Bibb County, Crime, Featured, Local News, WMGT

65-year-old man shot in Auto Zone parking lot

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says 65-year-old Ernest Wilkes was shot in the Auto Zone parking lot on Shurling Drive around 6:45 p.m. Thursday.
Clayton Poulnott,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)  – A man is in critical condition after being shot in east Macon Thursday night. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says 65-year-old Ernest Wilkes was shot in the Auto Zone parking lot on Shurling Drive around 6:45. According to investigators, Wilkes drove himself home, about seven miles away, and then called 911. The sheriff’s office says circumstances…

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Featured, Local News, Weather

Scattered storms and heat return Friday

Cecilia Reeves,

The heat is on once again in Middle Georgia for the end of the week and through the weekend. Highs on Friday will warm into the 90s by Friday afternoon, with the heat index pushing into the 100s. By the afternoon hours, scattered showers and storms will start to pop up, but severe weather is not expected. On Saturday a…
Featured, Houston County, Local News

Robins Air Force Base hoping to get students involved in STEM outreach program

Robins Air Force Base and the 21st Century Partnership are working on a STEM outreach program for Middle Georgia K-12 schools. 
Cameron Branscomb,

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Robins Air Force Base and the 21st Century Partnership are working on a STEM outreach program for Middle Georgia K-12 schools.  The goal is to get students interested in STEM to work at Robins Air Force Base after completing high school or college. Program leaders say it can be difficult keeping STEM talent local due…

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Bibb County, Featured, Health, Local News, WMGT

North Central Health District bringing awareness to ‘World Hepatitis Day’

July 28 is known as World Hepatitis Day, and The North Central Health District wants to make sure you know the signs and how to stay protected.
Lizbeth Gutierrez,

World Hepatitis DayWorld Hepatitis DayMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — July 28 is known as World Hepatitis Day, and The North Central Health District wants to make sure you know the signs and how to stay protected. According to Michael Hokanson, the district’s public information officer, says there’s been an increase in hepatitis cases over the past several years. Hepatitis is a…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News, Sports, WMGT

Coach Sheddrick ‘Spoon’ Risper celebrates 25 years of coaching

He began coaching at Westside in 1998, serving 11 years as an assistant coach under Robert Davis.
Cameron Branscomb,

Coach Spoon RisperMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Westside High School football coach Sheddrick “Spoon” Risper is celebrating 25 years of coaching. He began coaching at Westside in 1998, serving 11 years as an assistant coach under Robert Davis. He then took over as head coach 2009. To his players, like Carlos Griffin, Coach Spoon is more than just a coach. “Ain’t…

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Featured, Houston County, Local News, WMGT

Perdue Elementary holding donation drive to give back to local cancer patients

Perdue Elementary School started its donation drive to benefit cancer patients on Thursday.
Lizbeth Gutierrez,

Perdue Elementary collecting protein drinks to donate to the cancer centerProtein DrinksWARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Perdue Elementary School started its donation drive to benefit cancer patients on Thursday. The drive, started in 2016, collects protein drinks to go toward the cancer care center across from the school. Since the start of the drive, the school has lost two students…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Bibb School District hosts Back to School Public Safety Summit

Bibb County School District leaders and law enforcement took part in a back to school safety and security summit Thursday.
Brick Nelson,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bibb County School District leaders and law enforcement took part in a back to school safety and security summit Thursday. The meeting focused on reviewing school and district safety plans and the roles each agency plays in an emergency response. Superintendent Dr. Dan Sims says he wants to be in touch with all public safety agencies…

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Featured, Jones County, Local News, WMGT

Dairy Queens of Middle Georgia Celebrate “Miracle Treat Day”

"We're glad to be a small part of something so big. This community comes together when it's time to do it."
Brick Nelson,

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Dairy Queen locations across Middle Georgia took part in the 13th annual “Miracle Treat Day” on Thursday. If you buy a blizzard at a participating Dairy Queen, one dollar is donated to the Children’s Miracle Network. The Beverly Knight Olsen Children’s hospital in Macon is part of that network. Justin Kelly owns the Dairy Queen in…

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Featured, Local News, Travel

Bridges project in South Bibb opens roads to public

Haley Janes,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The project involving 8 bridges in South Macon has reached the point in which traffic has been opened to the public. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the project that began in 2019, near south Bibb County is nearing its end. Wednesday, all 8 bridges opened to traffic. GDOT says there will be future traffic…

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Featured, Local News, Weather

Rain chances are rising ahead of the weekend

Aaron Lowery,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – We will see a slight increase in our rain chances to finish off the work week. Today This morning was much like all the others we have seen so far this week, however we will begin to observe some slight differences later this afternoon. We will be seeing some added cloud cover, primarily in the form…

Morning Business Report
Featured, Morning Business Report

Morning Business Report: Federal Reserve raises interest rate by 0.75%

Edward Smart,

Spirit has ended merger talks with frontier and will instead focus on a deal with JetBlue. The Federal Reserved hikes its second consecutive three-quarters percentage point interest rate increase. The move makes credit cards and car loans more expensive in hopes we don’t spend as much. Best Buy cut its profit forecast for the year, citing weaker demand and consumers…
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

