News

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo via social media)

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo via social media)

Two dead, property damaged by remnants of tropical storm

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, left their mark on portions of Putnam County last week.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Commissioners split vote for third FY27 proposal

Skyla Morris
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The Morgan County Board of Commissioners officially adopted its FY27 budget on Jun 16, after several weeks of conflict over its two initial proposals, A and B. The board ultimately presented a third option, Budget C, as a compromise between the two initial proposals and worked on developing it...
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

BUDGET: Morgan County adopts third-option compromise

Skyla Morris
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Morgan County adopts third-option compromise budgetThe Morgan County Board of Commissioners spent several weeks discussing two FY27 budget proposals before ultimately voting for a third option during its June 16 work session.Both initial proposals included higher budget totals than the county's...
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Eighteen-year-old drowns at Lake Rutledge

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, June 18, 2026
An 18-year-old autistic male visiting Lake Rutledge with the Atlanta-based mentorship group Purpose 2 Inspire was found dead in the water during the early morning hours of June 11, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.The group consisted of nine adults and 18 children.Morgan County...
Sharron R. Miller Allen

Sharron R. Miller Allen

South Carolina woman arrested after two-county chase

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, June 18, 2026
A Greene County deputy and a Georgia State Patrol trooper teamed up to stop a reckless driver who fled from a traffic stop on June 10.As a result, Sharron R. Miller-Allen, 47, of Graniteville, South Carolina, was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, following too closely,...
Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

MAC hosts annual youth rally at OSP

Ian Tocher
Thursday, June 18, 2026
More than 100 children and their family members attended the annual youth rally on Saturday, June 13, at Oconee Springs Park, hosted by Mothers Against Crime, a longtime Putnam County organization dedicated to providing positive experiences for local youth.
Bonnie Brown

Bonnie Brown

Former NGA teacher to serve 15 years

Staff Reports
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Bonnie Elizabeth Brown was on trial last week for five counts of improper sexual contact with a student when she was a teacher at Nathanael Greene Academy.According to District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale, the trial lasted four days, and the jury deliberated for three hours to reach its...
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

LON awarded for General Excellence

Josh Lurie
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The Lake Oconee News won another award for General Excellence this year from the Georgia Press Association, placing third in its category of weekly and former daily newspapers.That award and others were presented at the Georgia Press Association's annual convention on June 12 on Jekyll Island.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Two children killed in Morgan County crash

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Two children, ages 10 and 13, were killed in a traffic accident the evening of June 14 at the intersection of Highway 83 and Sandy Creek Road.According to the Georgia State Patrol, a Honda Odyssey traveling west on Sandy Creek Road failed to yield the right of way at the intersection with Georgia...
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