Crawford County woman sentenced to life in prison for 2020 murder

Cheylana White pleaded guilty to the shooting death of 52-year-old Daniel Jones in his home.

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A woman will spend the rest of her life behind bars for killing a man in 2020. 22-year-old Cheylana White was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty before her trial on December 4. White pleaded guilty to the shooting death of 52-year-old Daniel Jones in his home. Investigators say White took Jones’ vehicle,…

Senator Ossoff secures more than $57K in federal grants for public safety in Warner Robins, Houston County

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff announced significant federal resources will go toward strengthening public safety in Houston County on Thursday.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff announced significant federal resources will go toward strengthening public safety in Houston County on Thursday. He has successfully secured $57,949 in federal grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice to boost public safety and upgrade equipment in Warner Robins and Houston County, according to a news release. The federal grant,…

GBI still seeking information on 2021 homecoming block party shooting that left man dead in Fort Valley

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is still seeking information about a shooting that left 27-year-old Tyler French dead in 2021.

(GBI)UPDATE (12/6/23): The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is still seeking information about a shooting that left 27-year-old Tyler French dead in 2021. The GBI asks that anyone with information call the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Perry at (478) 987-4545 or the Fort Valley Police Department at (478) 825-3383. Anonymous tips can be made via the GBI Tip line at…

Georgia College launches free green tech course with $100K innovation grant

Green technology, solar power and entrepreneurship are the focus of a new, free course being offered at Georgia College and State University (GCSU).

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Green technology, solar power and entrepreneurship are the focus of a new, free course being offered at Georgia College and State University (GCSU). It’s thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Partnership of Inclusive Innovation that was awarded to GCSU’s School for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in September. “We’re starting a Workforce Development Program,” assistant professor of…

Band director Robert L. Scott, Jr. honored with street name dedication

Scott served as band director at Ballard Hudson High School from 1956 to 1970, and also taught music and social studies at several Bibb County schools.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A beloved Macon marching band director was honored on Thursday with a street dedication in front of Ballard Hudson Middle School. Robert L. Scott, Jr. served as the director of the Maroon and White Marching Tiger Band at Ballard Hudson High School from 1956 until the school’s closing in 1970. In 1984, he was named as…

Senators Warnock, Ossoff announce $1.5 million in federal funding to explore new Georgia passenger rail corridors

U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff have announced the awarding of $1.5 million in federal funding to explore the development of three new passenger rail corridors in Georgia.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (41NBC/WMGT) — U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff have announced the awarding of $1.5 million in federal funding to explore the development of three new passenger rail corridors in Georgia. The funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is aimed at increasing connectivity across the state and with major Southeastern cities. The grants, distributed by the…

Warner Robins man sentenced to 12 years for aggravated assault, firearm charges

29-year-old Matthew Elijah Patterson of Warner Robins receives a 12-year sentence following a 2019 shooting at a Popeyes restaurant.

Matthew Patterson (Photo: Houston County District Attorney’s Office)WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – 29-year-old Matthew Elijah Patterson of Warner Robins was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison, followed by 13 years of probation for multiple charges, including aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The Houston County District Attorney’s Office says the conviction…

UPDATE: Police make arrest in connection with shooting that left 2 teens injured in Warner Robins

18-year-old Emmanuel Antonio Dawson is now in custody in connection with a Tuesday shooting that resulted in two teens being hospitalized.

Emmanuel Dawson (Photo: Warner Robins Police)UPDATE (12/7): Warner Robins Police say 18-year-old Emmanuel Antonio Dawson is now in custody in connection with a Tuesday shooting that resulted in two teens being hospitalized. Police say officers took him into custody at 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Dawson is charged with attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the…

Macon-Bibb Fire Department working 5th Street fire in downtown Macon

Fire chief Shane Edwards tells 41NBC the building at 720 5th Street caught fire around 7:30.

UPDATE: A structure fire was spotted in downtown Macon early Thursday. Fire chief Shane Edwards tells 41NBC the building at 720 5th Street caught fire around 7:30. There’s no word yet on what started the fire. “It appears the building is vacant at this time, and we don’t have any information on the cause or determination of the fire cause…

How to check if a toy is safe to give to a child this holiday season

If you plan on buying gifts for small children, it's important to be mindful of toys with hazardous parts.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With Christmas less than three weeks away, Santa’s elves are hard at work making all the toys on your child’s wish list, but if you plan on buying toys from the store, there are some safety guidelines you should know. Amid the festive cheer, parents are urged to prioritize child safety by choosing age-appropriate Christmas toys,…

Atrium Health Navicent to implement seasonal visitor restrictions, mask policies on Thursday

Atrium Health Navicent announced Wednesday it will implement seasonal temporary visitor restrictions and masking policies at its locations due to a recent increase in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Atrium Health Navicent announced Wednesday it will implement seasonal temporary visitor restrictions and masking policies at its locations due to a recent increase in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu and RSV.  Starting Thursday, December 7 at 7 a.m.., visitors 12 and younger will not be allowed to visit patients in any system hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation…

Nu-Way Weiners to close at Mercer Village, Bear Burgers set to open

A dining shift: From classic hot dogs to innovative burgers

Opening soon: A Bear Burgers flyer, posted on social media, highlights the new restaurant opening in January 2024 in Macon.The flyer from Bear Burgers reveals the restaurant’s January 2024 opening at the former Nu-Way Weiners location in Mercer Village, promising a unique dining experience with a mix of burgers and breakfast options.MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Nu-Way Weiners will close its…

