Lake Oconee News e-Edition
St. Mary’s and community leaders pose for a photo to celebrate breaking ground for St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

St. Mary’s and community leaders pose for a photo to celebrate breaking ground for St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

St. Mary’s breaks ground on $45.6M expansion

Skyla Morris
Leaders from St. Mary’s Health Care System and the community it serves broke ground today on the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion, a $45.6 million, three-story addition to the hospital that will expand access to high-quality primary and specialty care across the greater Greene County and Lake…
After leading Morgan County to a state championship from the mound last season, Davis Strickland has opted to forego a football career at the University of West Georgia in favor of continuing his pitching career (which also delivered a state title last season) at Kennesaw State University. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

After leading Morgan County to a state championship from the mound last season, Davis Strickland has opted to forego a football career at the University of West Georgia in favor of continuing his pitching career (which also delivered a state title last season) at Kennesaw State University. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Strickland signs with Kennesaw State

Skyla Morris
Morgan County football and baseball standout Davis Strickland is taking a different path in his collegiate athletic career.The former Bulldogs quarterback, who signed with the University of West Georgia in November to play football, has instead committed to Kennesaw State University, where he will…
Morgan County’s Ty Tillery recently confirmed he has chosen to honor his commitment to pitch for the Auburn Tigers next season over waiting for selection in the next MLB draft. COURTESY AUBURN ATHLETICS

Morgan County’s Ty Tillery recently confirmed he has chosen to honor his commitment to pitch for the Auburn Tigers next season over waiting for selection in the next MLB draft. COURTESY AUBURN ATHLETICS

‘No regrets’ for Tillery in honoring Auburn commitment over pros

Skyla Morris
Former Morgan County right-handed pitcher Ty Tillery has confirmed his next career stop, following the 2026 MLB Draft’s conclusion. The Diamond Dogs alum received opportunities to sign with multiple teams, but ultimately decided to honor his commitment with Auburn University.Tillery initially…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Summers past

Loran Smith
Todd Groce, president of the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah, recently sent along a note saying that kids today have no connection to a farm anymore.As Todd pointed out, following World War II, there was a gradual migration from farm to town. Until recently, a lot of kids had grandparents…
Lisa Conner speaks to the audience last Sunday at STMA in rural Buckhead. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Lisa Conner speaks to the audience last Sunday at STMA in rural Buckhead. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Steffen Thomas Museum celebrates Founders’ Day

Leigh Lofgren
The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art (STMA) held its annual Founders’ Day Sunday to honor the life of founder Sara Douglass Thomas and to present the Charlie Bonner Award for Advancing Art Education.Museum board president Kay Meier welcomed guests before Lisa Conner, founding director, raised a toast…
Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

News Staff
Phyllis Marie King Couch of Eatonton passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, at the age of 80.Born Aug. 17, 1945, in Durham, North Carolina, Phyllis was the daughter of the late Henry Eldridge King and Zenobia Branch King. She graduated from Southern High School in Durham in 1963 and began working…
Amaury Reyes

Amaury Reyes

Party brawl sends one to hospital, two behind bars

Lynn Hobbs
Two people were arrested after a party got out of hand over the weekend.Amaury Saradinas Reyes, 31, of Florida, was arrested around 4 a.m. July 14 and booked into Putnam County Jail on one count of aggravated assault. He was later released on a $5,000 cash bond.Jose Marie Palafox, 21, of Eatonton,…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

MCCS shares several updates ahead of 2026-27 school year

Skyla Morris
The Morgan County Board of Education met July 20 to discuss the upcoming 2026-27 school year.To begin the Staff Reports section of the agenda, MCSS Assistant Superintendent Jay Homan gave an overview of recent weeks within the school system.“In early June, as a system and school leaders, we did an…
Harbor Club resident Ken McPherson transformed a roadside patch of weed-infested grassland into an inviting wildflower garden for neighbors and visitors to enjoy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Harbor Club resident Ken McPherson transformed a roadside patch of weed-infested grassland into an inviting wildflower garden for neighbors and visitors to enjoy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Wildflowers take root to replace weeds

Ian Tocher
What was once an overgrown patch of roadside weeds and neglected grass has become one of the most colorful spots at Harbor Club, thanks to one resident's vision, hard work and a little help from nature.Seven years after moving from metro Atlanta to the Carriage Ridge neighborhood at Harbor Club,…
L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

