Pamela Patten, Warner Robins: I know if it was one of my children. I wouldn't want people saying they should have looked both ways, I'd want them to say is there anything we could do to make it safer.
A WARNER ROBINS MOTHER SAYS THE TWO LIVES LOST AT A RAILROAD CROSSING THIS WEEKEND... IS A PAIR TOO MANY... AND SHE WANTS THE STATE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES NOW.
GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US..
I'M LEAH JOHNSON..THIS IS EYEWITNESS NEWS AT 11.
A CENTRAL GEORGIA TEACHER TOOK THE TOP AWARD TONIGHT FOR THE STATE'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
LAUREN ECKMAN WAS PRESENTED WITH THE HONOR IN ATLANTA AT THE GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER.
SHE WAS AMONG TEN TOP FINALIST FOR THE 2013 GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
THE FINALIST WERE PICKED FROM A POOL OF 150 APPLICANTS.
ECKMAN TEACHES ENGLISH AT THE GEORGIA ACADEMY FOR THE BLIND.
SHE SAYS SHE LEARNED BRAILLE... SO SHE COULD TEACH HER STUDENTS ENGLISH.
"But it's been an amazing experience and it's helped allow me to have an opportunity to get to know so many wonderful teachers from across the state and to see so many people who are passionate about education and helping the children of this state learn and grow."
AS THE STATE'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR, ECKMAN WILL REPRESENT GEORGIA'S TEACHERS AND COMPETE FOR THE 2013 NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
JADUN MCCARTHY OF BIBB COUNTY'S NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL IN MACON WAS LAST YEAR'S WINNER OF GEORGIA TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
SUNDAY'S DEADLY TRAIN CRASH WHERE A WOMAN AND HER BABY LOST THEIR LIVES ON IGNICO DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 247.. HAS A WARNER ROBINS WOMAN WONDERING WHEN THE INTERSECTION WILL GET CROSSING ARMS.
SO SHE'S CREATED A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CROSS...TO BRING AWARENESS.
AUSTIN LEWIS EXPLAINS.
<<
WHEN PAMELA PATTEN COMES TO THE RAILROAD CROSSING AT IGNICO DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 247...SHE THINKS OF WHAT ENDED HERE.
Pamela Patten, Warner Robins:i just don't want to see us lose another young mother and baby
AND SHE SAYS THAT LOSS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED... IF THE INTERSECTION HAD MORE THAN FLASHING LIGHTS...
nats
WHEN A TRAIN CAME BY.
Pamela Patten, Warner Robins: It really makes me sick to my stomach I remembered the two young ladies that had lost their lives and just to me, it's been identifying as neading a gate, it's not going to prevent every accident, you still need to look both ways, but it's a safety issue.
nats...
PATTEN.... WITH THE HELP OF HER SON AND HIS FRIENDS...WANTS TO CHANGE THAT.
more nats...
THEY'RE NOT MAKING A CROSSING GATE...BUT CROSSES.
Pamela Patten, Warner Robins: By putting up the crosses people won't forget and they'll notice whether or not there's a gate there and how long it takes to get the gate up.
Austin Lewis Eyewitness News: Patten says these four crosses represent the four lives that have been lost at this railroad crossing recently and she hopes that their presence will also help save lives.
Pamela Patten, Warner Robins: I wouldn't want people saying they should have looked both ways, I'd want them to say is there anything we could do to make it safer.
LISA HARRISON SAYS SHE KNEW DONELLE REID...WHO WAS KILLED AT THIS INTERSECTION SUNDAY...ALONG WITH HER BABY.
THE SIGHT...GOT HER OUT OF HER CAR.
Lisa Harrison, Warner Robins: Actually, I actually turned aroudn to come and see just what was going on, because again, you know living here in Warner Robins, knowing the number of deaths that have happened here at this light, at this railroad stop, seeing soething like this I hope will bring awareness to just being careful at this particular intersection
PATTEN SAYS SHE HOPES THE CROSSING ARMS WILL COME SOON.
AUSTIN LEWIS 13WMAZ EYEWITNESS NEWS.
