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.

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…

Rain and storms return Wednesday

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…

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.

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…

Perry Buzzard Drop returns for New Years Eve

There will be live music and food trucks. They also plan to broadcast the UGA-Michigan playoff game.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— The historic Perry Buzzard Drop is back after the pandemic cancelled it last year. There will be live music and food trucks. They also plan to broadcast the UGA-Michigan playoff game. Downtown restaurants will stay open late, and there will be a kids countdown complete with kiddie poppers and a balloon artist starting at 8 p.m. Perry’s…

Macon Transit Authority set to unveil new mural

The painting is expected to be finished by the second week of January 2022, weather permitting.

It is commissioned by artist and professor at Georgia College and State University, Abraham Abebe. His design was voted on by local artists and MTA employees. Abebe said he wants this mural to represent Macon’s diverse community and the beauty the city has to offer. “As you can see there’s a bird, the bird is flying that means that the…

Bibb deputies: Man dead after Tuesday night shooting at gas station

It happened just before 7 o'clock at Shell gas station at 100 South Heron Street near Eisenhower Parkway.

UPDATE 5:36 A.M.: According to Macon-Bibb County coroner Leon Jones, investigators identified the victim as Jacovian Maxwell of Macon. MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Bibb County Sheriff Deputies responded to a shooting at the Shell gas station at 100 South Heron Street near Eisenhower Parkway. The incident occurred just before 7 p.m. Tuesday night. After arriving, deputies found a 36-year-old male shooting…

Fort Valley Public Safety Director announces resignation

Lawrence Spurgeon says he informed the mayor and city council earlier this month.

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Fort Valley Public Safety Director Lawrence Spurgeon announced his resignation Tuesday. In a letter on the Fort Valley Department of Public Safety Facebook page, Spurgeon said he informed the mayor and city council of his decision on December 13. “While I have decided to step into retirement from public safety it has been my pleasure…

2021: Georgia voters usher in new leadership

Middle Georgia selected several new mayors to lead their communities in a new direction.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Georgia voters helped create numerous history-making political firsts in 2021. They started off the year by sending two new Democratic senators to Washington to represent the Peach State. Jon Ossoff defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Senator David Perdue. And Raphael Warnock beat out the recently appointed Republican U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler. Their wins gave Democrats control of…

New Terminal Station mural begins to take shape

Artist Abraham Abebe has been commissioned to paint a mural on the corner of the Macon Transit Authority bus lanes, next to the Poplar Street bridge. MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- If you’ve driven past Macon’s Terminal Station, you may have noticed a new addition to the walls of the bus lanes. Artist Abraham Abebe has been commissioned to paint a mural…

Restaurant Report Card: Food service inspection scores December 20-24

Here are Middle Georgia's food service health inspection scores from the Georgia Department of Public Health between Monday, December 20 and Friday, December 24, 2021.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Here are Middle Georgia’s food service health inspection scores from the Georgia Department of Public Health between Monday, December 20 and Friday, December 24, 2021. All scores of 75 and below are shown in red. All scores between 76 and 85 are shown in orange. All scores between 86-99 are shown in black. All scores of…

Doctors see increase of cardiac patients during holidays

Dr. Gates Barry, Emergency Medicine Physician with Piedmont Macon, says they've seen a 10 to 20 percent increase in cardiac patients during the holidays.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— It’s the time of year when people gather with loved ones. While that does bring joy, it also brings more food, and potentially stress. Dr. Gates Barry, Emergency Medicine Physician with Piedmont Macon, says they’ve seen a 10 to 20 percent increase in cardiac patients during the holidays. “I think people might unfortunately wait if it’s around…

Staying warm this week, rain returns midweek

It has been a warm day in Middle Georgia with highs once again make it to the 70s, even with continued cloud cover. Overnight we will once again see patchy fog developing across the area and lingering into Tuesday morning. Highs Tuesday will be warming into the mid and upper 70s with mostly cloudy skies sticking around. The breeze will…

Warner Robins homeless shelter receives new beds

It will be the first time in nearly 20 years that the mattresses have been replaced.

