The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current, December 03, 2015, Image 1

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The Eatonton messenger., December 03, 2015, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Texti Winner of 17 Georgia Press Association awards, including General Excellence 2015 community Oysters Area around downtown Eatonton’s old cotton warehouses comes alive during big barbecue-oyster celebration PAGE 1B sports Basketball Plenty of hardwood action by Putnam, Gatewood teams PAGE 1C more inside Drawing Winner is drawn in Lions Club of Eatonton’s Supermarket Sweep fundraiser; will get to go wild in Piggly Wiggly PAGE 2B index Calendar 3A Classified ads 4D Church 5B Community 1B Crossword 5B Healthy Living 3D Legals 6D Obituaries 6A Opinion 4-5A Public Records 7A Recipes 1D Sports 1C Weather 7D m in’ '■O r-< O o , oo o > r—f -3S- M ^ <23 Hq Qod -it ' o I o 1 * UJ * l~> 2 p * £v * CL | f & o<r U °g:=-'=>o _ * OLU<ri£ - H S O-t£0£0<r 2 i .aa^cS ■ > * r ~ COs * WUiCCN(i_ *• *-«3teio£ J co -El 854 Che Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 ^ www.msgr.com Vol. 154, No. 49 Published Continuously Since 1861 75 cents Official organ of Putnam County and City of Eatonton | All the news from the Briar Patch | Find us on Facebook! EATONTON POLICE DEPARTMENT Officer attacked, seriously injured Hero cop gets eye knocked loose protecting PGH staff By Lynn Hobbs Staff A veteran Eatonton Police Department officer was attacked while trying to protect doctors and nurses at Putnam General Hospital and had to be transported to The Medical Center of Central Georgia in Macon for emergency surgery. Officer Willie Brinkley was released Tuesday, Nov. 24 and is receiving follow up care through Georgia Eye Care Center, according to Eatonton Police Chief Kent Lawrence, who said he is “very upset” his officer was hint. “I ask for all your prayers from this wonderful community to go to Officer Brinkley and his family,” the chief said in a prepared statement. Francisco Gomez, 23, 176 Southland Drive, Eatonton, was arrested for the attack around 2:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 23. Gomez is charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer (which is a felony), see OFFICER » 2A CITY OF EATONTON LYNN HOBBS / Staff Eatonton Police Chief Kent Lawrence, left, and Officer Willie Brinkley participate in a state law enforcement ceremony in May. PC SCHOOLS DON RICHESON / Staff City of Eatonton workers Roger Reid, left, and Ken Daniel install Christmas decorations on utility poles along the courthouse square a little after dawn last week. The Briar Patch is now gearing up for the holiday season in a big way - the annual Christmas parade is set for 6 p.m. this Saturday and there are other events. See Community Calendar listing on page 3A. Supt. on scores: Pleased By Lynn Hobbs Staff Scores of the 2014- 2015 Georgia Milestones Assessment System were released by the department of education Nov. 16, showing Putnam County’s scores averaging in the top four of its 10 neighboring and Oconee Regional Educational Service Agency counties. “I am very pleased with the continuous progress our system is making with regards to improving achievement, expanding the arts, and encouraging community involvement with our students,” Putnam County School Superintendent Eric Arena told The Messenger via email. “Our local goals and expectations are providing our students with amazing opportunities. I want to thank our students, parents, staff, community and board of education for their commitment to success.” The Georgia Milestones replace the CRCT (Criterion- Referenced Competency Tests) students in grades 3-8 used to take. Georgia Milestones are the state’s assessments of how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content in language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, according to information from the see SCORES » 5A EATONTON CITY COUNCIL ieach Tall City hit with f01 By Lynn Hobbs S Jay! Staff City of Eatonton employees will see no change in their health benefits in the upcoming year, but the city’s bottom line will be affected due to a significant increase in rates. During their regular meeting Tuesday, Eatonton City Council members approved renewing the city’s current health insurance plan even though it will go up from $665 per employee per month to $831 per employee per month. “I vote ‘yes’ but under protest,” Councilor Chuck Haley said when the vote was taken, referring to his protest of the skyrocketing costs and lack of options that had been discussed. The vote was unanimous; Councilor Alvin Butts was absent. The city pays 100 percent of the premium for employees, and zero see CITY » 2A PUTNAM PETE Nice to see Eatonton and Putnam County getting all decked out for : Christmas with decorations going up all over. Definitely starting to feel a little Christmas-y, but with weather we’ve been having don’t reckon many folks will be taking a sleigh to grandma’s house anytime soon. Budweiser is perking up some, anticipating some Yule doggie treats. He’s staying a little at a distance though, because he doesn’t want anyone putting those goofy fake reindeer antlers on his # cT v it FMB w: ibankfmb com Spaces etc Limited5 C3II Lauren Phillips st M fi (706) 485-9858 to RSVP!