New Year's Eve Celebrations
Bibb County, Business, Featured, Health, Health & Fitness, Local News, Medical, Unpublished, WMGT

Health officials say celebrating New Year’s Eve at home is safest this year

Health officials says we're at the beginning of a fifth wave of Covid due to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
Ariel Schiller,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Health officials says we’re at the beginning of a fifth wave of Covid due to the highly contagious Omicron variant. With New Year’s Eve on Friday, Chief Operating Officer for Piedmont Macon Scott Strong says it’s best to celebrate at home this year. “There have been a lot of waves of Covid, so it is a…

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Featured, Local News, Peach County

Fort Valley mayor says farewell after 8 years

Fort Valley Mayor Barbara Williams is leaving office after eight years.
Cameron Branscomb,

Fort Valley Mayor Barbara WilliamsFORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Fort Valley Mayor Barbara Williams is leaving office after eight years. Mayor Williams says she considers all of Fort Valley as her family and that she will miss contributing to the community and seeing people enjoy themselves at events. “Carry on the in the spirit of excellence,” she said. “Fort Valley…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

DPH offers list of places to get tested for Covid-19

Covid-19 cases continue to surge, and hospitals say you shouldn't go to emergency rooms to get tested.
Cameron Branscomb,

Atrium Health Navicent provides update on Omicron variantOmicron VariantMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Covid-19 cases continue to surge, and hospitals say you shouldn’t go to emergency rooms to get tested. Officials from Piedmont Macon say healthcare systems across Georgia have sharp increases in hospitalizations due to Covid-19. Chief Clinical Officer for Navicent Health Sandy Duke says the best places to be…

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Bibb County, Local News, WMGT

Atrium Health Navicent warns of the dangers around New Year’s Eve

The new year is right around the corner, which usually means a lot of celebratory fireworks and parties.
Lizbeth Gutierrez,

New Years Eve Celebration DangersAtrium Health NavicentMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The new year is right around the corner, which usually means a lot of celebratory fireworks and parties. Atrium Health Navicent wants you to be aware of the dangers that come with the holiday. Dr. John Wood, the Director of the Atrium Health Navicent Emergency Room, says there are a…

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Crime, Education, Featured, Local News

Mary Persons High School Band director arrested for sexual exploitation of children

Haley Janes,

FORSYTH, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Mary Persons High School’s Band director who also works as a coach has been arrested on felony warrants for Sexual exploitation of children and sexual conduct by person with supervisory authority. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, a complaint was reported that Bryant Miles Benson transmitted sexually explicit material with a a juvenile, who was…

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Local News, Monroe County

Multi-car crash blocks lanes in Monroe County

Haley Janes,

Forsythe, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A multiple-car crash earlier Wednesday left multiple lanes blocked in Monroe County. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, it happened on I-75 southbound near exit 184 around 12:50 p.m. the wreck involved a total of 7 vehicles, with 6 of them being passenger cars and 1 a tractor trailer. Marilynne Fitts from the MCSO says…

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Crime, Featured

Armed Robbery at Circle K in Baldwin County leads to search for suspect

Haley Janes,

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Circle K in Baldwin County was robbed at gunpoint on Monday, authorities are still looking for the suspect. According to the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the man behind the robbery entered the Circle K at North Columbia Street brandishing a handgun and demanding money from the clerk, who was the only one in the store…

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Crime, Featured, Houston County

Centerville traffic stop turns into drug bust

Haley Janes,

CENTERVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A man was arrested in Centerville after what started as a traffic stop turned into a drug bust. The Centerville Police Department says that early Wednesday at 2 A.M., officers stopped a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe that was driving at a high speed on Houston Lake. When officers spoke with Robby Brandon, the driver, they smelled…

Bs Report
Sports

BS Report: December 29th – The Orange Bowl

As Georgia prepares to face Michigan in the Orange Bowl, Bill Shanks is here to tell you why the loss to Alabama shouldn't have Dawgs fans worried.
David Tufts,

As Georgia prepares to face Michigan in the Orange Bowl, Bill Shanks is here to tell you why the loss to Alabama shouldn’t have Dawgs fans worried.     Categories: Sports

Summer Shopping
Featured, Happening Now, Local News, Money

Top 5 tips for post-Christmas shopping

According to RetailMeNot.com, this is one of the best times of the year to get good deals.
Peyton Lewis,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As Christmas wraps up, a new season of shopping has begun, and with it comes post-holiday deals many shoppers have been waiting for all year long. “Post-Christmas and New Year’s sales are huge,” RetailMeNot blogger Kristin McGrath said. “They’re actually one of the best times of year to shop, which is great because you’ve spent a…

The Kendrick Academy
Education, Featured, Lifestyle, Local News, Peach County, Unpublished, WMGT

The Kendrick Academy creates ‘Inspire’ calendar

If you're looking for a 2022 calendar, a local performing arts school has you covered.
Ariel Schiller,

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — If you’re looking for a 2022 calendar, a local performing arts school has you covered. The Kendrick Academy in Fort Valley is selling a calendar that has inspiring messages for young women. The 2022 Inspire Calendar is comprised of women who inspire Kendrick Academy students. It’s meant to show that you don’t have to be…
Bibb County, Featured, Health, Health & Fitness, Local News, Medical, WMGT

