Demolition crews clear abandoned Macon hotel set to be imploded on New Year’s Day

For more than five decades, the 16-story hotel has towered over downtown Macon. The building has seen five different owners, opening as the Hilton Hotel in 1970, and last operating as the Ramada Plaza before closing in 2011.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –Macon-Bibb County is set to demolish the former Ramada Plaza on 108 First Street on New Year’s Day. For more than five decades, the 16-story hotel has towered over downtown Macon. The building has seen at least five different owners, opening as the Hilton Hotel in 1970, and last operating as the Ramada Plaza before closing in…

Bike Walk Macon receives $59k grant for pedestrian, bicycle safety

According to Bike Walk Macon, the grant will finance efforts to develop and execute educational programs that expand bicycle and pedestrian safety to reduce the number of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, injuries, and crash rates in Macon-Bibb County.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bike Walk Macon received a $59,639.95 grant from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). According to Bike Walk Macon, the grant will finance efforts to develop and execute educational programs that expand bicycle and pedestrian safety to reduce the number of pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, injuries, and crash rates in Macon-Bibb County. “Part of the…

UPDATE: Man arrested for fatal shooting at Green Meadows Apartments in Macon

Investigators identified the victim as 26-year-old Keshon Knolton. The next of kin has been notified. The second victim was released from the hospital.

(UPDATED: 12/13/2024): A man was arrested for the fatal shooting that happened on December 8 at Green Meadows Apartments on Log Cabin Drive, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrested 24-year-old James Louis Chappell of Byron. Chappell was taken into custody near the 100 Block of Arizona Avenue in Warner Robins. Chappell was wanted in connection with the death…

UPDATE: Two dead after car accident in Monroe County

Monroe County Deputies responded to an accident on Hwy 42 North near Boxankle Road at approximately 7:17 a.m. on December 12. 

UPDATE (12/13/2024): Monroe County Coroner Joey Proctor has confirmed another fatality following a crash Thursday in Monroe County. Proctor says 13-year-old Jaelyn McVeigh of Monroe County has died from her injuries. McVeigh was a passenger in the sedan. Proctor also identified the driver in the SUV who died as 41-year-old Hollie Ehrie of Macon. Proctor confirmed that both families have…

Bibb County Sheriff’s Office delivers gifts to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital

"So we really utilize the families to kind of find out, like, what have they been wanting lately. Is it that specific Barbie doll? Is it that Lego set? What do they like so that we can really try to cater it to them," said Heather Trescott, Certified Child Life Specialist for Atrium.

(Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It was A Night of Lights last Friday at Atrium Health Navicent, and Thursday night, it will be a night of gifts. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office decided to join Atrium for holiday fun on Thursday as they delivered various gifts to patients at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital….

Residents and staff set to enjoy ‘Christmas at McAfee Towers’ on Friday

"The joy that you see on these people's faces, the thank you's, and just the overall happiness that they give to us during that day, just make us so proud,” said Yuwanda Parks.

Yuwanda Parks (Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon is feeling the holiday spirit! Several events have already been held this month, and over on Gray Highway, “Christmas at McAfee Towers” is set for Friday. 195 residents and staff will receive hot meals and toiletry bags while enjoying good music and dining together. We spoke with Macon residents Yuwanda…

Cloud cover begins to return ahead of the weekend

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Clouds will gradually return to Middle Georgia tonight and tomorrow after a midweek window of sunshine. This Evening A sunny afternoon will give way to a clear evening around Middle Georgia. Skies should still largely be clear by midnight, however cirrus clouds will begin to arrive from the west in the pre-sunrise hours of Friday. Temperatures…

‘Christmas and all that jazz’ set for this weekend

Event organizer, Fabion Vicks, says attendees are encouraged to bring two canned goods.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Fabion Vicks and the Saint John Baptist Church are hosting ‘Christmas and all that jazz’. The event will be at 2:30 p.m. on December 15. Event organizer, Fabion Vicks, says attendees are encouraged to bring two canned goods. Vicks says if attendees can’t bring a canned good that they can still attend. The event is at…

Three indicted in Houston County for human trafficking of 13-year-old

Attorney General Chris Carr announced Thursday that three people have been indicted in Houston County on charges related to the trafficking of a 13-year-old girl in Warner Robins.

Emma Garcia, Noe Hernandez and Brian Smith (Photos: Houston County Sheriff’s Office)ATLANTA (41NBC/WMGT) – Attorney General Chris Carr announced Thursday that three people have been indicted in Houston County on charges related to the trafficking of a 13-year-old girl in Warner Robins. Emma-Lee Garcia, Noe Borromeo Hernandez and Brian Smith face multiple charges following an investigation by the Attorney General’s…

Man charged for murder of 21-year-old Warner Robins man

Officers arrested 18-year-old Travis Buckley on December 11. 

(UPDATE 12/12/2024) A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal shooting of Mason Holt, according to the Perry Police Department. Officers arrested 18-year-old Travis Buckley on December 11. Buckley is charged with felony murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Buckley is currently being held at the…

Raiders Ready to Rumble in First Ever State Championship

The Northeast Raiders (12-2) head to Mercedes Benz Stadium Tuesday afternoon to face the Toombs County Bulldogs (12-1) for the GHSA Class A Division One State Title

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – There is just one team left standing in all of Middle Georgia as the state championships approach and it’s none other than the Northeast Raiders from the East side representing a Bibb County school in the state title game for the first time in 49 years. Raider Nation has the whole city on their back…

Antwaan Hill Jr. Accepts Jersey to Play in Navy All-American Bowl

The former Houston County Bears Quarterback and Memphis Tigers Four Star Commit accepted his invitation to play at the AlamoDome in San Antonio Jan. 11 on 41NBC

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Former Houston County Bears QB Antwaan Hill Junior accepted his jersey to play in the Navy All-American Bowl Game on January 11. The Four Star Memphis Tigers Commit plans to follow his cousin, and Bengals Center, Deontrey Hill, in his footsteps after the former Georgia Bulldog played in this game back in 2021. Hill…

James L. Fritze appointed NewTown Macon President and CEO

The NewTown Macon Board of Directors has unanimously appointed James L. Fritze as president and CEO of the organization, effective immediately. Fritze, who has served as NewTown’s chief financial officer since 2018, succeeds Josh Rogers, who died unexpectedly on November 24 at the age of 42.

