HELLO EVERYONE AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.... I'M LEAH JOHNSON..
AND I'M FRANK MALLOY.
THIS IS EYEWITNESS NEWS AT SIX...

TONIGHT'S TOP STORY.. SUPERINTENDENT ROMAIN DALLEMAND'S PLAN FOR BIBB COUNTY SCHOOLS INCLUDES CLOSING AS MANY AS A DOZEN SCHOOLS... AND CUTTING A QUARTER OF THE TEACHER JOBS.
CANDACE ADORKA IS AT THAT MEETING RIGHT NOW... AND SAYS DALLEMAND'S PLAN SUGGESTS CLOSING SCHOOLS.... AND REALIGNING THE GRADE STRUCTURE IN BIBB SCHOOLS.
HE SAYS THAT MEANS THEY COULD NEED UP TO 300 FEWER TEACHERS.
THOSE COMBINED CUTS.... HE SAYS... COULD SAVE MORE THAN 23 MILLION DOLLARS.
SO FAR...BOARD MEMBERS HAVEN'T REACTED TO THOSE PROPOSALS.
DALLEMAND RIGHT NOW IS STILL WORKING HIS WAY THROUGH A 170 POINT PLAN.
SOME OF THE POINTS INCLUDE A LONGER SCHOOL YEAR AND LONGER DAYS.
BUT SOME BOARD MEMBERS...ALSO WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SCHOOL SAFETY...IN LIGHT OF A RECENT ALLEGED RAPE AT NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL.
THEY WONDERED WHETHER THE DISTRICT IS DOING ENOUGH TO PROTECT ITS STUDENTS.
DALLEMAND SAYS HIS PLAN INCLUDES TWO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS FOR STUDENTS WITH BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS.
CANDACE WILL HAVE MORE ON DALLEMAND'S PLAN LATER TONIGHT.
YOU CAN WATCH THAT MEETING LIVE RIGHT NOW AT 13WMAZ-DOT-COM.

THE HEAD OF BIBB COUNTY SCHOOL'S POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS SHE UPDATED HER BOSSES... AND FOLLOWED PROTOCOL IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO AN ALLEGED RAPE AT NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO HER ATTORNEY... CHARLES COX.
BUT COX SAYS POLICE CHIEF STEPHANIE PRATER WAS PUT ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE THE SAME DAY DALLEMEND HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE.
AMY AUBERT SPOKE WITH PRATER'S ATTORNEY... AND HAS MORE ON THE CASE.
PRATER'S ATTORNEY... CHARLES COX GAVE ME COPIES OF E-MAILS WRITTEN BETWEEN CHIEF PRATER... HER SUPERVISOR EDWARD JUDIE... AND ASSISTANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT... ALISHA ALLEN-CARTER.
IN AN E-MAIL FROM JANUARY 21ST... PRATER UPDATED BOTH ALLEN-CARTER AND JUDIE ON THE INVESTIGATION... SAYING THE NUMBER OF POSSIBLE SUSPECTS RANGES FROM 8 TO 10... AND THAT SHE'LL KEEP THEM UPDATED.
JUDIE RESPONDED QUOTE.... GREAT JOB CHIEF.
ACCORDING TO COX... 10 DAYS LATER... JUDIE PUT PRATER ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE SAYING THAT SHE DID NOT PROPERLY KEEP OTHERS INFORMED.
IN AN E-MAIL TO THE ASSISTANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT... DATED JANUARY 25TH... PRATER SAYS QUOTE... DISTRICT ATORNEY GREG WINTERS STATED THAT WE ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB AND HANDLING THIS CASE EXTREMELY WELL...
SHE LATER SAYS... QUOTE... I RECEIVED WORD THAT M-P-D LEADERS ARE STILL VERY ANGRY ABOUT THIS AND HAVE MADE IT KNOWN TO THEIR STAFF...
SIX DAYS LATER... SUPERINTENDENT DALLEMAND SAID IN A NEWS CONFERENCE... HE WAS NOT AWARE MACON POLICE WERE NOT INVOLVED.
Cox: "I don't know how he could not know that."
Amy: "Do you think he was aware that Macon Police were investigating?"
Cox: "He says he wasn't aware. I just don't know how he could not know that."
COX SAYS PRATER WOULD REMAIN ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE DURING THE INVESTIGATION... WHICH HE SAYS SHOULD LAST NO MORE THAN 30 DAYS.
FRANK?
WE FILED AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST... FOR A COPY OF THE INCIDENT REPORT ON THE ALLEGED RAPE... EARLIER THIS WEEK.
BIBB COUNTY SCHOOLS ONLY PROVIDED A PORTION OF THAT REPORT TO US.

