News

Terrance Moore

Terrance Moore

Man reaches for gun during traffic stop

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, April 27, 2023
A man pulled over for reckless driving reached for a gun during a traffic stop, but a Morgan County deputy and a Madison police officer were able to subdue and arrest him on multiple charges on April 25, following a traffic stop that soon became dangerous.
Rivian displays vehicles at the Georgia Capitol March 1.

Rivian displays vehicles at the Georgia Capitol March 1.

Judge orders Rivian opponents to pay bond to continue lawsuit

Josh Lurie
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Work to develop the site for one of Georgia’s largest economic development projects continues for EV-maker Rivian as multiple cases work their way through courts.Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thomas A. Cox Jr. ruled on April 21 that the state is entitled to a bond of $364,619.
File Photo/Lake Oconee News

File Photo/Lake Oconee News

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New Greensboro city manager has difficult road ahead

Maureen Stratton
Thursday, April 27, 2023
The city of Greensboro, with its tree-lined streets, Festival Hall, historic influence, welcoming downtown merchants, and both long-term and new citizens attracted to its small-town charm has much going for it. The city welcomed a new mayor, Corey Williams, who is a long-term Greensboro resident.
Maximino Dominic Hernandez Bautista

Maximino Dominic Hernandez Bautista

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Officers balance safety during high-speed chase

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 20, 2023
An alleged drunk driver who passed an officer’s patrol car and then led authorities on a high-speed chase in rainy conditions is now in jail, according to authorities, and Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell credits the officers for keeping Eatonton’s streets safe for other drivers.
District 10 Congressman Mike Collins (center) speaks with Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute (in green), with (l-r) County Clerk Lynn Butterworth, Eatonton Councilmember Janie Reid and Eatonton Mayor John Reid among local dignitaries touring the county’s new fire station under construction behind the county offices off the Hwy. 441 bypass. IAN TOCHER/Staff

District 10 Congressman Mike Collins (center) speaks with Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute (in green), with (l-r) County Clerk Lynn Butterworth, Eatonton Councilmember Janie Reid and Eatonton Mayor John Reid among local dignitaries touring the county’s new fire station under construction behind the county offices off the Hwy. 441 bypass. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Congressman Collins visits PC Commission

Rufus Adair
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Old-school politics were on full display April 6 in Putnam County. A tour of a new building under construction. Public visibility and handshaking.
J.S. “Sammy” Blackwell Jr. sits in one of his conjoined showrooms in downtown Eatonton as he reminisces about the history of Blackwell Furniture.

J.S. “Sammy” Blackwell Jr. sits in one of his conjoined showrooms in downtown Eatonton as he reminisces about the history of Blackwell Furniture.

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Blackwell Furniture closing after nearly 80 years

Ian Tocher
Thursday, April 20, 2023
A literal end of an era arrived for Eatonton on April 13, as Blackwell Furniture, a mainstay of the city’s downtown business fabric for 78 years, officially began its going-out-of-business sale. Opened in 1945 by John Samuel Blackwell Sr.
Kervin Joel Alicea-Lopez

Kervin Joel Alicea-Lopez

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More charges, another arrest in Hwy. 44 shooting

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 20, 2023
New developments in the investigation of an early-February shooting of a driver on State Route 44 have led to another man being arrested and additional charges filed against the original suspect, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.
A black male driving this van allegedly broke into a truck parked at the westbound rest area and later pointed a gun at the truck driver. CONTRIBUTED

A black male driving this van allegedly broke into a truck parked at the westbound rest area and later pointed a gun at the truck driver. CONTRIBUTED

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Trucker assaulted during robbery attempt

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, April 20, 2023
A truck driver trying to get some sleep at the westbound rest area near milepost 108 on I-20 in Morgan County found himself staring down the barrel of the gun on the afternoon of April 14. According to Lt.
A tractor-trailer makes the difficult turn from South Main Street onto West Washington Street. A bypass west of Madison would put an end to congestion like this in downtown Madison. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

A tractor-trailer makes the difficult turn from South Main Street onto West Washington Street. A bypass west of Madison would put an end to congestion like this in downtown Madison. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

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Madison continues to seek traffic solutions

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, April 20, 2023
The Madison City Council has passed a resolution establishing a set of strategic priorities regarding traffic congestion and heavy truck volume through downtown as it continues to find ways to address issues that negatively impact pedestrian safety, walkability and the historic downtown experience.
Smith Communications Business Manager Cassandra Fowler is announced as the 2022 Employee of the Year by President and CEO A. Mark Smith Sr. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Smith Communications Business Manager Cassandra Fowler is announced as the 2022 Employee of the Year by President and CEO A. Mark Smith Sr. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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Fowler named employee of the year for Smith Communications

Ian Tocher
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Smith Communications, the parent company for The Eatonton Messenger, Lake Oconee News, The Baldwin Bulletin, and The Jones County News, held a company-wide business meeting on April 14, at Rock Eagle’s Founders’ Lodge, where Smith Communications Business Manager Cassandra Fowler received the...
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