Putnam County Sheriff's Office

Methamphetamine packaged for distribution, scales, marijuana, two fake handguns, one real handgun and some hollow-point ammunition were seized during a recent traffic stop that led to the arrest of an Eatonton man. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

Methamphetamine packaged for distribution, scales, marijuana, two fake handguns, one real handgun and some hollow-point ammunition were seized during a recent traffic stop that led to the arrest of an Eatonton man. CONTRIBUTED/PCSO

Suspected meth trafficker arrested

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, May 14, 2026
An Eatonton man was arrested earlier this week by deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division Drug Unit.Deputies stopped and arrested Shawn Daniel Malm on May 10 as he drove into Putnam County after allegedly picking up methamphetamine in Macon, according to Lt.
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.
Carlton Wright

Carlton Wright

Credit card fraud grounds Wright brothers

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Two brothers were arrested for using their employer’s credit cards to buy gasoline totaling $7,750 for themselves and their family and friends, Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills said.
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 said.
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.
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Missing woman found by K9 dies at hospital

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, February 5, 2026
It’s one of those calls no officer wants to receive, and no person wants to make.Around 6:20 a.m. Monday, a call came in to the Putnam County Sheriff’s 911 Center about an elderly woman who was missing from her home on the 700 block of Lower Harmony Road.
This 3.8 oz. baggie of methamphetamine, a.k.a. an 8-ball, came from Foston during a controlled purchase. CONTRIBUTED/ PCSO

This 3.8 oz. baggie of methamphetamine, a.k.a. an 8-ball, came from Foston during a controlled purchase. CONTRIBUTED/ PCSO

Man throws drugs, money out window

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, January 22, 2026
A Milledgeville man recently drove along Old Phoenix and New Phoenix roads slinging methamphetamine, scales, and money out the window of his car as he tried to escape Putnam County Sheriff’s Office detectives.Deputies caught the driver and recovered the evidence.
This 28.54 grams of meth was found during a traffic stop. The woman, Autumn Carrey, and passenger Robert Hough are facing trafficking charges. CONTRIBUTED

This 28.54 grams of meth was found during a traffic stop. The woman, Autumn Carrey, and passenger Robert Hough are facing trafficking charges. CONTRIBUTED

Drug trafficker delivered meth to Putnam Co. ‘every 4-5 days’

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Upon her arrest, an Eatonton woman reportedly told detectives that she had been picking up “anywhere from 1 to 9 ounces of methamphetamine” every four to five days from Macon and bringing it back to Putnam County to sell to street drug dealers, Putnam County Sheriff’s Lt. Harry Luke said.
This county-owned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

This county-owned traffic monitor on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road is collecting data for the traffic study. LYNN HOBBS/Staff

Traffic study underway due to safety concerns

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, December 11, 2025
A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads. Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads, and is considering reducing the speed limits.
Subscribe to