James Fritze (Photo: NewTown Macon)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The NewTown Macon Board of Directors has unanimously appointed James L. Fritze as president and CEO of the organization, effective immediately. Fritze, who has served as NewTown’s chief financial officer since 2018, succeeds Josh Rogers, who died unexpectedly on November 24 at the age of 42. “James is an experienced, competent and…

Kid Boss Market to encourage youth entrepreneurship, promote shopping local

Director of Achieve Academy, Tara Pvel, says the students have learned to turn their passion into profit, write a business plan, make financial projections, to pitch their ideas to investors, how to market their final product, and to speak to customers.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Achieve Academy is hosting the 5th annual Kid Boss Holiday Market. The event is December 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Kid Boss Holiday Market will be at 1602 Elberta Road in Warner Robins, behind Covenant Church. Director of Achieve Academy, Tara Pvel, says the students have learned to turn their passion into…

The Artist Gift Market at the Macon Mall is open for the holidays

The Artist Gift Market features art from nine different local artists, all female, and includes various handcrafted items ranging from paintings, pottery, jewelry, fabrics and clothing items, lotions and soaps, and even books.

Artist: Darlene Rutland Murphy (Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Are you still shopping around for gifts, not quite sure what to buy, look no further, because over at the upper level of the Macon Mall, located at 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, the Artist Gift Market is open for the holidays. The Artist Gift Market features art from nine different…

Windy afternoon to give way to freezing night

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Powerful winds have taken over across Middle Georgia following last night’s cold front. This Evening and Overnight It’s been a blustery afternoon for Middle Georgia in the wake of Tuesday night’s cold front that brought plenty of rain to much of the region. A wind advisory is in effect for the entire region until 7 PM…

‘A Very Cochran Christmas’ set for this weekend

Director of the City of Cochran’s Downtown Development Authority, Ken Land, says this is a family-friendly event for the community.

BLECKLEY COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The City of Cochran Downtown Development Authority is hosting ‘A Very Cochran Christmas’ this weekend. The event is December 14 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Downtown Cochran. Director of the City of Cochran’s Downtown Development Authority, Ken Land, says this is a family-friendly event for the community. There will be free family pictures…

GDC: Central State Prison inmate dies after altercation

Central State Prison inmate Leon Kelly died on December 9 following an altercation with another inmate.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Central State Prison inmate Leon Kelly died Monday following an altercation with another inmate. “We can confirm the death of Central SP inmate Leon Kelly (GDC# 786045) December 9 following an altercation with another inmate,” Georgia Department of Corrections spokesperson Joan Heath wrote in an email. Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones says Kelly had multiple stab wounds….

2 men hospitalized after shooting on Tinsley Road in Macon

The shooting happened within the 3700 block of Tinsley Drive near the intersection of James Street in Macon. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two men are hospitalized after a shooting on Tuesday night, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting happened within the 3700 block of Tinsley Drive near the intersection of James Street in Macon. The incident was called into the Macon-Bibb Emergency-911 Center at 10:52 p.m. on December 10. Deputies responded to Tinsley Drive in…

Cold front will bring storms tonight/early tomorrow

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An incoming cold front will bring another wave of rain tonight and early tomorrow before cold weather takes back over once it passes. This Evening and Overnight Middle Georgia had some showers move through early but the afternoon has largely been quiet. Scattered showers and perhaps a thunderstorm will remain possible through the evening and into…

UPDATE: Man arrested for shooting woman on Log Cabin Drive over the weekend connected to 2020 murder

According to the Bibb County Sheriff's Office, the case is still open with the District Attorney's Office. 

(UPDATE 12/10/2024 – 4:17 p.m.) The District Attorney’s Office released the following statement regarding Jahrius Isaiah Justus Whitehead in connection to the 2020 murder: “At this time, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to present this case to the Grand Jury for indictment to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. We have identified…

Atrium Health Navicent shares tips for toy and gift safety

Medical Director for Atrium Health Navicent Children’s Care Downtown Macon, Dr. Edward Clark, says "The younger the kid, the bigger the toy needs to be."

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health Navicent is preparing for the holiday season and encouraging people to be cautious when purchasing presents for children. Medical Director for Atrium Health Navicent Children’s Care Downtown Macon, Dr. Edward Clark, says “The younger the kid, the bigger the toy needs to be.” Clark offers the following tips for shoppers: Toy Check: Look for…

City of Macon, Warner Robins giving away 600 free trees

There will be 600 trees given away between both cities. This event is free and open to everyone. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful (KMBB) and Keep Warner Robins Beautiful (KWRB) are hosting a free tree giveaway. The event in Macon is at 10 a.m. at the Rosa Jackson Center located at 1211 Maynard Street. The Warner Robins event is at 9 a.m. at the GMC Warner Robins Native Plant Center located at 115 Prince Street. Both…