Irving Tissue in Macon announces $600 million expansion, creating 100 new jobs

Irving Tissue will invest nearly $600 million in its Macon facility, adding at least 100 new jobs as part of a major expansion, according to the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA).

Irving Tissue unveils a $600 million expansion project at its Macon, Georgia plant. From left to right: Robby Fountain, Board Chair of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority (MBCIA), Pat Wilson, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Robert K. Irving, President of Irving Tissue, and Grover Hardin, Plant Manager of Irving Tissue Macon. (Photo: MBCIA)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –…

Peach County Hungry for Revenge Against Baldwin

The Peach County Trojans (10-1, 5-0) will host the Baldwin Braves (7-4, 6-2) in our Week 15 Game of the Week

FORT VALLEY, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The 10-1 Peach County Trojans have dominated so far this season as they continue to play complimentary football in all three phases. After losing a close 49-39 game to Perry in Week Two, this Trojans team cannot be tamed. Second year Head Coach Marquis Westbrook and Peach County have rattled off nine straight wins,…

Red Cross says families are experiencing more frequent, intense disasters every year

The Red Cross is responding to twice as many major disasters as it did a decade ago and the number of billion-dollar disasters has also increased 85% over the same time period, according to the Red Cross.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – 2024 has been an above-average year for billion-dollar disasters, according to the American Red Cross. Vice President of American Red Cross Disaster Programs, Jennifer Pippa, says natural disasters have ravaged communities across the country and created a humanitarian crisis for tens of thousands of people reeling from severe storms, floods and wildfires. Pippa says that the…

Temperatures dip Thursday; stay cool into the weekend

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Temperatures will be on a cooling trend to finish the week following Tuesday’s rain and cold front. This Evening Skies across Middle Georgia cleared out this afternoon following a cloudy start. The winds have also become quite pronounced out of the west-northwest. Strong winds will carry through most of the rest of the week in the…

UPDATE: Former Macon teacher sentenced after pleading guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material

28-year-old Christian Baumgarth of Atlanta was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, on Wednesday.

UPDATE (11/20/24): 28-year-old Christian Baumgarth of Atlanta was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison, followed by 25 years of supervised release, on Wednesday. He will also have to register as a sex offender upon release from prison. UPDATE (7/8/24):  27-year-old Christian Baumgarth, a former teacher and volunteer youth ministry leader, pleaded guilty on Monday to possessing child sexual abuse…

Wesleyan College announces plan for new K-12 charter school in Macon

Wesleyan College plans to open a K-12 charter school, the Wesleyan Academy, on its campus in Fall 2026.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Wesleyan College plans to open a K-12 charter school, the Wesleyan Academy, on its campus in Fall 2026. The goal is to expand educational opportunities and strengthen workforce development in Macon-Bibb County, according to a news release. “Designed to expose students to a higher education environment from an early age, the school will aim to prepare…

New Planet Fitness location opens in Macon

Planet Fitness opened a brand new Planet Fitness facility in Macon on Monday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Planet Fitness opened a brand new Planet Fitness facility in Macon on Monday. The new facility is located at 3172 Eisenhower Parkway West, across town from the company’s other location on Tom Hill Sr. Blvd. Club manager Devin Carr tells 41NBC members get access to all sorts of workout training equipment: everything from cardio machines to…

The Lady Bears Prepare for Mississippi State

The Mercer Lady Bears (2-2) now prepare for a tough road test against an SEC opponent

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Lady Bears, under first year head coach Michelle Clark-Heard are 2-2 through four games so far this season, after picking up a home win at Hawkins Arena Sunday afternoon over North Carolina A&T 46-38. Before their fifth game of the season tips off Wednesday night at Mississippi State, Coach Heard spoke at Monday’s Mercer…

Piedmont nutritionist shares tips for eating healthy during the holidays, managing diabetes

The recommendation is to make half of your plate vegetables, one quarter of your plate protein, and one quarter starches or carbohydrates. 

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The holiday season is almost upon us and a local nutritionist is encouraging people to make healthy decisions. Clinical Registered Dietician at Piedmont Macon Medical Center, Emelina Perez, says she suggests people use the plate method recommendation set by the American Diabetes Association. The plate method recommends serving meals on a 9-inch plate. The recommendation is…

Johnson County teacher, coach charged with improper sexual conduct with student

Charles Beale, a high school coach and educator, was arrested by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and charged with twenty counts of improper sexual conduct with a student.

JOHNSON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Johnson County teacher and coach was arrested on Saturday for improper sexual conduct with a student, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Charles Beale, a high school coach and educator, was arrested by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and charged with twenty counts of improper sexual conduct with a student. According to the…

GBI seeks public’s help in Telfair County death investigation

A fisherman found a body at a boat landing along the Ocmulgee River on November 11 at 12:55 p.m.