PATTEN SAYS SHE WANTS GETTING A CROSSING GATE HERE TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE STATE.
WE REPORTED EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS THE INTERSECTION IS ON THEIR HIGH PRIORITY LIST.
PATTEN SAYS SHE'S ALREADY CONTACTED D-O-T AND WILL CONTACT OTHER LEGISLATORS ABOUT GETTING THE PROJECT DONE SOONER.
AN ESTIMATED 280 PEOPLE WILL BE PUT OUT OF WORK WHEN A STATE AGENCY CLOSES ITS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM AT CENTRAL STATE HOSPITAL IN MILLEDGEVILLE.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEWS RELEASE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
THE HOSPITAL'S DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS... CHARLES LI... SAYS THE CLOSING COMES AFTER A 2011 STATE LAW... THAT MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO ACCEPT PATIENTS WITH A PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
HE SAYS CLOSING THE PROGRAM IS AIMED AT GETTING THE PATIENTS OUT INTO THE REAL WORLD.
LI SAYS THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE EMPLOYEES... TO HELP FIND NEW WORK.
Charles Li: "We understand that a lot of positions will be impacted by this transition. That's why we have lined up a lot of activities and also support from other state agencies like Department of Labor and state personnel administration to come over here to provide support and other job opportunities for individuals who are working here."
CENTRAL STATE'S PROGRAM CURRENTLY HAS 16 PATIENTS... ALL WHOM LI SAYS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO COMMUNITY HOMES BY THE END OF THE MONTH.
THAT NUMBER DROPPED FROM 120 PATIENTS SIX MONTHS AGO.
THE EMPLOYEES WERE NOTIFIED OF THE LAYOFFS TODAY... AND WILL WORK THROUGH JUNE 30TH.
AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR ON THE JOB.. THE PRESIDENT OF MACON STATE COLLEGE IS LEAVING FOR A NEW JOB IN FLORIDA.
EDISON STATE COLLEGE IN FORT MEYERS HIRED JEFF ALBRITTEN AS IT'S NEW PRESIDENT.. ACCORDING TO THE COLLEGE'S WEBSITE.
IT'S A RETURN FOR ALBRITTEN.. WHO SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF EDISON'S COLLIER COUNTY CAMPUS.
ALBRITTEN REPLACED FORMER MACON STATE PRESIDENT DAVID BELL.. WHO RETIRED LAST JULY.
ALBRITTEN'S DEPARTURE LEAVES MACON STATE WITHOUT A PERMANENT LEADER.. JUST AS THE SCHOOL IS SCHEDULED TO MERGE WITH MIDDLE GEORGIA COLLEGE NEXT YEAR..
A FLORIDA JUDGE HAS ORDERED GEORGE ZIMMERMAN BACK BEHIND BARS.
THE MAN WHO SHOT AND KILLED UNARMED TEEN TRAYVON MARTIN HAD HIS BOND REVOKED AS HE AWAITS TRIAL FOR SECOND DEGREE MURDER.
TERESA GARCIA HAS MORE.
SCRIPT:)
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN IS GOING BACK TO JAIL. THE PROSECUTION SUCCESSFULLY ARGUED THAT THE MAN WHO ADMITTED SHOOTING AND KILLING TRAYVON MARTIN IN FEBRUARY LIED ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY HE HAD DURING HIS BOND HEARING.
(SOT) (De la Rionda)
"THIS COURT WAS LED TO BELIEVE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A SINGLE PENNY."
PROSECUTOR BERNIE DE LA RIONDA SAID ZIMMERMAN AND HIS WIFE HID MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED THROUGH A WEBSITE. IN APRIL, SHELLIE ZIMMERMAN EVEN TESTIFIED BY PHONE THAT THEY WERE PENNILESS.
(NAT SOT) (Date: April 20th)
(Prosecutor) "YOU HAVE NO MONEY, IS THAT CORRECT?'
(Shellie) To my knowledge, that is correct."
DE LA RIONDA SAID THE COUPLE DISCUSSED TRANSFERRING THE MONEY AND USED CODE WORDS DURING FOUR JAILHOUSE PHONE CALLS.
