Putnam County

Board members test designs on the in-scale map while discussing budgetary concerns and the site. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

Board members test designs on the in-scale map while discussing budgetary concerns and the site. BAILEY BALLARD/Staff

Putnam BOE meets with architects about new school

Bailey Ballard
Thursday, April 20, 2023
The Putnam County Board of Education met on April 10, with Breaux and Associates Architects to directly discuss designs for the new elementary school. This work session was in preparation for board meeting updates on April 17.
GaFCP Regional Manager Adam Swymer (center) joins a discussion in one of the small groups. LENA HENSLEY/Staff

GaFCP Regional Manager Adam Swymer (center) joins a discussion in one of the small groups. LENA HENSLEY/Staff

Family Connection continues plan for Putnam community

Lena Hensley
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The Georgia Family Connection Partnership (GaFCP) held another community meeting on March 29, with 28 representatives of various charities, businesses and service organizations present. The meeting started by reviewing the amended FY24 Annual Plan proposal.
Eatonton Fire Department’s new Rescue 1 truck. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Eatonton Fire Department’s new Rescue 1 truck. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

City Fire Department now has a rescue truck

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
The City of Eatonton recently added a new truck to its fleet at Eatonton Fire Department. The shiny red Ford F550 “Rescue 1” pickup is being used by firefighters on medical and injury calls, vehicle crashes, and any other rescue work.
In alphabetical order: Colt Bailey as Stetson Bennet, Luke Bennett as Patrick Mahomes, Kaylee Collis as Reba McEntire, Walker Crowder as Corey Crowder, C.J. Daniluk as Jim Thorpe, Jacob Davis as Scott Kelly, Nathan Davis as Mark Kelly, Hayden Ferguson as Michael Phelps, Hayden Harper as Hank Aaron, Brantley Hill as Kirby Smart, Asher Hoselton as Steffon Diggs, Wyatt Kitchens as George Strait, Mila Kononetz as Alexander Hamilton, Charlie Lewis as Dale Earnhardt, Callan McCracken as Mo Willems, Layla Menke as

In alphabetical order: Colt Bailey as Stetson Bennet, Luke Bennett as Patrick Mahomes, Kaylee Collis as Reba McEntire, Walker Crowder as Corey Crowder, C.J. Daniluk as Jim Thorpe, Jacob Davis as Scott Kelly, Nathan Davis as Mark Kelly, Hayden Ferguson as Michael Phelps, Hayden Harper as Hank Aaron, Brantley Hill as Kirby Smart, Asher Hoselton as Steffon Diggs, Wyatt Kitchens as George Strait, Mila Kononetz as Alexander Hamilton, Charlie Lewis as Dale Earnhardt, Callan McCracken as Mo Willems, Layla Menke as

GATEWOOD PRESENTS: Famous American ‘Wax Museum’

Lena Hensley
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Fourth graders at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton presented the Famous American Wax Museum on March 31, led by Elementary School Director and 4th-grade ELA and social studies teacher Lisa McElhannon and 4th-grade math and science teacher Chandler Craine.
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.
Eatonton Messenger/Graphic

Eatonton Messenger/Graphic

Family businesses figure in county P&Z decisions

Rufus Adair
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Two rezoning requests before the Putnam County Planning and Zoning Commission last week might usually be seen as entirely routine. Motorists on Oconee Springs Road and Twin Bridges Road may pass by daily without much notice, but the sites involved may not be so mundane. One request involved Mrs.
PGH Radiology Director Tina Cooper stands at the controls of a nuclear camera that can detect bone cancers, heart disease and gallbladder problems, among many other internal conditions.

PGH Radiology Director Tina Cooper stands at the controls of a nuclear camera that can detect bone cancers, heart disease and gallbladder problems, among many other internal conditions.

PUTNAM A to Z: H is for Hospital

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 12, 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.
Volunteer Jonna Rubins Marchuk helps an APPLE student plant flowers at the Butterflies and Blooms habitat. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Volunteer Jonna Rubins Marchuk helps an APPLE student plant flowers at the Butterflies and Blooms habitat. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Students benefit from Butterflies & Blooms visit

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Students from Putnam County Middle School’s unique Adapted Purposeful Personalized Learning Experiences (APPLE) class visited the Butterflies and Blooms habitat on March 31 in support of student-teacher Taylor Casey’s graduation requirements from Georgia College and State University (GCSU).
Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce President Maggie Milner (standing) was the anchor speaker for the Business Education Expo recently presented by Eatonton Main Street. LENA HENSLEY/Staff

Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce President Maggie Milner (standing) was the anchor speaker for the Business Education Expo recently presented by Eatonton Main Street. LENA HENSLEY/Staff

Eatonton Main Street offers business education, advice

Lena Hensley
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
The Business Education Expo (BEE) organized by Eatonton Main Street took place on March 21, at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, where five panelists discussed various aspects of opening and operating a business.
GWM Meet the Author: Leslie Hooton

GWM Meet the Author: Leslie Hooton

GWM Meet the Author: Leslie Hooton

News Staff
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Bailey thought she’d gotten her happy-ever-after-ending. Married to the man she loves, she has started a family, and her business is flourishing. But when Bailey’s ex-husband, a famous TV chef, is found murdered – with her DNA all over his apartment and body – she is suddenly facing murder charges.
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