FORMER U-S HOUSE SPEAKER NEWT GINGRICH HAS A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD OVER MITT ROMNEY IN GEORGIA. BUT ROMNEY IS GAINING GROUND.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO A SURVEY-U-S-A POLL CONDUCTED FOR OUR GANNETT SISTER STATION IN ATLANTA... W-X-I-A.
THOSE RESULTS WERE RELEASED TODAY... A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH BEFORE THE STATE'S MARCH 6TH PRIMARY.
LEAH JOHNSON HAS THE NUMBERS.
THE POLL... CONDUCTED FEBRUARY FIRST AND SECOND... SHOWS THAT ROMNEY HAS GAINED BIG GROUND IN GEORGIA SINCE THE LAST POLL IN DECEMBER.
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST NUMBERS... GINGRICH LEADS ROMNEY IN GEORGIA... 45 PERCENT TO 32 PERCENT.
THE OTHER TWO REPUBLICANS STILL IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE POLLED IN THE SINGLE DIGITS... WITH RICK SANTORUM AT NINE PERCENT AND RON PAUL AT EIGHT.
TWO PERCENT FAVORED ANOTHER CANDIDATE.... WITH FOUR PERCENT UNDECIDED.
A SIMILAR POLL RELEASED DECEMBER 8TH SHOWED GINGRICH WITH 65 PERCENT IN GEORGIA... AND ROMNEY WITH 12 PERCENT.
THAT MEANS GINGRICH'S LEAD IN THE STATE HAS DROPPED FROM 53 POINTS... TO 13 POINTS.
ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT SURVEY... GINGRICH WOULD CARRY MORE VOTES THAN ROMNEY AMONG NEARLY EVERY SUBGROUP IN THE STATE.
BUT ROMNEY WAS THE CHOICE AMONG VOTERS YOUNGER THAN 34... VOTERS WHO SAID THEY WERE INDEPENDENT OR MODERATE OR PRO-CHOICE... AND VOTERS WHO EARN MORE THAN 80-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR.
BOTH CANDIDATES WOULD CARRY GEORGIA AGAINST PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IF THE GENERAL ELECTION WERE HELD TODAY.... GINGRICH BY SIX POINTS AND ROMNEY BY EIGHT.
THE POLL'S MARGIN OF ERROR WAS FOUR-POINT-SEVEN PERCENT. TO SEE THE FULL POLL RESULTS... LOOK FOR THIS STORY AT 13WMAZ DOT COM.

HOUSTON COUNTY'S SHERIFF SAYS A GROWING POPULATION OF MENTALLY ILL INMATES IS CAUSING PROBLEMS AT THE JAIL.
THAT'S WHY HE'S ASKING FOR FIVE MILLION DOLLARS IN THE UPCOMING SPLOST... TO SEPARATE THE MENTALLY ILL... FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION.
LORRA LYNCH JONES EXPLAINS WHY HE SAYS STATE BUDGET CUTS... PUT THE BURDEN ON THE COUNTY.
<<nats- talton
FOR 35 OF SHERIFF CULLEN TALTON'S 40 YEARS AS SHERIFF... HE SAYS THE STATE HOUSED MENTALLY ILL INMATES.
Cullen Talton: (2:05) "We would ship them off to Central State or somewhere like that, now we have to hold 'em."
HE SAYS THE STATE SLASHED THE BUDGET FOR MENTAL INMATE SERVICES... LEAVING THE COST OF CARE TO COUNTIES.
Cullen Talton: (2:44) "This is one of the biggest problems with all the sheriffs in the state of Georgia. We don't have anywhere to put these mental patients."
PLUS.. JAIL ADMINISTRATOR CHARLES HOLT SAYS THE STATE CUT FUNDING TO LOCAL RESOURCES for TREATing THE MENTALLY ILL AND DRUG ADDICTED. NOW THAT COST OFTEN FALLS ON THE COUNTY TOO.
Charles Holt (24:40) "Were providing the service the once received on the street, and when they reoffend, it's just an ongoing continuous circle."
TALTON says IT'S ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE.
Cullen Talton: (2:26) "They get into fights, put things down the commode." (4:55) "Dangerous for the officers, dangerous for some of the other inmates, causes problems if they get in a fight, and have to go to the hospital. All this stuff. It's an additional cost.
THATS WHY HE WANTS TO BUILD A POD TO SEPARATE THE MENTALLY ILL FROM THE GENERAL POPULATION.
IT WOULD INCLUDE what he calls "RUBBER ROOMS"...
Charles Holt: "Its got padded walls, padded floor."...
AND WOULD BE BUILT AT THE FRONT OF THE JAIL... FOR GUARDS TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH.
IT WILL COST FIVE MILLION... BUT TALTON SAYS IT WILL CUT DOWN ON RECURRING PROBLEMS.
STD
>> THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPLOST REQUESTS ALSO INCLUDES A NEW E-911 RADIO SYSTEM... AN EXPANSION TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND NEW VEHICLES.
THE VOTE IS ON THE MARCH 6TH.. OR SUPER TUESDAY... BALLOT.

