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Investigator Clay Wiggins (right) and Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Wright Barksdale after the award was announced. CONTRIBUTED

Investigator Clay Wiggins (right) and Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney Wright Barksdale after the award was announced. CONTRIBUTED

Ocmulgee DA investigator Wiggins earns statewide honor

Debbie Lurie-smith
Thursday, July 31, 2025
The only circuit-wide investigator for the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, which includes Putnam County, was honored last week with statewide recognition for his outstanding investigative work leading to convictions in homicide and death penalty cases.Ocmulgee Circuit District Attorney T.
Along with several Putnam County Elementary School students at the ribbon cutting, Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin (center, pink tie) was joined by BOE board members Charles Trumbo (left, back row), BOE Chair Dr. Steve Weiner (sunglasses), and (l-r, back row,) Doris Clemons, Carol Ann Guthrie, and Rev. Simone Jones. PCES Principal Whitney Smith is standing to Austin’s right. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Along with several Putnam County Elementary School students at the ribbon cutting, Putnam County Board of Education Superintendent Derick Austin (center, pink tie) was joined by BOE board members Charles Trumbo (left, back row), BOE Chair Dr. Steve Weiner (sunglasses), and (l-r, back row,) Doris Clemons, Carol Ann Guthrie, and Rev. Simone Jones. PCES Principal Whitney Smith is standing to Austin’s right. IAN TOCHER/Staff

‘Collaboration’ key to new Putnam elementary school

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Sixteen months since the groundbreaking last March, and only a year after construction began, the new Putnam County Elementary School officially opened with a late-afternoon ribbon cutting last Thursday, hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce.
Rep. Mike Collins

Rep. Mike Collins

Collins joins primary to challenge U.S. Sen. Ossoff next year

Ty Tagami
Thursday, July 31, 2025
A second Republican congressman has joined the race to unseat U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff next year.In a brief announcement on social media Monday, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Jackson, joined fellow GOP Rep. Buddy Carter, R-St.Simons, in the campaign to replace Democrat Ossoff with a Republican.
The Sinclair in downtown Madison reopened to the community on July 22, following a fire that claimed several of the building’s adjoining businesses. The cafe was affected by intense smoke and water damage as a result of the fire. CONTRIBUTED

The Sinclair in downtown Madison reopened to the community on July 22, following a fire that claimed several of the building’s adjoining businesses. The cafe was affected by intense smoke and water damage as a result of the fire. CONTRIBUTED

Downtown Madison businesses begin rebuilding following fires

Skyla Morris
Thursday, July 31, 2025
MAD Hospitality reopened The Sinclair in downtown Madison on July 22, less than two weeks after a devastating fire on July 13, which destroyed a majority of the building’s components.
A Marietta man’s body was found a quarter of mile from the Redlands boat ramp not far from shore. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

A Marietta man’s body was found a quarter of mile from the Redlands boat ramp not far from shore. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Body of Marietta man found near boat ramp

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, July 31, 2025
A 70-year-old Marietta man, who was a native of Greensboro, was found deceased in Lake Oconee near the Redlands boat ramp on the evening of July 24, according to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
Piedmont Water lab supervisor Kyle Craig (second from left) speaks to visitors about his work in the site’s microbiology lab. CONTRIBUTED

Piedmont Water lab supervisor Kyle Craig (second from left) speaks to visitors about his work in the site’s microbiology lab. CONTRIBUTED

Piedmont Water welcomes tour visitors

Skyla Morris
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Piedmont Water Company, a privately owned water and wastewater provider based in Eatonton, is one of the largest of its kind in the Southeast. The company operates a water treatment plant at Lake Oconee, offering monthly public tours.
The event will take place 6-9:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Festival Hall in Greensboro, featuring wine tastings, live music, and silent and live auctions. CONTRIBUTED

The event will take place 6-9:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Festival Hall in Greensboro, featuring wine tastings, live music, and silent and live auctions. CONTRIBUTED

LOHS readies for ‘Wine, Wags, and Whiskers’

Skyla Morris
Thursday, July 24, 2025
Lake Oconee Humane Society (LOHS) is preparing to host its fourth-annual “Wine, Wags, and Whiskers” fundraiser. The event will take place 6-9:30 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Festival Hall in Greensboro, featuring wine tastings, live music, and silent and live auctions.
Adahreyon Dessausure

Adahreyon Dessausure

Teenager in stolen car caught after brief chase

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, July 24, 2025
A North Carolina teenager driving a stolen car was arrested in Morgan County on July 20 after a brief pursuit on a congested portion of I-20.Adahreyon Dessausure, 17, of Greensboro, N.C., faces charges of theft by receiving stolen property, reckless driving and driving without a license as a result.
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