UPDATE (11/19/2024): The Georgia State Patrol dive team located the Jeep Compass rented by Devin Jeter on November 19 around 9:45 a.m, according to the GBI. The Jeep was recovered from the Ocmulgee River, near where Jeter’s body was discovered. According to the GBI, Investigators found no visible damage on the Jeep. ORIGINAL (11/14/2024): TELFAIR COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The…

‘Operation Christmas Child’ holding annual Shoebox Gifts Collection Drive

Shoe boxes full of gifts will soon be sent out to children in need around the world, and it's not just toys in those shoe boxes.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Volunteers across eight area counties are getting into the Christmas spirit collecting gifts for Operation Christmas Child. Shoe boxes full of gifts will soon be sent out to children in need around the world, and it’s not just toys in those shoe boxes. Volunteers pack them with essentials like clothes and school supplies, too. Gail Donnelly,…

Restaurant Report Card: Middle Georgia food service inspection scores November 11-15

This week's Restaurant Report Card provides food service inspection scores across Middle Georgia, as released by the Georgia Department of Public Health.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — This week’s Restaurant Report Card provides food service inspection scores across Middle Georgia, as released by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The scores cover inspections conducted between Monday, November 11 and Friday, November 15, 2024. Understanding the scores Scores 69 and below (unsatisfactory): Highlighted in red. Scores 70-99 (satisfactory): Displayed in black. Scores of 100…

Week 14 Macon Touchdown Club Players of the Week

Here are the Macon Touchdown Club's Players of the Week for Week 14 of the High School Football Season

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon Touchdown Club has chosen their three players of the week for the Week 14. Back of the Week: Devin Edmonds – Jones County Senior Quarterback who completed 22 of 28 passes for 343 yards, and four touchdown’s, in the Greyhounds 51-21 opening round playoff win over East Forsyth. Back of the Week: Jaivon…

Mercer Volleyball Wins SOCON Regular Season Championship

The Mercer Lady Bears (24-5, 14-2) have won the Southern Conference Regular Season Championship

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Mercer Lady Bears took home the Southern Conference Regular Season Volleyball Championship Friday night after a close five set victory over SOCON opponent Wofford. For the first time in program history, this Mercer team went undefeated at home with a 12-0 record at Hawkins Arena, on their way to a 24-5 season, with a…

Several High School Football Records Set

Here are some of the several high school football reecords that were set Friday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Here is an honorable mention to some local high school football student athletes that broke school records during Week 14 on Friday. First is Northeast Junior Quarterback Reginald ‘Bam’ Glover. He surpassed 1,000 rushing yards this season, after rushing for 119 yards in the Raiders 46-7 opening round playoff win over Swainsboro. Glover has also completed…

Mercer prepares for the biggest game in program history

The Mercer Bears (9-2, 6-1) are ready to take on the Furman Paladines (3-7, 2-4) for the first Southern Conference Championship since Mercer reinstated the football program in 2013

MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The FCS top ten ranked Mercer Bears, number eight according to StatsPerform, and number nine according to AFCA, coming off their 52-7 loss to the FBS top ten Alabama in Tuscaloosa, now shift their focus to an even bigger game back at home. The Bears will host the Furman Paladins on Saturday, and if Mercer…

Macon Regional Crimestoppers seek public’s assistance to capture suspects

Today's word of the day: Awareness

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon Regional Crimestoppers Sergeant Greg Thomas visited 41Today to highlight five wanted suspects and discuss the word of the day. Crimestoppers partners with media organizations, police departments and other law enforcement agencies in eight Middle Georgia counties to provide anonymous rewards for tips that lead to criminal arrests. Can you help track down the following suspects?…

Storms expected tomorrow

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – An incoming cold front will bring storms to Middle Georgia Tuesday. This Evening It’s been a sunny start to the week, however clouds are expected to fill in over Middle Georgia tonight. It will be a warmer night thanks to gentle winds out of the south-southeast. Temperatures are likely to bottom out in the mid 50s…

Ronnie Jay Towns sentenced to life for 2015 murders of Bud and June Runion

Nearly 10 years after the deaths of Bud and June Runion, Ronnie Jay Towns has pleaded guilty to their murders and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Ronnie Jay Towns (File photo)McRAE-HELENA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Nearly 10 years after the deaths of Bud and June Runion, Ronnie Jay Towns has pleaded guilty to their murders and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to Telfair County Sheriff Sim Davidson. Bud and June Runion (File) In January 2015, Towns lured Bud and June Runion, a…

1 dead after Sunday crash in Washington County

One person died after a two-vehicle crash in Washington County Sunday morning.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One person died after a two-vehicle crash in Washington County Sunday morning. According to Georgia State Patrol, it happened on State Route 242/West Church Street near Woodbine Dr. The preliminary investigation revealed a Honda Accord was passing a Toyota Tacoma in a no passing zone while the Tacoma was turning left. The Accord struck the…

UPDATE: Train-SUV collision victim dies, according to Macon-Bibb Coroner

Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones says Cheryl Rawls died on Sunday.

Photo: Bibb County Sheriff’s OfficeUPDATE (11/18/24): Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones says Cheryl Rawls died on Sunday, two days after her vehicle was struck by a train. According to Jones, she was pronounced dead at 11:07 a.m. UPDATE (11/15/24 – 10:08 p.m.): – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman injured in Friday’s collision as Cheryl Rawls of Macon….

Bibb County standoff ends with man in custody

Deputies say 53-year-old Ronny Guilmette of Macon barricaded himself inside the home when they arrived and that he threatened to shoot deputies if they entered.

Photo: Bibb County Sheriff’s OfficeMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)  – Bibb County deputies say a man who took a person hostage and threatened deputies during a standoff Sunday is now in custody. According to a sheriff’s office news release, a call came in just before noon reporting a domestic dispute in the 9000 block of Hopewell Road. Deputies say 53-year-old Ronny Guilmette…

Macon shooting leaves 32-year-old in critical condition

According to a Bibb County Sheriff's Office news release, deputies responded to the 300 block of Rogers Avenue near the intersection of Rogers Place at 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A 32-year-old man is in critical condition after a shooting in Macon early Sunday morning. According to a Bibb County Sheriff’s Office news release, deputies responded to the 300 block of Rogers Avenue near the intersection of Rogers Place at 3:30. Deputies say someone drove a 32-year-old male shooting victim to a medical facility. The investigation…