Lots of sunshine

Good Wednesday morning we saw out the door temperatures in the low to mid 40s with clear skies. Today we will warm up to the mid and upper 50s with a northwest wind at 10-15 mph with gust up to 20-25 mph. We will also see tons of sunshine today across Middle Georgia. Overnight we will cool down pretty quickly…

CDC urges flu vaccinations as Georgia faces rising influenza, RSV cases

"RSV season is usually from October to about March, and this is the peak of it. It peaks almost every year, and the hospital is full of children with RSV struggling to breathe or on oxygen," Dr. Christy Peterson said.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  It’s National Influenza Vaccination Week, and as flu cases continue to rise across Georgia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging people to get vaccinated.  According to the CDC, Georgia is currently experiencing a high level of respiratory viruses, including the flu and RSV. “Right now we’re sitting at a high level of…

2 dead in Jones County crash involving log truck and sedan

The crash resulted in traffic delays Tuesday night.

JONES COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two people are dead after a crash involving a sedan and a log truck Tuesday night in Jones County. It happened around 6 p.m. on Gray Highway near Homer Roberts Road. The Jones County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post at 6:14 p.m. that one lane on each side of the highway was shut…

Superintendent Dr. Fred Williams thanks Dublin City School District for his success

Dr. Williams says winning the title of 2024 Georgia Superintendent of the Year is a reflection of support from the community and the hard work of everyone in the district.

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Dublin City School District is celebrating the announcement last week of its superintendent as the 2024 Georgia Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Fred Williams has worked for the Dublin City School District for 30 years and has been superintendent since 2015. He says earning the title of 2024 Georgia Superintendent of the Year is a…

Train, dump truck collision in Monroe County results in injuries

A Monroe County Sheriff's Office news release says it happened around 8:30 a.m. on Highway 41 South near Wadley Road.

MONROE COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Three people were hospitalized after a collision between a train and a dump truck Tuesday morning. A Monroe County Sheriff’s Office news release says it happened around 8:30 a.m. on Highway 41 South near Wadley Road. “The accident was a result of a collision between a train from the rock quarry and a dump truck,”…

UPDATE: Arrangements announced for former Macon-Bibb EMA Director Johnny Wingers

Johnny Wingers, the former long-serving Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director for Macon-Bibb County, died Monday at the age of 84, according to Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones.

Johnny Wingers (Photo: dignitymemorials.com)UPDATE (12/5):  A graveside service honoring Johnny Wingers’ life and service will be held with full military honors on Friday, December 8 at 1 p.m. at Snow’s at Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home, with Dr. Rick Lanford officiating. Wingers died Monday at the age of 84. The community will have the opportunity to pay their respects during…

Nice day today

Another cold morning across Middle Georgia with temperatures in the upper 30s to low 40s across the area with a few upper clouds. Today we will warm up into the low 60s with mostly sunny skies. Overnight tonight  we only reach the low 40s with mostly clear skies. On Wednesday a passing cold front will cause breezy conditions with gust…

Middle Georgia man sentenced to 60 years after pleading guilty to multiple counts of child molestation

62-year-old Michael Elsasser pleaded guilty on Friday, December 1 in Crawford County Superior Court to three counts of child molestation ahead of a trial that was scheduled to begin on Monday involving allegations of a pattern of abuse spanning several years, multiple victims and multiple jurisdictions.

CRAWFORD COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Middle Georgia man was sentenced to 60 years last week—with the first 50 to be spent in prison—after pleading guilty to multiple counts of child molestation. A Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office news release says 62-year-old Michael Elsasser pleaded guilty on Friday, December 1 in Crawford County Superior Court to three counts of…

Dublin VA to host women veterans health forum and claims clinic on Thursday

The event, set to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the medical center’s auditorium (on the second floor of Building 2), aims to raise awareness of the various programs and services available to women veterans.

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – In an effort to address the healthcare needs of female veterans, the Dublin VA Medical Center is set to host a Women Veterans Public Health Forum and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) claims clinic on Thursday, December 7. The event, set to begin at 4:30 p.m. in the medical center’s auditorium (on the second floor of Building…

UPDATE: Deputy coroner identifies person killed in Sunday night shooting in Dublin

One person is dead and five others are injured after separate weekend shootings in Dublin.

UPDATE (12/4 – 9 p.m.): Laurens County Deputy Coroner Nathan Stanley identified the person killed in a shooting outside Burger King Sunday night as 19-year-old Jeremiah Watkins of Dublin. Stanley says Watkins was taken to Fairview Park Hospital and was pronounced dead there at 10:18 p.m. Sunday. His body is being sent to the GBI Crime Lab in Atlanta for…

Middle Georgia peach farmers optimistic amid early cold, wet winter predictions

ocal peach farmers are feeling optimistic about the upcoming crop despite fluctuating weather conditions.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Local peach farmers are feeling optimistic about the upcoming crop despite fluctuating weather conditions. Cold temperatures arrived early this year, which is giving the peach crop a big boost right now, but according to 41NBCs AccuWeather meteorologist Chris Denmark, the winter season is expected to be wet and mild. “We’re going to see overnight lows…

Federal prisoner Johnifer Barnwell pleads not guilty to escape charge

Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, known by aliases “Whoop” and “Malixe,” pleaded not guilty Monday to escaping the Bibb County Jail in October.

Johnifer Barnwell (Bibb County Sheriff’s Office)MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, known by aliases “Whoop” and “Malixe,” pleaded not guilty Monday to escaping the Bibb County Jail in October. The 37-year-old Macon resident is facing charges related to his alleged escape on October 16, according to a news release from the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the Middle District…