Songs & Drives for Lives coming to Cuscowilla

News Staff
The Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health announced last week that tickets, sponsorships, and golf team registrations are now on sale for the inaugural Songs & Drives for Lives, a two-day fundraising event presented by The Oconee Cellar Sept. 13-14 at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee (126…
Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Pho & More restaurant introduces Vietnamese cuisine to Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Less than four months after opening its doors at 113 Harmony Crossing, Pho & More has already built a loyal following.Following an official ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, owners Marino and Summer Graf said the welcome they have received from…
Harbor Club resident Ken McPherson transformed a roadside patch of weed-infested grassland into an inviting wildflower garden for neighbors and visitors to enjoy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Harbor Club resident Ken McPherson transformed a roadside patch of weed-infested grassland into an inviting wildflower garden for neighbors and visitors to enjoy. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wildflowers take root to replace weeds

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body What once was an overgrown patch of roadside weeds and neglected grass has...
St. Mary’s and community leaders pose for a photo to celebrate breaking ground for St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

St. Mary’s and community leaders pose for a photo to celebrate breaking ground for St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion. LEIGH LOFGREN/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

St. Mary’s breaks ground on $45.6M expansion

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Leaders from St. Mary’s Health Care System and the community it serves broke ground today on the St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Pavilion, a $45.

News 

Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Pho & More co-owner Marino Graf (with scissors) stands with his wife, Summer, her father, John Nguyen, and the couple’s daughter while friends and employees help them celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Pho & More restaurant introduces Vietnamese cuisine to Lake Country

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body Less than four months after opening its doors at 113 Harmony Crossing, Pho &...
All that’s left of the once-mighty, 1,007-feet-tall smokestack that towered over Plant Branch is a circular concrete base in an open field. Built in 1978, the smokestack was dropped in a controlled demolition on Oct. 15, 2016. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

All that’s left of the once-mighty, 1,007-feet-tall smokestack that towered over Plant Branch is a circular concrete base in an open field. Built in 1978, the smokestack was dropped in a controlled demolition on Oct. 15, 2016. COURTESY GEORGIA POWER

Exclusive Subscriber Content

EPA proposes new coal ash permit plan

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body The U.S.
Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Recently installed Putnam General Hospital CEO Todd Goss addressed EPTAH representatives meeting at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce in downtown Eatonton last Wednesday. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Future plans outlined by new PGH chief

Ian Tocher
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body Just seven weeks into his tenure as chief executive officer of Putnam...
View More

Sports 

After leading Morgan County to a state championship from the mound last season, Davis Strickland has opted to forego a football career at the University of West Georgia in favor of continuing his pitching career (which also delivered a state title last season) at Kennesaw State University. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

After leading Morgan County to a state championship from the mound last season, Davis Strickland has opted to forego a football career at the University of West Georgia in favor of continuing his pitching career (which also delivered a state title last season) at Kennesaw State University. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Strickland signs with Kennesaw State

Skyla Morris
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body Morgan County football and baseball standout Davis Strickland is taking a...
Morgan County’s Ty Tillery recently confirmed he has chosen to honor his commitment to pitch for the Auburn Tigers next season over waiting for selection in the next MLB draft. COURTESY AUBURN ATHLETICS

Morgan County’s Ty Tillery recently confirmed he has chosen to honor his commitment to pitch for the Auburn Tigers next season over waiting for selection in the next MLB draft. COURTESY AUBURN ATHLETICS

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘No regrets’ for Tillery in honoring Auburn commitment over pros

Skyla Morris
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body Former Morgan County right-handed pitcher Ty Tillery has confirmed his next...
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Smith: Summers past

Loran Smith
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body Todd Groce, president of the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah,...
View More

Community 

L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Songs & Drives for Lives performers include producer and songwriter Corey Crowder with songwriters Ray Fulcher and Ben Williams. CONTRIBUTED

Songs & Drives for Lives coming to Cuscowilla

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body The Spencer Bradley Foundation for Mental Health announced last week that...
View More

Obituaries 

Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

Phyllis Couch

News Staff
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Body Phyllis Marie King Couch of Eatonton passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026,...
View More