News

Police Chief Roy Whitehead

Police Chief Roy Whitehead

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Madison Police reports strong crime clearance rates

News Staff
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Special to the Lake Oconee NewsThe Madison Police Department released its 2025 crime statistics, highlighting what city officials call “exceptionally strong crime clearance rates that far exceed national averages, reinforcing Madison’s reputation as one of Georgia’s safest communities.
BankSouth representatives contributed a $1,000 donation to the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club’s recent “Stuff the Bus” campaign. CONTRIBUTED

BankSouth representatives contributed a $1,000 donation to the Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club’s recent “Stuff the Bus” campaign. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

B&G Club, BankSouth host ‘Stuff the Bus’ campaign

Skyla Morris
Thursday, July 30, 2026
The Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club recently hosted its first-ever “Stuff the Bus” campaign, alongside BankSouth in Greensboro.The school supplies drive took place July 27-28, during which individuals could drop off resources for the nonprofit participants and local students in need of items.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Madison raises millage rate

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, July 30, 2026
After 14 years of decreasing millage rates year over year, the City of Madison has been forced to raise tax rates from a millage rate of 5.207 in 2026 to 5.850 in the upcoming year.
Ricky Barnes

Ricky Barnes

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Dozen drug dealers off Eatonton’s streets

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, July 30, 2026
An investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies that began earlier this year culminated last week with the arrest of a dozen suspected drug dealers in Eatonton.
Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which has started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which has started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Phase 2 begins on Highway 44

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, July 30, 2026
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the second phase of the project to widen Highway 44 in Greene County has begun.GDOT’s District 2 Communications Officer told the Lake Oconee News that Pittman Construction Company began working on Phase 2 last week.
A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED

A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Blazes burn boat, barn

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Putnam County Fire Department firefighters fought a barn fire Thursday evening, July 23, and a boat fire Friday morning, July 24, according to Fire Chief Thomas McClain. No one was injured in either incident.
Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Future plans outlined by new PGH chief

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Just seven weeks into his tenure as chief executive officer of Putnam General Hospital, Todd “Tog” Goss says one of the hospital’s biggest challenges has nothing to do with patient care. Instead, it’s making sure people know what PGH has to offer.
All that’s left of the once-mighty, 1,007-feet-tall smokestack that towered over Plant Branch is a circular concrete base in an open field. Built in 1978, the smokestack was dropped in a controlled demolition on Oct. 15, 2016. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

All that’s left of the once-mighty, 1,007-feet-tall smokestack that towered over Plant Branch is a circular concrete base in an open field. Built in 1978, the smokestack was dropped in a controlled demolition on Oct. 15, 2016. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

Exclusive Subscriber Content

EPA proposes new coal ash permit plan

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering a new permitting approach that could affect coal ash cleanup projects nationwide, including ongoing closure and recycling efforts at Georgia Power’s retired Plant Branch in southern Putnam County.
Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Pho & More restaurant introduces Vietnamese cuisine to Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Less than four months after opening its doors at 113 Harmony Crossing, Pho & More has already built a loyal following.
Subscribe to