Lake Oconee

Eatonton Messenger/Graphic

STR ordinance continues taking shape

Rufus Adair

Thursday, July 6, 2023

The broad outlines of a new short-term rentals (STR) ordinance seem to be taking shape, but plenty of the nitty-gritty details remain to be settled by the Putnam County Board of Commissioners, even with a fourth work session set to follow its usual first-Friday morning meeting.

Variances sought for old Eatonton Hotel building

Rufus Adair

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Two significant development projects affecting downtown Eatonton and the Lake Oconee area appear to be near – but not yet at – the boiling point. Both involve zoning decisions, but only one will likely come to some resolution in the next week or so.

L is for Lake

PUTNAM A to Z: L is for Lake

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Editor’s note: The symmetry of 52 weeks in a year and 26 letters in our alphabet inspired us here at The Eatonton Messenger to embark on an alphabetical journey of Putnam County every other week this year, looking at something – or someone – unique, significant, unusual, or just plain interesting.

Purpose-built wakeboard boats are capable of creating sizable wakes that now must originate at least 200 feet from shore or structures, according to new Georgia law. Courtesy Benjamin Klaver/Unsplash.com

New no-wake zone for wakeboard boaters

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Early last month, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 121, which imposes new restrictions on boaters engaged in towing wake boarders or providing a boat-generated wake for wake surfers.

James K. Pressley/File Photo

Pressley: Dockside at the lake

James K. Pressley

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

An entertaining thing to do is just sit by the dock on a Friday afternoon. Last Friday, I was out at the Boat House on Lake Oconee. You know the place. In the old days, it was a catfish joint and now it’s got storage and gas, right off the backside of Harbor Club.

James K Pressley/File Photo

Pressley: A new wave of lake activity

James K. Pressley

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Question: How many of you have seen the big boats throwing a big wave filled with people? Yep. I thought so. You are probably mumbling unkind things under your breath right now. Well, let me tell you something. Wake boats and wake surfing aren’t going anywhere anytime soon except up! Why?

Andy Gaston and son Phillip on my boat last week on Sinclair. JAMES PRESSLEY/Contributed

Pressley: Spring fishing is here

James K. Pressley

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

With the exception of the insane amount of rain we’ve had this year, we are hopefully now entering full-fledged spring! Pollen clouds, azaleas, spawning fish, gobbling turkeys, and soon-to-be 90-degree days.

Mike Tarrer of Georgia Bass Trail along with tournament winner John Duvall and Oskar Schlomer of The Fallen Outdoor group. CONTRIBUTED

Bass biting at TFO charity tournament

T. Michael Stone

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Some of the bigger bass in Lake Oconee were biting during the Fallen Outdoors charity fishing tournament on March 25, as each of the top-five teams caught more than 15 pounds of fish. Organized by Oskar H.

Lakeside accommodations like those typically offered by individual homeowners as shortterm rentals are already being legislated out of existence in Greene County and Putnam County is considering similar measures, though nothing has yet been decided. Photo courtesy Max Rahubovskiy/Pexels.com

Greene law restricts short-term rentals

Mark Engel

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Blooming buds, thin layers of green pollen and daylight savings time can mean only one thing. Spring is here and, for many Greene County residents, so are hefty profits from renting out their homes during The Masters Golf Tournament.

Pressley with a spotted bass on Lake Lanier.

OUTDOORS: A fluke

James K. Pressley

Thursday, October 27, 2022

A few weeks ago, my buddy, Kevin Underwood, told me to come on up to Lanier and let’s go fishing. That’s a suggestion that never falls on deaf ears with me. So, the day after the hurricane cleared the Carolinas I was there. We left out mid-morning and fished through ‘til late afternoon.

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