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L-R: Putnam General Hospital Authority Board member Lou Benjamin, PGH Human Resources Director Rhonda Largo, and hospital CEO Alan Horton address county commissioners with detailed financial stats displayed on screens behind them. IAN TOCHER/Staff

L-R: Putnam General Hospital Authority Board member Lou Benjamin, PGH Human Resources Director Rhonda Largo, and hospital CEO Alan Horton address county commissioners with detailed financial stats displayed on screens behind them. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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PGH makes pay pitch to Putnam commissioners

Ian Tocher
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Putnam General Hospital (PGH) made an impassioned plea for financial help to increase staff pay last Friday afternoon during a work session for the Putnam County Commission.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

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Shoppers face charges after Sunflower fight in Morgan County

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Warrants have been issued for the arrest of two Madison residents following a violent altercation that occurred Aug. 2.Jimquaves Cyve Hunter, 32, and Yquonna Scarebrook (no age listed) face battery charges following a pair of incidents at the Sunflower Store on Eatonton Road.
This grounddelivery service package at Mario Munoz’s house contained 25 pounds of meth. CONTRIBUTED/ PCSO

This grounddelivery service package at Mario Munoz’s house contained 25 pounds of meth. CONTRIBUTED/ PCSO

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$2 million in meth seized on Shady Dale Road in Putnam County

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 7, 2025
More than 50 kilos of methamphetamine will never make it to the streets after it was seized in Putnam County by Putnam, Jasper, and federal authorities.Putnam County Sheriff’s Lt. Harry Luke estimated the street value of the approximate 108 pounds of meth to be around $2 million.
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

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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

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‘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

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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

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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

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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.
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