UPDATE: Another victim of June shooting pronounced dead

23-year-old Jarvis Devon Hill, one of the victims of a shooting in June, was taken to a local hospital for medical complications around 1 a.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead about an hour later. 
Tucker Sargent,

UPDATE (7/28/22): 23-year-old Jarvis Devon Hill, one of the victims of a shooting in June, was taken to a local hospital for medical complications around 1 a.m. Thursday. He was pronounced dead about an hour later. An autopsy has been requested to find the cause of death. Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to call the Bibb County…

Sports

B.S. Report: July 27th – The Falcons Rebuild

Matt's gone, Julio's gone, and Falcons fans have to face the music this season.
David Tufts,

Matt’s gone, Julio’s gone, and Falcons fans will have to face the music this season. Bill Shanks explains why the Falcons will probably be the worst team in the league this year, and why that is a good thing. Categories: Sports Tags: Atlanta Falcons, desmond-ridder, marcus, mariota, NFL

Coach's Corner
Coach's Corner, Local Sports, Sports

Coach’s Corner 2022: Von Lassiter of the Bleckley County Royals

On this edition of Coach's Corner, 41NBC's Bill Shanks talks football with head coach Von Lassiter of the Bleckley County Royals.
David Tufts,

On this edition of Coach’s Corner, 41NBC’s Bill Shanks talks football with head coach Von Lassiter of the Bleckley County Royals. After an undefeated regular season last year, coach Lassiter looks to take the Royals all the way in their new division. Categories: Coach’s Corner, Local Sports, Sports Tags: Bill Shanks, Bleckley, Coach’s Corner, County, high school football, lassiter, Royals,…

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Featured, Local News, Weather

Middle Georgia to stay hot on Thursday

Cecilia Reeves,

Highs today made it to 96° in Macon with heat index values in the 100s for much of the afternoon. This starts a trend of mid/upper 90s that will continue for the rest of the week and into the weekend. A stationary boundary to our north will still be the main focus for rain and storms, but scattered storms will…
Bibb County, Business, Featured, Local News, Money, WMGT

Macon-Bibb Mayor to propose reduced millage rate

Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller is recommending lowering the county's millage rate by 2 mills.
Ariel Schiller,

FileMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller is recommending lowering the county’s millage rate by 2 mills. On August 2, the Mayor will recommend to Commission that the county millage rate go from 19.901 mills to 17.901 mills. The lower millage rate is part of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. It focuses on improving public safety, code enforcement, recreation,…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital patients celebrate “Miracle Treat Day”

The Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital got an early start on celebrating the 13th annual "Miracle Treat Day", which is set for Thursday.
Brick Nelson,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital got an early start on celebrating the 13th annual “Miracle Treat Day”, which is set for Thursday. It is a collaboration among the hospital, the Children’s Miracle Network and participating Dairy Queen locations. Kids at the hospital received Dairy Queen Blizzards at a pre-party Wednesday. “Giving a child an ice…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Macon pastor honored for 50 years of service

Pastor Eddie D. Smith Sr. of Macedonia Baptist Church was honored for his 50 years of service with the unveiling of Eddie D. Smith Sr. Way on Wednesday.
Cameron Branscomb,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Pastor Eddie D. Smith Sr. of Macedonia Baptist Church was honored for his 50 years of service with the unveiling of Eddie D. Smith Sr. Way on Wednesday. It’s a section of road located on Second Street between Central and Piedmont Avenues. Pastor Smith says the ceremony was about more than just himself. “Really inviting them…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News, WMGT

Bibb County Sheriff’s Office reports 40 homicides in 2022

According to Coroner Leon Jones, Macon-Bibb County is on track to surpass the number of homicides from 2021, which was 55.
Lizbeth Gutierrez,

FileMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a double homicide that happened Tuesday night. The killings brings the county’s homicide count for 2022 to 40. The sheriff’s office says four of them were “justifiable.” According to Coroner Leon Jones, Tuesday’s deadly shooting happened at Waverly Point Townhomes on Forest Hill Road. “To hear that mama scream…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Macon business owner donates life jackets for use at Amerson River Park

Following recent drownings in Middle Georgia, a local business owner is doing his part to help people stay safe in the water.
Brick Nelson,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Following recent drownings in Middle Georgia, a local business owner is doing his part to help people stay safe in the water. Deo Oliver, the owner of Quick Kill Pest Control in Macon, donated 12 life jackets for use at Amerson River Park following several drownings there this year. Oliver says he felt something had to…

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Crime, Featured, Local News, Washington County

3 arrested in connection to Sandersville vandalism cases

Haley Janes,

SANDERSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Arrests have been made in connection to several recent vandalism cases in Washington County. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, 20-year-old Steven Alexander Macinsky III, 20-year-old Robert Alton Windsor, and 19-year-old Randall Austin May have all been arrested for charges of interference with Government property, criminal trespass, as well as some counts of vandalism to…

Ambulance Theft Web
Bibb County, Local News

Woman charged with stealing ambulance from Macon hospital

Shelby Coates,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon woman, accused of stealing an ambulance, is facing felony theft charges. Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputies caught up with the stolen ambulance on Interstate 16 westbound on Saturday, July 16th. Deputies were able to box-in the emergency vehicle and bring it to a stop on the shoulder. The driver, Alexia Williams, was taken into…