MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - Dozens of travel writers toured Milledgeville on Friday as part of the state's annual event to promote tourism.

"I'm looking for places that are interesting," travel writer Christine Tibbetts said.

Stories that will hopefully inspire the group of 40 travel journalists to write about Georgia's Lake Country. Every year, the Georgia Tourism Division hosts the Travel Media Marketplace event. This year, the group is exploring Milledgeville, Eatonton, Greensboro, and Madison.

"We take them to our communities and showcase all the wonderful things we have to offer," Jane Sowell, the executive director of the Milledgeville Convention and Visitor's Bureau, said.

The group kicked off the event in Milledgeville. They toured several historical landmarks, including the home of Sally Ellis Davis, an educator and Georgia Woman of Distinction honoree. They also explored the Old Governor's mansion and went back in time to when they city used to be the state's captial.

"We're so fortunate that we have so much to show and showcase that there's a lot for them to see and do here," Sowell said.

Sowell hopes the writers will encourage their readers to visit.

"Tell them what the best thing to see in the area, the best places to be for families, the best destinations and why there a good destination," travel writer Samantha Feuss said.

"I'm looking for the stories behind the stories that people can access and not use their whole holiday for doing homework," Tibbetts said. "Let me be the researcher and tell you some tips."

And the journalists didn't have to wait long to share their stories.

"Its such a social world now, everything is done instantaneously," Sowell said. "They're tweeting and Facebook and all that kind of stuff. We're getting out to a larger audience much quicker."

And getting more people to check out Georgia' Antebellum capital.

This is the first year Georgia's Lake Country was selected to host the travel media event. The group is in town until Saturday. They will check out Lake Oconee and experience a farm-to-fork dinner in Madison.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) -- The Spivey family knows the ups and downs of autism firsthand because their teenage son was diagnosed with the disorder when he was just 3-years-old.

Now at 13-years-old Claxton Spivey is a typical teenage boy who loves movies, the outdoors, and all things that go fast.

"He loves to swim, loves to jump on the trampoline, he loves to ride on the golf cart," said Claxton's mother Sara.

There is also something else you will notice about him.

"He's non verbal for the most part, he can communicate a little bit," said Sara.

Just before his 4th birthday, Claxton's parents Mark and Sara noticed he was losing his speech, then his behavior changed.

Sara said, "Every transition became very difficult for him, getting into the tub, getting out of the tub, getting into the car, out of the car..."

Doctors diagnosed Claxton with autism and Mark and Sara's lives changed, drastically.

"It's not what we planned from the beginning, but we're okay with that," said Mark.

Mark and Sara quickly learned to redirect. A new path led Sara to turn a hobby into a foundation for something greater.

"I've made jewelry for years and I did want to raise awareness for autism," said Sara.

She used her talents to create the Claxton autism bracelet and donated all proceeds to Central Georgia Autism.

"The puzzle piece is a symbol for autism, they're trying to find the missing piece, blue is the autism color," said Sara as she described the bracelet.

It is a labor of love, named after her son, to educate others.

"These children are sweet, precious children and we can learn a lot from them," added Sara.

The greatest gift Sara and Mark could offer to Claxton, is one he already has.

"I just want him to live a happy life," Sara said.

The bracelets cost $15 and 100% of the proceeds are given to Central Georgia Autism. Last April, Sara raised $1000 from sales of the Claxton bracelet and a donation from Highland Hills Church.

You can connect with Sara by searching Sara Spivey Designs on Facebook or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to purchase a bracelet for autism awareness.

HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) - DNA tests confirm human remains found off of Nick Cabero Road in Hawkinsville are that of missing Middle Georgia State College student Jmaal Keyes. 

According to a release from the GBI, the identification of Keyes was obtained through DNA parentage testing with Keyes' biological parents.

The remains were removed from a cabin in rural Pulaski County last Friday after a widespread search of both Bleckley and Pulaski Counties.

19-year-old Jmaal Keyes went missing from the Cochran campus of MGSC on April 25, the same day the cabin went up in flames in Pulaski County.

The teenager charged with murder in the death, 17-year-old Robert Kane Rolison, was a dual-enrolled student at Hawkinsville High School and MGSC and could have been Keyes' classmate.

He was originally charged with murder in Bleckley County but has since been transferred to Pulaski County, where he now faces a murder charge there instead since Keyes remains were found there.

Rolison made his first appearance in court Thursday.  A date for his bond hearing has not been set.

In a news release, MGSC interim president John Black said,

We learned this morning that DNA testing confirmed the remains found in Pulaski County are those of our student, Jmaal Malik Keyes. This brings to a tragic end the search for one of our own, and it closes a painful chapter in the history of our college. We are encouraged by, and thankful for, the hard work of law enforcement officers as they seek the full measure of justice that our court system affords.

The Middle Georgia State family is heartsick that what began as a missing person case did not end with Jmaal returning alive and well to his family and friends. We are saddened that this young man's life was cut short, and we extend our deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to all who loved and cared about Jmaal.