<<opening for eyewitness news at eleven>>
GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US... I'M LEAH JOHNSON.
FRANK MALLOY HAS THE NIGHT OFF
TIME IS WINDING DOWN FOR THE STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION... AND LAWMAKERS ARE STILL HARD AT WORK IN THE STATE CAPITOL.
THEY'VE ALREADY PASSED A LAW THAT WOULD GRADE SCHOOLS BASED ON HOW THEIR STUDENTS PERFORM.
SENATE BILL 4-10 IS WAITING FOR FINAL APPROVAL FROM THE SENATE BEFORE HEADING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.
LAWMAKERS MODELED THE LAW AFTER A SIMILAR SYSTEM IN FLORIDA.
THE SPONSER OF THE BILL SAYS IT CREATES INCENTIVE FOR SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE.
LAWMAKERS ALSO APPROVED A LAW THAT GIVES ALL SCHOOLS AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS THE RIGHT TO POST THE 10 COMMANDMENTS.
IT EXPANDS ON A 2006 LAW THAT ALREADY ALLOWED JUDICIAL BUILDINGS TO DISPLAY THE COMMANDMENTS WHEN ACCOMPANINED BY OTHER HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS IN THE U-S LEGAL SYSTEM.
THE BILL PASSED IN BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON EYEWITNESS NEWS MORNIN.. AND ON 13 WMAZ DOT COM.
A MACON TAX PREPARER IS CHARGED WITH USING PEOPLE'S PERSONAL INFORMATION TO STEAL THEIR TAX REFUNDS.
ACCORDING TO THE INDICTMENT.. WILLIE GRANT.. OWNER AND OPERATOR OF GRANT'S INCOME TAX BOOKKEEPING AND CHECK CASHING USED THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS OF TEN PEOPLE TO FILE THEIR TAXES.. THEN STEAL THEIR REFUNDS OVER SEVERAL YEARS' TIME.
A FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTED GRANT ON 23 COUNTS OF MAKING FALSE CLAIMS FOR TAX REFUNDS.. 4 COUNTS OF THEFT OF GOVERNMENT MONEY.. AND 4 COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED IDENTITY THEFT.
SELLING OR POSESSING SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA IS NOW A FELONY... AND COULD LAND YOU UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON.
GOVERNOR NATHAN SIGNED THAT LAW THIS WEEK..
AND SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES IN MONROE COUNTY IMMEDIATELY STARTED A SWEEP FOR THE DRUG IN AREA CONVENIENCE STORES.
THEY COLLECTED ALMOST 10-THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH...
... BUT OTHER CENTRAL GEORGIA AGENCIES ARE STILL ADAPTING TO THE LAW.
G-B-I SPECIAL AGENT JOSEPH RICKETSON SAYS THEY HAVE TO GET THE WORD OUT TO STORE OWNERS.
"We're just getting out there and as we start seeing violators then we will deal with that accordingly. When we believe that enough time as considered reasonable notice for convenience stores and any other merchants out there are deciciding to keep this on their shelves, then they will face the consequences."
MACON POLICE SAY THERE MAY BE MORE THAN A HUNDRED PLACES IN THE CITY WHERE SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA COULD BE SOLD.
THEY SAY THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCIES REPORTED FROM THE DRUG
THE HAPPY HOUR SERVICE CENTER IN WARNER ROBINS EXPANDED AGAIN TODAY.
TOD COWART... EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE WORK PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ANNOUNCED THE OPENING OF RECYCLED TREASURES.
NATS-
THE THRIFT STORE IS THE FOURTH SPACE WITH A MISSION OF TEACHING JOB SKILLS AND PROVIDING INCOME FOR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED ADULTS.
IT OPENED IN THE BACK HALF OF THE OLD POST OFFICE ON NORTH DAVIS DRIVE.
COWART SAYS HAPPY HOUR BOUGHT THE BUILDING WITH PLANS TO USE THE ENTIRE FACILITY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Tod Cowart, Executive Director: (8:30) "We were very concerned when this building sat vacant for vandalism and vagrancy, and so being part of our campus, being contiguous to our campus. We decided were going to do everything we can to work with the former owner to see if we could purchase the buidling for future generations."
RECYCLED TREASURES WILL BE OPEN EVERY SATURDAY FROM EIGHT TO ONE.
COWART SAYS THEY PLAN TO OPEN MORE OFTEN ONCE THE STORE GETS STARTED... AND THEY STOCK-UP ON DONATIONS.
