MCCG Children’s Hospital Warn Parents of Buying Dangerous Christmas Toys

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Pediatricians at Medical Center of Central Georgia’s Children’s Hospital are warning parents about giving hazardous toys this Christmas. More than 252,000 children were recently treated for toy related injuries in emergency rooms across the country. Pediatricians say don’t let the excitement of giving children gifts cause you to forget some toys are just too dangerous for…

Reichert Drops By Bibb Elementary School to Talk Local Government

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Third graders at Ingram-Pye Elementary School in Macon had a unique opportunity for a social studies lesson Monday with Macon Mayor Robert Reichert. The students are learning about how the local, state, and national governments work and Reichert was there to help them figure out how things operate, and also what his job entails as mayor….

Online Podcast Brings Big Band Music to Seniors

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Gone are the days of record players, juke boxes, and big band music. But a local music historian isn’t letting our past disappear for good. He produces and hosts a monthly podcast featuring songs from the good ole days. 41NBC caught up with seniors living at the Gables at Wolf Creek retirement community in Macon to…

Robinson Home Brings Kitchenware to Downtown Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Just in time for the holidays Robinson Home, downtown Macon’s newest kitchenware and home goods store is ready to provide middle Georgians with the ultimate shopping experience. Owner of Robinson Home, Will Robinson stopped by 41 Today with details on the business and cooking classes starting in 2014. Will and his wife, Carrie are bringing brands…

Attorney: Centerville Pastor Denies Molestation Allegations

CENTERVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The attorney for the Centerville pastor accused of molesting four girls says his client told him he is innocent. Wiley Levertt, 54, is charged with three counts of child molestation and five counts of sexual battery. “Mr. Leverett denies all the allegations against him,” said William Noland. “He denies that he’s done anything inappropriate with anyone,…

Start Date Set for New Macon-Bibb Consolidated Government

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A start date has been set for the new Macon-Bibb consolidated government after Macon-Bibb Mayor-elect Robert Reichert pushed for a new one. Friday, Bibb County Superior Court judge Edgar Ennis agreed to move the government’s start date to January 1st instead of the scheduled January 14th date. Had the date not been changed, there would have…

Milledgeville First Friday Bazaar Provides Gift Ideas

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Milledgeville Main Street Holiday Pop-up Bazaar features products from all over Middle Georgia. I stopped by today to see what kind of gift ideas I could find, and it’s certainly a taste of the unique. “It’s a traditional barbecue sauce that mother developed…approximately I’d say 50 to 60 years ago,” said Tom Wood of Pink…

Rogers Named New President and CEO of NewTown Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – There’s a new man in charge of NewTown Macon, and Friday dozens of people celebrated the announcement. Josh Rogers is taking over for longtime president and CEO Mike Ford. Rogers was formerly the executive director of the historic Macon Foundation. He says he plans on carrying the torch of great leadership for the organization, but he…

Macon Pops Presents Holiday Concert

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — In preparation for the holidays, Macon Pops is gearing up for its second concert packed with special guests, Christmas songs, and dancing. Macon Pops’ co-founder and executive director, Steve Moretti stopped by 41 Today with details on the upcoming concert. Special guests include Floco Torres and Maia Nicole, plus the Macon Pops Youth Choir. The holiday…

Character Breakfast to Promote Literacy and Childhood Education

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – In preparation for the holiday season, The Junior League of Macon is gearing up for it’s annual Character Breakfast. The fundraiser features storybook characters, pictures with Santa, and a pancake buffet. Whitney Mooney stopped by 41 Today to share all the details on how you can support literacy and childhood education while joining the festivities! The…

Not Guilty Verdict for Man Jailed for Murder Nearly 30 Years Ago

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A man who pleaded guilty to murder almost 30 years ago, walked out of a Houston County Superior Courtroom a free man, Thursday. After listening to facts and witness testimony a jury found Timothy Johnson not guilty. Johnson was accused of killing Taressa Stanley during a convenience store armed robbery in 1984. He initially pled guilty…

