2014 Legislative Session Underway

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Forty days kicked of Monday as state leaders gathered in Atlanta to start the 2014 legislative session and they are hitting the ground running! It’s expected to be a short session, but there are a lot of hot topics ranging from gun control, to funding education, and legalizing medical marijuana. The ring of the bell signals…

Quilts, Textiles and Fibers Exhibit in Macon

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon is proud to present “Quilts, Textiles and Fibers.” It’s a three-gallery exhibition highlighting the difference between traditional quilt making and more modern takes on textiles and fiber arts. Judy Bales, textile and fiber artist, uses recyclable materials to create her art. She stretches the conventional notions of art…

“Totes 2 Tots” Suitcase Drive to Help Georgia’s Foster Children

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Thousands of kids across the Peach State are in the foster care system. When they move homes, they often don’t have a bag to carry their stuff. Dr. Cheryl Jones with Georgia Cancer Specialists stopped by 41 Today to tell us more on this year’s Totes 2 Tots suitcase drive. Twenty-seven GCS offices across Georgia, including…

DA: McDaniel Visited Websites About Dismemberment, Cannibalism

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Stephen McDaniel murder trial is pushed back again. This comes after attorneys for both sides met today to talk about new evidence discovered in the case. Alleged killer Stephen McDaniel was back in the courtroom on Friday. This time because of his internet searches. Prosecutors say he visited erotic websites that featured cannibalism. McDaniel’s defense…

Crime Safety Tips for 2014

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – with the new year already already in full swing, Deputy Chris Paul with Macon Regional Crimestoppers stopped by 41 Today to share some crime tips for you to remember in 2014. Paul says common sense is the best way to stay safe. He shared tips on personal safety, home safety, and financial safety. He also talked…

Upgrades Coming to Rozar Park in Perry

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Residents in Perry will see upgrades to one of their local parks in a few months. City Council met earlier this week to give an update on Rozar Park. Changes are coming to Frank Rozar Memorial Park quick, fast, and in a hurry. Perry city officials are ready to go. They’ve signed off on a bid…

Houston County Special Needs Students Participate in the ‘Olympics’

KATHLEEN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Today, dozens of Houston County children with special needs played in the ‘Houston County Special Olympics Winter Games’ for the very first time. The event was held earlier today at Veterans High School where more than 40 volunteers played low-level activities in the Special Olympics. Activities included hula hoop, bowling and the crowd favorite-basketball. Event coordinator…

Middle Georgia Regional Airport Offers More Than Travel

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Middle Georgia Regional Airport offers more than convenient travel and special deals. According to the airport’s manager, Doug Faour it also has a major impact on the community. Faour stopped by 41 Today Thursday with details on how to look for special travel deals, why flying out of the Middle Georgia Regional Airport has its…

$1.5 Million Grant Given to Medical Center of Central Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A new state-of-the-art oncology facility being built at the Medical Center of Central Georgia received a boost in funding today. Leaders at the Medical Center announced the donation of a $1.5 million grant from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, which will be used to finish up construction on the location. Debbie Schuchmann, the senior development officer of…

Workforce Development Center Takes Next Step in Fort Valley

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Central Georgia Tech students who live in Peach County will be able to work a little closer to home. Peach Board of Commissioners met Tuesday night to clear the next hurdle to build a workforce development center. Shovels aren’t in the dirt yet, but plans are coming together in Fort Valley. “We had made a…

Macon-Bibb Demolishes Dilapidated Houses

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Several homes in Macon deemed abandoned and dilapidated were demolished by departments from the new consolidated government. Crew members from both the departments of Engineering and Public Works used heavy equipment to tear down the buildings located on Rutherford Avenue. Mayor Robert Reichert was on scene, saying how removing what he called “dangerous” structures would help…

Crews Filming at Central State Hospital Help Revitalize the Campus

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Vampires, witches, and werewolves are in Milledgeville. Cast and crew members are filming a supernatural television series at Central State Hospital this week. CSH is being used as a location for an episode of “The Originals.” “We’re excited to have this activity on the campus,” Mike Couch with the Central State Hospital Redevelopment Authority said. Couch…

Campus Kings Bringing Custom Made Art to Fort Valley

FORT VALLEY, Georgia, (41NBC/WMGT) — There’s a brand new business bringing custom made jewelry and art to middle Georgia, called Campus Kings. Owner, Stephen Smith brought in 2014 by opening the doors to his shop on January 3rd. Smith creates everything from original jewelry and portraits to plaques and trophies. His goal is to make quality craftsmanship available to all…

Milledgeville and Baldwin County Still Considering Consolidation

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Residents of the Baldwin County area voiced some strong opinions at the Board of Commissioners meeting tonight. The conversation began months ago, as a committee of citizens was formed to create a new government. Now, that proposal is coming to a vote very soon. It’s a trend that’s slowly growing. Recently, the city of Macon and…

State Senator Cecil Staton Talks About His Agenda for 2014 Session

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — State Senator Cecil Staton stopped by the 41NBC studios to talk about the upcoming 2014 session. He expects that “clean-up” legislation will be filed to make adjustments to the consolidation charter. He added the issue of Payne City needs to be addressed because right now it’s sitting as an island in the middle of the County….

Flint Energies and Georgia Power Reached Peak

WARNER ROBINS,Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The artic air last night caused several power outages all over Middle Georgia, when the temeperature dropped to a record 11 degrees. “This morning cold snap created the highest peak for Flint Energies in it’s 75 year history,” said Flint Energies Public Relations Manager Marian McLemore. “We had 537 mega watts of power at 7 a.m.”…

Snapchat Hackers Hit Middle Georgia

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Recently, the app Snapchat was hacked, and millions of phone numbers and usernames were released. More than 4 million victims were affected. Nearly 1,400 of those people were Middle Georgians. However, President of Quality Computer Systems, Brad Spiegel, believes users have nothing to worry about. “Snapchat is a very young age group to begin with… Most…

Museum of Aviation Foundation Calling All Runners and Walkers to Race

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Eighteenth Annual Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon, Half-Marathon and 5K Run/Walk is just around the corner. The races all take place on Robins Air Force Base, near the Museum of Aviation and proceeds benefit the museum. Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female finishers in each race….

BREAKING: Fire Destroys Wilkinson County Public Works Transit Building

MCINTYRE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Fire units from all over Wilkinson County and surrounding counties, came out to battle a blaze Monday night that destroyed the county’s public works transit building. “We have every fire unit from Wilkinson County on the scene and we also have mutual aid from Jones County and two trucks from Baldwin County,” said Assistant Fire Chief…

Pet Owners Urged to Bring Animals Indoors During Chilly Temperatures

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The plummeting temperatures in middle Georgia means pet owners are being urged to bring their pets indoors. The freezing temperatures are fast approaching and employees at the Macon-Bibb Animal Welfare Center are making sure their tenants are as warm as possible. “We’re trying to give them extra blankets. We’re trying to move them to a warmer…

Peach County Hearing Officer Settles Tax Battle, Property Owner Disputes Decision

FORT VALLEY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Peach County property owner is still not satisfied after a hearing officer attempted to settle a dispute between her and the county tax appraiser. Marilyn McDowell faced representatives from the county today, including the chief tax appraiser, Dennis Lee, in hopes she could appeal for lower taxes. Instead, Lee offered her a 15 percent…