NICK MALLOY IS RECOVERING IN INTENSIVE CARE AFTER SURGERY YESTERDAY.
MACON'S YOUNG COUNTRY SINGER SUFFERED MAJOR INJURIES AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT EARLY WEDNESDAY.
TODAY... HIS FATHER... 13WMAZ'S FRANK MALLOY VISITED THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.
NICK REPORTEDLY SPENT SEVERAL HOURS BY THE SIDE OF INTERSTATE 75 AFTER DRIVING OFF THE ROAD.
FRANK MALLOY SPENT THE NIGHT AT THE MEDICAL CENTER OF CENTRAL GEORGIA AND SAYS NICK'S CONDITION IS IMPROVING
"Fortunately, he had a good night last night. The doctors are pleased with the way the recovery is going. It's going to be a long recovery process. We all know that, but cannot thank enough the people in Central Georgia for their thoughts and prayers. They mean the world to us. And, I think we're going to be ok, and I just thank everybody for that. We're going to be fine. It's going to turn out ok."
THE BIBB COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS THEY'RE STILL INVESTIGATING... AND DON'T KNOW WHY NICK DROVE OFF THE ROAD.
TOMORROW NIGHT.. PEOPLE IN GEORGIA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL CROSS THEIR FINGERS AND HOPE FOR A BIT A LUCK.. WHILE THEY WATCH THE NUMBERS FALL FOR THE BIGGEST LOTTERY JACKPOT IN U-S HISTORY.
540 MILLION DOLLARS UP FOR GRABS IN TOMORROW'S MEGA-MILLIONS DRAWING.
IF YOU WIN.. YOU COULD GET NEARLY 21 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR 26 YEARS... OR A SINGLE PAYOUT OF AROUND 389 MILLION
TODAY'S 13WMAZ DOT COM WEB POLL QUESTION... WILL YOU BUY A TICKET IN THE MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT?
SO FAR 73 PERCENT OF YOU SAY YES.
AND 27 PERCENT SAY NO.
VOTE NOW... LOOK FOR THE QUESTION ON THE 13WMAZ DOT COM HOMEPAGE.
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BEATLES, BIG HOUSE, BUNNIES, BRUNCH...GET IT? TO DECIPHER THAT LOVELY ALLITERATIVE MESSAGE, COME BACK AND HANG WITH ME FOR A LITTLE BIT OF SCENE THIRTEEN...TONIGHT AT ELEVEN ON THIRTEEN W-M-A-Z EYEWITNESS NEWS.
COME GATHER 'ROUND THE SCREEN, YOU SEEKERS OF ENTERTAINMENT! FOR I HAVE GOOD TIMES TO SHARE WITH YOU, THAT YOUR WEEKEND MIGHT BE FULL OFNOTHING BUT AWESOMENESS...
ALRIGHT, SO EASTER'S NEXT WEEKEND, BUT THE FOLKS AT TROUPCORN MAZE ADVENTURE IN DUBLIN ARE GETTING THE PARTY STARTED A WEEK EARLY WITH THEIR VERY FIRST EASTER EGG HUNT! YES SIR, GRAB YOUR WITTLE WABBITS AND GET THERE FOR A WHOLE DAY OF FAMILY FUN. NOW THE EGG HUNT IS DIVIDED UP BY AGE GROUPS - YOU KNOW, SO THE BIG KIDS DON'T MOW DOWN THE LITTLE BITTIES. GO THEE TO TROUP-CORN-DOT-COM TO CHECK OUT THE TIMES AND AGE BRACKETS. THERE'LL ALSO BE A PETTING ZOO, PLAYGROUND, HAY RIDES, CORN CANNON...WAY TOO MUCH TO NAME HERE. REST ASSURED - IT GONNA BE A NINE-TO-FIVE SATURDAY OF SPRING TIME ENTERTAINMENT.
BACK IN MACON, THE BIG HOUSE MUSEUM BRINGS BACK THE BACK-YARD-BOOGIE! THIS SATURDAY NIGHT, AT THE HOUSE THAT THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BUILT, THE BLUESY SOUL OF MISS LOUISE WARREN, THE AMERICANA ROCK OF BACK CITY WOODS, AND THE LEGENDARY AWESOMENESS OF COLONEL BRUCE HAMPTON GRACE THE STAGE. BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIRS OR BLANKETS, BUT NO OUTSIDE FOOD AND DRINKS. CHECK OUT ALL THE INFO AT THE-BIG-HOUSE-MUSEUM-DOT-COM. THE PARTY STARTS AT FIVE.
