GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US... I'M AMY AUBERT.
THIS IS EYEWITNESS NEWS AT 11.
IT'S THE FINAL WEEKEND OF CAMPAIGNING BEFORE TUESDAY'S FLORIDA PRIMARY.
AND NEWT GINGRICH JUST PICKED UP A BIG ENDORSEMENT AS HE TRIES TO WIN OVER UNDECIDED VOTERS.
DANIELLE NOTTINGHAM HAS MORE FROM ORLANDO.
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Newt Gingrich picked up a major endorsement in West Palm Beach.
(:05-:14) (SOT Herman Cain) I HEARBY OFFICIALLY AND ENTHUSIASTICALLY ENDORSE NEWT GINGRICH FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
Former Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain threw his support behind Gingrich Saturday night.
(SOT) NEWT GINGRICH IS A PATRIOT AND IS NOT AFRAID OF BOLD IDEAS.
Cain is a tea party favorite and may give Gingrich some much needed momentum.
Gingrich trails frontrunner MItt Romney by nine points in the latest Quinnipiac survey.
(NATS ) CLAPPING, CLAPPING
But, the former speaker of the house says he's the only one who can beat President Obama in November.
(SOT Newt Gingrich/(R) Presidential Candidate ) IF WE NOMINATE A MODERATE WE ARE IN REAL TROUBLE.
(:51-1:02) (STANDUP Danielle Nottingham/Orlando, Florida) The two frontrunners have thrown a lot of punches leading up to Tuesday's primary. Florida is a key state. 50 delegates are at stake and winner takes all.
(NATS ) MITT, MITT, MITT
In Panama City, Romney questioned how effective Gingrich will be based on his past leadership.
(1:09-1:17) (SOT MITT ROMNEY/(R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE) HE WAS FINED FOR ETHICS VIOLATIONS. HE ULTIMATELY HAD TO RESIGN IN DISGRACE. HE CAN'T REWRITE HISTORY.
Despite the fact he trails in the polls, Gingrich says his campaign won't end here if he loses.
(SOT NEWT GINGRICH/(R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE) I WILL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE CONVENTION I EXPECT TO WIN THE NOMINATION.
The GOP hopefuls have three more days to make an impression on Florida voters.
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THE LATEST POLLS SHOW RON PAUL AND RICK SANTORUM ARE AT BACK OF THE PACK IN FLORIDA.
SANTORUM WAS AT HOME DOING HIS TAXES SATURDAY AND ANNOUNCED HE IS CANCELING HIS SUNDAY MORNING FLORIDA CAMPAIGN STOPS BECAUSE HIS DAUGHTER IS IN THE HOSPITAL.
PAUL CHOSE NOT TO CAMPAIGN IN FLORIDA.
PARTS OF THE NEW GEORGIA IMMIGRATION LAW WENT INTO EFFECT THIS MONTH.
IT SAYS EMPLOYERS WITH MORE THAN 500 EMPLOYEES MUST USE AN E-VERIFY SYSTEM... TO CHECK WORKERS' LEGAL STATUS.
SOME FARMERS SAY WITH THE HELP OF THE H-2-A PROGRAM... IT ISN'T MUCH OF AN ISSUE.
THE PROGRAM ALLOWS FARMERS WHO CAN'T FIND HELP... TO APPLY TO HIRE MIGRANT WORKERS TEMPORARILY.
DUKE LANE JR. OWNS LANE SOUTHERN ORCHARDS... HE SAYS THE PROGRAM ALLOWS THEM TO HIRE THE WORKERS NEEDED TO HARVEST PEACHES.
BUT HE SAYS ONE PROBLEM IS THAT OTHER STATES DON'T FOLLOW THE SAME RULES---AND CHECK THE STATUS OF THEIR WORKERS.
Duke Lane, Jr., President, Lane Southern Orchards: 2:22 It's just got to be addressed from a national level because as I said in Georgia and Alabama, we're playing by different rules than some of the other states are and it's not fair to us
LANE SAYS... THEY CAN ONLY KEEP THE WORKERS FOR 7 MONTHS.
AFTER THAT... THEY CAN HIRE A NEW BATCH OF EMPLOYEES.
THE H-2-A PROGRAM ALSO SAYS EMPLOYERS HAVE TO PROVIDE HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION FOR WORKERS.
THE SCHOOL THAT TRAINS 20 PERCENT OF GEORGIA'S FUTURE DOCTORS IS FACING BUDGET CUTS.
GOVERNOR NATHAN DEAL'S MID-YEAR BUDGET PROPOSED MORE THAN 500 THOUSAND DOLLARS IN CUTS TO AN AUGUSTA HOSPITAL.
THE CUTS COULD ALSO EFFECT PARTS OF GEORGIA HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY.. WHICH IS ALSO IN AUGUSTA.
THE SCHOOL'S PRESIDENT SAYS THE MONEY HELPS COVER THE COST OF TRANING.. FOR MORE THAN 400 MEDICAL RESIDENTS A YEAR.
DEAL IS ASO PUSHING FOR 1 POINT 2 MILLION DOLLARS IN FUNDING... TO ADD MORE RESIDENTS AT OTHER GEORGIA HOSPITALS.
BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SELECTION OF POSITIONS IN THE PEACH STATE.. MOST MED SCHOOL GRADUATES DO THEIR RESIDENT TRAINING IN OTHER STATES.
MACON HAS ABOUT 800-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN FEDERAL GRANTS AND DONATIONS TO IMPROVE SCHOOLS IN THE TINDALL HEIGHTS AND UNIONVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS.
TODAY... COMMUNITY LEADERS BRAINSTORMED HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN SAM HART AND MAYOR ROBERT REICHERT ARE PART OF A GROUP OF PEOPLE WORKING ON THE MACON CHILDREN'S PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT.
THEY HAVE A YEAR TO CREATE A PLAN THAT PREPARES MORE THAN 2-THOUSAND KIDS FROM THE PROMISE NEIGHBORHOODS... FOR COLLEGE OR CAREERS.
THE 5-YEAR PLAN WILL FOCUS ON INGRAM-PYE AND HARTLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS... BALLARD HUDSON MIDDLE SCHOOL... AND SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL.
PETER BROWN... CO-DIRECTOR OF THE PROMISE NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECT... SAYS PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WILL START SEEING CHANGES EVEN BEFORE THE PLAN IS IMPLEMENTED.
"We're also loking at making this entire neighborhood a wi-fi center and ensuring that every and ensuring that every studnet has a computing device at hometo get the same kind of access that we all know is so important."
NEXT FALL... BROWN SAYS THEY WILL APPLY FOR A GRANT OF UP TO 30 MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPLENT THE PLAN.
AN EARLY MORNING FIRE DESTROYED A STORAGE ROOM INSIDE OF A DODGE COUNTY RESTAURANT.
THE EASTMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY GOT THE CALL ABOUT THE BLAZE AT SUGARBERRY'S STEAK AND SEAFOOD CAFE.. AROUND 1 A-M.. THAT'S ON MAIN STREET IN EASTMAN.
THEY SAY THE FIRE STARTED INSIDE AN ELECTRICAL BOX... IN A COOLER STORAGE ROOM.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE ROOM WAS A COMPLETE LOSS... AND THE REST OF THE BUILDING SUSTAINED HEAVY SMOKE DAMAGE.
NO ONE WAS INSIDE THE BUILDING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE.
POLICE AND OCCUPY PROTESTERS CLASHED IN OAKLAND CALIFORNIA TODAY.
AUTHORITIES THREW SMOKE GRENADES INTO THE CROWD TO BREAK IT UP.
SOME PROTESTORS RESPONDED BY THROWING OBJECTS BACK AT THEM.
IT ALL HAPPENED AS DEMONSTRATORS MARCHED TO TAKE OVER A BUILDING AS THEIR HOME BASE.
BEFORE THE CLASHES BEGAN... POLICE DECLARED IT AN UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY.
OAKLAND HAS BEEN A KEY PLACE IN THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT SINCE OCTOBER... WHEN POLICE USED TEAR GAS TO BREAK UP PROTESTORS WHO REFUSED TO LEAVE DOWNTOWN.
A NORFOLK SOUTHERN TRAIN DERAILED IN WASHINGTON COUNTY LAST NIGHT... SPILLING 85 TONS OF WOOD CHIPS... ONTO THE MAIN LINE.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO AN INCIDENT REPORT FROM THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER.
THE REPORT SAYS FIVE CARS DERAILED... MOST LIKELY DUE TO A BROKEN RAIL... ONE OF THEM CONTAINING THE WOOD CHIPS.
IT HAPPENED AROUND 10 O'CLOCK FRIDAY EVENING.
THE REPORT SAYS NO ONE WAS INJURED.
A HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL IS HELPING GIRLS FIND THE PERFECT DRESS WHILE ALSO GIVING BACK TO COMMUNITY.
IT'S A STORY THAT COMES STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART.
WARNER ROBINS HIGH SCHOOL HELD THEIR SIXTH ANNUAL AFFORDABLE DEMON DRESS DRIVE.
MORE THAN A HUNDRED PEOPLE WAITED IN LINE TO GET A DRESS.
THE SALE OFFERS LADIES AND GIRLS IN THE AREA GENTLY USED AND NEW FORMAL WEAR FOR ALL OCCASIONS... ALSO JEWELRY.
SENIOR... KAITLYN MAIN SAYS SHE FOUND A COUPLE OF DRESSES THAT FIT HER PERSONALITY.
Kaitlyn Main, Senior "They always have an amazing choice of dresses. Their are so many different colors, so many different sizes, a variety of styles and they are always really cheap"
THE MONEY RAISED AT THE DEMON DRESS SALE WILL GO TO TWO CHARITIES THIS YEAR... THE HOUSTON COUNTY SHARKS... AND PROJECT GIVING.
FRIENDS.. FAMILY.. SINGERS.. AND POLITICIANS HONORED R AND B SOUL SINGER ETTA JAMES TODAY IN A PRIVATE MEMORIAL SERVICE.
