HELLO EVERYONE AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.... I'M LEAH JOHNSON..
AND I'M FRANK MALLOY.
THIS IS EYEWITNESS NEWS AT SIX...
WE COULD FIND OUT TONIGHT IF THE BIBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD WILL ADOPT THE MACON MIRACLE STARTEGIC PLAN FOR THE DISTRICT OR NOT.
THE SCHOOL BOARD IS SET TO GET UNDERWAY ANY MINUTE NOW. BIBB COUNTY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ROMAIN DALLEMAND IS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK.
13 WMAZ'S CANDACE ADORKA REPORTS THAT
C-JACK ELLIS AND ELAINE LUCAS ARE AT THE MEETING... ALONG WITH A HANDFUL OF OTHER PEOPLE WEARING MACON MIRACLE T-SHIRTS.
WE SPOKE WITH SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER GARY BECHTEL BEFORE THE MEETING GOT UNDERWAY.
HE SAYS HE DOESN'T THINK THE PLAN IS READY TO BE VOTED ON.
>>Gary Bechtel, School Board Member: "I would hope we would have some more public forums, we'd do some discussion and we'd have some more information about the cost - because we need pro for months going out 3,5,5,6,7 years uh, what this is going to cost as it gets rolled out and that has not been provided to me or the other, well it may have been provided to other board members but I haven't been privy to it."<<
YOU CAN WATCH THE MEETING RIGHT NOW.... ON OUR WEBSITE AT 13 WMAZ DOT COM.
IF THE BOARD DOES DECIDE TO VOTE ON THE MACON MIRACLE STRATEGIC PLAN... WE'LL LET YOU KNOW RIGHT HERE ON 13 WMAZ.
LEGISLATION TO CONSOLIDATE THE MACON AND BIBB COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARRIVES IN THE GEORGIA SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE SENATORS.. MIRIAM PARIS.. A DEMOCRAT.. AND CECIL STATON.. A REPUBLICAN.. WORKED WITH THE HOUSE MEMBERS OF THE BIBB LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION IN PUTTING THE PROPOSAL TOGETHER.
STATON WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT.. BUT PARIS SAYS SHE AND STATON WILL REVIEW THE PROPOSAL TO MAKE SURE IT'S WHAT THE LOCAL LAWMAKERS WANT.
PARIS SAYS ONE THING THAT'LL PROBABLY BE REMOVED FROM THE HOUSE VERISON IS THE PROVISION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE MAYOR OF A CONSOLIDATED GOVERNMENT TO APPOINT A POLICE CHIEF.
Miriam Paris, Macon Senator: As a delegation, we had agreed upon the sheriff as being the top cop. So we certainly will have some discussion over that. But you know, I believe that was in error that it was left in.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN PEAKE OF MACON HELPED GET THE PROPOSAL THROUGH THE HOUSE.. HE SAYS THERE ARE A FEW TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS THAT NEED TO MADE IN THE SENATE.. INCLUDING REMOVING THE POLICE CHIEF PROVISION.
Allen Peake, State Representative: That will come out. The intent was that the sheriff will be the top cop. That language was just left in there by mistake. That will be removed.
AMONG OTHER THINGS.. THE BILL CALLS FOR A NINE-MEMBER GOVERNING BODY.. PLUS A MAYOR.
PARIS SAYS SHE AND STATON WILL BE TAKING A HARD LOOK AT THE BILL IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.. AND COULD HAVE IT READY FOR SENATE APPROVAL NEXT WEEK.
A NEW BILL PASSED BY THE GEORGIA SENATE.... LOOKS TO PLACE SOME NEW GUIDELINES ON THOSE WHO GET FOOD STAMPS IN THE PEACH STATE.
THE LEGISLATION WOULD REQUIRE FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS TO EARN THEIR G-E-D.. PURSUE TECNICAL EDUCATION.. ATTEND SELF DEVELOPMENT CLASSES OR ENROLL IN ADULT LITERACY CLASSES.
