State Lawmakers Talking Tax Reform for 2014 Session

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Tax reform could be a big topic when lawmakers head back to the capitol in January 2014. “Taxes during an election season is very sexy for Republicans,” said State Representative James Beverly. You’ll probably see it on GOP agendas in January, but what could tax reform look like? Majority House Leader Larry O’Neal is hoping the…

David Ragan Makes Pit Stop in Macon, Talks Upcoming Atlanta Race and Talladega Win

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A NASCAR star made a pit stop in middle Georgia Tuesday! Unadilla native David Ragan paid a visit to the Masonic Children’s Home of Georgia in Macon. The home’s mission is to help kids develop themselves physically, mentally and spiritually. The two-time Sprint Cup winner toured the facility and signed autographs for the kids.  He also…

UPDATE: Former Coliseum Nurse Files Federal Sexual Harassment Lawsuit, Hospital Will ‘Defend Ourselves Vigorously’

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A former Coliseum Medical Center nurse filed a federal sexual harassment lawsuit against the hospital and a former supervisor. In the lawsuit, Tracey Mitchum alleges the hospital was negligent in its training, supervision, and employee retention policies. According to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia on July 9,…

Studio41 Presents Dean Brown and Dubshak

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s time for a little change of pace this morning. Dean Brown and Dubshak from Macon have a mix of a bit of Soul, Raggae, and maybe even a little bit of Skaa thrown in there to create a unique blend of music that’s sure to put a smile on your face. Shadow Sound Studio and…

Organize Your Life Two Minutes At A Time With Good Life Organizing

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Getting organized doesn’t have to be a long drawn out process. Andi Willis with Good Life Organizing is the author of “Two Minutes to Organized: 100+ Ways to Organize Your Life Two Minutes at a Time.” She stopped by Daybreak to share several time saving tricks that are sure to make a big difference in your…

Bibb Buys Old Church Property As New Park Home

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bloomfield Park in Macon is getting a brand new home, thanks to penny tax funds. The former Gilead Baptist church on Rocky Creek Road is just a few hundred feet away from the current Bloomfield Park. Officials plan on using the building and its property to be a one stop shop for recreation. Macon – Bibb…

Stone Academy Kids Let Loose at Rigby’s Entertainment Complex

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Hundreds of Macon kids got the chance to let loose and have a little fun on Tuesday morning. Stone Academy Director Tony Lowden bussed the kids down to Rigby’s Entertainment Complex in Warner Robins. The owner of Rigby’s says it was great to see the kids enjoying themselves. “They all have smiles on their faces,…

Bypass Around City of Gray Coming Soon

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The intersection by the railroad tracks in Gray is known for six roads and 18-wheelers frequenting the roads. Jones County Commission Chairman Preston Hawkins says during rush hours, it’s just a mess. “Traffic in downtown Gray is terrible, people coming from Milledgeville, people will be backed up a half to three quarters of a mile on…

Downtown Mercer Football Tailgating On Hold for Now

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon City Council committee has tabled a decision that would allow tailgaters to drink in the streets during home Mercer University football games. In a 4-1 vote, the Public Safety Committee decided to table the ordinance. Council members brought up concerns regarding who would be responsible to clean up the area as well increasing law…

‘Stop the Violence’: Zimmerman Acquittal Sparks Rally, Vigil in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Outrage and controversy surrounding George Zimmerman’s acquittal spread to downtown Macon on Tuesday. Nearly a hundred people filled the streets calling for justice in the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The impact of the verdict out of Florida continues to be felt across the nation and in Middle Georgia. “He was walking home,” said Liz Rice,…

MAS To Host Annual Bird Day

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — There’s a spectacular collection of birds coming to the Museum of Arts and Sciences this weekend. Animal curator Sharron Wilhelm and special guest ‘Georgia,’ a Moluccan Cockatoo stopped by Daybreak with details on the upcoming ‘feathered frenzy.’ The annual Bird Day is Saturday, July 20 from 10A.M. to 4P.M. For more information, visit www.masmacon.org. Categories: Daybreak

