Byron man sentenced in trafficking case involving 13-year-old girl

Demaria Marshawn Williams was sentenced to 25 years after pleading guilty to statutory rape and pandering involving a 13-year-old girl.

Demaria Williams (Photo: Houston County Sheriff’s Office)WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Byron man has pleaded guilty in connection with the trafficking and sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl in Houston County, according to the Office of Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. 36-year-old Demaria Marshawn Williams pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of statutory rape and one count of…

Vineville Academy hosts Black History Month celebration in Macon

Students participated in performances and heard from community speakers during the Black History Month event.

Vineville Academy Black History Month (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Vineville Academy celebrated Black History Month Thursday, with performances inspired by African American entertainers and activist, such as Maya Angelou and Little Richard. Assistant principal Timothy Deas says this event was to show representation of those who have paved the way and brought change to the black community. “Just…

Morning Business Report: Retail strength, Nvidia surge and beer sales slowdown

Retail and tech are driving headlines in today’s Morning Business Report

(LILAMAX)- TJX Companies — the parent company of TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods — delivered a knockout quarter, blowing past Wall Street expectations. Executives credit the success of the off-price retailer to strong value, competitive pricing and what they describe as the “treasure hunt” excitement shoppers experience in stores. The performance stands in contrast to traditional department stores, many of…

Macon native and retired brigadier general Jonathan McColumn launches bid for U.S. Senate

Retired Brigadier General Jonathan McColumn has officially announced his campaign for Georgia’s U.S. Senate seat, entering the race as a Republican challenger.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Jonathan McColumn, a Macon native born in October 1964, served 35 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Brigadier General. Over the course of his military career, he lived and served in multiple countries, including Iraq, Kuwait, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. He also holds three master’s degrees in Strategic Studies, Business Administration, and…

Bill and Hillary Clinton to testify in House Epstein investigation as DOJ faces questions over missing files

In an unprecedented move, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are preparing to sit for congressional depositions.

(NBC)- In an unprecedented move, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are preparing to sit for congressional depositions under subpoena as part of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The depositions are scheduled to take place in New York, beginning with Hillary Clinton. House Oversight Chairman James Comer says the proceedings will be…

Man, teen killed in overnight house fire in Macon

The fire was reported at 1:50 a.m. February 26 at 5321 Valley Forge Road.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two people are dead after an overnight house fire in Macon, according to the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department. The fire was reported at 1:50 a.m. February 26 at 5321 Valley Forge Road. When crews arrived, they found heavy fire coming from the garage area of the home, the department said in a news release. Firefighters were…

UPDATE: Suspect arrested in deadly Rocky Creek Road shooting in Macon

Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones identified the man as Montago Maxwell.

UPDATE: The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect in connection with the deadly shooting on Rocky Creek Road. Investigators with the Violent Crime Unit identified 38-year-old Dequais Threatt of Macon as a person of interest in the case. Threatt was taken into custody in McDonough without incident by the McDonough Police Department, with assistance from the Bibb County…

36-year-old woman dies after being struck near Pio Nono-Montpelier intersection in Macon

In a news release, deputies identified the victim as 36-year-old Teairka Brown. They say Brown was crossing the road when she was struck and that the driver stayed at the scene during the investigation.

UPDATE: The Bibb County Sheriff’s office says the pedestrian was struck in the 1400 block of Pio Nono Avenue just before 7:30 p.m. In a news release, deputies identified the victim as 36-year-old Teairka Brown. They say Brown was crossing the road when she was struck and that the driver stayed at the scene during the investigation. EMS attempted life-saving…

Bibb deputies: More than 18 pounds of marijuana seized at Allen Road home

Deputies say investigators seized more than 18 pounds of marijuana, Xanax pills, cash and four guns during a search of the home.

Santana Ignacio (Credit: Bibb County Sheriff’s Office)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A man and woman are facing charges after deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home on Allen Road. According to a post from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy responded on February 15 after neighbors reported hearing a woman screaming for help inside the home. Deputies…

Daybreak Sleepout aims to raise $340,000 for homelessness services

Participants will spend the night outdoors to raise money for Daybreak services that support people experiencing homelessness.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Daybreak’s annual Sleepout aims to raise $340,000 to support homelessness services. Middle Georgians are preparing to spend Thursday night sleeping outside in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness during the annual Macon Sleepout benefiting Daybreak. Sister Deborah Mallott, director of Daybreak, says the event gives participants a small glimpse into the reality many face every day. “People…

Georgia business focus: Kroger breaks ground, Bearfoot Tavern expands, Bibb County Schools hosts job fair

Kroger has officially broken ground on a massive new Marketplace store in Perry, Georgia.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Here’s a look at the stories making headlines across Georgia this week, from major business expansions and new job opportunities to the latest industry news and a fast-food favorite closing its doors. Kroger Launches New Marketplace in Perry  Kroger has officially broken ground on a massive new Marketplace store in Perry. The 123,000-square-foot facility is scheduled to…

Market Day teaches Houston County students financial literacy, entrepreneurship skills

The market day is where students act as entrepreneurs, creating, pricing, and selling homemade goods and services to their peers and teachers. 

3rd grade Market Day (PHOTO: 41NBC/Bre’Anna Sheffield)WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston County third graders turned classroom lessons into real-life business Wednesday during the district’s annual market day. Students act as entrepreneurs, creating, pricing, and selling homemade goods and services to their peers and teachers. The event teaches teaches financial literacy concepts like supply & demand, profit and maintaining a…

Deputies: Two arrested after Baxter Avenue drug search in Macon

Deputies say marijuana, a digital scale and packaging materials were recovered during the search.

Williams (Credit: Bibb County Sheriff’s Office)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two people were taken into custody after deputies executed a search warrant at a Baxter Avenue apartment on Tuesday. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, investigators with the sheriff’s office Drug Unit, Gang Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service searched the apartment and recovered marijuana, a digital scale and packaging…

Girl Scout Cookie season underway with new debut

The last day to buy Girl Scout Cookies is March 8.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Girl Scout Cookie season is underway, and the organization is debuting a new cookie. Local Girl Scouts Latonya Hollingshed and Jaya Lockett said they are excited about cookie season. Boxes are $5 and can be purchased at Kroger, Walmart, Lowe’s, Bass Pro Shops and other local businesses. Customers can also use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder…

School bus crash in Houston County leaves minor injuries

The Houston County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the crash occurred February 25 and involved a school bus.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A school bus carrying four students was involved in a crash Wednesday on Highway 41 near Gunn Road, according to the Houston County School District. The Houston County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the crash occurred February 25 and involved a school bus. The district said the bus was transporting students from Quail Run Elementary School, along…

Moseley Avenue murder suspect injured in Bibb County Jail fight

Deputies say both inmates were treated for non-life-threatening injuries before being returned to the Bibb County Jail.

Darius and Julius Milner (Credit: Bibb County Sheriff’s Office)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two inmates, including a suspect charged in a triple homicide earlier this week, were injured in a fight inside the Bibb County Jail. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the fight involving 20-year-old Julius Milner; his brother, 30-year-old Darius Iliza Milner; and other inmates happened Monday night….

17-year-old arrested for terroristic threats against Westside High School

In a news release, the district said Westside High School administrators and campus police were made aware of a social media post over the weekend.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A 17-year-old was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats against Westside High School, according to the Bibb County School District. In a news release, the district said Westside High School administrators and campus police were made aware of a social media post over the weekend. School officials investigated the post, and the teen was arrested…

Downtown Macon’s Loom Comfort Kitchen unveils new southern-inspired menu

A downtown Macon restaurant is introducing a refreshed menu designed to blend Southern comfort food with refined culinary technique.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Loom Comfort Kitchen & Cocktails, located inside Hotel Forty Five, recently rolled out updated offerings that restaurant leaders say are rooted in family tradition while embracing elevated preparation methods. Executive Sous Chef McAuthor Johnson says the goal is to create dishes that feel both nostalgic and innovative. “We try to build a bridge between Southern American…

President Trump touts economic strength, faces Democratic pushback in address to Congress

President Donald Trump declared “our nation is back” as he addressed members of Congress in the second year of his second term.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump declared “our nation is back” as he addressed members of Congress in the second year of his second term, delivering a speech that underscored sharp political divisions. “Our nation is back. Bigger, better, richer and stronger than ever before,” Trump said at the outset of his remarks. The president defended his record on the economy, even…

Morning Business Report: AI trends, housing proposals and media merger bids

President Trump used his State of the Union address to take credit for economic gains.

(LILAMAX)- President Trump used his State of the Union address to take credit for economic gains, speaking just days after the Supreme Court overruled tariffs that had underpinned much of his economic policy. He is also awaiting another decision from the high court regarding how much authority he has over the Federal Reserve. During the speech, the president outlined new…

Savannah Guthrie announces $1 million reward in search for missing mother Nancy

A new, heartbreaking call for help is coming from Savannah as the search for her mother, Nancy, reaches day 24.

(NBC)- A new, heartbreaking call for help is coming from Savannah as the search for her mother, Nancy, reaches day 24. “It is day 24 since our mom was taken in the dark of night from her bed, and every hour and minute and second and every long night has been agony since then — of worrying about her and…

Bomb cyclone blizzard leaves thousands without power, cancels 10,000 flights in Northeast

Officials across the Northeast are working to restore electricity in the aftermath of this week’s historic bomb cyclone blizzard.

(CNN)- Officials across the Northeast are working feverishly to restore electricity in the aftermath of this week’s historic bomb cyclone blizzard. “We’ve got to be able to get snow cleared as quickly as possible so that we can get power restored,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. Thousands in the region were still without power Tuesday, shivering in freezing temperatures. The…

Macon-Bibb curfew proposal would extend hours and age limits

The proposal would expand the curfew to 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for those 17 and under if approved by commissioners.

FileMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon-Bibb commissioner is advocating for a curfew change following a recent spike in crime. Right now, the curfew in Macon-Bibb is from midnight to 5 a.m. for those 16 and under, but District 3 Commissioner Stanley Stewart wants to change that from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for those 17 and under. “We want to…