How Middle Georgia handled Covid vaccine distribution

The long awaited Covid vaccine arrived in Georgia in December of 2020. A year later, more than 50% of Georgians are fully vaccinated.
Ariel Schiller,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The long awaited Covid vaccine arrived in Georgia in December of 2020. A year later, more than 50% of Georgians are fully vaccinated. In December of 2020, the FDA issued Emergency Use Authorizations for the two dose Pfizer and Moderna Covid vaccines. Healthcare workers, those with increased risk for severe illness from Covid-19, and people living…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Macon-Bibb leaders tear down 100th blighted structure

Macon-Bibb County's fight against blight, which started in April, has now reached 100 structures.
Cameron Branscomb,

The 100th blighted structure MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  Macon-Bibb County’s fight against blight, which started in April, has now reached 100 structures. The 100th blighted home was located on Atkins Drive. That’s in District 5. District 5 commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem Seth Clark said these demolitions mean a lot to the people who have to see the buildings every day….
Featured, Houston County, Local News, Politics, WMGT

Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms reflects on time in office

Mayor Toms says the job never defined him, and that he's okay with moving on from this time in his life.
Ariel Schiller,

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two terms, totaling eight years. To put that into perspective, that’s a little more than 2,900 days. Warner Robins Mayor Randy Toms is leaving the office he’s known for that length of time. While it’s not the outcome he hoped for, he says the job never defined him, and he’s okay with moving on from…

Ryland Environmental Cans
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Ryland Environmental taking over Macon-Bibb’s solid waste collection starting Monday, January 3

Ryland Environmental will take over Macon-Bibb's solid waste collection services (trash, recycling, yard debris and bulk waste) on Monday, January 3.
Tucker Sargent,

Photo: Macon-Bibb CountyMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Ryland Environmental will take over Macon-Bibb’s solid waste collection services (trash, recycling, yard debris and bulk waste) on Monday, January 3. That’s according to a Macon-Bibb news release, which says every house in the county should begin using the new carts that day. You’re asked to place your old, empty cards on the curb…
Bibb County, Featured, Local News

UPDATE: 70-year-old man shot in Macon this week dies

Macon-Bibb Coroner says 70-year-old Peter Taylor has died.
41NBC Web Producer,

UPDATE (12/29) – Macon-Bibb Coroner says 70-year-old Peter Taylor has died. Jones says he was pronounced dead at 11:56 Wednesday morning after being shot in the head. The shooting is still under investigation. MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –  The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting that happened Monday night around 11:42. 70-year-old Peter Taylor was shot in his home…

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Featured, Health, Local News, Wilkinson County

Gordon Methodist Church hosts blood drive

There is a high demand for all blood types but an even higher demand for blood type O negative, which is known as the universal donor.
Cameron Branscomb,

Gordon Methodist ChurchGORDON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Gordon Methodist Church held a blood drive Tuesday. Event coordinators said it’s as important as ever to give blood due to a shortage across the state. Coordinator Ethel Beck has been coordinating blood drives since 1983. She recalled one of her own experiences and emphaiszed the importance of donating blood. “My mother needed blood…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful offering Christmas tree recycling January 8

Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful is preparing for its annual "Bring One For The Chipper" event on Saturday, January 8.
Cameron Branscomb,

Bring one for the Chipper flyerMACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful is preparing for its annual “Bring One For The Chipper” event on Saturday, January 8. Macon-Bibb residents can bring their natural Christmas trees to be shredded in a wood chipper. If they would like, residents can also take the mulch made from their tree. Keep Macon Beautiful will…

Tech Report
Business, Featured, Technology

TECH REPORT: 12/29/2021

Haley Janes,

Jane King speaks on the latest news in Technology, including tech companies pulling out of in-person attendance to trade shows due to health concerns, Meta hires from Apple, demand for Tesla grows, and DoorDash engineers are angry. The second-largest maker of personal computer processors, joined the growing list of companies that have canceled in-person attendance at the CES trade show…

Morning Report
Business, Featured, Morning Business Report

MORNING REPORT: 12/29/2021

Haley Janes,

Jane King speaks on the latest in business news, including space advancements of 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control expresses concerns about COVID on cruise ships, and Amazon gives a statement in relation to parents’ concerns about Alexa. Space achievements of 2021 —including a rover landing on Mars, a small drone called ingenuity and the launch of the James…

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Bibb County, Featured, Local News

Macon-Bibb sets record for homicides; MVP Initiative provides hope going into 2022

Mayor Lester Miller's "Macon Violence Prevention" initiative now has an action plan after months of data collection.
Tucker Sargent,

Mayor Lester Miller addresses the crowd at a Macon Violence Prevention forum.MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A month before taking office, following a record-breaking year of homicides in 2020, Macon-Bibb Mayor-Elect Lester Miller said he planned to take action. “It’s our job to make it right,” Miller said at City Hall in December of 2020. “It’s my job as mayor to…

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Featured, Local News, Weather

Rain and storms return Wednesday

Cecilia Reeves,

We reached record high temps today across Middle Georgia, with some places warming to the 80s. Scattered storms are back in the forecast tomorrow as we finally get a little uplift to go with our increased moisture. It won’t be raining all day, but you should still probably grab the umbrella as you are heading out. We have a level…

Piedmont Macon
Bibb County, Featured, Health, Houston County, Local News, Medical, WMGT

Local hospitals react to new CDC guidelines, warn of 5th Covid surge

According to Dr. Duke, there's now a rolling seven day average of more than 7,000 positive Covid cases a day across Georgia.
Ariel Schiller,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— The CDC updated quarantine guidelines Monday. They shortened the recommended isolation time for asymptomatic people with Covid-19, from ten days to five days. The CDC says after the isolation people should wear a mask for five days. If you still have symptoms following a five day isolation, continue to stay home until you feel better. After you…