POP STAR CHRISTINA AGUILERA MOVED THE HUNDREDS WHO ATTENDED BY SINGING HER OWN RENDITION OF JAMES' CLASSIC SONG AT LAST.
REVEREND AL SHARPTON DELIVERED THE EULOGY AND READ A NOTE FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA.
SHARPTON HIGHLIGTHED JAMES' VOCAL TALENT BUT ALSO HER ABILITY TO BREAK DOWN RACIAL AND CULTURAL BARRIERS.
STEVIE WONDER ALSO PERFORMED AT THE SERVICE.
JAMES DIED ON JANUARY 20TH AFTER BATTLING LEUKEMIA.
STUDENTS IN FORT VALLEY SPENT PART OF THEIR WEEKEND LEARNING HOW TO BECOME THE FUTURE LEADERS OF TOMORROW.
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY HELD THEIR FIRST COLLEGIATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE FOR F-V-S-U STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE DAY WAS FILLED WITH WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS ON TOPICS LIKE PERSONAL FINANCES... NETWORKING...AND BRANDING.
F-V-S-U FACULTY MEMBERS AND INDUSTRY EXPERTS CONDUCTED THE EVENT.
THEY ALSO HAD INTERACTIVE ACITIVITIES GEARED TO HELP STUDENTS BECOME THE NEXT GENERATION OF PIONEERS.
STUDENTS SAY THE CONFERENCE IS A GREAT WAY TO LEARN THE DO'S AND DONT'S OF THE WORKING WORLD AND TALK TO LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
Shakari Fracier, Senior "It breaks down everything aspect as far as etiquette. How to dress, what you should wear, what you shouldn't wear. What should you take to an interview? How should you look? What should you say? I thought this was very important"
Roderick Langston, Sophomore "Students can actually visualize what does it take and know the correct steps to make and the people to get in touch with"
BASHEER JONES WAS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.
A SPECIAL DOG IN MACON TURNS THREE YEARS OLD.... AND HE IS SPENT HIS BIRTHDAY HELPING OUT HIS FRIENDS IN THE COMMUNITY.
MACON ANIMAL CONTROL HOSTED A BIRTHDAY PARTY TODAY FOR A-C PUP.
FRIENDS OF A-C DROPPED BY TO HELP CELEBRATE HIS SPECIAL DAY.
THE FAMOUS POOCHE'S BIRTHDAY WISH WAS TO FIND LOVING HOMES FOR HIS FRIENDS.
TO HELP OUT MACON ANIMAL CONTROL HELD A-C'S PET ADOPTION DAY.
MARIE NEEL CAME OUT TO THE BIRTHDAY BASH AND ADOPTED A FURRY FRIEND.
Marie Neel "Their a gift from God and it doesn't matter what they look like. It's a companion and a beautiful opportunity to love something so sweet"
IF YOU WANT TO ADOPT A PET... MACON ANIMAL CONTROL IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 9:30 AM UNTIL 4:30 PM.
THE ADOPTION FEE IS ONLY 75 DOLLARS AND IT INCLUDES SPAY AND NEUTER.
IF YOU'RE TRAVELING THROUGH TWIGGS COUNTY THIS WEEKEND...WE HAVE SOME ROAD WORK TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR.
EXIT 24... ENTRANCE AND EXIT RAMPS ON INTERSTATE 16 EAST AND WEST-BOUND WILL BE CLOSED THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.
THE GEORIGA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS A CONTRACTOR WILL BE REPLACING THE RAMPS.
THE WORK IS SCHEDULED TO END AT MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 30TH.
SOME FOLKS IN IOWA TOOK A PLUGE IN A FREEZING POND... ALL IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE MONEY FOR A LOCAL WRESTLING CLUB.
THE CLUB HELPS FORMER PLAYERS PAY FOR TRAVEL... TRAINING AND COACHING FOR THE OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS.
ALONG WITH THE COACHES OF THE WRESTLING TEAM... 40 OTHER PEOPLE BRAVED THE CHILLY WATERS AND JUMPED RIGHT IN.
ONE PARTICIPANT SAYS THE COLD WATER REMINDED HIM OF HOME.
"i lived in Maine for three years and we jumped in the ocean there. And we they explained you have to stand there and let your legs get numb and then jump in you'll be fine".
THE POLAR PLUNGE HELP RAISE OVER 25-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
ITS TIME TO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR PICTURES. THESE PHOTOS ARE FROM OUR AREN'T MY KIDS THE CUTEST GALERY.
THIS IS A PHOTO OF CAMERON HAVING A BLAST WITH HIS DOG PETE... AS HIS DAD PULLS THE WAGON.
AND HERE'S A PHOTO OF CHLOE.. SHE THINKS THE WEATHER IS PERFECT FOR PLAYING OUTSIDE.
SEND US YOUR PHOTOS...LOOK FOR *PHOTO GALLERIES* IN THE MENU BAR ACROSS THE TOP OF OUR HOMEPAGE...
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
THE NEWS CONTINUES ALL DAY EVERY DAY... ON 13WMAZ DOT COM.
JOIN US AT SEVEN A-M FOR WEEKEND MORNIN.
HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYONE