UPDATE: Suspect arrested in connection with fire at Byron United Methodist Church

Byron Police identified Luke Westfield as the suspect.

UPDATE (8/22/2024): – A suspect has been arrested in connection with a fire that severely damaged Byron United Methodist Church on W Heritage Street late Tuesday night, according to Chief Wesley Cannon. Byron Police identified Luke Westfield as the suspect. Westfield was taken into custody in Columbia County by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. This is still an active and…

UPDATE: Suspect in Callie Goolsby’s death takes own life after standoff with law enforcement

This is still an ongoing investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

UPDATE (8/22/2024): The suspect in the death of Callie Brooke Goolsby in Crawford County was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Sheriff Lewis Walker. On August 16, an agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation secured warrants for the suspect, 52-year-old Timothy Lamar Crow, for the death of Goolsby. The warrants were for felony murder, malice murder,…

Georgia non-profit to address local opioid epidemic

The townhall is August 22 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Macon.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Beyond the Bell is hosting a town hall meeting to educate Macon-Bibb County on opiods. Beyond the Bell is a non-profit aimed at educating students and families about the dangers of underage drug and alcohol use. Beyond the Bell Macon Leader, Sandra Dean, says the opioid epidemic is serious in Macon-Bibb.  The town hall will include…

Local non-profits to hold Ice Cream with Dads

Attendees can purchase treats from Macon Water Ice. The event will be August 24 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Violence Prevention and Macon Mental Health Matters are hosting ‘Ice Cream with Dads’ at the playground pavilion in Amerson River Park. The event is open to fathers, grandfathers, and male guardians who want to celebrate fatherhood. The event is one of many that are being held across the nation by a group called The Active…

Houston Healthcare and Emory Healthcare announce potential affiliation

Houston Healthcare and Emory Healthcare sign Letter of Intent to explore partnership, aiming for a 2025 agreement

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Houston Healthcare based in Warner Robins and Emory Healthcare in Atlanta have signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to explore a potential affiliation, according to a news release from Houston Healthcare and Emory Healthcare. The agreement would move toward integrating both organizations, with plans to finalize the partnership by 2025, pending the completion of due…

FVSU football holding annual ‘Meet and Greet’ Saturday

The FVSU Wildcats football team and Athletics Department will be at Wildcat Stadium Friday to meet with family, friends, and fans before the season opener next week

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Fort Valley State University Wildcats football team is ready for their annual “Meet and Greet” celebration this weekend. The FVSU Athletics Department invites family, friends and fans of the Wildcats football program to come out to Wildcat Stadium Saturday, August 24 at 11 a.m. to greet the players of the 2024 football team. The…

Balloon release held at Carolyn Crayton Park in memory of Cotina Fuller

The 51-year-old was shot and killed at Fast Trip in the 2600 block of Riverside Drive on Friday morning, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

Photo: Godfrey Hall/41NBCMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Family and friends gathered at Carolyn Crayton Park Wednesday night to release balloons in memory of Cotina Louise Fuller, who died in a shooting last week. Attendees wore purple, the color commonly associated with domestic violence awareness, as a tribute to the 51-year-old mother of five and long-time certified nursing assistant (CNA) who left…

ACE campus police investigate social media threat, school to remain open

41NBC reached out to the Academy for Classical Education after obtaining emails sent to families about a threat made by a student on social media.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Academy for Classical Education (ACE) Campus Police Department confirmed it was made aware of an anonymous threat through a social media post on Tuesday, according to Chief of Campus Police Will Ferrel. 41NBC reached out to the Academy for Classical Education after obtaining emails sent to families about a threat made by a student on…

Macon-Bibb County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. to host Job Fair Saturday

"We want to make sure that quality staff comes in to educate our children," said Jacquice Jones the Early Head Start Director at MBEOC.

(Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s time to put on your business causal best, because Macon-Bibb County Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. is holding a job fair this Saturday as part of its recruitment efforts. They are hiring for a wide variety of head, early head start and other education-related positions. The job fair will include in-person interviews. Applicants…

Staying below average Thursday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Temperatures will top off in the upper 80s and lower 90s again Thursday afternoon. This Evening Partly cloudy this afternoon will clear some heading through the evening, however scattered clouds should remain through much of the night. Wind will remain out of the east-northeast around 5 mph as temperatures bottom out in the upper 60s and…

Local business prepares for Health Day, shares importance of natural remedies

CEO/Owner of GG's Favored Elegance, Shaunta Moore, says she began her health journey during the Covid-19 pandemic.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A local business is preparing for Health Day at the Houston County Galleria. GG’s Favored Elegance is hosting Better Health Day and hopes to promote healthy remedies for daily needs. Health Day will be August 31 at 12 p.m. CEO/Owner of GG’s Favored Elegance, Shaunta Moore, says she began her health journey during the Covid-19 pandemic….

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office looking for part-time school crossing guard

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is looking for a part-time school crossing guard.

MONROE COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is looking for a part-time school crossing guard. The new hire would work under the MCSO’s Patrol Division. Public Information Officer Anna Watkins says the crossing guard would work at an assigned school during morning and afternoon drop-off hours. She says it’s a civilian position that pays $19.68 an…

Man, woman arrested during search warrant in Forsyth

During the search, deputies say they found 119 grams of Ecstasy, 1.5 ounces of marijuana, several digital scales and baggies for individual sales.