A MACON BUSINESSMAN HAS THROWN HIS NAME INTO THE RACE FOR CHAIRMAN OF THE BIBB COUNTY COMMISSION.
TOM WAGONER MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MORNING FROM HIS OFFICE AT CORE MANAGEMENT RESOURCES ON MULBERRY STREET.
HE SAYS HE WON'T ACCEPT A SALARY OR COUNTY VEHICLE... AND WOULD DONATE THAT MONEY TO THE COUNTY BUDGET OR THE ANIMAL SHELTER.
WAGONER HAS NEVER HELD A PUBLIC OFFICE.
BUT HE SAYS BUILDING HIS OWN BUSINESS GAVE HIM THE LEADERSHIP SKILLS HE NEEDS FOR THE JOB.
The commissioners that you put in office, whether it's the five now or the new government at nine, have not to be able to sit down and not only build a budget but you have to be able to understand that budget also.
COUNTY CHAIRMAN SAM HART SAYS HE HAS NO COMMENT ON WAGONER'S ANNOUNCEMENT.
HE PLANS TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

WE'RE SHOWCASING A NEW FEATURE TO HELP YOU SPOT CRIME WHERE YOU LIVE.
AND TODAY... WE'RE TAKING A LOOK AT THE MILLEDGEVILLE PAGE.
JUST HEAD OVER TO THE PAGE ON THE "WHERE YOU LIVE" SECTION AND LOOK FOR THE "TRACK CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD" LINK IN THE TOP LEFT.
CLICK ON EACH ICON TO SEE WHERE AND WHEN THE REPORTED CRIME HAPPENED... AND USE THE MAP KEY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT TYPE OF CRIME IT WAS... LIKE AN ASSAULT... ARSON OR BURGLARY.

WHILE YOU'RE GEARING UP FOR SUPER BOWL SUNDAY... YOU MAY WANT TO LET SOMEONE DO THE COOKING FOR A MEAL OR TWO.
BUT BEFORE HEADING OUT THE DOOR... YOU MAY WANT TO SEE HOW YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS DID... WHEN THE HEALTH INSPECTOR DROPPED IN.
WE'RE IN BIBB COUNTY... FOR THIS WEEK'S RESTAURANT RATINGS....STARTING OFF WITH OUR LOWEST SCORES.
GREEK CORNER DELI AT 5-87 CHERRY STREET IN MACON... SCORED AN 88... THAT'S A "B"... DROPPING FROM A 96 OR "A"... LAST TIME.
ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTION REPORT... TOXIC SUBSTANCES WERE NOT PROPERLY IDENTIFIED... STORED... AND USED.
SUBWAY AT 36-24 MERCER UNIVERSITY DRIVE IN MACON... SCORED A 77... A "C"... COMING AFTER A PERFECT SCORE LAST TIME.
THE HEALTH INSPECTOR SAYS THE PERSON IN CHARGE WAS NOT PRESENT... DIDN'T DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE... OR DIDN'T PERFORM DUTIES.
HE NOTES THAT AS A RISK FOR FOODBORNE ILLNESS.
WAFFLE HOUSE AT 51-46 THOMASTON ROAD IN MACON... SCORED A 90... AN "A"... FOLLOWING A 96... ALSO AN "A"... ON THE INSPECTION BEFORE.
THE INSPECTION REPORT SAYS EMPLOYEES HAD BARE-HAND CONTACT WITH READY-TO-EAT FOOODS.
IT NOTES THAT AS A RISK FOR FOODBORNE ILLNESS.
EL SOMBRERO AT 46-46 FORSYTH ROAD IN MACON... ALSO SCORE A 90... AN "A"... DROPPING FROMA 96.. ALSO AN "A"... LAST TIME.
ACCORDING TO THE INSPECTION REPORT... FOOD WAS NOT SEPARATED AND PROTECTED AND UTENSILS WERE NOT PROPERLY STORED.
NOW FOR A LOOK THE TOP SCORES OF THE WEEK... AND THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN SPATULA NOMINEES.
GEORGIA BOB'S AT 49-21 RIVERSIDE DRIVE IN MACON... WHIPPED UP A 95... AN "A"... COMING AFTER A 93... ALSO AN "A" LAST TIME.
HOTLANTA WINGS AT 6-50 SHURLING DRIVE SERVED UP TWO PERFECT SCORES ON THEIR LATEST TWO INSPECTIONS.
AND THE EATERY AT 300 MULBERRY STREET IN MACON ALSO SCORED A PERFECT 100... FOLLOWING A 99 ON THE INSPECTION BEFORE.
JOIN US AGAIN TONIGHT AS WE AVERAGE OUR NOMINEES PAST FIVE SCORES TO GIVE YOU THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN SPATULA WINNER.
FOR ALL YOUR RESTAURANT RATINGS... GO TO OUR WEBSITE 13WMAZ DOT COM.
YOU'LL FIND RESTAURANT RATINGS UNDER THE FEATURES TAB.

