HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Imagine going to sleep being able to see and then waking up the next day blind. This happened to 32-year-old Timothy Risby. Thanksgiving Day 2005 changed Risby’s life forever. A pituitary tumor on his optical nerve caused him to lose his sight. “It’s just like waking up in a foreign country. You don’t know to go…
BUTLER, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The city of Butler has a new top cop. Police Chief Jimmy Towns officially took over the role in early February as the first African American to serve in the position. “It says a lot about our city, and the way we want to go forward,” said Towns. Just one month on the job, and Towns…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Bibb County is almost ready to start the first phases of construction on its new Juvenile Justice Center. County leaders met Tuesday to get an update on the project. Originally the plan was to start construction sometime this month, but getting contracts and preparing the site off Oglethorpe Street has caused delays. Right now juvenile court…
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Houston County School System is installing cameras on school buses in hopes to catch traffic violators. The school system teamed up with American Traffic Solutions installing 20 cameras on the outside of buses. When a driver illegally passes the school bus stop arms, the camera will record the vehicle and take a picture of…
HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The GBI is continuing to chase down leads in the search for the Hawkinsville teen who’s been missing for more than a week now. The Conner’s home is filled with family memories, memories Angela and Wesley say they’re not done making. “We are just praying and believing she is going to show up unharmed, and we’ll…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Anne Brennaman from Macon Purrs N’ Paws stopped in our Daybreak studio with this week’s Pet of the Week. Anne brought with her a dog named Jasper, a pup of only about a year and a half in age. Watch Melissa’s interview with Anne and Jasper to get more information about adopting him. You can also…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Every month we team up with Community Health Works, a non-profit group based in Macon, to highlight and show ways to fight against leading diseases and sicknesses. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and is designated to bring to light a disease that is the third leading cancerous cause of death. However, there are ways to…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The Macon citizens against non-partisan elections, are also calling on the Department of Justice to look into the new district lines for the Macon-Bibb consolidated government. More than 300 citizens names are listed in a letter that asks the DOJ to reject the newly passed senate bills. Before the citizens names, it also asks that the…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Boxers from all across the state are putting up a good fight in hopes of taking home the golden gloves. After years of being held in Augusta, the Golden Gloves Boxing Championship returned to Macon. This weekend, hundreds of amateur boxers went toe-to-toe in the ring at the Bishop Ray Arena. Officials hope the events will…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – This weekend’s cold weather didn’t keep music fans from jamming at the Big Bird Bash. The music festival hosted by the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom raised money for Cox Capitol Theatre, the Big House Museum and Macon-Bibb Parks and Recreation. This year’s lineup featured 8 different groups and included several local artists. Organizer Kristen O’Neal estimated…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon man’s suicide attempt led to a fiery tanker crash that snarled traffic on interstate 475 for several hours. According to the Bibb County Sheriff’s office, the crash happened Friday night around 11:00 p.m. on Thomaston Road near the I-475 exit. Officials said 26-year-old Nicholas Owens drove his 2006 Volvo station wagon into the…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Another battle in Washington may change the future of the way Middle Georgia and the Peach State conduct their elections–and it all has to do with race. Back in the 60’s, race tension was everywhere, especially in Georgia and other southern states. That’s why the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was so important then, requiring those…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Silver Airways gives every plane in its fleet a name, and when asked to bring one in for Friday’s announcement at the airport, the company chose one appropriately named “Only the Beginning.” “As far as commercial air service, there’s very little activity that’s taken place over the last few years,” says Middle Georgia Regional Airport manager…
The weather has certainly been a roller coaster lately but make no mistake it’s still winter. There are lots of ways to stay cute and warm the cool temperatures & our resident fashionista Blondie Lockhart has some looks you’ll want to try! There are plenty of accessories to choose from this winter, here are some of my faves!For the first…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – It won’t be warm outside this weekend in middle Georgia, but somehow I think that won’t really matter to music aficionados. The Big Bird Bash is set to take stage from 12:00p.m to 12:00a.m. Saturday at Luther Williams Field in Central City Park with musicians from across the state to rock the day away. Proceeds from…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Parishioners packed Saint Joseph Catholic Church in dowtown Macon Thursday afternoon to pray. Many said they felt a sense of peace during this historic change in the church. Inside the church it was clear that Pope Benedict resignation wasn’t a test of faith for the parishioners. “I think it’s wonderful that he realized he couldn’t continue….
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – New developments tonight in a case that’s rocked the city of Macon. The District Attorney for the Macon Judicial Circuit, David Cooke, is now reviewing the results of the GBI’s investigation into the shooting death of Sammie Davis Jr. You’ll remember Davis was shot and killed by Macon Police Officer Clayton Sutton in December 2012. Cooke…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – With consolidation less than a year away, Macon and Bibb County leaders are putting the community’s best foot forward with a new advertisement to brand the new government. “The community’s decision to consolidate our local governments sends a clear message,” Robert Hatcher, chairman of the Macon Economic Development Commission, said. The message is one voice in…
HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigations is joining the search efforts to find a missing Hawkinsville teen. 15-year-old Madison Conner was last seen by her family Friday night when they went to bed. They believe sometime after midnight, their oldest daughter left their home, and they haven’t heard from her since. GBI Region 12 Special Agent in…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Nearly a dozen Chick-fil-A restaurants hosted food drives to help keep local food banks stocked. The participating restaurants encouraged community members and customers to bring at least two non-perishable food items in exchange for a free breakfast of their choice. “We’re doing it because we really support Chick-fil-A, they have similar beliefs to us…it makes me…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Who says you can’t combine learning with a little (or a lot) of fun? The Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon does it every day of the week! This weekend, MAS is featuring its Instrument Petting Zoo, where kids of every age can learn about the science of music, and the music lessons we can…
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Cars lined James Street tonight in Macon as the community turned out in droves to remember three children who lost their lives in a house fire on Sunday. Mourners held a candlelight vigil in front of the family’s former home. The three children, 10-year-old Nykhiya, 9-year-old Jamarrian and 7-year-old Daija Williams died in an accidental fire…
PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – As the threat of big government budget cuts continues to loom over the nation, school systems are bracing for the impact sequestration may have on local education. Houston County Schools Superintendent Dr. Robin Hines said he’s already made some budget adjustments in preparation for sequestration. According to Hines, Houston County schools will lose millions of dollars…
HAWKINSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — This November, the residents of Hawkinsville and Pulaski County may have the opportunity to decide if they want to consolidate. A bill that would combine the governments is making it’s way through the Georgia General Assembly. “A small town like this we don’t need but one government,” said Hawkinsville resident, Eschol Brown. Brown is a life-long…