Friday Field Naming Ceremony to Honor Former FPD Player

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – When the FPD Vikings start their 2013 season in the newly renovated George S. Johnson Memorial Stadium Friday night, their playing field will bear a new name. Austin Childers was born with mitochondrial disease, which essentially zaps away the energy in his body’s cells. “There’s not a cure, so you just treat symptoms,” says Ashley Childers,…

Shaw Building in Milledgeville Repurposed for ‘Communiversity’

<iframe width=”640″ height=”480″ src=”//www.youtube.com/embed/3FiEy6gMUDg” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>   MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –After years of sitting empty, a former carpenter facility is being transformed into a ‘communiversity’. Milledgeville City Council members unanimously approved the resolution to repurpose the former Shaw building into the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Community Business & Arts Development Center. The more than 92,000 square foot vacant plant on South Wayne…

Decision 2013: District 2 Candidate Schlesinger Says Macon-Bibb Needs “Jobs, Jobs, Jobs”

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Councilman Larry Schlesinger says when Macon and Bibb County merge he wants to represent the residents of District 2. When asked what his top concerns are for the residents of District 2 Larry Schlesinger said safe neighborhoods and jobs are big priorities. He says while bringing big businesses to Macon-Bibb County is a great thing, leaders…

Famous Local Restaurant in Financial Jeopardy

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One of Macon’s hometown favorites is at risk of shutting their doors. H&H restaurant has been around for more than five decades dishing up Southern classics to the community, and to celebrities friends, like the Allman Brothers. After the federal economic crash during 2007, the small business saw a decline in profits, and still has yet…

American Pride Bank Sponsors Gas Giveaway

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — American Pride Bank will be taking over a gas station in middle Georgia and filling up gas tanks as part of a nationwide initiative called “Take Back Your Banking.”President and CEO, John Hall stopped by Daybreak with details on how to take advantage of the savings at the pump and the benefits of banking local….

Decision 2013: Young Says Residents of District One Need Approachable Leader

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Candidate for Macon-Bibb County Commission District One, Harold Young says although he’s new to politics, he’s got the right qualities to be your leader. Young believes fostering growth in Macon begins with promoting what the city’s already got in place. For instance, he notes that while driving up I-75 you’ll see signs for Tanger Outlets miles…

Decision 2013: Bechtel Says He Can Make Things Happen as District One Commissioner

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Current Bibb County Commissioner Gary Bechtel says he’s not done serving the citizens of Macon and Bibb County. In an interview with 41NBC, Bechtel says while it’s going to be a challenge, he believes the new government will be able to reduce it’s operating budget over time. But, that means being fiscally responsible from the start….

Ocmulgee National Monument To Host First Butterfly Bio Blitz

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — If you’re looking for something to do outdoors this weekend, the Ocmulgee National Monument has just the thing. Superintendent Jim David stopped in with details on the first ever Butterfly Bio Blitz. The event is open to the public and encourages participants to collect data and identify different species of butterfly on the grounds. The blitz…

Macon Beer Fest Raises Money And Awareness For Prostate Cancer

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Coliseum Oncology Nurse Beverly Stanley stopped by Daybreak to raise awareness of the disease and share details on free lab testing during Macon’s Beer Festival. The Macon Beer Fest kicks off Saturday, August 24 at 3p.m. It is a fundraiser for Pints for Prostates, which is an organization that…

Perry Chamber Hosts “Legislative Appreciation Reception”

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A group of middle Georgia state senators and legislators hit the Go Fish Education Center in Perry Thursday night to mix and mingle with the business community. The Perry Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the 12th annual “Legislative Appreciation Reception” to honor the people who serve Houston County, and represent them at the state level. Local…

Congressman Austin Scott Weighs in on NSA

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Congressman Austin Scott was in Perry Thursday night for a brief visit with state legislators and local business leaders. Scott spoke with 41NBC about the NSA. “You’ll see us, I believe over, the next several weeks dealing with the NSA issue in a fairly aggressive manner. We’re going to find a way that protects people’s right…

David Lucas Accused of Choking 14-year-old Autistic Grandson of Wife’s Political Opponent

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bibb County deputies are investigating after a woman accused State Senator David Lucas of choking the grandson of his wife’s political opponent. Kinya Miller filed a report with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, saying Lucas walked up to her 14-year-old autistic son Wednesday evening at Lakeview Apartments, where Lucas’ wife, District 3 Commission candidate Elaine Lucas,…

Funding Cuts Hit Head Start Programs across Middle Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Nationwide budget cuts have trickled down into the preschool classrooms across Middle Georgia. Automatic federal spending cuts required Head Start programs, a free preschool care to low-income families, to scale back by %5.27. In Bibb and Monroe Counties, Head Start Director Pamela Brown is learning a lesson in subtraction this school year. So far, she’s cut…

Crawford County Deputy Suspended After Bar Brawl

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Crawford County Sheriff’s deputy suspended after he was arrested in Spalding County following a bar brawl had only been on the job for four months. Crawford County Deputy Scott Richard Bruce was involved in the fight Aug. 18, at the Country Rock Bar and Grill, located at 2700 North Expressway in Spalding County.Bruce and an…

Bibb Schools Enhancing Security In Wake of Atlanta School Shooting

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As the school shooting scare in Atlanta unfolded Tuesday, Bibb County school officials were watching. David Gowan, Director or Risk Management at Bibb County Schools, says his team is working to create an even tighter security effort around the classrooms, so they’ll be ready in a similar situation. “Our board has funded phase 1 of a…