Governor Kemp names new state forester, director

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Governor Brian Kemp appointed Georgia forestry veteran Timothy M. Lowrimore to serve as state forester and director of the Georgia Forestry Commission.  This is according to a news release from the governor’s office. Lowrimore was sworn in following a ceremony on Monday at the state capitol. He will assume his new duties on January 16, 2021,…

Fairview Park Hospital and Navicent Health receive Covid vaccine shipments

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Hospital systems in Middle Georgia are getting shipments of COVID Vaccines. Navicent Health got theirs Monday after Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin got theirs last week. Don Avery, CEO of Fairview Park Hospital said they plan to vaccinate the whole staff with their shipment. “I believe having the vaccine, it’s an overused phrase but it’s a game…

Local library puts on Winter Solstice event

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Today marks the first day of winter and the first time since 1623 that there will be a Winter Solstice. A Winter Solstice occurs when Saturn and Jupiter can be seen through a telescope. The Middle Georgia Regional Library partnered with astronomer and planetarium design consultant Philip Groce to put on the event. Samantha Wilcox —…

Meals on Wheels delivers Christmas joy

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)— Meals on Wheels made their regular deliveries a little bit more special for the week of Christmas. Thanks to partnerships with Publix and Lowe’s, 20 senior citizens they serve received special Christmas dinners. Lowe’s also provided buckets filled with cleaning supplies for each of those seniors. Meals on Wheels is still accepting donations to help their clients….

Unknown suspect shoots into Salvation Army store

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — An unknown suspect shot into the Salvation Army store on Mercer overnight Thursday, early Friday. The Salvation Army director of development Paul Sardoma says that someone shot into the window of the store. Bibb County sheriff’s investigators are looking into the incident. Sardoma says the Salvation Army will move forward with its Angel Tree distribution of…

Pediatricians provide safety tips when purchasing gifts

MACON, GEORGIA(41NBC/WMGT) — As the holidays approach, pediatricians at Medical Center Navicent Health want to provide safety tips when purchasing gifts for children. Health experts understand that during the holidays we want to give the most desirable gifts of the year. Pediatrician recommended shopping tips Look for age-appropriate labels Look for safety inspection labels Avoid toys that shoot, have parts…

Layaway Santa returns, despite pandemic

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Santa Claus is coming to town — Layaway Santa that is. Layaway Santa is a tradition that’s happened for several years in Middle Georgia. Chris Floore, one of the organizers, says he wasn’t sure it would happen this year. “People have lost jobs, they’ve had hours cut back for whatever reason but that same conversation turned…

BCSD Director of Before/After School Programs nationally recognized

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County School District’s Director of Before and After School Programs has been recognized as one of 18 ‘Afterschool Ambassadors’ in the nation. Dr. Janice Flowers will serve as Afterschool Ambassador for the Afterschool Alliance in 2020-2021. The Afterschool Alliance requires ambassadors to continue their work at local after-school programs while in the role for one…

2 Milledgeville teens die after colliding with tractor-trailer head-on

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Two Milledgeville teens died in a car crash that happened at around 10:30 p.m. Monday. This is according to the Georgia State Patrol. Authorities identified the teens as: Tyrese S. Wright, 17 Jonathan M. Jarrett, 18 According to a GSP news release, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office requested the help of state troopers to investigate the fatal…

Man crashes SUV into back of logging truck, Bibb deputies investigating

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Bibb County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a travel collision with injuries that happened on Eisenhower Parkway at the intersection of Key Street at 7:04 a.m. Tuesday.  Deputies say a 36-year-old man reportedly drove an SUV traveling east on Eisenhower Parkway. A logging truck also traveling east stopped at the intersection. As the light turned green, the…

First shipment of COVID vaccines arrive in Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Georgia Department of Public Health received its first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine Monday. The Pfizer vaccine arrived in Coastal Georgia at two public health locations with ultracold freezers. The vaccine requires such freezers for storage and temperature control. Monday’s shipment included 5,850 doses of the vaccine. The Coastal Health District is preparing to administer…

Macon community activists honor 50 lives lost to killings in 2020

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Macon community activists gathered in Rosa Parks Square overnight to honor those killed this year. Organizers of the event called each homicide victim more than just a number.  “Unfortunately it’s more than just 50 people being buried, but it’s 50 plus people who now have sons and daughters going to prison, and there’s hundreds more whose…

Black Owned Businesses Tour of Downtown Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)– Newtown Macon and several downtown businesses partner to bring a Black-Owned Businesses Tour to residents. Emily Hopkins, the Director of Place at Newtown Macon says downtown has grown rapidly and become more diverse overtime. “I think we’ve had 6 or 7 new black-owned businesses open this year,” Hopkins stated. “They all opened in the middle of a…