Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Katie Reis

Katie Reis

Bride hopeful causes court disturbance

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
An Eatonton woman who reportedly had a tantrum in Putnam County Probate Court last week was arrested on misdemeanor charges.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said 51-year-old Katie Reis walked into the probate office on July 25 and said she was there to get married.
The overturned tritoon is eased to the shoreline by a Putnam County Sheriff’s patrol boat. CONTRIBUTED

The overturned tritoon is eased to the shoreline by a Putnam County Sheriff’s patrol boat. CONTRIBUTED

Holiday outing on lake turns into tragedy

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
A fun holiday on the lake with friends, family, and fireworks was literally turned upside down and left a mother grieving the loss of her young child.Four-year-old Tilly Roache, of Lithonia, died from delayed complications due to drowning, said Putnam County Coroner Hollis Harrison.
The capsized tritoon is being pushed by Putnam County Sheriff’s boats to the shore after a fireworks show on Lake Oconee July 4. (Contributed)

The capsized tritoon is being pushed by Putnam County Sheriff’s boats to the shore after a fireworks show on Lake Oconee July 4. (Contributed)

Pontoon capsizes; 4-year-old flown to hospital

Lynn Hobbs
Saturday, July 5, 2025
A 4-year-old girl is in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta following a boating accident on Lake Oconee on July 4th. “It’s a miracle that baby is alive,” Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Saturday at about 2:30 p.m.
BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

BREAKING NEWS | THE EATONTON MESSENGER

Death of Eatonton man under investigation

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Authorities are investigating the death of an Eatonton man after his body was found in his pickup truck Tuesday night.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said 34-year-old Nicholas Justin Dempsey was found by deputies around 10 p.m. Tuesday, June 3.
Quartez J. Madison

Quartez J. Madison

Milledgeville man charged with speeding 124 mph

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, May 15, 2025
After law enforcement authorities searched for a Milledgeville man for five months, he is now in jail at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.Quartez Jerome Madison, 31, of Pine Cone Road, Milledgeville, is facing charges including reckless driving and speeding.Around 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec.
Three men died after the pickup truck they were in crashed into the left rear of a tractor-trailer stopped for a traffic light on Hwy. 441 at Twin Bridges Road in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Three men died after the pickup truck they were in crashed into the left rear of a tractor-trailer stopped for a traffic light on Hwy. 441 at Twin Bridges Road in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Three men mourned after fatal crash

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
A vehicle crash on U.S. Hwy. 441 claimed the lives of three North Georgia men on Thursday, April 24.The three men each left families, including young children, to grieve them.According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, the men were traveling southbound on U.S.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Single-car wreck claims life on Pea Ridge Road

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
A Putnam County man was killed in a single-vehicle crash Monday. Authorities say the cause of the crash is unknown.Ryan Ramey, 40, of Cold Branch Road, was found deceased in his pickup truck by a deputy, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills. There were no other people in the vehicle.
Quirino V. Boles

Quirino V. Boles

Voting fraud charge lands man in jail

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
An Eatonton man is in jail facing voter fraud charges, according to authorities.Quirino Voncell Boles, 44, of Hudson Drive, was arrested and held in Putnam County jail on Feb. 27 on the charges of false swearing, voting by an unqualified elector or giving false information, and probation violation.
200 block of West River Bend Drive (Contributed by Sheriff Howard Sills)

200 block of West River Bend Drive (Contributed by Sheriff Howard Sills)

Roads washed out in Putnam County

Lynn Hobbs
Monday, April 7, 2025
The deluge of rainfall that hit the state earlier today has washed out several roads in Putnam County, according to authorities. An alternate route has been created for residents of one of those roads, said Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills and Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute.
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