Howard Sills

Joey Lee Mayfield

Joey Lee Mayfield

Two arrested in investigation of burglaries, thefts, counterfeits

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 28, 2025
A four-month rash of burglaries, mail thefts, identity fraud, and shoplifting reportedly came to an end last week with the arrest of two men in Putnam County. And although many arrests are made without incident, these two were anything but, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Tubing accident sends 7-year-old to hospital

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 21, 2025
A seven-year-old girl was injured in a tubing accident on Lake Oconee on Saturday. She was riding on the inflatable raft with an eight-year-old girl at the time, according to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills.Shortly before 5 p.m.
Three Eatonton men remain hospitalized in serious and critical condition from injuries sustained in a head-on collision that involved this Mitsubishi Eclipse and Toyota Corolla Saturday. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

Three Eatonton men remain hospitalized in serious and critical condition from injuries sustained in a head-on collision that involved this Mitsubishi Eclipse and Toyota Corolla Saturday. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

Three seriously injured in head-on collision

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, August 7, 2025
A head-on collision caused by a driver passing another vehicle in a no-passing zone sent three Eatonton men to a hospital with serious injuries Saturday, according to authorities.Injured in the crash were Dazavius Little, 28, Sandy Brown, 46, and William Few, 26, all of Eatonton.
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

$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.
The tritoon is being held at Putnam County Sheriff’s Office during an ongoing investigation. CONTRIBUTED

The tritoon is being held at Putnam County Sheriff’s Office during an ongoing investigation. CONTRIBUTED

Girl dies after being trapped under boat

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, July 10, 2025
A fun holiday on the lake with friends, family, and fireworks was literally turned upside down and left a mother grieving the loss of her young child.Four-year-old Tilly Roache, of Lithonia, died from delayed complications due to drowning, said Putnam County Coroner Hollis Harrison.
The capsized tritoon is being pushed by Putnam County Sheriff’s boats to the shore after a fireworks show on Lake Oconee July 4. (Contributed)

The capsized tritoon is being pushed by Putnam County Sheriff’s boats to the shore after a fireworks show on Lake Oconee July 4. (Contributed)

Pontoon capsizes on Lake Oconee; 4-year-old flown to hospital

Lynn Hobbs
Saturday, July 5, 2025
A 4-year-old girl is in the pediatric intensive care unit at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta following a boating accident on Lake Oconee on July 4th. “It’s a miracle that baby is alive,” Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said Saturday at about 2:30 p.m.
Three men died after the pickup truck they were in crashed into the left rear of a tractor-trailer stopped for a traffic light on Hwy. 441 at Twin Bridges Road in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Three men died after the pickup truck they were in crashed into the left rear of a tractor-trailer stopped for a traffic light on Hwy. 441 at Twin Bridges Road in Putnam County. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Three men mourned after fatal crash in Putnam County

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, May 1, 2025
A vehicle crash on U.S. Hwy. 441 claimed the lives of three North Georgia men on Thursday, April 24.The three men each left families, including young children, to grieve them.According to Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills, the men were traveling southbound on U.S.
Quirino V. Boles

Quirino V. Boles

Voting fraud charge lands man in jail

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, April 10, 2025
An Eatonton man is in jail facing voter fraud charges, according to authorities.Quirino Voncell Boles, 44, of Hudson Drive, was arrested and held in Putnam County jail on Feb. 27 on the charges of false swearing, voting by an unqualified elector or giving false information, and probation violation.
The Bruce’s Legacy boat is parked in the rain after owner Keith Cormican used it to locate the drowned body of Gary Jones on Lake Oconee. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

The Bruce’s Legacy boat is parked in the rain after owner Keith Cormican used it to locate the drowned body of Gary Jones on Lake Oconee. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Family, rescuers give insight on search for missing boater

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, March 13, 2025
The month-long mystery of the missing boater on Lake Oconee came to an end Sunday.  A specialized search and recovery team from Wisconsin found the body of Gary Jones.
Keith Cormican talks to news reporters Sunday after he found Gary Jones’s body.

Keith Cormican talks to news reporters Sunday after he found Gary Jones’s body.

Body of missing boater recovered

Lynn Hobbs
Sunday, March 9, 2025
The body of Gary Jones was recovered about noon Sunday, March 9, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.Keith Cormican of Bruce’s Legacy in Wisconsin found Jones’s body on the 29th day of the search.
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