Lake Oconee News e-Edition
Event participants have gotten really creative over the years with their Fourth of July boat decorations. Scan the QR code above for the starting location. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Event participants have gotten really creative over the years with their Fourth of July boat decorations. Scan the QR code above for the starting location. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Lake Oconee July 4th boat parade returns

Lance McCurley
The stars and stripes will once more take over Lake Oconee this Independence Day as residents and visitors gather for the 7th annual Lake Oconee Fourth of July Boat Parade.The community tradition in Morgan County has become one of the area’s most anticipated holiday events, bringing together…
Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo via social media)

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo via social media)

Two dead, property damaged by remnants of tropical storm

Lynn Hobbs
Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, the first named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, left their mark on portions of Putnam County last week. A downed tree claimed the lives of two young men, while other fallen trees caused power outages and blocked roadways.The two men, 24-year-old Logan…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

BOE approves budget; discipline process updated

Skyla Morris
The Greene County Board of Education adopted the school system’s fiscal year 2027 budget and discussed several policy matters during its June 18 meeting.The board held a public hearing on the FY27 budget shortly before Thursday evening’s meeting, following an earlier hearing on June 11. Board…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

BOC approves countywide radio system for public safety

Skyla Morris
Morgan County Fire Rescue is officially upgrading its public safety radio system, a move officials say will significantly improve communications for first responders throughout the county. The Morgan County Board of Commissioners approved the department’s recommendation to purchase a 700/800…
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: Gavin

Ronda Rich
From the oven, I pulled a peach cobbler that bubbled and popped beautifully. Outside, spring had come calling to resurrect what winter had lulled to sleep. The trees and shrubs were a lovely green and nearly in full bloom.I took off my apron and watched two birds flitting outside the window,…
Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson sits in the dugout contemplating what might have been after the Bulldogs’ 11-4 loss to Oklahoma on June 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson sits in the dugout contemplating what might have been after the Bulldogs’ 11-4 loss to Oklahoma on June 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia falls to Sooners in CWS semifinal

Lance McCurley
OMAHA, Neb. — Georgia’s 2026 season came to an end June 17, as Oklahoma powered its way to an 11-4 victory over the Bulldogs in the College World Series semifinals at Charles Schwab Field.The Sooners used a barrage of home runs to end Georgia’s run in Omaha and advance to the national championship…
Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood athletics succeed in 2025-26 campaign

Lance McCurley
Gatewood School’s athletic programs continued their tradition of excellence during the 2025-26 school year, producing state championships, deep postseason runs, and strong finishes across multiple sports.“I thought we had a really good year athletically,” Gatewood Athletic Director Troy Burner said…
The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood softball eyes return to Columbus

Lance McCurley
The Gatewood softball team may have graduated five seniors from last year’s successful squad, but head coach Dena Stancil believes the Lady Gators have the talent and experience necessary to make another deep postseason run.After reaching the Elite Eight in Columbus last season, Gatewood enters the…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Legislature kills sales tax for property tax swap

Ty Tagami
Democrats in the Legislature on Monday closed the door on Republican proposals to implement new local sales taxes to offset homeowner property tax bills.On the fourth day of their special session, Republicans got a do-over of Saturday's vote that nixed the tax swap.Republicans have a majority in…
T. Michael Stone/Staff

T. Michael Stone/Staff

Stone: Writerman, Writerman, does whatever a writer can

T. Michael Stone
When there is no one else to turn to Call for Super Chicken!(puk, puk, puk, puk) Call for Super Chicken!(puk ack!)Super Chicken theme song, by Stan Worth and Sheldon AllmanI am not faster than a speeding bullet or more powerful than a locomotive. I can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound,…
Looking back, and ahead, in elections

Looking back, and ahead, in elections

Looking back, and ahead, in elections

Dick Yarbrough
The primaries are over and it’s time to analyze the results in Georgia. Before I begin, it is important you know that Donald Trump has not commented on this column or its author.That is because he doesn’t know either exists. For that, let us give thanks.Billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson…
Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo via social media)

Putnam County Public Works crews clear trees from roadways after the storm. Tri-County EMC reported almost 5,000 meters were without power in Putnam and Jones counties. (Photo via social media)

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Two dead, property damaged by remnants of tropical storm

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Body The two men, 24-year-old Logan Christopher Deal and 25-year-old Jakob Hogan...
Event participants have gotten really creative over the years with their Fourth of July boat decorations. Scan the QR code above for the starting location. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Event participants have gotten really creative over the years with their Fourth of July boat decorations. Scan the QR code above for the starting location. T. MICHAEL STONE/Staff

Lake Oconee July 4th boat parade returns

Thursday, June 25, 2026

The stars and stripes will once more take over Lake Oconee this Independence Day as residents and visitors gather for the 7th annual Lake Oconee Fourth of July Boat Parade.

News 

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Sports 

Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson sits in the dugout contemplating what might have been after the Bulldogs’ 11-4 loss to Oklahoma on June 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson sits in the dugout contemplating what might have been after the Bulldogs’ 11-4 loss to Oklahoma on June 17. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Georgia falls to Sooners in CWS semifinal

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Body OMAHA, Neb.
Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

Gatewood players pose with their fourth consecutive state championship trophy last Friday in Statesboro. TREY NORRIS/Staff

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Gatewood athletics succeed in 2025-26 campaign

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Body Gatewood School’s athletic programs continued their tradition of excellence...
The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

The Gatewood softball team will lean on sophomore Lily Arthur this season, along with several other talented players from the Class of 2029. TREY NORRIS/Staff

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Gatewood softball eyes return to Columbus

Lance McCurley
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Body The Gatewood softball team may have graduated five seniors from last year’s...
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Community 

L-R: Ethan Logue - Eastside HS, Jaida Tripp - LOA, Abbey Angle - LOA, Emilia Viscarra - LOA, Adrian Bleich - Morgan Co HS, Emma Jones - Morgan Co HS, Carlos Jimenez - Putnam Co HS, Vidhi Raiyani - Putnam Co HS, Jackie Wilson - GMC Prep, Lindsay Mendoza-Samayoa - Putnam Co HS, Jonathan Lorenzo Cinto Putnam Co HS. CONTRIBUTED

L-R: Ethan Logue - Eastside HS, Jaida Tripp - LOA, Abbey Angle - LOA, Emilia Viscarra - LOA, Adrian Bleich - Morgan Co HS, Emma Jones - Morgan Co HS, Carlos Jimenez - Putnam Co HS, Vidhi Raiyani - Putnam Co HS, Jackie Wilson - GMC Prep, Lindsay Mendoza-Samayoa - Putnam Co HS, Jonathan Lorenzo Cinto Putnam Co HS. CONTRIBUTED

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Lake Country students head to Georgia Tech

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Body Community pride was buzzing as the Lake Country Yellow Jackets Fan Club hosted a...
Brer Rabbit, Joel Chandler Harris’ most famous character, stands watch over the unique Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

Brer Rabbit, Joel Chandler Harris’ most famous character, stands watch over the unique Uncle Remus Museum in Eatonton. CONTRIBUTED

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Uncle Remus Museum to offer free admission

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Body Eatonton’s world-famous Uncle Remus Museum will celebrate the 250th anniversary...
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Obituaries 

Douglas Dean Rigdon

Douglas Dean Rigdon

Douglas Dean Rigdon

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Body Douglas Dean Rigdon, 76, of Greensboro, passed away at his home on Tuesday, June...
Charles Everett Stewart

Charles Everett Stewart

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Charles Everett Stewart

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Body Charles Everett “Chuck” Stewart passed peacefully into his heavenly home on May...
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