ALRIGHT, SO THE FAB FIVE NEVER PERFORMED THE ABBEY ROAD ALBUM TOGETHER LIVE, BUT THAT DIDN'T MEAN IT WAS NEVER GONNA HAPPEN. CAUSE LIKE THE CRICKET SAYS, ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE...IF YOU JUST BELIEVE. AND THE GUYS FROM ABBEY ROAD LIVE TOTALLY BELIEVE THAT YOU'RE GONNA GET YOUR WORLD ROCKED THIS SATURDAY! THIS ATHENS BAND PERFORMS THE ABBEY ROAD ALBUM PLUS TONS MORE BEATLES HITS...AND THEY'RE SO GOOD! I MEAN - LIKE REALLY GOOD. THEY'LL BE TEARIN' IT UP SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE HUMMINGBIRD IN DOWNTOWN MACON...DOORS OPEN AT NINE. GET THERE!
THEN SATURDAY WILL TURN IN TO SUNDAY AWESOME SUNDAY AND IT'LL BE TIME FOR THE RETURN OF SECOND SUNDAY BRUNCH IN WASHINGTON PARK! YES - IT IS NOT ACTUALLY SECOND SUNDAY - BUT CENTRAL GEORGIA JUST COULDN'T WAIT ANOTHER WEEK! JUBEE AND THE MORNING AFTER TAKE CARE OF THE MUSICAL SIDE OF THINGS - AND LET ME JUST NOTE - IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THESE GUYS PERFORM LIVE, YOU ARE TOTALLY MISSING OUT. THEY'RE PHENOMENAL! AND THAT AIN'T ALL, PEOPLE! THE HARD-HITTING, ROUGH-SHOD COMPETITION OF THE MAGNOLIA STREET SOAPBOX DERBY HEATS UP YOUR AFTERNOON WITH TONS OF ACTION. OKAY - IT'S REALLY NOT THAT ROUGH, BUT IT IS TOO MUCH FUN. SECOND SUNDAY BRUNCH KICKS OFF AT ONE...AGAIN THAT'S A WASHINGTON PARK IN DOWNTOWN MACON.
BEFORE I JET, GOTTA LET YOU KNOW ABOUT AN EVENT HAPPENING NEXT THURSDAY IN MILLEDGEVILLE. THE GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS - A PREMIERE CHINESE ACROBATIC TOURING COMPANY - PERFORM AT RUSSELL AUDITORIUM AROUND EIGHT O'CLOCK. SHOULD BE A REALLY COOL SHOW THERE. CHECK OUT MILLEDGEVILLE-ALLIED-ARTS-DOT-COM TO FIND OUT ALL ABOUT IT!
AND THAT, AS THEY SAY, IS THAT. SCENE THIRTEEN - OUT! THAT'S A WRAP!
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AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER.. TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR LAWMAKERS AT THE STATE CAPITOL... AS THE FINAL DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAPS UP.
RANDALL SAVAGE AND BRITTINY BARBER SPENT MUCH OF THE DAY THERE.
RANDALL JOINS US LIVE WITH AN UPDATE.
(RANDALL AD LIBS INVU WITH NIKKI RANDALL)
THANKS RANDALL.
CHIEF METEOROLOGIST BEN JONES JOINS US WITH WEATHER..
TONIGHT'S FACEBOOK FAN OF THE DAY IS JULIE MOSS.
JULIE... YOU'LL NEED TO EMAIL FAN OF THE DAY AT 13WMAZ DOT COM TO CLAIM YOUR COFFEE MUG.
NOW... GETTING INTO THE RUNNING FOR FAN OF THE DAY IS AN EASY THREE-STEP PROCESS.
ONE... VISIT FACEBOOK DOT COM SLASH 13WMAZ.
TWO... BECOME A FAN... AND THREE... GET IN ON THE CONVERSATIONS.
WE PICK OUR FAN OF THE DAY RANDOMLY.
AND ONE LAST QUICK LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST WITH CHIEF METEOROLOGIST BEN JONES.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.... FIRST MORNIN COMES YOUR WAY AT 5 A-M.
THE NEWS IS ALWAYS ON AT 13WMAZ DOT COM.
LETTERMAN'S NEXT.
HAVE A SAFE NIGHT EVERYONE.