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –Two people are in the Monroe County Jail without bond, after being arrested during a search warrant Tuesday morning. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, deputies served a search warrant at a home near Highway 83 North and McCommon Road, after receiving multiple complaints of drug activity. (Robert Jones- Photo courtesy of Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)…

Dodge County Indians start their redemption tour

The Dodge County Indians open their season down the road in Cochran against Bleckley County in The End Zone Game of the Week.

EASTMAN, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Dodge County Indians open their season 18 miles down the road against the Bleckley County Royals (1-0). These two old border county foes renew their rivalry this Friday as region opponents, since they are now both in Region 2-A Division One. First year head coach Phillip Brown is not only in his first season…

Macon-Bibb approves $500,000 in ARPA funds for Macon Mental Health Matters program

Commissioners discuss long-term sustainability before allocating $500,000 in ARPA funds to continue mental health services in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon-Bibb County Commissioners unanimously approved a $500,000 appropriation in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on Tuesday night to continue supporting the Macon Mental Health Matters program. The vote followed a presentation from program leaders and a discussion about the long-term sustainability of the program. Gloria Smith Cisse, CEO and lead therapist at the Southern…

Macon-Bibb County sets Special Election for vacant District 1 Water Authority seat

Macon-Bibb County Commissioners approve a resolution for a special election on November 5 to fill the vacant District 1 seat on the Macon Water Authority Board.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon-Bibb County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday night that sets the stage for a special election to fill the vacant District 1 seat on the Macon Water Authority Board. The seat became vacant earlier this year after Dr. Anissa Jones, the previous District 1 representative, qualified to run for the District 143 Representative in…

Macon’s 3rd annual Mayor’s Sneaker Ball details announced

"Immediately you started out partying and having a good time and meeting community members that you probably would never run across," said Anikitia Abram of the Sneaker Ball Committee.

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller (Photo Credit: Godfrey Hall/41NBC)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Dust off your sneakers and bust out your dance moves. Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller and Macon Mental Health Matters Andrea Cooke have announced details for the 3rd Annual Mayor’s Sneaker Ball on Tuesday. Mayor Miller says the last two balls have been incredible and that the ball…

The 567 Center for Renewal set to host Kool-Aid and Canvas

Parents can drop-off their child and pick them up when class is over, or they can sign up to paint along with their child.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The 567 Center for Renewal is hosting Kool-Aid and Canvas on August 24. The event is an opportunity for children ages 6-12 to create a painting with acrylic paints on canvas. Art instructor, Dee Washington, says painting is a time to focus on yourself and do something you enjoy. Washington says the art center offers various…

Rain chances climb Wednesday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A low pressure system over northern Florida will instigate shower chances in Middle Georgia for the middle of this week. This Evening Scattered clouds from the afternoon will clear a good bit heading into tonight, again allowing for a nice view of the nearly full moon. Winds will remain out of the northeast at around 5-10…

Former Soperton Police Officer charged for aggravated assault, terroristic threats

60-year-old Kenneth Bishop of Swainsboro was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of terroristic threats and acts.

TREUTLEN COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A former Soperton Police Officer has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault and terroristic threats and acts, according to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. 60-year-old Kenneth Bishop of Swainsboro was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of terroristic threats and acts. On July 31,…

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office seeks public’s help in theft investigation

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the theft took place on August 18 in the McCrackin Street area of Juliette.

MONROE COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is looking for two individuals involved in a theft by taking case. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the theft took place on August 18 in the McCrackin Street area of Juliette. If you have any information, contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 478-994-7010 or Investigator Yalonda Mercer…

The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 20-31 listed below.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage and is asking people to consider donating blood right away. Regional Communications Manager Suzanne Lawler said the shortage is nationwide with supplies dipping for the month of July by more than 25% for all types of blood, especially Type O. She said, a lot of the shortage…

Macon Bacon announces new ownership group, lease extension at Luther Williams Field

The Macon Bacon, Macon's Coastal Plain League collegiate summer baseball team, announced a new ownership group at a news conference at Luther Williams Field on Tuesday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Bacon, Macon’s Coastal Plain League (CPL) collegiate summer baseball team, announced a new ownership group at a news conference at Luther Williams Field on Tuesday and also confirmed the team’s presence in the city for years to come. Team president Brandon Raphael said the new ownership group includes Dan Erthal, Ron Shipman and Jonathan…

Middle Georgia Restaurant Report Card: Food service inspection scores (August 12–16, 2024)

This week's Restaurant Report Card provides the latest food service inspection scores across Middle Georgia, as released by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The scores cover inspections conducted between Monday, August 12 and Friday, August 16, 2024.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — This week’s Restaurant Report Card provides the latest food service inspection scores across Middle Georgia, as released by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The scores cover inspections conducted between Monday, August 12 and Friday, August 16, 2024. Understanding the scores Scores 69 and below (unsatisfactory): Highlighted in red. Scores 70-99 (satisfactory): Displayed in black. Scores…