Crime, Featured, Local News, WMGT

Three plead guilty in gun possession, drug distribution investigation

According to court documents, Purnell, Blackshear, and White were under investigation from May to July 2021.
Clayton Poulnott,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Three men have pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection to an ongoing investigation into illegal gun possession and drug distribution centered around Macon. 43-year-old Chadrick Purnell, plead guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He faces up to ten years followed by at least three years of probation and a $250,000 fine. His…

Dan Perdue running for Chairman
Elections, Featured, Houston County, Local News, Politics, WMGT

Houston County Commissioner resigns, announces run for Chairmanship

The seat is currently held by Chairman Tommy Stalnaker, who announced earlier this week, he's resigning at the end of the year.
Ariel Schiller,

KATHLEEN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Houston County Post 4 Commissioner, Dan Perdue, announced he’s resigning from his current post to run for the Post 1 Chairmanship. The seat is currently held by Chairman Tommy Stalnaker, who announced earlier this week, he’s resigning at the end of the year. Perdue made his announcement at a news conference Thursday afternoon, and Chairman Stalnaker endorsed…

Traffic safety
Bibb County, Featured, Local News, WMGT

Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller considering red light cameras

Red light cameras currently don't exist in Macon-Bibb County, but Mayor Lester Miller says he's considering them.
Ariel Schiller,

Mayor Miller posted to his Facebook page asking for opinions, and says the comments are evenly split. “A lot of people want to look at that in their areas,” he said. “There are several red lights they want to look at that at. Some people think it’s just a revenue trap. There are some issues where people are concerned about…

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Bibb County, Education, Local News, WMGT

Rutland High School hosts first ‘Amazing Shake’ Career Event

Rutland High School seniors got a first-person look Thursday at what it's like going to a job interview.
Lizbeth Gutierrez,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Rutland High School seniors got a first-person look Thursday at what it’s like going to a job interview. The school held its first ‘Amazing Shake’ Career Event, during which students participated in mock interviews with local business professionals. They practiced their eye contact, listening and questioning skills. Student Harsah Patel says the event will help him…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

New Cherry Blossom Trees planted in Carolyn Crayton Park

Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful planted two cherry blossom trees at Carolyn Crayton Park Thursday.
Cameron Branscomb,

Mayor Lester Miller and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful committeeMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful planted two cherry blossom trees at Carolyn Crayton Park Thursday. The two trees are slightly different from the typical trees seen in Macon. “The Helen Taft, which is what we planted today, is a cross between a Yoshino cherry and a…

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Bibb County, Local News, WMGT

Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning approves new community center in Pleasant Hill Neighborhood

If you live in the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood, you've probably seen a sign hinting at a new community center.
Lizbeth Gutierrez,

New Community Center WebsitePleasant Hill NeighborhoodMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — If you live in the Pleasant Hill Neighborhood, you’ve probably seen a sign hinting at a new community center. The building, located at 283 Grant Avenue, is now slated to be just that after receiving approval from Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning on Monday. It was previously a church. The center will…

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Local News, Weather

Strong storms possible overnight, cooler Friday

Cecilia Reeves,

Today was a warm and muggy day in Middle Georgia, but that will be coming to an end as a cold front moves through tonight. A line of showers and storms ahead of the front will be moving into Middle Georgia after midnight and some could be strong. As the line of storms moves through, we will likely see it…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Black Excellence Awards happening in Macon Saturday

The 4th annual Black Excellence Awards are happening this Saturday, February 19.
Cameron Branscomb,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The 4th annual Black Excellence Awards are happening this Saturday, February 19. The awards highlight black community leaders and members who are making a change for the better in their neighborhoods. The awards show focuses on bringing together the entire community. “It doesn’t get exposed or it doesn’t get the notoriety that it deserves,” Carl Myer,…

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Baldwin County, Crime, Featured, Local News

Baldwin County man arrested in connection to murder on Towns Street in Milledgeville

Haley Janes,

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Baldwin County man has been arrested in connection to the murder of a 30 year-old Milledgeville woman. According to Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office records, Johnny Lee Chapple was arrested on February 15th at 3:58 p.m. Chapple is being charged with multiple violent and drug related crimes. In the booking report, Chapple is listed as being…

Tech Report: Zuckerberg Names Employees "metamates", Google Attempts To Stop Tracking Across Apps.
Tech Report

Tech Report: Zuckerberg names employees “MetaMates”, Google attempts to stop tracking across apps.

Tyvonte' Maxwell,

Google looks to embrace new restrictions on privacy to stop tracking. Hosting an Airbnb could be the new future to families due to rising inflation. Mark Zuckerberg wants employees to refer to each other as “MetaMates”. Value of food orders increase as DoorDash goes up 30% in record-high numbers. Categories: Tech Report Tags: doordash, Google, inflation, Zuckerberg
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Bibb County Sheriff David Davis out of office for cancer treatment

Haley Janes,

Bibb County Sheriff David DavisMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County Sheriff David Davis is currently undergoing cancer treatment and will be away from work for a short period. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Davis has been diagnosed with leukemia, and has been admitted to Emory University Hospital for treatment. BCSO says the prognosis for his recovery is…

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Dodge County, Featured, Local News

Two Dodge County teens die after wreck on Kate Parkerson Road

Haley Janes,

Photo Credits to Dodge County SchoolsEASTMAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two teens are dead after a wreck in Dodge County on Tuesday. The Georgia State Patrol reports that on February 15th, around 5:07 p.m., 18 year-old Cameron Powell was driving in a red Chevrolet Impala along Kate Parkerson Road with passenger 15 year-old Ethan Holder. According to the GSP, Powell lost…