Pipe 2 14:20:13
"I would argue to the court that is an egregious violation in terms of the representations that were made to this court. It was misleading I don't know what other words to use other than it was a blatant lie."
ZIMMERMAN'S ATTORNEY SAYS HIS CLIENT THOUGHT HE WAS ACTING IN GOOD FAITH.
15:00:51
"I hope the revocation of bond is temporary... I hope they'll give us a day in court to explain George's behavior.
THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MARTIN FAMILY SAYS THE DEVELOPMENT CALLS ZIMMERMAN'S CREDIBILITY INTO QUESTION.
P
"remember, it is only George Zimmerman's testimony that says Trayvon Martin attacked him."
ZIMMERMAN IS PLEADING NOT GUILTY.. .SAYING HE ACTED IN SELF DEFENSE.
SUGGESTED TAG
ZIMMERMAN'S LAWYER SAID ON A WEBSITE TODAY THAT HE DOESN'T EXPECT THE CASE TO BE READY FOR TRIAL UNTIL NEXT YEAR.
THE COX CAPITOL THEATER HOSTED A BENEFIT CONCERT TONIGHT FOR NICK MALLOY.
HE'S THE 23 YEAR OLD SON OF OUR OWN FRANK MALLOY.
NICK WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR CRASH THREE MONTHS AGO.
BUT HE ROLLED ON STAGE TONIGHT WITH HIS GUITAR IN HAND.
JUDY LE HAS THE STORY.
(NAT)
A FULL HOUSE...AND A STANDING OVATION
NAT
THE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR NICK MALLOY DREW IN A LARGE CROWD AND A LOT OF SUPPORT
sot amber rains, macon - he's a really cool guy and his mom actually taugh me in 4th grade
sot bill elder, macon - i'm here for nick malloy..this is going to be a celebration
WMAZ'S OWN CHIEF METEOROLOGIST BEN JONES M-CED THE EVENT...(NAT) WHICH INCLUDED LIVE MUSIC AND A SILENT AUCTION. PEOPLE COULD BID ON THINGS RANGING FROM A COWBOY HAT... TO A DATE NIGHT WITH THE JONESES.
sot brad malloy - it means a lot to me because if someone else was in his situation, he'd be the first to help or talk to them
THE AUCTION...RAISED 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE MONEY GOES TOWARD THE NICK MALLOY FOUNDATION. NICK WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A CAR CRASH IN MARCH.
sot just to be able to bring nick here and see the excitement in his face, it was an unbelievable feeling.
SINCE THEN... HE'S MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS...
sot frank
HE ROLLED ON STAGE TO STRUM A FEW NOTES (NAT) KEEPING THE MUSIC ALIVE.
JUDY LE...13WMAZ...EYEWITNESS NEWS.
NICK HAS BEEN RECOVERING AT THE SHEPARD CENTER IN ATLANTA.
SUPPORTERS OF CONSOLIDATION CAME TOGETHER IN DOWNTOWN MACON TONIGHT... TO ENJOY A FEW TUNES.
3 seconds of nats: music
THE "MACON PLUS BIBB WINS AGAIN RALLY FOR CONSOLIDATION" ROCKED OUT IN FRONT OF GRANT'S LOUNGE.
THE GRAPEVINE... AND WORD OF MOUTH HEADLINED THE EVENT.
CONSOLIDATION SUPPORTERS ALSO PASSED OUT INFORMATION... YARD SIGNS AND OTHER ITEMS TO HELP GET THEIR MESSAGE OUT.
SUPPORTERS SAY IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING THE CITY OF MACON AND BIBB COUNTY... EVEN BETTER.
Daryl Jackson, Macon: "Macon and Bibb, making a difference. You know, we're trying to move Macon forward and the community is coming together, blacks, whites.
THE PROPOSED MACON-BIBB CONSOLIDATION REFERENDUM WILL APPEAR ON THE JULY 31ST BALLOT.
THE MACON POLICE DEPARTMENT ALSO GOT IN ON THE FRIDAY FEST ACTIVITIES... WITH A FAMILY FUN FEST AT CHERRY STREET PLAZA.
