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E-PCOC President Robbie King (far left) and Peoples Bank President Chuck Haley (far right) presented the 2026 Business of the Year Award to Keith Fitzgerald, founder and owner of ProSouth Services Electrical-Heating and Air, with his family. IAN TOCHER/Staff

E-PCOC President Robbie King (far left) and Peoples Bank President Chuck Haley (far right) presented the 2026 Business of the Year Award to Keith Fitzgerald, founder and owner of ProSouth Services Electrical-Heating and Air, with his family. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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E-PCOC presents annual awards at Rock Eagle

Ian Tocher
Thursday, February 5, 2026
The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce made its annual business and community award presentations Monday night at the Rock Eagle Conference Center, north of Eatonton.
Lake Oconee Academy 4th-grade student Jordan Loh (third from right) advanced through 22 rounds of spelling competition last month to win the 2026 Greene County District Spelling Bee and advance to regional competition. CONTRIBUTED

Lake Oconee Academy 4th-grade student Jordan Loh (third from right) advanced through 22 rounds of spelling competition last month to win the 2026 Greene County District Spelling Bee and advance to regional competition. CONTRIBUTED

LOA students succeed at district spelling bee

Skyla Morris
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Lake Oconee Academy participated in the Greene County District Spelling Bee on Jan. 13 and is celebrating two of its students for their academic achievements.The local academic competition takes place each year, featuring top spellers from multiple schools across the district.
Autistic child goes missing, found in Lake Oconee

Autistic child goes missing, found in Lake Oconee

Autistic child goes missing, found in Lake Oconee

Lynn Hobbs
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The lake with its many obvious pleasures and beauty sometimes brings tragedy. Monday was one of those times for a Lake Oconee family who lost their young child.The 7-year-old boy, Xander Whitehurst, was playing in the yard of the Lakeview Estates Lane home he lives in with his great-grandparents.
PDA Chair Walt Rocker (left) and County Chairman Bill Harp effectively served as the dividing line between the two organizations. IAN TOCHER/Staff

PDA Chair Walt Rocker (left) and County Chairman Bill Harp effectively served as the dividing line between the two organizations. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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PDA board meets publicly with commissioners

Ian Tocher
Thursday, January 29, 2026
At a joint public meeting marked by candor, frustration, stern faces, and multiple calls for better communication, the Putnam County Board of Commissioners (BOC) and the Putnam Development Authority (PDA) spent about two hours Jan.
MCHS Agricultural Science teacher Rachel Kinsaul’s is known by the community for her impact as an educator to students inside and outside of the classroom. She is now a finalist for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award. COURTESY OF GEORGIA DOE

MCHS Agricultural Science teacher Rachel Kinsaul’s is known by the community for her impact as an educator to students inside and outside of the classroom. She is now a finalist for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award. COURTESY OF GEORGIA DOE

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Morgan County and Georgia TOTY named finalist for national award

Skyla Morris
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Morgan County Charter Schools is celebrating another major recognition for Georgia 2026 Teacher of the Year Rachel Kinsaul.
Firefighters were able to get the Reynolds Landing fire under control before the whole house was involved. CONTRIBUTED

Firefighters were able to get the Reynolds Landing fire under control before the whole house was involved. CONTRIBUTED

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Third Reynolds fire since Christmas not as severe

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, January 29, 2026
For the third time since Christmas, a home was damaged by fire in Reynolds Lake Oconee, according to Greene County Fire and Rescue.Engines 9,10, 11, and 13 responded to Reynolds Landing on Jan.
The Madison Fire Department dispatched to Marshalls on Tuesday afternoon for two busted sprinklers outside the unit but quickly smelled gas when they arrived. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

The Madison Fire Department dispatched to Marshalls on Tuesday afternoon for two busted sprinklers outside the unit but quickly smelled gas when they arrived. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Exterior gas leak forces temporary store evacuations

Skyla Morris
Thursday, January 29, 2026
The Marshalls and Harbor Freight stores in Madison were forced to close early on Jan. 27 due to concerns about a potential gas leak in neighboring units. The Madison Fire Department (MFD) initially dispatched to Marshalls after receiving a call at 2:55 p.m.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

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Woman arrested after leaving kids in locked vehicle

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, January 29, 2026
A Greene County deputy arrested a Buckhead woman on reckless conduct charges on Jan. 22 after he found two small children sitting in a car with the engine running and the doors locked, parked in the Home Depot parking lot.
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