News

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Georgia unemployment rate up slightly in November

Dave Williams

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Georgia’s unemployment rate rose slightly last month but still remains lower than the national jobless rate, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.Georgia's unemployment rate for November was 3.7%, up from 3.6% in October and half a percentage point below the national rate.“Despite a...

Incoming Sheriff Tyler Hooks and his family. CONTRIBUTED

Morgan’s next sheriff: Hooks ready to get to work

Hannah Barron

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Incoming Morgan County Sheriff Tyler Hooks said he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work for the community.The Buckhead resident takes office on Jan. 1, replacing retiring Sheriff Robert Markley.Hooks’ background includes 20 years of law enforcement in Rockdale County, where he started as...

L-R: Newly elected District 1 Commissioner Tom McElhenney, District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, Commissioner Jeff Wooten of District 4, retiring Putnam County Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Alford, County Chairman Bill Sharp, and District 3 Commissioner Dr. Steve Hersey stepped forward for Alford’s retirement recognition. IAN TOCHER/Staff

County commission concludes 2024 with marathon meeting

Ian Tocher

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Last Tuesday, the final Putnam County Commission meeting of the year, and the last for outgoing District 2 Commissioner Daniel Brown, was extended to nearly two and a half hours.According to a proclamation read by County Manager Paul Van Haute, the first order of business was official recognition...

Georgia Canine Rescue and Rehabilitation’s Amos enjoys his new toy from Secret Santa. CONTRIBUTED

Rescue Ranch spreads Christmas cheer to pets

Hannah Barron

Thursday, December 26, 2024

For the last couple of years, owners Courtney Bryson and Renee Ussery have partnered with a distributor for the rescue’s Rural Outreach Program.

A truck driver wound up pinned under the cargo he was hauling after an I-20 crash. CONTRIBUTED

Trapped truck driver extricated by GC Fire Rescue

T. Michael Stone

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Greene County first responders dealt with a bizarre entrapment situation on Dec. 22 when a tractor-trailer traveling eastbound near milepost 141 ran off the road and into the wood line.According to Emergency Management Agency Director Joe Bashore, the truck downed and uprooted several pine trees in...

Michael Daimein-Scot Parr

Car, foot chase ends in jail

Lynn Hobbs

Thursday, December 19, 2024

A Shady Dale man faces a litany of charges after he reportedly tried to avoid prison time by driving over 120 mph to flee from police.According to Putnam County Jail records, Michael Daimein-Scot Parr, 19, was arrested on Dec. 11 and is being held without bond on charges of fleeing or attempting to...

Fellow commissioners and members of the public spoke about the contributions of outgoing commissioner Ernie Filice during the Dec. 10 meeting. CONTRIBUTED

Filice serves last meeting as commissioner

Hannah Barron

Thursday, December 19, 2024

District 4 Commissioner Ernie Filice served his last meeting on the Greene County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 10, as Mark Blanton prepares to take Filice’s seat in January after winning the Republican primary runoff against Steve Broadbent.Filice has served as a county commissioner since October...

Todd and Rebecca Gruenemeier received city approval for rezoning to renovate Eatonton’s old jail into a unique downtown hotel. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Eatonton clears zoning path for new downtown hotel

Ian Tocher

Thursday, December 19, 2024

With a full quorum, Eatonton City Council held its final regularly scheduled meeting of 2024 on Monday night, when the first order of business was considering a request to change Eatonton’s old, abandoned jail from Public to Commercial 1 zoning.“This would be rezoning for a contingent sale to...

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Woman jailed after running stop sign

T. Michael Stone

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Fines assessed for the offense of running a stop sign in Georgia are usually less than $200, while the penalty for obstruction can be a fine of $1,000, or a year in jail, or both.However, some drivers want to adjudicate the infraction on the side of the road.A Douglasville woman was pulled over for...

The ribbon is cut for Greene County Elementary School, which will welcome students for the first day of classes Jan. 9. HANNAH BARRON/Staff

New year, new school

Hannah Barron

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Greene County’s youngest learners will enter a new school when classes return in January.On Tuesday, the Greene County School System hosted the ribbon cutting and grand opening for Greene County Elementary School, located off Meadow Crest Road.The grand opening included a prayer over the building,...

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