Howard Sills

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills is defending Flock Safety cameras amid growing controversy over their use, saying the technology has helped solve crimes and locate missing people. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills is defending Flock Safety cameras amid growing controversy over their use, saying the technology has helped solve crimes and locate missing people. CONTRIBUTED

Putnam sheriff answers questions about use of cameras

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 20, 2026
The arrests of several Georgia deputies for the illegal use of Flock Safety cameras have ignited a fiery controversy across the state and nation.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills discusses the Dermond case with reporters recently in his office. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills discusses the Dermond case with reporters recently in his office. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Sheriff discusses Dermond case 12 years later

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 30, 2026
This week will mark 12 years since the brutal slayings of Russell and Shirley Dermond in the Lake Oconee area.
Othniel T. Smith

Othniel T. Smith

Fentanyl, nudity, beekeeper’s suit, fried chicken...

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 26, 2026
An Atlanta man arrived in Putnam County approximately two weeks ago and is now accused of handing a bag of fentanyl to a store clerk, crashing his car through a resident’s driveway gate, running away from K9 deputies, and prowling naked in another resident’s front yard before being arrested clad in...
Kenneth D. Brown

Kenneth D. Brown

Shooting incident turns out to be false; caller jailed

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 19, 2026
A flurry of law enforcement activity filled Lakeview Estates Drive and Lane last week in response to a 911 call from a man who said his mother had just been shot in the yard of their house.“Obviously, we responded in a manner one would for such a report,” Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills...
Reyna Lopez

Reyna Lopez

Babysitter pleads guilty to baby’s murder

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 12, 2026
A babysitter who killed a 5-month-old boy in her custody will be spending the next 20 years of her life in prison.Reyna Lopez, 43, of East Marion Street, Eatonton, pled guilty to murder in the second degree Monday in Greene County Superior Court.After he explained that Greene County Courthouse was...
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Juveniles nabbed for throwing rocks at vehicles

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, November 20, 2025
Two Putnam County juveniles were arrested last week in connection with several incidents of vehicles damaged by rocks thrown, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.The two boys are each 14 years old; authorities are not identifying them due to their age.
Amanda Swearingen

Amanda Swearingen

Eatonton woman killed in UTV accident; 2 injured

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, November 20, 2025
An Eatonton woman was killed early Saturday, Nov. 15, in a UTV accident, according to authorities.Amanda Swearingen, 43, died when the Polaris UTV she was driving went off the road and overturned, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.Friends and family commented on social media about the tragic...
Corey A. Hickey

Corey A. Hickey

Accused child molester now arrested on rape charges

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, November 20, 2025
A man who was arrested two weeks ago on charges related to creating child pornography is back in jail facing a number of additional charges, including rape, according to authorities.Corey Andrew Hickey, 38, of the Twin Bridges Road area, was arrested Oct. 21 on two counts of creating or possessing...
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Man dies in crash with log truck; cause under investigation

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, October 2, 2025
A Milledgeville man lost his life early Tuesday morning when his vehicle crashed into a log truck, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Micky Lee Bartlett, 51, had already died when emergency workers arrived at the scene of the crash; Putnam County Coroner Hollis Harrison pronounced...
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