits is the “toughest case” of his career so far. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With a photo of the Dermonds’ Great Waters home on the TV mounted behind him, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills presents the evidence gathered so far in what he admits is the “toughest case” of his career so far. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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GWM ‘Crime & Wine’ delivers Dermond murders discussion

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Georgia Writers Museum and its popular Crime & Wine series, led by Cold Case Investigative Research Institute founder and Director Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, presented Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills updating a packed house Friday night on the unsolved May 2014 murders of Russell and Shirley Dermond...
Crews work on downed limbs and power lines at the intersection of North Maple Avenue and Madison Road at the north end of Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Crews work on downed limbs and power lines at the intersection of North Maple Avenue and Madison Road at the north end of Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Hurricane Helene causes damage in the area

Ian Tocher
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Tragically, at least 25 people in Georgia lost their lives to Hurricane Helene. At the same time, the far south and eastern side of the state suffered billions of dollars in total damage, and as of Tuesday morning, approximately 350,000 people remained without electric power statewide.
BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

Haze, odor from Conyers BioLab fire hits Putnam

Lynn Hobbs
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
A cloudy haze settled over Eatonton and Putnam County on Monday and Tuesday, and many people called the 911 center complaining of the strong chlorine odor, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, who also serves as the county’s Emergency Management Agency director.
BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

Couple dead after apparent murder-suicide

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Tragedy struck a home on Harmony Road during the wee hours of Wednesday morning.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said a call came into the 911 Emergency Center at 4:23 a.m., and a man told them his address and said he had just shot his wife and was going to kill himself. Then he hung up.
BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

Man sitting in road killed by car

Lynn Hobbs
Saturday, September 14, 2024
A 64-year-old man died last night after being hit by a car, according to Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell.Larry Russell Wight, of Martin, Georgia, was sitting in the road on the U.S. 441 Hwy. Eatonton Bypass around midnight when a car struck him.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

School system makes statement after Barrow County shooting

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
In response to a tragic incident in a Barrow County high school today, Putnam County Charter School System officials released a statement on its social media page reaffirming the school system’s commitment to keeping students and staff safe.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

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Passenger killed in single-vehicle wreck

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
The Labor Day holiday weekend was marred by tragedy Friday night when an Eatonton man lost his life in a single-vehicle crash.Residents along Scott Road reported hearing a loud boom and then losing their electrical power around 10:30 p.m.
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