Putnam County

BAILEY MCCULLY/Staff

BAILEY MCCULLY/Staff

BOE honors RESA winners and Smith’s retirement

Monday’s Board of Education meeting was full of squeals, smiles, and tears as kindergarten through 12th-grade students received their awards from the Oconee RESA regional art competition. The board said goodbye to board member Eugene Smith.
City of Eatonton Councilmember Janie Reid holds the bow high after Putnam County Chairman Bill Sharp (holding scissors beside her) cut the ribbon on Saturday to officially reopen Jimmy Davis Park, south of downtown. IAN TOCHER/Staff

City of Eatonton Councilmember Janie Reid holds the bow high after Putnam County Chairman Bill Sharp (holding scissors beside her) cut the ribbon on Saturday to officially reopen Jimmy Davis Park, south of downtown. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Jimmy Davis Park officially reopens

A brief ceremony Saturday morning officially recognized the reopening of the refurbished Jimmy Davis Park (JDP) in southeast Eatonton.
 Republican incumbent Daniel Brown answers questions. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Republican incumbent Daniel Brown answers questions. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Putnam County District 2 contenders have Q&A

On Nov. 5, voters in Putnam County District 2 will determine whether Republican incumbent Daniel Brown or Democratic candidate Richard Garrett will represent them on the next version of the Putnam County Board of Commissioners.
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

Hurricane Helene causes damage in the area

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

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.
The Tompkins Inn, once a major way station approximately halfway between Milledgeville and Athens, represented the oldest structure on Saturday’s Eatonton Expedition, presented by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

The Tompkins Inn, once a major way station approximately halfway between Milledgeville and Athens, represented the oldest structure on Saturday’s Eatonton Expedition, presented by the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. (IAN TOCHER/Staff)

Record Setter: Eatonton Expedition a huge success

With 829 tickets sold and 802 picked up at The Plaza Saturday morning, the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s Eatonton Expedition set a new all-time attendance record for the 51-year-old organization. Visitors arrived in Eatonton from seven states, with one couple traveling from Texas.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

BOE hears budget overview; first week updates

The Putnam County Board of Education met Tuesday to hear a presentation on the 2025 budget and hear updates on each school’s first week.Superintendent Derick Austin gave a short slideshow presentation about the budget sent to the state for approval.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

City Council approves temporary road closures

Eatonton City Council held its first of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings on Aug. 6. It opened with a presentation by Lyn Romine, chairperson of the council-appointed Eatonton Historic Preservation Commission.
Last week’s “coffee klatch”at Sylvia’s included (l-r): Adia Hendren, Laura Gardner, Susan Chase, Libby Gregory, Joanne Raatz, Patricia Gregory Wilson, Pam Jordan, and Lynn Romine. Not present were Vicki Bohe-Thackwell, Sandy Gregory, Cheryle McMichael, Holly Parker, Cindy Willis, and Virginia Wright. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Last week’s “coffee klatch”at Sylvia’s included (l-r): Adia Hendren, Laura Gardner, Susan Chase, Libby Gregory, Joanne Raatz, Patricia Gregory Wilson, Pam Jordan, and Lynn Romine. Not present were Vicki Bohe-Thackwell, Sandy Gregory, Cheryle McMichael, Holly Parker, Cindy Willis, and Virginia Wright. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Ladies group serves camaraderie by the cup

Three common themes – love, laughter, and coffee – connect several local ladies each Thursday morning at Sylvia’s in downtown Eatonton.