Milledgeville City Councilman Asked To Step Down

A Milledgeville City Councilman has been asked to resign tonight. It’s a decision that comes months after a citizen accused the official of breaking the ethics code. The City of Milledgeville’s ethics board ruled in late August that city councilman Phillip Joiner broke the rules. The board said Joiner didn’t go to commitments the city paid for. Now, the board…

UPDATE: Pastor Accused of Child Molestation Released on Bond

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Centerville pastor accsued of molesting four young girls was released from the Houston County jail early Friday morning. According to the jail’s website, 54-year-old Wiley Leverett was released on a $25,000 bond around 8 a.m. Leverett is the pastor of Solid Rock Community Church in Centerville. According to investigator Sergeant Denny Glass, Leverett turned himself…

Macon Church Celebrates Holidays in a Big Way

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As middle Georgians prepare for the holiday season, one Macon church is doing it in a *very big way. Harvest Cathedral is holding the South Macon Christmas Tree Lighting and Family Experience this Saturday. For the first time, they’re using a 30 foot tree. There will be train rides, hot chocolate and cookies, and professional pictures…

Senator Isakson Holds Town Hall Meeting in Milledgeville; Talks Obamacare, Savannah Port Project

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson made a stop in Milledgeville to hold a town hall meeting to talk with residents about issues they have about things in Washington D.C. and also in their community. “I’m a political science major, it was one of those things where I heard and I probably felt like it was Christmas come…

Celebrate Christmas at the Hay House

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – 41 Today is in the holiday spirit! Jonathan Poston from the Hay House stopped by to tell us more about this year’s Christmas at the Hay House. This year’s Christmas décor theme is “A Century of Christmas at Hay House.” Tours are going on now. Visitors can also participate in the family fund day on the…

Musical Tells the Christmas Story From a Different Perspective

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Many people know the story of the birth of Jesus, but not like this. Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Warner Robins is performing its Christmas musical, “Rough Wood and Rusty Nails.” Tim Jacsobsmeyer wrote, directed, and is performing in the production, stopped by 41 Today to talk about the show. He says it tells the…

Downtown Macon To Undergo Major Changes

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The downtown area in Macon defines the city–a quaint, yet thriving area for businesses and residents to enjoy. But the area is even more than that–in fact, it stretches farther than Cherry or Poplar Streets. Macon Mayor Robert Reichert explained the surprise he felt a few months ago after speaking with citizens about the proposed movement…

Online Charity Scammers to Increase During Holiday Season

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – According to charitynavigator.org, organizations receive 41 percent of their donations during the last few weeks of the year, because people are looking for a tax deduction. Better Business Bureau President Kelvin Collins says donors need to research charity websites, and make contact with the organization before they consider making a generous donation. “We’re going into the…

Mistrial Motion Denied in 30-Year-Old Murder Trial

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The defense attorney for a man accused of murder nearly three decades ago, asked the judge for a mistrial. Wednesday, is the second the day of the Timothy Johnson murder trial. Johnson is accused of killing Teresa Stanley during an armed robbery of a convenience store on Sept. 14, 1984. Johnson’s attorney Stacey Morris abruptly objected…

Telfair County Sheriff’s Department Using Social Media to Create ‘Virtual’ Neighborhood Watch

McRAE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Telfair County sheriff’s deputies are working with the communtiy to fight crime and they’re using social media to do it. Business owners in Telfair County, like Faye Drake, are always keeping an eye out for one another. She owns Inside ‘N Out, an antique store, right in the heart of McRae. Drake says the sheriff’s office’s…

Tour Historic Vineville Homes During the Holidays

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Historic Vineville Christmas Tour of Homes kicks off this weekend. Canaan Marshall and Dina Deason shared details on the upcoming holiday event. According to a news release, Vineville was one of Macon’s first suburbs and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981. This year’s tour showcases Vineville’s distinctive architecture, history, and gardens….