Paul Van Haute

Paul Van Haute

Paul Van Haute

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County manager Van Haute retires, Lombard takes reigns

Story And Photos By Ian Tocher
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Longtime Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute announced plans to retire several months ago and served his final day in office last week. Waiting in the wings to replace him is former Greene County Manager Byron Lombard, who sat beside Van Haute for the May 19 county commission meeting.
On behalf of his fellow coaches and a roster 39 players, Alexander Banks, head coach of the 2025 Putnam County Middle School War Eagles football team, accepted a framed proclamation last Tuesday night recognizing the team’s 2025 state championship from (l-r) Commissioner Jeff Wooten, Chairman Bill Sharp, and Commissioner Tom McElhenney. IAN TOCHER/Staff

On behalf of his fellow coaches and a roster 39 players, Alexander Banks, head coach of the 2025 Putnam County Middle School War Eagles football team, accepted a framed proclamation last Tuesday night recognizing the team’s 2025 state championship from (l-r) Commissioner Jeff Wooten, Chairman Bill Sharp, and Commissioner Tom McElhenney. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Citizens raise concerns to county commission

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met Dec. 16, opening with a ceremonial moment as Chairman Bill Sharp presented a proclamation honoring the 2025 Putnam County Middle School football team to head coach Alexander Banks.
This countyowned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/ Staff

This countyowned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/ Staff

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Traffic study underway due to safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads, and is considering reducing the speed limits.
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Speed, traffic volume being tracked over safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Friday, December 5, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads. Sills said he’s looking into possibly reducing the speed limits.
Reverend Sidney Jackson, a veteran himself, gave the invocation before the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday at the Putnam County Veterans Roll of Honor Park in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Reverend Sidney Jackson, a veteran himself, gave the invocation before the annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday at the Putnam County Veterans Roll of Honor Park in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Veterans Day ceremony honors military sacrifice

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
A brisk November wind couldn’t keep Putnam County residents away Tuesday morning as they gathered at the Putnam County Veterans Roll of Honor Park to celebrate local veterans and recognize the legacy of the park’s late founder, Bob Landau.
With a video of the intersection of Twin Bridges and Dennis Station Roads playing on screens behind him, past county chairman Billy Webster addressed the current Putnam County Commission about the intersection’s safety issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

With a video of the intersection of Twin Bridges and Dennis Station Roads playing on screens behind him, past county chairman Billy Webster addressed the current Putnam County Commission about the intersection’s safety issues. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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BOC considers rezoning, rebates, rollback rates

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met Oct. 21 for its second of two regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute addresses local politicians on Monday, describing the history and potential of a local SPLOST. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute addresses local politicians on Monday, describing the history and potential of a local SPLOST. IAN TOCHER/Staff

SPLOST 10 resurrected in meeting of city, county

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Mayor John Reid and Chairman Bill Sharp presided over a relatively rare joint meeting of the City of Eatonton Council and Putnam County Commission at 5 p.m. Monday to discuss reintroducing SPLOST 10 to pay for multiple municipal and countywide projects and expenses.
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

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Jimmy Davis Park officially reopens

Ian Tocher
Thursday, November 14, 2024
A brief ceremony Saturday morning officially recognized the reopening of the refurbished Jimmy Davis Park (JDP) in southeast Eatonton.
Eatonton Messenger/Graphic

Eatonton Messenger/Graphic

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Millage rate increase for county seems inevitable

Rufus Adair
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
With the Putnam County Board of Commissioners set to finalize its 2023-24 general fund budget a couple of weeks from now, at least one confounding question lingers: with the county’s tax digest up 20 percent, why do extra revenues from that growth not eliminate any need for an additional millage...
Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute speaking during a Veteran’s Day event last November at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute speaking during a Veteran’s Day event last November at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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County manager named vice chair of national committee

Ian Tocher
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Beyond the safety of his own family, there’s probably nothing more important to Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute than helping U.S. military veterans survive and thrive upon returning home.
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