Tech Report: Gambling Wins Big In Super Bowl, Phones And Other Products Are Affected By 3g Shutdown
Featured, Tech Report

Tech Report: Gambling wins big in Super Bowl, Phones and other products are affected by 3G shutdown

Edward Smart,

The Super Bowl does big numbers for gambling operations. Older phones and other products look to be affected by the shutdown of 3G network. Roblox is hit with low earning numbers as gaming madness is declining. There’s a new game on the block, and it’s called Wordle. Categories: Featured, Tech Report Tags: 3G, Jane King, Super Bowl, Tech Report, wordle

Morning Business Report: Americans Plan To Travel More In 2022 Despite Omicron Surge
Featured, Morning Business Report

Morning Business Report: Americans plan to travel more in 2022 despite Omicron surge

Edward Smart,

Four out of five car shoppers overpaid in January. Cadillac customers are paying 4 thousand dollars above list price, the most of any car. The gambling industry shattered revenue records in 2021, and average age of casino goers fell from 49 to 44 years old. Despite Omicron surge, Americans are likely to make good on their resolutions to travel more…

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Featured, Local News, Weather

Strong to severe storms possible Thursday night

Aaron Lowery,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A cold front arriving tonight could bring some strong to severe storms to Middle Georgia. Today It was a humid morning to begin the day as cloud cover began to fill in quickly ahead of the sunrise. Temperatures this morning were the warmest so far this week, and some of us could have an even warmer…
Featured, Local News, Twiggs County

Two arrested in Twiggs County drug bust

41NBC Web Producer,

TWIGGS COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Two people are behind bars after a drug bust in Twiggs County. According to a press release, on Friday February 11th, Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Investigators served a search warrant on Knight Road. A large amount of Methamphetamine, Heroin, marijuana, pain patches, and fentanyl was located inside the residence. Mr. Kelly Cleary, and Tamara…

Ffa Students Serve Breakfast To First Responders

FFA students serve breakfast to first responders

41NBC Web Producer,

BYRON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A handful of future farmers at Byron Middle School served breakfast to first responders Tuesday morning. Before the pandemic, the school’s “Future Farmers of America Club” invited first responders inside to sit down for a hot meal. But this year, organizers made the annual event a drive-through one. While the first responder breakfast changed its appearance–what…

Mercer Men's Basketball Avenges Loss To Etsu
Local Sports, Sports

Mercer men’s basketball avenges loss to ETSU

The Mercer Bears win their second to last game in Hawkins Arena for the season.
Shaaz Peerani,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The last time the Mercer men’s basketball team took on ETSU, the Bucs beat the Bears by eight, but tonight, the Bears avenged their loss from earlier this season. Mercer started off the game sluggish, making their first bucket of the game four minutes and 30 seconds into the first half. ETSU would take advantage of…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

UPDATE: 16-year-old arrested in connection to 2 shooting deaths Sunday

A teen was arrested in connection to the murders of 30-year-old Trey Marcel Smith and 27-year-old Debarius Devonte Sanford on February 13.
41NBC Web Producer,

UPDATE (2/16) – A teen was arrested in connection to the murders of 30-year-old Trey Marcel Smith and 27-year-old Debarius Devonte Sanford on February 13. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says a tip called into Macon Regional Crimestoppers led the U.S. Marshals Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force and deputies to a 16-year-old male. The suspect was located in the 1300…
Bibb County, Business, Featured, Law Insights, Local News, WMGT

What are the costs and consequences of bomb threats?

The Bibb County Sheriff's Office has responded to six bomb threats since November, according to Captain Wilton Collins.
Ariel Schiller,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office has responded to six bomb threats since November, according to Captain Wilton Collins. The latest happened Tuesday when someone called in a threat at the Bibb County Courthouse. Captain Collins says it’s hard to quantify the cost of  responding to a bomb threat with a dollar amount. “There has to be…
Featured, Houston County, Local News

U.S. Airwoman receives religious exemption from Covid-19 vaccine

A U.S. Air Force Officer at Robins Air Force Base has received the first religious exemption from taking the Covid-19 vaccine.
Cameron Branscomb,

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A U.S. Air Force Officer at Robins Air Force Base has received the first religious exemption from taking the Covid-19 vaccine. According to the officer’s attorney, the officer is being represented by the Thomas More Society Attorney Group. Her attorney says the claim was based on vaccines’ use of stem cells from aborted fetuses. The…

concussion
Featured, Health, Health & Fitness, Local News, Medical, WMGT

Middle Georgia doctor explains when you should visit ER after head trauma

Now that we know comedian Bob Saget died from head trauma, we wanted to know what signs to look for if you hit your head and when to go to the emergency room.
Ariel Schiller,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Now that we know comedian Bob Saget died from head trauma, we wanted to know what signs to look for if you hit your head and when to go to the emergency room. The Medical Director for the Emergency Department at Atrium Health Navicent, Dr. John Wood, says they see patients who hit their head daily….

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Featured, Houston County, Local News

City of Perry prepares for new playground thanks to large donation

The Worrall Foundation gifted the City of Perry a $35,000 donation that will go toward adding a playground at Pine Needle Park.
Cameron Branscomb,

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Worrall Foundation gifted the City of Perry a $35,000 donation that will go toward adding a playground at Pine Needle Park. The city plans for the playground to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. The new playground will be larger than what was originally discussed by the city. “We were planning what was basically…