HOUSTON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)-The Warner Robins Outreach Center received 24 new mattresses. It will be the first time in nearly 20 years the mattresses have been replaced. The mattress were donated by the Winning Church of Warner Robins and provided by Crosby Mattresses. Founder of the the center, Rev. John Thomas, says the beds show that someone is looking out for…

Baldwin Co. Fire asking for help identifying arson suspect

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— The Baldwin County Fire Department is asking for your help identifying the person responsible for several fires. Captain Bradley Towe says crews determined a vacant house fire on Christmas Eve was intentional. Also over the last few weeks, there were several fires set in road side trash cans. He believes they are all connected. The fire department…

Wilcox County High School students recognized through work-based learning program

The program is allowing juniors and seniors to go to school while learning skills to prepare them for a career.

ABBEVILLE, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT)— Students at Wilcox County High School are being prepared for the workforce through a program called ‘Work-Based Learning.” The program is allowing juniors and seniors to go to school while learning skills to prepare them for a career. There are currently 45 students in the program. “It’s a nationwide program and one of the things they encourage us…

Bibb deputies: Man drives himself to Circle K after being shot

It happened around 2:30 Monday afternoon.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon man is in critical condition at the hospital after being shot Monday afternoon. Bibb County deputies say 23-year-old Rasheed Ramon Law was shot in an unknown location and drove himself to Circle K on Forsyth Street around 2:30 before calling 911. He was taken to Atrium Health Navicent. Call the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office…

Macon-Bibb Fire responds to Monday house fire

The Macon-Bibb Fire Department is investigating a house fire that happened Monday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Macon-Bibb Fire Department is investigating a house fire that happened Monday. Battalion Chief Todd Alligood says crews responded to a fire on Twin Wells Drive, near Houston Road, just before 1 p.m. Alligood says the man who lived at the home wasn’t there, but authorities are unsure about the status of the man’s dog. Follow…

Teen killed in Christmas car accident

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal traffic accident that took place at 8:45 p.m. on Christmas on Ayers Road near Troon Way. It was reported that 16-year-old Angelica Maio was traveling west on Ayers Road and collided with an SUV that was traveling east on Ayers Road. Maio was transported to Piedmont Macon Medical Center where she…

Christmas car accident sends 3 to hospital

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an accident on Christmas that occurred at around 11:50 a.m.December 25th on Mount Pleasant Church Road at its intersection with Briarmont Drive. It was reported that 41-year-old James Bucky Hammock, of Fort Valley, was traveling east on Mount Pleasant Church Road and collided with an SUV. The SUV was traveling west bound on…

Man hit by car on Christmas Eve

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Anthony Road near Cedar Street. The incident was called into Macon-Bibb 911 Center on December 24, 2021 at around 9:50 p.m. Friday night. It was reported that 54-year-old Joseph Lennos Wright Jr., of Macon, was fatally struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Anthony Road near Cedar…

Last minute Christmas shoppers opt for local stores

Avoly Wainwright, co-owner of Meme's, says they saw a lot more last minute shoppers than expected.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)—The owners of Meme’s Boutique in downtown Perry celebrated the end of the Christmas shopping season by popping a bottle of champagne. The store closed down at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Avoly Wainwright, co-owner of Meme’s, says they saw a lot more last minute shoppers than expected. “It means a lot when they come in and they’re…

26th annual Anita Ponder Holiday Feast to be held at Terminal Station

Along with meals, the feast also provides clothes, toys for kids and hair cuts.

Held at the Macon Historical Terminal Station, the feast will feed almost 2,000 people. Along with meals, the feast also provides clothes, toys for kids and hair cuts. People who attend can take bags of toiletries, clothes, and food. The Macon Charter Jack and Jill Foundation also helps wrap gifts and pass out food on Christmas day. The foundation was…