2021: A Year in Review

Protests, police abolishment highlight hectic year

  • Superintendent Rick Surrency observes a class at Palatka Junior-Senior High School on the first day of the 2021-2022 academic year.
    Superintendent Rick Surrency observes a class at Palatka Junior-Senior High School on the first day of the 2021-2022 academic year.
  • Capitol Police hold back protesters in Washington, D.C., as tear gas wafts through the air.
    Capitol Police hold back protesters in Washington, D.C., as tear gas wafts through the air.
  • A tweet from U.S. Rep. Cat Kammack details what happened inside the Capitol during the insurrection.
    A tweet from U.S. Rep. Cat Kammack details what happened inside the Capitol during the insurrection.
  • A Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputy holds open the door as a couple leaves in anger over the Crescent City Commission’s decision in February to abolish the city’s police department.
    A Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputy holds open the door as a couple leaves in anger over the Crescent City Commission’s decision in February to abolish the city’s police department.
  • Flowers and a photo tribute to former Welaka Mayor Gordon Sands are posted outside Welaka Town Hall at his funeral in March.
    Flowers and a photo tribute to former Welaka Mayor Gordon Sands are posted outside Welaka Town Hall at his funeral in March.
  • Water flows through the Rodman Dam, a structure some want demolished and others want to stay put.
    Water flows through the Rodman Dam, a structure some want demolished and others want to stay put.
  • Protesters in favor of and against removing the Confederate monument from the Putnam County Courthouse lawn argue outside the Board of County Commissioners chamber in July.
    Protesters in favor of and against removing the Confederate monument from the Putnam County Courthouse lawn argue outside the Board of County Commissioners chamber in July.
  • Members of the National Guard oversee the COVID vaccine process in January, less than a month after inoculations were made available to the public.
    Members of the National Guard oversee the COVID vaccine process in January, less than a month after inoculations were made available to the public.
  • Welaka Town Council member Willie Washington, who died in March, sits in front of his daughter, Kathy Washington, who was eventually appointed to succeed him
    Welaka Town Council member Willie Washington, who died in March, sits in front of his daughter, Kathy Washington, who was eventually appointed to succeed him
From a news perspective, Putnam County never seems to slow down and this year was no different. Each month added new events to the history books. Take a look back at Putnam County in 2021. Six days…

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