Georgia expands vaccine eligibility

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Governor Kemp is expanding the vaccine eligibility. Starting Monday people over the age of 55 and people with disabilities and certain medical conditions can get the vaccine. Medical conditions that are eligible for vaccination Asthma Cancer Cerebrovascular Disease Chronic Kidney Disease COPD Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes Hypertension Heart Conditions Immunocompromised state Liver Disease Neurologic Conditions Overweight and…

Georgia Supreme Court orders jury trials resume

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Jury trials were put on hold last year because of the pandemic. Now thanks to an order from the Georgia Supreme Court, local courts can start putting a dent in the backlog of more than 900 cases. District Attorney Anita Howard says they did preliminary planning in the event this ruling came down. She says jury…

MTA continues COVID-19 testing, to help end spread of virus

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Macon-Bibb Transit Authorities is lending out its facility for the fifth time, to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  Middle Georgia residents drove through the terminal’s parking area to get tested for the virus Wednesday morning. Jamie Gaudet — the public information officer at MTA — says the transit authority will continue assisting as long…

Looking back on ‘a year of COVID’

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — It’s been more than a year since the pandemic started and so much is still unknown about the Coronavirus. One thing that is certain though is pandemic restrictions aren’t going anywhere until further notice. Life changed seemingly overnight last March. Schools moved to online learning. Restaurants moved to strictly takeout. Even businesses found a way to…

Bike Walk Macon to host Shamrock ‘n’ Ride Scavenger Hunt Saturday

MACON, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT) – Bike Walk Macon has partnered with local organizations and businesses to put on a shamrock-themed scavenger hunt this Saturday, March 13. The fundraiser supports the organization’s mission to create “a more bikeable and walkable Macon.” Participants can earn points by visiting different areas around Macon. The person with the most points will have the chance to win…

Bibb County OLOST passes in Georgia House

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County OLOST tax passed unanimously in the Georgia House of Representatives Monday night. Representative Miriam Paris says it could help lower property taxes. It also funds pay increases with the Sheriff’s Office and continues the Warming Center. She says a bulk of the money from the sales tax would come from people shopping and…

Baldwin County will soon have new aquatic center

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — After years of planning, Baldwin County started the process of building its new aquatic center. The center will be funded by the county’s special purpose local option sales tax. County manager Carlos Tobar says prior to planning, they visited many aquatic centers to get ideas of what their center should look like. County officials favored the…

Teachers, staff now eligible to receive vaccine

The Phase 1A plus group has expanded to include educators and staff. MACON, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County School District is excited to begin having its teachers vaccinated. The school district has been working with both the North Central Health District and Atrium Health Navicent to help keep the children safe. Michael Hokanson with the North Central Health District says…

Atrium Health Navicent partners with Phoebe Putney Health to expand pediatric services

Beverley Knight Olson Children’s Hospital pediatric services will expand to Phoebe Putney Health in Albany. MACON, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT)- Phoebe Putney announced their partnership with Beverley Knight Olson Children’s Hospital to bring pediatric services to the children in Southwest Georgia. Atrium Health Navicent will provide virtual and on-site clinical services to the health center. This eliminates the need for patients to travel…

Perry’s women owned businesses reflect on International Women’s Day

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— It’s International Women’s Day and women-owned small businesses are the fastest growing in the state, according to Georgia.Org. Ellen Palmer serves as president and CEO of the Perry Chamber. She says Perry has many businesses owned by women, as well as, many women that hold leadership roles in the city. She says it’s an honor to be…

Commander in Chic hosts grand opening Sunday, March 7

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— A new clothing store is opening in Downtown Macon. Commander in Chic is located at 446 Cotton Avenue Suite 1. They previously occupied a store in Warner Robins. They moved because most of their customer base resides in Macon. The store offers a boutique-style found in Atlanta, catering to both men and women. Jamice Terry co-owns the…

Kemp visits Gray to discuss plans to add high-speed internet in rural areas

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Governor Brian Kemp visited Gray to announce a partnership with Tri-County EMC to provide high-speed internet in rural areas. “If you were unable to work from home because of your slow internet, help is on the way,” Greg Mullis said, CEO of Tri-County Go. “If you had to drive your kids to a fire station or…

Reschedule, don’t cancel: local wedding experts weigh in on pandemic weddings

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Couples are planning to tie the knot this wedding season, even during the pandemic.  Walking down the aisle can be scary. But, not having a venue, dress, or flowers could be even more frightening. Especially after it’s all been paid for.  This is the reality for many soon-to-be newlyweds during the pandemic.  We spoke to Joyce…

Macon bars, clubs now required to have security cameras

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bars and clubs in downtown Macon must put up security cameras and have licensed security officers. Macon-Bibb commissioners approved the resolution to require all downtown bars and clubs to have high-resolution security cameras inside and outside their buildings. Each camera must have a 1080P resolution and produce a clear picture. Bibb County attorneys say businesses will…

Sheriff Davis shares update on jail improvements

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Sheriff David Davis made a presentation to the Macon-Bibb County Council Tuesday night about the progress since the Grandy Jury inspection last month. Davis says they are working to improve exposed wiring in a control station, ventilation issues, and mold issues. “That is one of our main priorities to get on that and make sure that…

Fort Valley police make second arrest in deadly shooting investigation

Fort Valley Police officers arrested Curtis Randolph in connection to the shooting death of Kevin “Batman” Neal. FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Fort Valley Police officers made a second arrest in connection to a February 25 deadly shooting on Rayfield Wright Street. According to Fort Valley Police Department Facebook post, officers arrested 18-year-old Curtis Randolph of Fort Valley. Officers charged…