About The Eatonton messenger. (Eatonton, Ga.) 18??-current | View Entire Issue (April 24, 2025)
PUBLISHED CONTINUOUSLY SINCE 1861 VOLUME 164 • NO. 17 ("bwww.msgrnews.com Gatonton Messenger V . Official organ of Putnam County and City of Eatonton ' . Locally Owned by Smith Communications Inc. 4 SCELLEV GIA o G PA z 0 o SPCIAIC GNEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025 Man lost in brush found safe by firefighter Lynn Hobbs lynn@msgrnews.com A lost Eatonton man was found safe a few hours after he was reported missing. The timing of his rescue seemed preordained, as his rescuer had just met him the day before. James Timothy Smith, 48, was last seen when he purchased some groceries from Ingles in Eatonton around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 3, according to reports from Eatonton Police Depart ment. Smith always walks on his errands due to some medical issues stemming from a previous vehicle acci dent. Around 9:30 p.m., his sister called Eatonton Police Department because he had not come back home. When the call came in, Eatonton police officer Jeremy McClure met with the sister at Ingles, and Eatonton Police Chief Howell Cardwell notified Eatonton Fire Department. "I was off duty but I heard the call on the radio, so I called the police department because the description of the missing man sounded like the guy I had picked up the day before and given a ride to,” said EFD fire- fighter Denise Hill. After some discussion, Hill said she told the dispatcher, “I know exactly who you’re talking about because the day before when he was in the car with me, he was showing me the scars on his head, the rod in his leg. We were just talking and got acquainted. He’s a really nice guy.” Realizing it was quickly getting dark, Hill said she decided to go out looking for Smith in an area off the road between the residential MORE FOUND » A2 1 /, LYNN HOBBS/Staff Putnam County School Superintendent Derick Austin recognizes the Student of the Month of each school, from left, Hannah Erickson (PC High School), Zoe Almanza Patino (PC Primary School), Charles Jones (PC Middle School), and Myles Treadwell (PC Elementary School). Each student was celebrated at Monday night's board of education meeting and recognized along with their family members. BOE discusses new bus, personnel, school, camps Lynn Hobbs lynn@msgrnews.com Putnam County School Board members jumped early on the proverbial school bus at Monday night’s meeting and agreed to purchase a new bus before auto parts import tariffs increased the price. “The money is in the budget in transportation funds.... And with the inclusion of tariffs being added to the bottom line, it would be $7,500 cheaper this month than it would be next month,” School Superintendent Derick Austin told them when he made the proposal. To ensure the lower price, Austin said once it was approved, he would make a purchase order immediately Tuesday morning. MORE BOE»A2 County department wish lists - Part II Ian Tocher ian@msgrnews.com In a work session April 11 at the county commission building, Putnam County department heads and representatives made their pitches before the Putnam County Board of Commissioners explaining projects and/or acquisitions they would like to see funded over the next six years if a successful, renewed SPLOST 10 initiative passes in November. A brief overview of requests made by several departments, including Animal Services, Emergency Medical Services, County Extension Services, Public Works, and Putnam General Hospital were presented in The Eatonton Messenger last week, with the remaining few department requests presented here. Putnam County Fire Department (PCFD) Chief Thomas McClain began by explaining that home- owners insurance ratings are at least partially determined by each home’s proximity to a fire station. “If you don’t live within five road miles of an actual fire station, then you don’t get credit for having a fire department,” he stated. McClain pointed out that because Putnam County covers approx imately 345 square miles, the MORE COUNTY »Ai Putnam County Dairy Festival returns to Eatonton in June Beginning in 1953, Putnam County recognized its local dairy farmers and their contri butions to the community at the annual Putnam County Dairy Festival. The Dairy Festival has always been held during the month of June because June is National Dairy Month. According to The Dairy Alliance, National Dairy Month has been observed each June since 1939. It is recognized and celebrated throughout the country in a variety of ways, including fairs and festivals dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the production of milk and milk products by dedicated dairy farmers. At this year’s Putnam County Dairy Festival, a milk produc tion display will be featured, with special recognition of youth involvement in the future of the dairy industry. While the number of dairies in Putnam County has decreased over the years, dairy farming remains a major industry. Local dairy farmers continue to work hard to provide safe and wholesome dairy foods. They are dedicated and take pride in caring for their cows. The Pilot Club of Eatonton has announced plans and preparations are well in MORE FESTIVAL » AS 0 94922 87854 WEATHER 86 Thursday 61 Scattered HIGH T-storms LOW Detailed forecast / D6 For breaking news or to subscribe, visit |www.msgmews.com] or call 706-485-3501 SMITH COMMUNICATIONS1 Newspapers • Magazines • Printing Gators baseball ‘clicking’ as playoffs await » PAGE Bl INSIDE THIS WEEK Classifieds D4 Public Record A7 Community C1 Opinions A4 Crossword Puzzle C5 Obituaries A6 Legal Notices D6 Sports B1 Weather is ideal. Not hot, not cold, but July Hot is coming soon! Budweiser digging holes under the house already. Think I will escape to cooler weather on an extended fishing trip about that time. Easter Sunday feast included a sugar-cooked ham, fried chicken, potato salad, homemade coleslaw, sweet potatoes, and a pitcher of grand momma's sweet tea. Zeke brought by a platter of some fried mystery meat. Hot Dog and Budweiser ate most of it. Even hot sauce didn't help. Spent time getting my rototiller in tune. Raked out the first round of weeds and rocks. Hope to get it set up rig before the next round of rain sets in. PUTNAM Your mama wants flowers from Too i ** Deer liUniK^iy One-of-a-kind fresh designs, delivered to her door. Order today at DeerRunFlorist.com 706-484-0999 00 (D 00 O Lil
