Elderly woman dies after home in Macon goes up in flames

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — An elderly woman is dead after the house she was in caught fire. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, 79 old Lillian Hill died after a home at 3968 Meadowbrook Drive went up in flames just before 1 a.m. Saturday. An autopsy will be performed on Hill. The cause of the fire is under investigation….

East Macon motorcycle crash leaves one man dead

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a motorcycle crash that killed a man in Macon.  Authorities say the crash happened just before 6 p.m. Saturday on Emery Highway near Short Street. Deputies say the motorcyclist, 51-year-old Aaron West, reportedly lost control of the motorcycle after trying to dodge a vehicle that merged into his lane.  West…

Medical experts pushing COVID-19 testing during holidays

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) –With the holiday season in full swing medical experts are pushing middle georgia residents to get tested for COVID-19 after the Thanksgiving holiday . Officials say if you attended a gathering last week or will attend a gathering in the upcoming month they say you should get a COVID  test. Doctors say Macon-Bibb county is in the…

Jon Ossoff holds “Get Out to Early Vote” event in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One of the candidates running for U.S. Senate in Georgia made a stop in Macon Friday. Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff held a “Get Out to Early Vote” event in Carolyn Crayton Park on the last day of early voting in the state. State Representative Miriam Paris, Bibb County Sheriff David Davis, and Macon-Bibb Commissioner Elect Seth…

Mercer University class teaching the science behind elections and campaigns

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – When it comes to understanding the numbers and science behind elections, it can be complicated and always up for debate. A Mercer University political science professor is teaching his students about campaigns and election strategy while a real life battle for votes plays in the background. Dr. Chris Grant is the Political Science Department Chair at…

Bibb investigators searching for car connected to shooting investigation

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office needs help finding a person of interest in a shooting. Deputies are looking for the person who drives a silver Porsche convertible. The driver of the car is wanted in connection to a shooting that happened around 2:30 Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of America’s Best Value Inn and Suites…

Macon lash shop opens amid pandemic

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A new lash shop is opening in downtown Macon Sunday. The owner of Miss Chica Lashes & Thingz says she fell in love with eyelash extensions almost 16 years ago. She now brings her business to Macon.  Yaschica Bullard says she opened a new location during COVID because business for her increased and she needed to…

Governor Kemp quarantining; exposed to infected person

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife have gone into quarantine after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. His spokesman, Cody Hall, said in a statement Friday that Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp were recently exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus. Hall said both have received a coronavirus test,…

Georgia Military College athletic director, head football coach Bert Williams to retire

Milledgeville, GEORGIA (41NBC/WMGT) – Georgia Military College athletic director and head football coach Bert Williams is calling it a career. Williams has decided to retire after 23 years at GMC. He started his career in 1997 as an offensive coordinator and assistant coach. He also finished with a record of 156-58 since being named head coach and athletic director in…

How to deal with election stress disorder, fatigue

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — As Election Day nears, many people say the political season stresses them out.  According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 56 percent of adults in the US deem the 2020 presidential election a significant stressor.  Patty Gibbs — executive director for the Family Counseling Center of Central Georgia — says political commercials, text messages,…

Bibb deputies need help finding missing Warner Robins woman

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies need the Public’s help in locating a missing Warner Robins woman.  According to deputies, 24-year-old Iyanna Harper reportedly went missing on Wednesday. Harper’s mother says someone dropped Iyanna off at a home in the 2300 block of Houston Avenue on Monday.  Also, deputies say Harper has possible medical issues that require attention….

Commission approves new Sonny’s BBQ restaurant on Zebulon Road

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – After three attempts, the Macon-Bibb Planning and Zoning Commission approves a new restaurant on Zebulon Road. Commissioners approved plans for bringing a Sonny’s BBQ near the Lofts at Zebulon development across from Sonny Carter Elementary School. The newly, approved proposal includes a few changes compared to the original plan. According to the approved application, the restaurant…

MTA offers free rides to polls on election day

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – MTA is giving free rides to the polls on election day. Public Information Officer Jami Gaudet says with so many important items on the ballot, MTA wanted to support democracy. So on November 3rd, riders can save their fare money. Gaudet says the free rides are MTA’s way to help the community exercise their right to…

Bibb School District hosts youth violence prevention forum

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County School District will host a virtual Community Youth Violence Prevention Forum for its middle and high school boys Wednesday. Forum coordinator Sundra Woodford says the event allows male students to share their feelings about the impact of youth violence. Woodford says organizers will collect student feedback to help advocate for resources and funding…

Bibb School District receives grant for mental health resources

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Bibb County School District is one of three Georgia school districts to receive a grant for mental health resources.  The Project AWARE Grant totals nearly $1.8 million, spread out over a five-year period. Assistant Superintendent of Student Affairs Jamie Cassady says the district will receive nearly $360,000 each year.  The money helps provide mental health…

‘It brings cheer to the downtown area’: Macon Burger Week returns

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon Burger Week starts Monday and 20 downtown restaurants are gearing up.  Georgia Beef Board representative, Taylor Evans says, Burger Week always brings cheer to downtown Macon.  “It’s really a great way to interact with the community and get them involved and kind of just bring some joy to this time of year,” Evans said. Evans…

Macon woman gets 4 year prison sentence after embezzling nearly $1.4 million

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) -– A US district judge sentenced a Macon woman to 51 months in federal prison for embezzling nearly $1.4 million from a computer services company in Warner Robins. This is according to a news release from the office of Charlie Peeler, the US Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. News releases that 52-year-old Shelia Bowden forged…