Macon Purrs N Paws in Need of Permanent Home

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The rescue group that helps animals in need is now in need itself,and searching for a permanent home. Macon Purrs N Paws is in the midst of a smelly situation at its current location and it could possibly get them evicted. In May, the organization’s neighbors on Rocky Creek Road complained about a strong smell coming…

Grand Opera House Continues Trend of Bigger Broadway Shows Coming to Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – For years, folks have flocked to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta to see Broadway’s biggest hits…but now, The Grand Opera House in downtown Macon is bringing those shows to Middle Georgia. The theatre has been repurposed through the years–but recently, it’s found it’s real purpose. “Those big shows have the spectacle, I mean that’s what it’s…

Farm Friday Lessons Teaching Crawford County Students About Food

ROBERTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Crawford County kids are expanding their culinary horizons with an hour long lesson at Dickey Farms. Farm Fridays is a class that introduces youngsters to new foods and new ways to eat. The program is a yummy way to teach kids how the food on their plates gets to them. Farm Fridays creators Andrea Seagraves starts…

Sheriff Says Gang Prevention Starts at Home

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s been a week since the shooting outside the Zodiac Lounge in downtown Macon left three people injured and one teenager dead. At a vigil for 17-year-old Jamonni Bland Thursday, family and friends said they believed Macon has a problem and called for an end to the violence. “When is it gonna stop?” asked Bland’s mother,…

Macon Central Services Moved To New Office

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon’s central services department has a new home. Thursday, the mayor and other city leaders gathered to cut the ribbon at an open house ceremony. Macon Central Services’ staff and workers held the celebration at their new building locateed at 1000 Seventh Street. A small crowd made up of city officials and employees listened as Mayor…

Congressman Wants to Cut Civilian Furloughs

DUBLIN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A U.S. Congressman wants to eliminate furloughs for Department of Defense civilian workers. Monday, automatic cuts went into effect, resulting in 11 furlough days between now and September 30 for civilian employees, including the ones at Robins Air Force Base. Rep. John Barrow (D-GA), who represents the 12th district of Georgia, fiiled legislation that would put…

UPDATE: State Knew of Injured Horse, Man Facing Animal Cruelty Charges Cannot Own Animals

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Department of Agriculture knew about the injured horse at the home of a Macon man who is facing animal cruelty charges. Equine Manager Matt Thompson tells 41NBC his department first learned about that horse’s condition in May. He says the department went out to Raymond Carlisle’s home off Walden Road several times. A vet…

Chick-fil-a Celebrates Cow Appreciation Day

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Chick-fil-a restaurants nationwide are celebrating Cow Appreciation Day on Friday. Customers who visit one the restaurants dressed head to toe as a cow will receive a free combo meal. The ninth annual appreciation day also lets customers receive a free entrée of their choice if they are wearing any cow spotted accessory, such as a hat,…

Deputies Search for Suspect in X-Mart Robbery

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The X-Mart on Emery Highway was robbed again early Friday morning. The suspect walked in, showed his gun, and demanded money. He ran away once he got the cash. The suspect is described as a male in his early 20’s and is approximately 5’9 and 179lbs. The suspect was wearing all black with a mask covering…

North Bibb County Store Robbed

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office needs your help after a man robbed a Circle K gas station in North Bibb county late Thursday night. Witnesses say an armed black male grabbed two beers and then demanded money from a cashier.The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount. No one was injured. The man is described as…

Jamonni Bland’s Mother: ‘When is it Going to Stop?’

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The message Thursday was clear at a vigil for 17-year-old Jomanni Bland: End the senseless violence. Bland was one of four who were shot last Friday outside the Zodiac Lounge in downtown Macon. “It’s time out for it,” says Pastor Roland Stroud of Power Life Church.  “We’ve got to work together as a community.  It’s not…

Local Credit Union Offers Help to RAFB Furloughed Workers

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – This week, thousands of civilian workers at Robins Air Force Base took their first furlough day and one local credit union is helping create the financial plan to help make up the difference. Robins Federal Credit Union is just minutes away from the base gates, consumer lending manager Shane Reagan is standing by with a…