Too Much Water for Watermelons: Rochelle Farmer Copes with Heavy Rain

ROCHELE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Last year, there wasn’t enough rain and this year there’s too much. After heavy showers this spring and summer, watermelon farmer Don Wood just wishes the rain would go away. “The main thing the rain has caused is delay,” Wood said. This June was Middle Georgia’s rainiest on record. The Rochelle watermelon farmer said the summer…

Macon Man Charged with Murdering Infant Son

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — A Macon man is behind bars and charged with murdering his infant son. According to Macon Police, Darrlyn Deshawn Jones is charged with felony murder and aggravated assault family violence in the death of his son 2-month-old Jayceon Davis. Police say around 1:24 am on Sunday officers and an ambulance responded to a home in the…

Macon ‘Justice for Trayvon’ Rally Part of Nationwide Movement

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – One week after a jury found George Zimmerman not guilty in the death of Trayvon Martin, people in cities across the nation rallied together for a change. On Saturday, Macon participated in the nationwide campaign. “I don’t feel like Trayvon was done justice,” said Betty Saxby, “we need to take a good look at our justice…

Fire Recruits Train to Battle Blazes

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Macon-Bibb County firefighter recruits are learning how to work as a team. They douse flames while crawling through heavy smoke inside the fire department’s burn building located at 2255 Tinker Drive. Fire Training Division Chief Reco Stephens says the exercise is an essential part of their training. “The burn building is where we do our simulated structure…

Gordon PD: Four Gang Members Wanted for ‘Horrible’ Group Beating

GORDON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Four suspected gang members are wanted in Gordon after what police call a “horrible” group beating that left two men severely injured and the whole thing was caught on tape. It was 11 against two as suspected gang members of ‘Group Development’ kicked, stomped, and beat brothers Tyrone and William Jackson at the Praire Summit Apartments…

Sprint Cars Racing at Watermelon Capital Speedway Saturday in Rare Asphalt Appearance

CORDELE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s just another day at the office for 20-year-old Morgan Turpen.  The Cordova, Tennessee native has been driving and working on race cars since she was 10. “I prefer to work on mine,” she says after preparing and mounting a set of tires in the infield of Watermelon Capital Speedway.  “I know what I’m doing, and…

Officers Give Tips to Prevent Car Break-ins

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It’s back to school shopping season and college students are gearing up for the school year. A popular time for car thieves to wait and watch to break-in and steal valuables. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Macon Police Department want you to make sure you’re keeping valuables protected. In the first two weeks of…

UPDATE: 80-Year-Old Woman Dies in Gray House Fire, Ruled Accidental

GRAY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — An 80-year-old Gray woman is dead after a fire destroyed her home on East Clinton Street. According to Jones County Deputy Coroner Wade Powers, 80-year-old Sara Clements was pronounced dead on the scene after firefighters pulled her out of the burning home. The cause of death was exposure to fire. Jones County Assistant Fire Chief Bill…

Boom in Loft Living in Macon and Bibb County

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Loft living in big cites started as a way to find new use for older buildings. Now it’s a trend that’s getting more popular in Macon. Downtown Macon is seeing a big boost in residential interest. Organizations like Newtown Macon’s goal is to bring people to the area, all so they can live, work, and play…

Peach State’s First Fashion Truck Finds Home in Middle Georgia

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Peach State’s first and only fashion truck is here in Middle Georgia. It is a mobile boutique that brings a unique shopping experience directly to you and the owner hopes the community will get on board with the idea. “It’s really exciting to be a part of a new industry,” Karla Boston, the owner and…

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…