Lake Oconee News e-Edition
Carlos Campos (kneeling) prepares to cut the ribbon July 10, to officially reopen Nesbitt Repair, an existing business that he and his wife, Chantel, purchased early this year from its founder, Frank Nesbitt. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Carlos Campos (kneeling) prepares to cut the ribbon July 10, to officially reopen Nesbitt Repair, an existing business that he and his wife, Chantel, purchased early this year from its founder, Frank Nesbitt. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Nesbitt Repair celebrates grand opening under new ownership

Skyla Morris
Nesbitt Repair, an electrical and plumbing repair business based in Morgan County, recently celebrated its new ownership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce.The small business hosted a celebratory lunch following the July 10 ribbon-cutting at its new…
After finishing as Class AA state runners-up last season, the Morgan County softball team will be looking to regain the title it last won in 2024. CONTRIBUTED

After finishing as Class AA state runners-up last season, the Morgan County softball team will be looking to regain the title it last won in 2024. CONTRIBUTED

Lady Dogs build chemistry before season

Lance McCurley
After a season that ended one victory short of winning back-to-back state championships, the Morgan County softball team is using the summer months to prepare for a new challenge in 2026.Head coach Chad Pigg said the program that finished as Class AA state runners-up last season is sticking with…
LOA head coach Patrick Stewart said he and his 2026 Titans are looking forward to a new season and expect to be competitive throughout this year’s GHSA Class A schedule. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA head coach Patrick Stewart said he and his 2026 Titans are looking forward to a new season and expect to be competitive throughout this year’s GHSA Class A schedule. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Titans face challenging 2026 schedule full of tests

Lance McCurley
Lake Oconee Academy’s 2026 football schedule will feature plenty of tests, including several teams with recent playoff success, a rivalry matchup, and a new GHSA playoff format that gives the Titans another path toward the postseason.The Titans under head coach Patrick Stewart will open the season…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: The British Open

Loran Smith
The British Open will be played this week at Royal Birkdale in Southport on the west coast of Great Britain, and I will enjoy golf’s oldest championship through coverage on the Peacock network.For 37 years, I made the trip across the Atlantic for this wonderful event, appreciating the uniqueness of…
Many of the sets for Shrek the Musical were relatively simple but very effective in creating humorous or dramatic atmospheres as required for the action on stage. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Many of the sets for Shrek the Musical were relatively simple but very effective in creating humorous or dramatic atmospheres as required for the action on stage. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Broadway-caliber ‘Shrek’ impresses at The Plaza

Ian Tocher
In one of the venue’s most ambitious productions to date, The Plaza Arts Center’s Broadway Intensive production of Shrek the Musical proves that community theater can deliver professional-level dancing and singing, elaborate staging, and impressive technical work.Presented through a partnership…
Bill Crane/Staff

Bill Crane/Staff

Crane: A tale of two ‘Landos

Bill Crane
Once upon a time, there were several magical places in the Land of 1,000 Lakes. In the central region of Florida, far away from the beaches and their bugs, a cluster of kingdoms grew, each created to offer respite and pleasure for families from around the world.My first trip to Orlando was in 1974.…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Letter to the Editor: Why even have a P&Z commission?

News Staff
Dear Editor,After attending the third exhausting round of Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meetings regarding “The Quarry,” I am left with one question: Why do we even have a P&Z Board?Even the most intrusive, potentially damaging, and fiercely opposed rezoning requests are met with constant…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Letter to the Editor: Winner thanks fellow candidates

News Staff
Dear Editor,I want to thank all the candidates who ran for Greene County Commissioner District 1: Jason Easley, Keith Eley, and William Myers.Greene County is fortunate to have these gentlemen offer their ideas and service to the citizens of District 1. We as candidates, and our neighbors in…
The FBI executed a search warrant for ballots from the 2020 presidential election at the Fulton County elections warehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 28. MARK NIESSE/Capitol Beat

The FBI executed a search warrant for ballots from the 2020 presidential election at the Fulton County elections warehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 28. MARK NIESSE/Capitol Beat

Fight over voting system escalates ahead of November elections

Ty Tagami
The battle over voter confidence in Georgia’s election machines flared up after the Legislature decided last month to keep them in place until 2028.Weeks after lawmakers voted to postpone their previous ban on using the machines’ QR codes to tally results, the U.S. Department of Justice planned to…
Victoria M. Lacuesta

