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Betty Gene’s restaurant was destroyed in the July 2025 fire, and the gutted portion of the building was recently demolished. After multiple challenges resulted, owner Preston Snyder says he has no choice but to demolish the rest of the building. CONTRIBUTED

Betty Gene’s restaurant was destroyed in the July 2025 fire, and the gutted portion of the building was recently demolished. After multiple challenges resulted, owner Preston Snyder says he has no choice but to demolish the rest of the building. CONTRIBUTED

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Downtown Madison building to be demolished

Skyla Morris
Thursday, March 26, 2026
MAD Hospitality plans on making drastic changes in the near future, involving the demolition of one of downtown Madison’s more popular buildings.MAD Hospitality’s Betty Gene’s restaurant was formerly located at 292 Hancock St., alongside neighboring units, The Sinclair, and Community Roots Market.
L-R: Dr. Jody Worth, Brianna Tirado, Jailyn McKellar, Arissa Robinson, Dr. Srinivas Akella, and Wesley Glosson. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Dr. Jody Worth, Brianna Tirado, Jailyn McKellar, Arissa Robinson, Dr. Srinivas Akella, and Wesley Glosson. CONTRIBUTED

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GCSS invited to participate in TEDx Youth competition

Maureen Stratton
Thursday, March 26, 2026
The Greene County Schools System (GCSS) reported last week on a production scheduled for seven selected students.
Alvin Alexander

Alvin Alexander

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Greensboro man charged with vehicular homicide

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, March 26, 2026
A Greensboro man was killed in a traffic accident on East Broad Street (Highway 278) near Yearwood’s Auto Service on the night of March 19.Devender Vaddi, 63, was pronounced dead upon the arrival of medical personnel.
L-R: Greene County Library Branch Manager Tara Coile, Greene County Library Executive Director Targie Folds, and St. Vincent de Paul Vice President Mike Sleeth. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Greene County Library Branch Manager Tara Coile, Greene County Library Executive Director Targie Folds, and St. Vincent de Paul Vice President Mike Sleeth. CONTRIBUTED

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Income tax assistance available at Greene County Library

Skyla Morris
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The Greene County Library recently opened its site to offer free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) to residents of Greene and neighboring counties.
In no particular order, Lake Oconee Academy students Jemma Easley, Isabella Broughton, James Poucher, Hallie Wilcher, Sima Bahr, Noah Angle, Ethan Ralston, Alley McCullough, and Emilia Viscarra were each first-place district winners in the 2026 Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition and advanced to regional competition. CONTRIBUTED

In no particular order, Lake Oconee Academy students Jemma Easley, Isabella Broughton, James Poucher, Hallie Wilcher, Sima Bahr, Noah Angle, Ethan Ralston, Alley McCullough, and Emilia Viscarra were each first-place district winners in the 2026 Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition and advanced to regional competition. CONTRIBUTED

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Lake Oconee Academy students thrive in YGA writing competition

Skyla Morris
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy recently announced that nine of its students were recognized with top honors for the 2026 Young Georgia Authors (YGA) Writing Competition.
Madison Antiques & Fine Things co-chairs Sara Shuman and Jill Meeler look forward to welcoming guests to The Hall on Foster for this year’s events. CONTRIBUTED

Madison Antiques & Fine Things co-chairs Sara Shuman and Jill Meeler look forward to welcoming guests to The Hall on Foster for this year’s events. CONTRIBUTED

MAFT brings ‘South’s best’ art showcase to Madison

News Staff
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The Hall on Foster is being transformed into a “showcase of design, craftsmanship, and community” in preparation for the Madison Antiques & Fine Things (MAFT) event. The Hall on Foster is located behind the historic Madison Morgan Cultural Center (MMCC) at 434 S. Main St., Madison.
Putnam County students at all levels will soon benefit from the efforts of the relaunched Putnam Education Foundation. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County students at all levels will soon benefit from the efforts of the relaunched Putnam Education Foundation. CONTRIBUTED

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‘Putnam Proud’ motivates education foundation

News Staff
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The Putnam County Charter School System (PCCSS) Foundation announced early this month that it has officially relaunched as the Putnam Education Foundation (PEF).Originally established in 2019, PEF underwent a strategic evolution to better serve as the premier philanthropic partner for PCCSS.
The area cleared for the Oconee Towne Center development as seen from above. JIM BAKER/Contributed

The area cleared for the Oconee Towne Center development as seen from above. JIM BAKER/Contributed

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Oconee Towne Center clears second vote

Maureen Stratton
Thursday, March 19, 2026
The new Oconee Towne Center (OTC) Regional Shopping Center is well underway near the intersection of Highway 44 and Interstate I-20, having cleared its second review for full approval at the recent meeting of the Greensboro Planning and Zoning Board.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

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Georgia Power plans coal ash move from Macon to Putnam

Ian Tocher
Thursday, March 19, 2026
Georgia Power is preparing to remove more than two million tons of potentially hazardous coal ash from storage ponds at its former Plant Arkwright site in Macon and then transport it by road to its decommissioned Plant Branch site in Putnam County, near Lake Sinclair.
Dr. Wesley Dr. Wesley Cooper was recently named the next principal of Morgan County Elementary School. CONTRIBUTED

Dr. Wesley Dr. Wesley Cooper was recently named the next principal of Morgan County Elementary School. CONTRIBUTED

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MCCS names Cooper as next MCES principal

Skyla Morris
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Morgan County Charter Schools recently announced the appointment of Dr. Wesley Cooper as the next principal of Morgan County Elementary School, effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Cooper currently serves as the assistant principal at MCES and the school district’s K-12 math specialist.
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