Lake Oconee News e-Edition
Terry Lawler

Terry Lawler

Lawler edges Easley for Greene BOC seat

News Staff
Terry Lawler and Jason Easley were separated by just 16 votes in the May 19 primary for the District 1 seat on the Greene County Board of Commissioners, but Lawler won by 27 votes in the runoff, tallying 570 votes to Easley's 543.Since no Democrats qualified for the post, Lawler will replace Angela…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Two children killed in Morgan County crash

T. Michael Stone
Two children, ages 10 and 13, were killed in a traffic accident the evening of June 14 at the intersection of Highway 83 and Sandy Creek Road.According to the Georgia State Patrol, a Honda Odyssey traveling west on Sandy Creek Road failed to yield the right of way at the intersection with Georgia…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

LON awarded for General Excellence

Josh Lurie
The Lake Oconee News won another award for General Excellence this year from the Georgia Press Association, placing third in its category of weekly and former daily newspapers.That award and others were presented at the Georgia Press Association's annual convention on June 12 on Jekyll Island.…
Bonnie Brown

Bonnie Brown

Former NGA teacher to serve 15 years

Staff Reports
Bonnie Elizabeth Brown was on trial last week for five counts of improper sexual contact with a student when she was a teacher at Nathanael Greene Academy.According to District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale, the trial lasted four days, and the jury deliberated for three hours to reach its verdict.“…
Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

MAC hosts annual youth rally at OSP

Ian Tocher
More than 100 children and their family members attended the annual youth rally on Saturday, June 13, at Oconee Springs Park, hosted by Mothers Against Crime, a longtime Putnam County organization dedicated to providing positive experiences for local youth. The event featured inflatable water-…
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

Uncle Remus Museum to offer free admission

News Staff
Eatonton’s world-famous Uncle Remus Museum will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence by offering free admission and storytelling on July 3.The museum dedicated to the life and times of Uncle Remus author Joel Chandler Harris, who grew up in Eatonton…
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: No father on Father’s Day

Ronda Rich
There is a little boy, age 11, who will no doubt fall fitfully asleep on the eve of Father’s Day.Then, perhaps, he will awaken to a pillow wet with sadness. Many people will try valiantly to cheer him up. But in deep sorrow like his, there is no real cheer — only a faint smile, at best, and a quiet…
Then an eighth grader, Bennett Haley attempts a layup through traffic during a game in the 2025-26 season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Then an eighth grader, Bennett Haley attempts a layup through traffic during a game in the 2025-26 season. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Gatewood boys embrace fresh start under new coach

Lance McCurley
The Gatewood boys basketball team is using the summer months to build a foundation for the next chapter of its program. After spending the past two seasons as an assistant coach, Scott Dennard has taken over as head coach following Don Keiser's retirement.As summer workouts get underway,…
Senior Ansleigh Padgett dribbles downfield away from defenders during a match last season. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Senior Ansleigh Padgett dribbles downfield away from defenders during a match last season. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Lady Titans ‘played as a unit’ in 2026

Skyla Morris
Lake Oconee Academy’s girls soccer team ended its season on May 7 in the third round of the state playoffs.The Lady Titans fell 3-2 on the road at Screven County after earning home-field advantage as the higher seed through the earlier rounds. Unfortunately, their season ended with a 9-10 overall…
Members of the Morgan County volleyball team celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Ringgold in the Class AA state title match on Oct. 30, 2025. CHARLES JORDAN/File photo

Members of the Morgan County volleyball team celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Ringgold in the Class AA state title match on Oct. 30, 2025. CHARLES JORDAN/File photo

Morgan County welcomes move back to 3A

Skyla Morris
The 2025-26 school year was one to remember for Morgan County High School athletics, highlighted by GHSA Class 2A playoff appearances across multiple sports and state championships in volleyball, boys basketball, and baseball.The Bulldogs will face a new challenge during the 2026-27 school year as…
Sharron R. Miller Allen

Sharron R. Miller Allen

South Carolina woman arrested after two-county chase

T. Michael Stone
A Greene County deputy and a Georgia State Patrol trooper teamed up to stop a reckless driver who fled from a traffic stop on June 10.As a result, Sharron R. Miller-Allen, 47, of Graniteville, South Carolina, was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, following too closely,…
Terry Lawler

Terry Lawler

Lawler edges Easley for Greene BOC seat

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Terry Lawler and Jason Easley were separated by just 16 votes in the May 19 primary for the District 1 seat on the Greene County Board of Commissioners, but Lawler won by 27 votes in the runoff, tallying 570 votes to Easley's 543.

News 

Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

Supported by Mothers Against Crime parents and volunteers, about 100 local kids enjoyed a few hours of fun Saturday, on the water at Putnam County’s Oconee Springs Park. IAN TOCHER/Staff

MAC hosts annual youth rally at OSP

Ian Tocher
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Body More than 100 children and their family members attended the annual youth rally...
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Sports 

Members of the Morgan County volleyball team celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Ringgold in the Class AA state title match on Oct. 30, 2025. CHARLES JORDAN/File photo

Members of the Morgan County volleyball team celebrate with the championship trophy after defeating Ringgold in the Class AA state title match on Oct. 30, 2025. CHARLES JORDAN/File photo

Morgan County welcomes move back to 3A

Skyla Morris
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Body The 2025-26 school year was one to remember for Morgan County High School...
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Community 

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

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...
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Executive Director Allyn Rippin (center) accepts a donation from Surcheros owner Kyle Cullars, with several Surcheros employees standing by in support. CONTRIBUTED

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Executive Director Allyn Rippin (center) accepts a donation from Surcheros owner Kyle Cullars, with several Surcheros employees standing by in support. CONTRIBUTED

Surcheros supports Neighbors Helping Neighbors

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Body Just weeks after opening its doors, Surcheros Fresh Mex at Lake Oconee is...
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Obituaries 

Larry Smith

Larry Smith

Larry Smith

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Body Larry Smith, beloved husband, father, son, and friend, passed away on Wednesday,...
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