News

The Holiday season was in full swing this weekend at Hard Labor Creek, with children enjoying a wagon ride alongside Santa Claus. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

The Holiday season was in full swing this weekend at Hard Labor Creek, with children enjoying a wagon ride alongside Santa Claus. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Hard Labor Creek celebrates holidays in the outdoors

Skyla Morris
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Hard Labor Creek, Georgia’s second-largest state park, stretches across 6,000 acres. Located near Rutledge, the park celebrated the Christmas season Dec. 20-21 with its “Holiday Wagon Rides with Santa.
Karen Lindsey

Karen Lindsey

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Woman gets 20 years for manslaughter

T. Michael Stone
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
A Morgan County woman accepted a plea deal to serve 20 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter on Dec. 17, according to Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale.Karen Lindsey, 58, was arrested May 31 on charges related to the death of her husband, Jack Lindsey, who was 76 years old.
Tobias H. Farley

Tobias H. Farley

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Two shot at party, but by whom?

T. Michael Stone
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Madison Police arrested an Eatonton man on aggravated assault charges after a husband and wife were shot during an altercation at a party attended by mostly family members on Meadow Ridge Road in the early morning hours of Dec. 14.
In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

In June 1974, Joe Thompson (left) and James Gregory attended the first meeting to put together a makeshift Putnam County rescue service. Both later became decades-long members of the county’s official emergency response team. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Putting Putnam’s literal lifeline together

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 18, 2025
When Joe Thompson and James Gregory agreed to meet at Eatonton City Hall in June 1974, they had no idea of what they were getting into. They also had no uniforms, no equipment, and no guarantee of income.
Madison Mayor Fred Perriman (middle) cuts the ribbon, alongside representatives of Woda Cooper Companies Inc. and residents, to celebrate the opening of Prior Farms in Madison. CONTRIBUTED

Madison Mayor Fred Perriman (middle) cuts the ribbon, alongside representatives of Woda Cooper Companies Inc. and residents, to celebrate the opening of Prior Farms in Madison. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Prior Farms single-family rental homes open in Madison

Skyla Morris
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Woda Cooper Companies Inc. and Parallel Housing Inc. celebrated the opening of Prior Farms in Madison with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 16. The $18.5 million development features 40 single-family rental homes at 1001 Harrow Street, adjacent to the Carmichael Commons townhomes.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

BOC meeting sparks outrage among Harbor Club residents

Skyla Morris
Thursday, December 18, 2025
The Greene County Board of Commissioners discussed several potential developments during its Dec. 9 meeting.The gathering lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours, with multiple citizens sharing concerns during the first item on the agenda.
Marissiah Hodge

Marissiah Hodge

Exclusive Subscriber Content

South Carolina woman kicks GPD officer

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, December 18, 2025
A South Carolina woman was already on her way to jail after getting in a fight at Waffle House on Dec. 8 when she tried to kick a police officer in the eye, according to reports obtained from the Greensboro Police Department.Marissiah Alexis Joyce Hodge, 30, of Columbia, S.C.
Dalton Durden

Dalton Durden

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Reynolds vandal arrested in Baldwin County

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, December 11, 2025
An Eatonton man who has been accused of vandalizing Reynolds Lake Oconee businesses and vehicles was picked up by Greene County deputies at the Baldwin County jail on Dec. 5 after he was detained there.
Joel Wiggins (standing), managing partner of the Southern Group of Georgia and a representative of the C-PACE Alliance, addresses members of the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority last Thursday at Farmers & Merchants Bank on Lake Oconee Parkway. Melody Echols, program administrator with Peach State C-PACE, is seated at left. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Joel Wiggins (standing), managing partner of the Southern Group of Georgia and a representative of the C-PACE Alliance, addresses members of the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority last Thursday at Farmers & Merchants Bank on Lake Oconee Parkway. Melody Echols, program administrator with Peach State C-PACE, is seated at left. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

LOADA weighs benefits of C-PACE development funding

Ian Tocher
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Members of the Lake Oconee Area Development Authority (LOADA) spent much of their meeting last Thursday at the Farmers & Merchants Bank on Lake Oconee Parkway discussing whether to recommend adoption of a new statewide financing tool designed to spur economic development without using public...
This county-owned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

This county-owned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Traffic study underway due to safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, December 11, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads, and is considering reducing the speed limits.
Subscribe to