Howard Sills

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills is defending Flock Safety cameras amid growing controversy over their use, saying the technology has helped solve crimes and locate missing people. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills is defending Flock Safety cameras amid growing controversy over their use, saying the technology has helped solve crimes and locate missing people. CONTRIBUTED

Sheriff answers questions about use of Flock cameras

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The arrests of several Georgia deputies for the illegal use of Flock Safety cameras have ignited a fiery controversy across the state and nation.
Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

Eatonton Messenger/File Photo

GBI investigates holiday weekend drowning on Lake Sinclair

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now looking into the drowning of a Habersham County man on Lake Sinclair over the July 4th holiday weekend.Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said he emailed the GBI on Thursday and requested their agency investigate the drowning of 34-year-old David Hoyt...
Helen Nelson and Lt. Tracey Pitoccheli reminisce how they became friends many years before Pitoccheli became a deputy and worked for PCSO. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Helen Nelson and Lt. Tracey Pitoccheli reminisce how they became friends many years before Pitoccheli became a deputy and worked for PCSO. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Nelson honored for many years of service at sheriff’s office

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Lots of laughter, stories, hugs, fond memories, and the aroma of barbecue filled the conference/courtroom of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office last week in celebration of Helen Nelson’s many years of service and retirement.“It’s a good day for Miss Helen, but a bad day for the sheriff’s office,”...
Carlton Wright

Carlton Wright

Credit card fraud grounds Wright brothers

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Two brothers were arrested for using their employer’s credit cards to buy gasoline totaling $7,750 for themselves and their family and friends, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.Carlton Ramon Wright, 36, of Mack Lane, Eatonton, and Richard Duane Wright, 38, of Turkey Run, Milledgeville, are...
Jerome L. Johnson

Jerome L. Johnson

Man hit with brick in bar brawl

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
An Eatonton man is behind bars facing charges related to hitting another man in the head with a brick during a bar brawl, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Jerome Lorenzo Johnson, 43, of Custer Avenue, Eatonton, is facing charges that include aggravated assault and aggravated...
Kenneth D. Brown

Kenneth D. Brown

Shooting incident turns out to be false; caller jailed

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A flurry of law enforcement activity filled Lakeview Estates Drive and Lane last week in response to a 911 call from a man who said his mother had just been shot in the yard of their house.“Obviously, we responded in a manner one would for such a report,” Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills...
Reyna Lopez

Reyna Lopez

Babysitter pleads guilty to baby’s murder

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
A babysitter who killed a 5-month-old boy in her custody will be spending the next 20 years of her life in prison.Reyna Lopez, 43, of East Marion Street, Eatonton, pled guilty to murder in the second degree Monday in Greene County Superior Court.After he explained that Greene County Courthouse was...
Cornelius Bonner

Cornelius Bonner

Man caught in teen’s bed, charged with molestation

Lynn Hobbs
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Upon hearing noises in his stepdaughter’s bedroom during the night, a local man and his wife opened the door to find a man in the 15-year-old’s bed.The man in the bed, later identified as Landon Cornelius Bonner, 20, of Eatonton, was engaged in sexual relations with the young teen, according to...
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