WE HAVE AN UPDATE FOR TONIGHT'S TOP STORY.
BIBB COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT ROMAIN DALLEMAND IS ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD ON HIS PROPOSAL TO CLOSE AS MANY AS A DOZEN SCHOOLS...AND CUT UP TO 300 TEACHER JOBS.
DALLEMAND TOLD THE BOARD...BIBB SCHOOLS ARE QUOTE...WAY UNDER UNENROLLED.
HE THINKS HE CAN CUT A QUARTER OF THE DISTRICT'S TEACHING JOBS WITHOUT LAYOFFS...BY USING ATTRITION.
AND HE SAYS IF HE SAVE 23 MILLION DOLLARS THROUGH THOSE CUTS....HE COULD REDUCE THE MILLAGE RATE BY 3 OR FOUR POINTS.
HE ALSO SAYS HE'S NOT MADE ANY DECISION ON WHICH SCHOOLS COULD BE CLOSED.
CANDACE ADORKA WILL HAVE MORE ON THIS STORY...ON EYEWITNESS NEWS AT 11.

YOU MIGHT WATCH THE SUPER BOWL FOR THE GAME... BUT SOME FOLKS IN WASHINGTON D-C AND PHOENIX WILL SIT DOWN SUNDAY WITH AN EYE ON THE ADS.
IT'S PART OF THE 2012 U-S-A TODAY FACEBOOK SUPER BOWL AD METER.
FOCUS GROUPS WILL RATE THE ADS AS THEY AIR... AND YOU CAN VOTE IN A NATIONWIDE POLL OR SHARE THE ADS WITH YOUR FRIENDS UNTIL TUESDAY.
OUR SISTER PUBLICATION U-S-A TODAY WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER ON WEDNESDAY.
JUST VISIT AD-METER DOT U-S-A TODAY DOT COM TO CHECK IT OUT.

AND OF COURSE... MANY OF OUR FACEBOOK FANS HAVE THE SUPER BOWL ON THEIR MINDS.
WE ASKED THEM "WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE SUPER BOWL.
DAWN SAYS... "HOME IS MY PLACE! KIDS CAN GET ROWDY AND LOUD AND SO CAN I!"
AND AMANDA REPLIED.... "FOR ME... THE PAST FOUR YEARS IT'S BEEN AT WORK BECAUSE I ALWAYS HAVE TO WORK SUPER BOWL WEEKEND. AT LEAST WE GOT A T-V THOUGH!"
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF WAYS TO JOIN THE CONVERSATION.
YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO FACEBOOK DOT COM SLASH 13WMAZ... OR CHECK OUT THE STORY ON OUR "WHERE YOU LIVE" PAGES.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.... WE'LL BE BACK TONIGHT AT 11.
BUT REMEMBER...THE NEWS IS ALWAYS ON AT 13WMAZ.COM !
THE EVENING NEWS IS UP NEXT.
HAVE A SAFE NIGHT EVERYONE.