IF PASSED THE LAW WOULD NOT APPLY TO PEOPLE UNDER 16 OR OVER 59... THE MENTALLY OR PHYSCIALLY DISABLED... OR PEOPLE WHO WORK AT LEAST 30 HOURS A WEEK.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES WOULD FIRST IMPLEMENT A FIVE-COUNTY PILOT PROGRAM BEFORE TAKING ENFORCEMENT OF THE BILL STATEWIDE.
MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS PROPOSED LAW ON FACEBOOK.
TIM MURRAY SAYS... FANTASTIC IDEA. DRUG TESTING WOULD BE A GOOD THING AS WELL.
IF YOU'RE BUYING DRUGS.. YOU CAN AFFORD FOOD.
CHRISTIE CHEEK-WINDHAM SAYS... I HAD A FRIEND RECEIVING FOOD STAMPS WHEN SHE STARTED ATTENDING SCHOOL TO BETTER HERSELF... AND WHEN SHE TOLD WHAT SHE WAS DOING.. THEY DISQUALIFIED HER.
I'M HOPING THIS WILL HELP PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE.
HOW IS IT FAIR TO TAKE SOMETHING AWAY... WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO BETTER YOURSELF.
AND JUSTIN MORGAN SAYS... DEFINITELY A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I THINK A TIME FRAME TO BE CUT OFF BENEFITS SHOULD HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED AS WELL... BUT ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING.
YOU CAN GET IN ON THE CONVERSATION... JUST SEARCH 13 WMAZ DOT COM ON FACEBOOK.... LOOK FOR THIS STORY.
MACON POLICE SAY A MAN DIED AFTER HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS MOTORCYCLE ON I-16.
POLICE SPOKESWOMAN JAMI GAUDET SAYS IT HAPPENED NEAR THE I-75 SPLIT.
BIBB COUNTY CORONER LEON JONES SAYS... ACCORDING TO WITNESSES... THE MAN WAS THROWN FROM HIS BIKE AND HIT A POLE.
JONES SAYS THE VICTIM... 23-YEAR-OLD JASON HEAD OF DRY BRANCH WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD ON THE SCENE.
CHEERS RESTAURANT ON NORTHSIDE DRIVE IS TAKING CENTER STAGE AS PRODUCTION CREWS SPENT TODAY SETTING UP FOR CLINT EASTWOOD'S NEW FILM, TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE.
THE CREW SWITCHED OUT CHAIRS AND MADE A FEW MINOR CHANGES...LIKE TAKING THE LOGO OFF THE WINDOWS.
INSIDE A NEIGHBORING BUSINESS EIGHT YEAR OLD BROOKE RAMSINGH SAYS SHE'S EXCITED TO SEE ALL THE COMMOTION...EVEN IF SHE'S UNSURE WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.
There's like this big movie star. He's coming here and he's going to make this movie about this restaurant...Cheers, I think.
EASTWOOD'S FILM HAS A BASEBALL THEME.
AND TOMORROW...THE EXCITEMENT WILL MOVE TO LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD....WHERE THEY'RE EXPECED TO STAGE A FICTIONAL MINOR LEAGUE GAME.
THREE WEEKS AGO....HUNDREDS AUDITIONED FOR A CHANCE TO PLAY A BASEBALL PLAYER IN THAT FILM.... BUT JUST A HANDFUL WERE CHOSEN.
MATT STILL OF MCDONOUGH IS ONE OF THEM.
HE'LL BE PLAYING CENTER FIELD TOMORROW... AND HE SAYS IT'S AN HONOR TO BE IN THE FILM.
Matt Still, McDonough: one of my favorite things about it is when my grandma saw I got chosen to be in it, even my grandma got excited cause it's Clint Eastwood, you know it's a cool thing that just bridges so many age gaps.
STILL SAYS HE'S NOT DOING THIS TO MEET CLINT EASTWOOD.... INSTEAD HE SAYS IT'S HIS CHANCE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO A SPORT THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO HIM.
Matt Still, McDonough:05:13 I'm doing this because I love the game of baseball this is my chance to mark that off my list to say that you know i did something really big with baseball and I'll have this as a memory for the rest of my life.
TO KEEP THE AREA AROUND LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD CLEAR BEFORE AND AFTER THE SHOOTING...MACON POLICE SAY THEY'RE CLOSING OFF MUCH OF CENTRAL CITY PARK.
STARTING TONIGHT...POLICE SAY THEY'RE SHUTTING DOWN TRAFFIC IN THE PARK BETWEEN THE ROUND BUILDING... AND LOWER POPLAR STREET.
THEY SAY UNAUTHORIZED PEOPLE WON'T BE ALLOWED TO WALK NEAR THE BALLFIELD AND NO CAMERAS ARE ALLOWED NEARBY... EVEN FOR EXTRAS.
THAT AREA WILL BE CLOSED OFF THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING.
NEWT GINGRICH SAYS HE ISN'T DROPPING OUT OF THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL RACE.
DURING AN ALABAMA CAMPAIGN STOP TODAY... GINGRICH SAID HE'S STAYING IN BECAUSE ITS IMPOSSIBLE FOR A MODERATE REPUBLICAN TO BE ELECTED PRESIDENT IN NOVEMBER.
YESTERDAY GINGRICH... WON ONLY ONE OF THE 10 STATES THAT VOTE ON SUPER TUESDAY.. HIS HOME STATE OF GEORGIA.
TODAY'S 13 WMAZ DOT COM WEB POLL ASKS... SHOULD NEWT GINGRICH DROP OUT OF THE RACE?
SO FAR 58 PERCENT OF YOU SAY NO.
AND 42 PERCENT OF YOU SAY YES.
TO VOTE NOW.. VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT 13 WMAZ DOT COM.. AND LOOK FOR THE WEB POLL QUESTION ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF OUR HOMEPAGE.
ben gives three day forecast
THANKS BEN.. WE'LL TALK WITH YOU AGAIN IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MUST CUT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM IT'S BUDGET OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS..
IT'S A SAD SONG FOR FOLKS WHO ENJOY THE WORLD-CLASS SOUNDS OF THE BAND OF THE AIR FORCE RESERVE..
WE'LL HEAR FROM THE BAND'S SPOKESMAN ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.. COMING UP..
AS WE GO TO BREAK.. HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S AVERAGE GAS PRICE IN MACON ACCORDING TO TRIPLE A.
WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FLOCKED TO MCCONNELL TALBERT STADIUM IN WARNER ROBINS EVERY JULY.. FOR THE INDEPENDENCE CONCERT HOSTED BY THE BAND OF THE AIR FORCE RESERVE.
THIS SUMMER WILL BE THE FINAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT CELEBRATION... ACCORDING TO SPOKESMAN FOR THE BAND... BILL GRANGER.
nats- music playing
THE AIR FORCE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THE ROBINS BASED BAND WILL BE DISBANDED NEXT JUNE... AS PART OF A MUCH LARGER EFFORT TO CUT DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SPENDING.
GRANGER SAYS THIS BAND HAS A LONG HISTORY IN WARNER ROBINS... THEY'VE BEEN HERE SINCE 1941.
ALL 45 MEMBERS WILL BE REASSIGNED TO THE REMAINING EIGHT AIR FORCE BANDS.
HE SAYS...THREE ARE BEING DISBANDED ACROSS THE AIR FORCE.
GRANGER SAYS THE MEMBERS ARE EMOTIONAL ABOUT LEAVING ... BUT UNDERSTANDING OF BUDGET CONSTRAINTS.
Bill Granger, Band of the Air Force Reserve: (18:41) As with all change were a little skiddish about whats in the future for me and my family, but to be honest, the good lord has taken care of us well over the last 14 years. (19:00-cover) Itll be sad to leave, but were looking forward to challenges that lie ahead for us.
GRANGER SAID THE BAND PLANS TO MAKE THIS SUMMER'S INDEPENDENCE CONCERT ONE TO REMEMBER... AS IT WILL BE THEIR FAREWELL TO CENTRAL GEORGIA.
