Putnam County

Eatonton Messenger/File Graphic

Eatonton Messenger/File Graphic

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

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.
BJ Ruff (13) gets set to make a play on the bag in a game last season. FILE PHOTO

BJ Ruff (13) gets set to make a play on the bag in a game last season. FILE PHOTO

War Eagles set to begin baseball season

In 2023, the Putnam County War Eagles baseball team has its sight set on big opportunities ahead. With a good mix of young and veteran players in its lineup, Putnam is hungry for a strong rebound season.
All-Region player Trey Wiggins (25) will once again be called on as a leader on the Gator's squad this season.

All-Region player Trey Wiggins (25) will once again be called on as a leader on the Gator's squad this season.

Gatewood's Brandon Moss confident as baseball season begins

Last May, the Gatewood Gators came up short of a state championship in game three of a series against Terrell Academy, but they had already exceeded many of last season’s expectations.
Kiwanis Club delivers Valentines to Health &  Rehabilitation Center. CONTRIBUTED

Kiwanis Club delivers Valentines to Health & Rehabilitation Center. CONTRIBUTED

Kiwanis Club delivers Valentines to Health & Rehabilitation Center

Love was in the air at the Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation Center early this month, as red carnations in bud vases were delivered to each resident in an annual community effort by the Kiwanis Club of Eatonton.
LYNN HOBBS/Staff

LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Fire Department receives new tool from Gro Tec

Eatonton Fire Department firefighters now have a new weapon up their sleeves for fighting fires. The department recently received a Blitzfire Nozzle, donated by Gro Tec in Eatonton, a subsidiary of Pennington Seed.
Eatonton Police Department officers handcuff David Emanuel Garcia, 39, of Macon.

Eatonton Police Department officers handcuff David Emanuel Garcia, 39, of Macon.

Happenstance arrest lands Macon man in jail

While inside  Walmart following up on a case, an Eatonton Police Department officer witnessed a shopper pick up an item and walk out the door without paying for it. The situation seemed to spiral downhill from there for the shopper.
As the newspaper of record, The Eatonton Messenger dubbed June 16, 1953, as “a date that has no doubt engraved itself deeply in the history” of Putnam County. CONTRIUBTED

As the newspaper of record, The Eatonton Messenger dubbed June 16, 1953, as “a date that has no doubt engraved itself deeply in the history” of Putnam County. CONTRIUBTED

Putnam A to Z: D is for Dairy Festival

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 every other week in 2023, looking at something – or someone – unique, significant, unusual, or just plain interesting in Putnam County,...
Classmates watch K-4 student Macey Duvall showing off her shirt that states, “100 Days Sprinkled with Fun.”

Classmates watch K-4 student Macey Duvall showing off her shirt that states, “100 Days Sprinkled with Fun.”

100 Days celebration at Gatewood Schools

Classes pre-K through the fifth grade took part in the festivities on Feb. 1, as Gatewood Schools in Eatonton celebrated the 100th day of its 2022-23 school year. The event gave students, teachers and parents a chance to showcase their creativity, as well as have a little fun.