Putnam County Sheriff's Department

Danny R. Rivera

Danny R. Rivera

Man arrested in connection with shooting on Highway 44

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
An arrest has been made in connection with an early February shooting in Putnam County, but no one has been charged for the shooting itself, Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said. The victim, 67-year-old Ralph Rella, was a night manager at the Ritz-Carlton, Reynolds Lake Oconee.
Zachary Rowland

Zachary Rowland

Patrons say no to drugs; reported dealer nabbed

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
A Milledgeville man who attempted to sell drugs at an Eatonton gas station ended up in jail when the proposed patrons called the police. Zachary Scott Rowland, 25, of North Richmond Street in Milledgeville, was arrested around 2:45 a.m.
Five pounds marijuana packaged for selling, powder cocaine, handguns, cash, vape pens, a passport, and other items pictured were seized by local authorities last week. CONTRIBUTED

Five pounds marijuana packaged for selling, powder cocaine, handguns, cash, vape pens, a passport, and other items pictured were seized by local authorities last week. CONTRIBUTED

PCSO, EPD combine efforts to stop drug sales

Lynn Hobbs Lynn@msgrnews.com
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
For the past several months, Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell and Putnam County Sheriff’s Lt. Harry Luke have been investigating drug sales in the city and some in the county. Five “street dealers” were arrested last week and warrants were issued for more, according to Luke.
Cases of stolen beer are stacked in the back seat of the Camry involved in a police pursuit. The brews were returned safely to the grocery store. CONTRIBUTED

Cases of stolen beer are stacked in the back seat of the Camry involved in a police pursuit. The brews were returned safely to the grocery store. CONTRIBUTED

Fleeing beer burglars captured after hot pursuit

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Two men reportedly helped themselves to 14 cases of beer and walked out of Ingles grocery store in Eatonton without stopping at the cash register. Later that day, they were captured and arrested following a dangerous chase in downtown Milledgeville. The theft happened on Feb.
PCSO K-9 Nix and his handler, Deputy Chris Donovan, begin the search in front of Terry’s One Stop on Scuffleboro Road for a man who attempted to hijack a woman’s pickup truck while she drove home. CONTRIBUTED

PCSO K-9 Nix and his handler, Deputy Chris Donovan, begin the search in front of Terry’s One Stop on Scuffleboro Road for a man who attempted to hijack a woman’s pickup truck while she drove home. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam woman fights off carjacker; suspect sought

Lynn Hobbs |
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
A manhunt that lasted several hours in southeast Putnam County on Wednesday, Feb. 22, yielded the arrest of one man, but he was not the subject of the manhunt, authorities say.
Eatonton Messenger/File Graphic

Eatonton Messenger/File Graphic

Shooting on Hwy. 44 ‘doesn’t appear to be random’

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 16, 2023
A man driving home from work Wednesday, Feb. 8, was shot by another driver, authorities say. The victim, 67-year-old Ralph Rella, works as a night manager at the Ritz Carlton Lake Oconee and lives in Forsyth, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. The man said he left work at 10:45 p.m.
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