THE DATE AND HEADLINER FOR THE CONCERT HAS NOT YET BEEN ANNOUNCED.
WE ARE COVERING TONIGHT BIBB COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.. WHERE SUPERINTENDENT ROMAIN DALLEMAND IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE CONTROVERSIAL MACON MIRACLE STRATEGIC PLAN.
SOME BOARD MEMBERS FELT THERE MIGHT BE A VOTE ON THE PLAN TONIGHT.. WE'RE STREAMING THE MEETING LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE AT 13 WMAZ DOT COM... HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
CANDACE ADORKA SAYS THERE ARE MORE THAN A DOZEN CHANGES...AND SEVERAL INVOLVE SCHOOL SAFETY.
THEY INCLUDE CREATING NEW PROCEDURES FOR HANDING DANGEROUS STUDENTS....PUTTING MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS AT THE DISTRICT'S ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SITES...AND A NEW SYSTEM FOR REPORTING BULLYING.
YOU CAN CONTINUE WATCHING THE MEETING ON OUR WEBSITE... AT 13 WMAZ DOT COM.
AND WE'LL HAVE MORE ON IT TONIGHT ON EYEWITNESS NEWS AT 11.
FORT VALLEY'S PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR WILL HAVE TEN DAYS OFF.. WHILE CITY LEADERS DECIDE WHETHER HE VIOLATED POLICY.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR MARTHA MCAFEE SAYS.. JOHN DAVID ANDERSON IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.. BUT SHE WOULD NOT SAY WHAT FOR..
HE WAS HIRED AS CHIEF OF POLICE SIX YEARS AGO...AND WAS MADE PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR IN 2010.
DURING ANDERSON'S LEAVE...MAJOR LAWRENCE SPURGEON WILL HEAD THE DEPARTMENT.
WHEN PEACH COUNTY STUDENTS GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL.. THE SCHOOL WEEK WILL BE FIVE DAYS LONG AGAIN..
THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED THREE TO ONE TO REVERSE THEIR 2009 DECISION TO SHORTEN THE SCHOOL WEEK TO FOUR DAYS..
BOARD CHAIRMAN JAMIE JOHNSON SAYS.. THEY DID NOT SEE THE SAVINGS THEY HOPED FOR..
THE CHANGE GOES INTO EFFECT IN AUGUST... FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR.
THE MERCER BEARS WILL GET A PIECE OF MARCH MADNESS SUZANNE.
THAT'S RIGHT AND BEAR FANS CAN ONCE AGAIN PACK THE UNIVERSITY CENTER NEXT WEEK... AS THE GUYS HOST A POST SEASON TOURANMENT.
WE'LL CHAT IT UP WITH BOB HOFFMAN ON THE BONUS.
PLUS TAYLOR COUNTY MADE IT INTO THE ELITE EIGHT... BUT THE ROAD TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP WENT THROUGH A VERY TOUGH WESLEYAN SQUAD.
WE'LL LET YOU KNOW IF THE VIKINGS SURVIVED THIS AFTERNOON.
RECAPPING TONIGHT'S TOP STORY... BIBB COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT ROMAIN DALLEMAND IS TELLING THE SCHOOL BOARD ABOUT CHANGES TO HIS PROPOSED 'MACON MIRACLE' STRATEGIC PLAN.
HE PASSED OUT COPIES OF HIS AMENDED PLAN.. WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN CHANGES HIGHLIGHTED.
THEY INCLUDE CREATING NEW PROCEDURES FOR HANDING DANGEROUS STUDENTS... PUTTING MENTAL HEALTH THERAPISTS AT THE DISTRICT'S ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SITES... AND A NEW SYSTEM FOR REPORTING BULLYING.
HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
YOU CAN CONTINUE WATCHING THE MEETING NOW ON 13WMAZ DOT COM AND WE'LL HAVE COMPLETE COVERAGE TONIGHT ON EYEWITNESS NEWS AT ELEVEN.