News

CRIME REPORTS

News Staff

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Jasmin Monique Hawkins, 30, of Madison was arrested Dec. 31 and charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane, a child seatbelt violation and child endangerment.A local man met with a MCSO investigator Dec.31 upon finding a gun while cleaning out his deceased uncle’s home.

Luis A. T. Echevarria

Fulton Co. man arrested for cocaine trafficking

T. Michael Stone

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

A Union City man apparently tried to set his cell phone on fire to conceal evidence during a traffic stop on I-20 Dec. 23, but the ploy didn’t stop deputies from finding nearly 12 pounds of cocaine in his trunk.Luis Alexander Tobias Echevarria, 23, has been charged with following too closely,...

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Crash takes two lives over weekend before Christmas

T. Michael Stone

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

A single-vehicle accident took the lives of two people in the early morning hours of Dec. 21 as they traveled along Greensboro Highway in Morgan County, according to a report obtained from the Georgia State Patrol.Diego Vargas Solis, 20, of Monroe, and Nicholas Jackson, 19, of Madison, were killed...

Michael Feinstein

OPAS Winter Ball to feature special guest performer

News Staff

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

The Oconee Performing Arts Society (OPAS) recently announced that Michael Feinstein will present a one-night-only performance Jan. 31 for the OPAS Winter Ball at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.This event, a black-tie gala and the sole, annual OPAS fundraiser, will feature a multicourse...

Billy D. Pearson

Man arrested on assault charges after Christmas Day incident

T. Michael Stone

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

Morgan County deputies arrested a Statham man in the area of Bethany Road and the Madison bypass on Christmas Day, following a series of attacks on passing motorists, according to reports obtained from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office.Billy Dewone Pearson, 21, now faces charges of five counts of...

This photo taken from behind a 9,000 square foot home in Reynolds Lake Oconee captures the power of the blaze that destroyed most of the home. CONTRIBUTED

Fire destroys most of Reynolds home

T. Michael Stone

Wednesday, December 31, 2025

A blaze that spread rapidly through a home on Davison Drive in Reynolds Lake Oconee left very little in its wake Dec. 26.Personnel from Greene County Fire and Rescue, including Engines 9, 10, 11, and 13, Battalion 1, M13, and EMS, responded to the fire, along with Greensboro Fire, Walker Church...

Pamela Lewis

Woman flees into front door of home, out the back

T. Michael Stone

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

A Madison woman managed to elude Morgan County deputies briefly after fleeing from a traffic stop in the early morning hours of Dec. 10, but she was later picked up at a neighbor’s house.Pamela Lewis, 27, of Madison, is being charged with felony fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer,...

The Georgia Public Service Commission, with member Tim Echols attending remotely, voted Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 to let Georgia Power add nearly 10 gigawatts of capacity, a massive expansion that will cost billions of dollars. TY TAGAMI/Capitol Beat

Georgia Power wins approval for massive expansion

Ty Tagami

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

State regulators granted Georgia Power the authority for a historic expansion of its capacity to generate electricity in a unanimous vote on Friday.The decision by the five elected members of the Public Service Commission, all Republicans, allows the privately-owned monopoly to build five...

On behalf of his fellow coaches and a roster 39 players, Alexander Banks, head coach of the 2025 Putnam County Middle School War Eagles football team, accepted a framed proclamation last Tuesday night recognizing the team’s 2025 state championship from (l-r) Commissioner Jeff Wooten, Chairman Bill Sharp, and Commissioner Tom McElhenney. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Citizens raise concerns to county commission

Ian Tocher

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met Dec. 16, opening with a ceremonial moment as Chairman Bill Sharp presented a proclamation honoring the 2025 Putnam County Middle School football team to head coach Alexander Banks.

CONTRIBUTED

The Plaza announces open auditions for ‘Play On!’

News Staff

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

The Plaza Alliance for the Performing Arts, PAPA, announced it will hold open auditions Jan. 4 and 6 for its upcoming production of “Play On!,” a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud comedy that celebrates the chaos and charm of live theatre.Written by Rick Abbott, “Play On!” takes audiences behind the...

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