Lake Oconee News e-Edition
The families of Bennett Rabern and Avett Jackson did the honors of cutting the ribbon for the Rabern-Jackson Memorial Garden July 30 at Morgan County Middle School. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

The families of Bennett Rabern and Avett Jackson did the honors of cutting the ribbon for the Rabern-Jackson Memorial Garden July 30 at Morgan County Middle School. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

MCMS dedicates Memorial Garden to Bennett Rabern, Avett Jackson

Skyla Morris
Morgan County Charter Schools officially dedicated the Rabern-Jackson Memorial Garden on July 30 with a public ceremony after more than a year of planning.The Thursday morning ceremony took place in the newly dedicated space, adjacent to the Morgan County Middle School front entrance.The memorial…
Jeff Cronan

Jeff Cronan

Jeff Cronan

News Staff
Charles Jeffrey “Jeff” Cronan, 70, passed away unexpectedly while baling hay with his father on his farm in the Veazey community on Friday, July 31, 2026.Born in Covington, Georgia, on Jan. 26, 1956, he was the son of Charles Talmadge Cronan and the late Patricia Annette Burford Cronan. Many knew…
Greene County quarterback Brody Moreno works through a drill during practice earlier this week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Greene County quarterback Brody Moreno works through a drill during practice earlier this week. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Tigers take on Hancock Central in first test under new head coach

Lance McCurley
The first opportunity to see Greene County football in action under new head coach Chris MacFarland is finally here.After months of summer workouts and preparation, the Tigers completed the GHSA-mandated acclimation week and are now turning their attention toward Friday night’s scrimmage against…
The Morgan County volleyball team poses for a photo after attending a summer camp at Coastal Carolina University. CONTRIBUTED

The Morgan County volleyball team poses for a photo after attending a summer camp at Coastal Carolina University. CONTRIBUTED

New coach, same standard for Spike Dogs

Lance McCurley
After a historic run of success, the Morgan County volleyball team enters the 2026 season with a new leader – but the same championship expectations.Ryan Sarrett takes over as head coach of the Spike Dogs following a coaching transition that saw Alan Shultz move back to lead the middle school…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Dawgs’ days of summer

Loran Smith
It is difficult to carry on a conversation this time of year without the topic turning to football. Excitement will build steadily over the next four weeks, though the final days of preseason camp often bring a cloud of fatigue and impatience.College football fans can hardly wait for the season to…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Letter to the Editor: Shared core values: unity and inclusion

News Staff
Dear Editor,From June 11 through July 19, the world was treated to the FIFA World Cup - the premier international soccer tournament, first held in 1930. Since then, 23 tournaments hosting senior men’s national teams have been held every four years, with the exceptions of 1942 and 1946 due to…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Letter to the Editor: Pickens confirms commission candidacy

News Staff
Dear Editor,I want to say, “Thank you,” to the more than 1,000 people who signed my nomination petition. Your support has helped place me on the ballot this November as a candidate for chairman of the Putnam County Board of Commissioners.I will bring a servant’s heart to this position. This is not…
Gutted, but grateful: My weekend trip that went ‘downhill’

Gutted, but grateful: My weekend trip that went ‘downhill’

Letter to the Editor: Gutted, but grateful - My weekend trip that went ‘downhill’

Skyla Morris
Well, it looks like we made it through the summer season (most of it, anyway). I’m not quite sure how we got to August so quickly, but it seems to go by much faster the older you get.I’m not gonna lie, my month is off to a wild start.August first was a day I’ll never forget. I was so excited…
CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club celebrates back-to-school bash, community cookout

News Staff
The Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club of North Central Georgia recently celebrated its annual Back-to-School Bash and Community Cookout, bringing together families, community leaders, volunteers and partners for a day of fellowship and fun as local youth prepared to begin a new school year.The event…
Amiyr Mohone

Amiyr Mohone

Deputy involved in two high-speed pursuits

T. Michael Stone
Morgan County Deputy Samuel Hutto was involved in two pursuits within a matter of days after attempting to conduct traffic stops for what initially appeared to be minor violations.The first pursuit occurred July 31 while Hutto was conducting traffic enforcement near mile marker 109 on the eastbound…
Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Lake Oconee News/File Photo

Student arrested after chilling weapon threat

T. Michael Stone
A 14-year-old student at Morgan County Middle School was arrested Aug. 3 and charged with terroristic threat and acts after claiming he had a gun in his bookbag.According to a report obtained from the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, MCMS Principal Marcus Wyatt said the student was in art class when…
Thao Nguyen, a sophomore at UGA and Mae Daniel, a GCSU graduate student, spent their summer as interns with The Wheelhouse, assessing the needs of small business owners in Madison. CONTRIBUTED

Thao Nguyen, a sophomore at UGA and Mae Daniel, a GCSU graduate student, spent their summer as interns with The Wheelhouse, assessing the needs of small business owners in Madison. CONTRIBUTED

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Wheelhouse interns share experience assessing businesses

Skyla Morris
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Body The Wheelhouse, a Madison-based nonprofit organization, is known for helping...
Morgan County Director of Planning and Development Chuck Jarrell spoke to the Madison City Council during its July 31 work session about the county’s 120-day moratorium on data centers and the potential impact of the facilities on water, electricity and other local resources. CONTRIBUTED

Morgan County Director of Planning and Development Chuck Jarrell spoke to the Madison City Council during its July 31 work session about the county’s 120-day moratorium on data centers and the potential impact of the facilities on water, electricity and other local resources. CONTRIBUTED

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Madison, Morgan County prepare for possible data centers

T. Michael Stone
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Body The Madison City Council hosted Morgan County leaders at its July 31 work...
The families of Bennett Rabern and Avett Jackson did the honors of cutting the ribbon for the Rabern-Jackson Memorial Garden July 30 at Morgan County Middle School. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

The families of Bennett Rabern and Avett Jackson did the honors of cutting the ribbon for the Rabern-Jackson Memorial Garden July 30 at Morgan County Middle School. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

MCMS dedicates Memorial Garden to Bennett Rabern, Avett Jackson

Thursday, August 6, 2026

Morgan County Charter Schools officially dedicated the Rabern-Jackson Memorial Garden on July 30 with a public ceremony after more than a year of planning.The Thursday morning ceremony took place in the newly dedicated space, adjacent to the Morgan County Middle School front entrance.

News 

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Sports 

The Morgan County volleyball team poses for a photo after attending a summer camp at Coastal Carolina University. CONTRIBUTED

The Morgan County volleyball team poses for a photo after attending a summer camp at Coastal Carolina University. CONTRIBUTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

New coach, same standard for Spike Dogs

Lance McCurley
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Body After a historic run of success, the Morgan County volleyball team enters...
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Community 

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Obituaries 

Jeff Cronan

Jeff Cronan

Jeff Cronan

News Staff
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Body Charles Jeffrey “Jeff” Cronan, 70, passed away unexpectedly while baling hay...
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,...
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