Lake Oconee News e-Edition
Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which has started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which has started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Phase 2 begins on Highway 44

T. Michael Stone
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the second phase of the project to widen Highway 44 in Greene County has begun.GDOT’s District 2 Communications Officer told the Lake Oconee News that Pittman Construction Company began working on Phase 2 last week.The company is currently…
After securing back-to-back GHSA State Championships, Lake Oconee Academy cheerleaders will go after the “three-peat” this year. CONTRIBUTED

After securing back-to-back GHSA State Championships, Lake Oconee Academy cheerleaders will go after the “three-peat” this year. CONTRIBUTED

LOA cheer eyes another championship run

Lance McCurley
After capturing back-to-back state championships in traditional competition cheer, Lake Oconee Academy enters the 2026 season with another experienced group determined to keep the program’s winning tradition alive.With veteran athletes returning to both varsity competition squads, the Titans…
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

Smith: Open Final

Loran Smith
When a new face rises to prominence in the sports world, fans and media alike become fascinated with the "inside" story, searching for the hidden details that reveal who the person really is.Ryan Fox, now New Zealand's newest sporting hero, is about as unassuming as they come. He flies coach,…
Junior quarterback Gunner Braswell prepares to throw a pass downfield during a 7-on-7 competition at UGA in June. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Junior quarterback Gunner Braswell prepares to throw a pass downfield during a 7-on-7 competition at UGA in June. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Dogs participate in acclimation week

Lance McCurley
With preseason preparations entering their next phase, Morgan County officially opened the GHSA’s mandatory acclimation week as the team begins transitioning from summer workouts to full football practices.The Bulldogs wrapped up a summer schedule that included 7-on-7 competitions at the University…
Teaching and worship were part of ATLAS camp’s summer programming for rising kindergarten through sixth-grade students. CONTRIBUTED

Teaching and worship were part of ATLAS camp’s summer programming for rising kindergarten through sixth-grade students. CONTRIBUTED

ATLAS celebrates a summer of camp, community support

News Staff
ATLAS Ministry recently completed three weeks of summer camp, welcoming 120 campers each week for a season centered on faith, friendship, personal growth, and community support.ATLAS Camp serves rising kindergarten through sixth-grade students in a gospel-centered environment designed to strengthen…
Ronda Rich/Columnist

Ronda Rich/Columnist

Rich: When a woman needs a gun

Ronda Rich
Our dear friend Maxine has known her share of heartache. Yet she has also been blessed in countless ways. She is slight in stature, with delicate features, a warm smile, and the trademark kindness and courtesy of a Southern lady.Maxine moves quietly through this world, as though hoping not to…
CONTRIBUTED

CONTRIBUTED

Paint Between the Lines combines authors with artists

News Staff
Imagine seeing stories and poems transformed into works of visual art. That's the idea behind Paint Between the Lines, an innovative new collaboration between the Georgia Writers Museum (GWM) and The Artisans Village's popular annual exhibition, Dual Vision: Art Through Different Eyes.Traditionally…
Sachal Vasandani

Sachal Vasandani

Festival Hall presents ‘Cole Porter, Jazz in Technicolor’

News Staff
Festival Hall in Greensboro will stage its second show of the 2026 Jazz Series on Aug. 6, with The Jazz Legacy Project’s (JLP’s) presentation of “Cole Porter, Jazz in Technicolor,” featuring special guest vocalist Sachal Vasandani.Porter stands alone with an unparalleled gift of contributing so…
Employees and supporters of Seniors Helping Seniors Mid-South Georgia cheer as the ribbon is cut late last Tuesday to officially recognize the opening of the unique, new facility in Putnam County. CONTRIBUTED

Employees and supporters of Seniors Helping Seniors Mid-South Georgia cheer as the ribbon is cut late last Tuesday to officially recognize the opening of the unique, new facility in Putnam County. CONTRIBUTED

Lake Country welcomes Seniors Helping Seniors

News Staff
The Greene and Putnam County chambers of commerce held a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony July 21 to welcome Seniors Helping Seniors Mid-South Georgia to Lake Country and celebrate the opening of the company's new Eatonton office.Community leaders, chamber members, referral partners and local…
Members of Morgan County’s 2026 GHSA 2 AA championship-winning boys basketball team show off their title rings July 27, during a ceremony in the school’s auditorium. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Members of Morgan County’s 2026 GHSA 2 AA championship-winning boys basketball team show off their title rings July 27, during a ceremony in the school’s auditorium. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

MCHS basketball celebrates championship season with ring ceremony

Skyla Morris
Morgan County’s boys basketball team celebrated its 2026 championship season on July 27 with a ring ceremony in the school’s auditorium. The evening recognition took place roughly four months after the Dogs claimed the GHSA Class 2A championship over Butler with a 53-52 overtime win.Morgan…
The Lake Oconee Wild Things are making the most of their second season and will host their league championship game at Lake Oconee Academy Aug. 1. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

The Lake Oconee Wild Things are making the most of their second season and will host their league championship game at Lake Oconee Academy Aug. 1. SKYLA MORRIS/Staff

Wild Things clinch league championship spot in second season at Lake Oconee

Skyla Morris
The Lake Oconee Wild Things are closing out their second season in Greensboro with a chance to bring home a Sunbelt League championship.The summer collegiate baseball team, which resumed play at Lake Oconee Academy after coming under new ownership in early 2025, earned its first playoff appearance…
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

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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...
Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which has started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

Phase 2 work has begun on Highway 44, which has started with clearing for erosion control. CONTRIBUTED

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Phase 2 begins on Highway 44

Thursday, July 30, 2026

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the second phase of the project to widen Highway 44 in Greene County has begun.GDOT’s District 2 Communications Officer told the Lake Oconee News that Pittman Construction Company began working on Phase 2 last week.

News 

A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED

A boat adrift on Lake Sinclair is fully engulfed Friday morning before Putnam County firefighters arrive. CONTRIBUTED

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Blazes burn boat, barn

Lynn Hobbs
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Body Putnam County Fire Department firefighters fought a barn fire Thursday...
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Sports 

After securing back-to-back GHSA State Championships, Lake Oconee Academy cheerleaders will go after the “three-peat” this year. CONTRIBUTED

After securing back-to-back GHSA State Championships, Lake Oconee Academy cheerleaders will go after the “three-peat” this year. CONTRIBUTED

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LOA cheer eyes another championship run

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Body After capturing back-to-back state championships in traditional competition...
Loran Smith/File Photo

Loran Smith/File Photo

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Smith: Open Final

Loran Smith
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Body When a new face rises to prominence in the sports world, fans and media...
Junior quarterback Gunner Braswell prepares to throw a pass downfield during a 7-on-7 competition at UGA in June. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

Junior quarterback Gunner Braswell prepares to throw a pass downfield during a 7-on-7 competition at UGA in June. LANCE McCURLEY/Staff

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Dogs participate in acclimation week

Lance McCurley
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Body With preseason preparations entering their next phase, Morgan County...
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Community 

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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,...
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