Washington County opens mass vaccination site at Word of Life Church

The mass vaccination site opened at 8 a.m. at the Word of Life Church on Harris Street in Sandersville. SANDERSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Despite the rain, many people from all over the state went out to receive their vaccination. David Shanks — the Area 1 homeland security coordinator — says unregistered people have been arriving at the site. The site…

Bibb County Schools announces ‘Teacher of the Year’ virtually

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County School District held a virtual Teacher of the Year ceremony Wednesday. The ceremony included speeches from Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones, President of the Bibb County Board of Education Daryl Morton, and Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller. In his speech, Mayor Miller proclaimed March 17 as Bibb County Teachers of the Year Day. The full list…

Cherry Blossom Festival preparations underway

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Preparations are underway for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Although the weather is gray and gloomy, pink will soon cover Macon. The Cherry Blossom Festival serves as Macon’s signature Spring event. The festival was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Arah Adams — marketing and events manager for the Cherry Blossom Festival — says they are…

Georgia expands vaccine eligibility

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Governor Kemp is expanding the vaccine eligibility. Starting Monday people over the age of 55 and people with disabilities and certain medical conditions can get the vaccine. Medical conditions that are eligible for vaccination Asthma Cancer Cerebrovascular Disease Chronic Kidney Disease COPD Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes Hypertension Heart Conditions Immunocompromised state Liver Disease Neurologic Conditions Overweight and…

Georgia Supreme Court orders jury trials resume

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Jury trials were put on hold last year because of the pandemic. Now thanks to an order from the Georgia Supreme Court, local courts can start putting a dent in the backlog of more than 900 cases. District Attorney Anita Howard says they did preliminary planning in the event this ruling came down. She says jury…

MTA continues COVID-19 testing, to help end spread of virus

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Macon-Bibb Transit Authorities is lending out its facility for the fifth time, to help slow the spread of COVID-19.  Middle Georgia residents drove through the terminal’s parking area to get tested for the virus Wednesday morning. Jamie Gaudet — the public information officer at MTA — says the transit authority will continue assisting as long…

Looking back on ‘a year of COVID’

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — It’s been more than a year since the pandemic started and so much is still unknown about the Coronavirus. One thing that is certain though is pandemic restrictions aren’t going anywhere until further notice. Life changed seemingly overnight last March. Schools moved to online learning. Restaurants moved to strictly takeout. Even businesses found a way to…

Bike Walk Macon to host Shamrock ‘n’ Ride Scavenger Hunt Saturday

MACON, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT) – Bike Walk Macon has partnered with local organizations and businesses to put on a shamrock-themed scavenger hunt this Saturday, March 13. The fundraiser supports the organization’s mission to create “a more bikeable and walkable Macon.” Participants can earn points by visiting different areas around Macon. The person with the most points will have the chance to win…

Bibb County OLOST passes in Georgia House

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County OLOST tax passed unanimously in the Georgia House of Representatives Monday night. Representative Miriam Paris says it could help lower property taxes. It also funds pay increases with the Sheriff’s Office and continues the Warming Center. She says a bulk of the money from the sales tax would come from people shopping and…

Baldwin County will soon have new aquatic center

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — After years of planning, Baldwin County started the process of building its new aquatic center. The center will be funded by the county’s special purpose local option sales tax. County manager Carlos Tobar says prior to planning, they visited many aquatic centers to get ideas of what their center should look like. County officials favored the…

Teachers, staff now eligible to receive vaccine

The Phase 1A plus group has expanded to include educators and staff. MACON, Georgia(41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County School District is excited to begin having its teachers vaccinated. The school district has been working with both the North Central Health District and Atrium Health Navicent to help keep the children safe. Michael Hokanson with the North Central Health District says…