IT FEATURED ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE FAMILY... INCLUDING INFLATABLES... MUSIC... AND A LITTLE FOOD.
TONIGHT'S FESTIVITIES MARKED THE KICKOFF OF A COMMUNITY-WIDE EVENT TOMORROW.... CALLED "MACON SPIRIT... DO ONE THING."
MACON POLICE SAY THE FUN FEST IS PART OF AN EFFORT TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY SEE POLICE OFFICERS AS PEOPLE THEY CAN TRUST.
Rhonda Ross Harris, Macon: "It's like the police officers are showing their devotion to our community here in Macon and making it a safe place for our family."
A GRANT FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CENTRAL GEORGIA HELPED FUND TONIGHT'S EVENT.
AS THE HEALTH INSPECTOR STOPPED AT CENTRAL GEORGIA DINERS.. SOME MADE THE MARK.. OTHERS DIDN'T QUITE MEASURE UP.
BRITTINY BARBER JOINS US WITH A CHECK OF THIS WEEK'S RESTAURANT RATINGS.
WE'RE BACK IN HOUSTON COUNTY THIS WEEK... STARTING OFF WITH OUR LOWEST SCORES....
MOON'S CAFE ON ELBERTA ROAD WARNER ROBINS... SCORED AN 85 .. A "B". THAT'S UP FROM THE 80... ALSO A "B"... THEY SCORED ON THEIR LAST INSPECTION.
FRIENDS BAR & GRILL AT 12-29 RUSSELL PKWY WARNER ROBINS... SCORED AN 83... A "B"... AT THE TIME OF THEIR LAST INSPECTION THEY GOT ANOTHER "B".. AND 86.
AND SUBWAY AT 600 RUSSELL PKWY ... GOT AN 80... A "B"... COMING AFTER A 65... OR A "U"... ON THE LAST INSPECTION.
NOW FOR A LOOK THE TOP SCORES OF THE WEEK.. AND THIS WEEK'S GOLDNE SPATULA NOMINEES.
TOKYO EXPRESS ON WATSON BLVD IN CENTERVILLE BROUGHT IN A 100.. .THAT'S AFTER A 100 ON THEIR LAST INSPECTION.
PAPA JOHNS IN PERRY RAKED IN A 100.. PREVIOUSLY THEY ALSO HAD ANOTHER 100.
AND BERTHA'S KITCHEN ON ROSE ST WARNER ROBINS RECEIVED A 100.. ON BOTH THEIR CURRENT AND LAST INSPECTION.
WE AVERAGED OUR NOMINEES' PAST FIVE SCORES... AND THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN SPATULA GOES TO...
THE BERTHA'S KITCHEN ON ROSE ST WARNER ROBINS ... WITH A FIVE SCORE AVERAGE OF 99 POINT 4.
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE AT BERTHA'S KITCHEN. TUNE IN NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT MORE RESTAURANT RATINGS. BRITTINY BARBER... 13 WMAZ... EYEWITNESS NEWS.
FOR ALL YOUR RESTAURANT RATINGS... GO TO OUR WEBSITE 13WMAZ DOT COM.
YOU'LL FIND THE LINK UNDER THE FEATURES TAB ON THE HOMEPAGE.
THIS WEEKEND.... WE HAVE A BIG ANNIVERSARY TO CELEBRATE WITH THE CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK TELETHON.
WE'LL BRING YOU A WEEKEND OF MOVING STORIES... HIGHLIGHTING SOME CENTRAL GEORGIA CHILDREN WHO'VE FOUGHT THEIR OWN BATTLES THIS YEAR.
YOU CAN WATCH... AND DONATE... TOMORROW NIGHT FROM SEVEN UNTIL 11... AND SUNDAY FROM 7 A-M UNTIL 2-30 P-M.
THAT'S RIGHT HERE ON 13WMAZ.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.... WEEKEND MORNIN' COMES YOUR WAY AT 7 A-M.
BUT THE NEWS IS ALWAYS ON AT 13WMAZ DOT COM.
LETTERMAN'S NEXT.... WITH MAGIC JOHNSON... LARRY BIRD AND JIM GAFFIGAN
NIGHT NIGHT!