Victoria M. Lacuesta

Thief accused of stealing $280K caught at airport

Lynn Hobbs
A Texas woman was arrested after authorities say she scammed more than $280,000 from a Putnam County resident.Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said his office received a call from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security after the woman attempted to leave the country from Hartsfield-Jackson…
Blue Hydrangeas, 8x8, Acrylic on Cradled Wooden Panel

Blue Hydrangeas, 8x8, Acrylic on Cradled Wooden Panel

MAG presents new local artist exhibition

News Staff
The Madison Artists Guild (MAG) recently announced it will present a special exhibition of paintings by former Madison resident Trish Jones, a self-taught artist known for a style that feels both familiar and fresh.Jones’ acrylic paintings are typically created “alla prima,” a direct, wet-on-wet…
The FBI executed a search warrant for ballots from the 2020 presidential election at the Fulton County elections warehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 28. MARK NIESSE/Capitol Beat

The FBI executed a search warrant for ballots from the 2020 presidential election at the Fulton County elections warehouse on Wednesday, Jan. 28. MARK NIESSE/Capitol Beat

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Fight over voting system escalates ahead of November elections

Ty Tagami
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body The battle over voter confidence in Georgia’s election machines flared up...
Carlos Campos (kneeling) prepares to cut the ribbon July 10, to officially reopen Nesbitt Repair, an existing business that he and his wife, Chantel, purchased early this year from its founder, Frank Nesbitt. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Carlos Campos (kneeling) prepares to cut the ribbon July 10, to officially reopen Nesbitt Repair, an existing business that he and his wife, Chantel, purchased early this year from its founder, Frank Nesbitt. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

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Nesbitt Repair celebrates grand opening under new ownership

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Nesbitt Repair, an electrical and plumbing repair business based in Morgan County, recently celebrated its new ownership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the Madison-Morgan Chamber of Commerce.

News 

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, both Democrats, describe the impact of the bipartisan federal 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act while standing in Adamsville Drive in Southwest Atlanta on July 13. TY TAGAMI/Capitol Beat

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, both Democrats, describe the impact of the bipartisan federal 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act while standing in Adamsville Drive in Southwest Atlanta on July 13. TY TAGAMI/Capitol Beat

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Warnock and Dickens tout bipartisan federal housing law

Ty Tagami
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body U.S. Sen.
District 2’s Richard Garrett was the only Putnam County commissioner to attend the July 2 Planning & Zoning meeting that permitted Putnam County Stone to refile its rezoning application for a proposed quarry alongside Dennis Station Road. IAN TOCHER/Staff

District 2’s Richard Garrett was the only Putnam County commissioner to attend the July 2 Planning & Zoning meeting that permitted Putnam County Stone to refile its rezoning application for a proposed quarry alongside Dennis Station Road. IAN TOCHER/Staff

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P&Z refiling resumes Putnam quarry fight

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body Putnam County Stone (PCS) LLC has formally refiled its rezoning application...
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Sports 

After finishing as Class AA state runners-up last season, the Morgan County softball team will be looking to regain the title it last won in 2024. CONTRIBUTED

After finishing as Class AA state runners-up last season, the Morgan County softball team will be looking to regain the title it last won in 2024. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Dogs build chemistry before season

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body After a season that ended one victory short of winning back-to-back state...
LOA head coach Patrick Stewart said he and his 2026 Titans are looking forward to a new season and expect to be competitive throughout this year’s GHSA Class A schedule. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

LOA head coach Patrick Stewart said he and his 2026 Titans are looking forward to a new season and expect to be competitive throughout this year’s GHSA Class A schedule. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Titans face challenging 2026 schedule full of tests

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body Lake Oconee Academy’s 2026 football schedule will feature plenty of tests,...
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: The British Open

Loran Smith
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body The British Open will be played this week at Royal Birkdale in Southport on...
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Community 

Many of the sets for Shrek the Musical were relatively simple but very effective in creating humorous or dramatic atmospheres as required for the action on stage. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Many of the sets for Shrek the Musical were relatively simple but very effective in creating humorous or dramatic atmospheres as required for the action on stage. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Broadway-caliber ‘Shrek’ impresses at The Plaza

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body In one of the venue’s most ambitious productions to date, The Plaza Arts...
Happy families enjoyed the Reach 2 Teach Back-to-School Bash and Community Health Fair, held last Saturday at Putnam County Elementary School. CONTRIBUTED

Happy families enjoyed the Reach 2 Teach Back-to-School Bash and Community Health Fair, held last Saturday at Putnam County Elementary School. CONTRIBUTED

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Reach 2 Teach Back-to-School Bash a success

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Body Putnam County families gathered last Saturday for the Reach 2 Teach...
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Obituaries 

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