Our top story tonight... the battle is not over between Macon Mayor Robert Reichert and members of the city's pension board.
That's the group that represents former city employees... and oversees their pensions.
e group tangled with Reichert after a council committee meeting at city hall.
The group accused Reichert of trying to push through changes in the pension plan without their approval.
The mayor says the city's lawyer... and the board's lawyer...both signed off on them.
But board chairman Charlie Bishop had a warning for Reichert.
The council is scheduled to vote on those changes tonight.
Katelyn Heck is at that meeting...and will have more on this story...tonight at eyewitness news at 11.
The council is scheduled to vote on those changes tonight.
Katelyn Heck is at that meeting...and will have more on this story...tonight at eyewitness news at 11.
Another topic of controversy in committee meetings... The proposal for a memorial bench for Lauren Giddings is moving forward.
It's scheduled to go before the full Macon city council tonight for a final vote.
Friends and family members asked council to place a bench in honor of the murdered Mercer law graduate at Washington Park.
Councilman Louis Tompkins sponsored legislation to set guidelines for all memorial donations... Including the bench for Giddings.
That legislation passed a committee vote last night and should go to full council this evening.
We'll tell you what happens tonight on eyewitness news at 11.
last night..council president james timley said the city should limit...who could be honored on city property.
In our 13WMAZ-dot-com web poll today...we asked if you think Macon needs stricter rules for memorials, like the proposed bench for Giddings.
Of those of you who participated... Forty percent said yes.
But sixty percent said no.
To vote now... Visit 13WMAZ.com.
Look for the question on the right side of the homepage.
When Houston County students returned to school last week...they found more than new teachers and classmates.
The system started rolling out projects this summer... that are funded by the 2012 penny sales tax.
Lorra Lynch Jones shows you what's finished... and what's in the works.
Short stop... And pitcher... Leyton Pinckney says they had a rocky start in the first game of the regionals... And he was glad to have the first game under his belt.
"it's a bunch of jitters nervous I mean so many people were there I was just glad to get out of that game and move on."
kody winner... second baseman and pitcher for the warner robins little league team says they've got the talent to make it all the way.
Kody Winner, 2nd base/pitcher: "we're practicing a ton, we've got great coaches I think we'll do good."
This talented bunch were only eight years old when they cheered on the first Warner Robins Little League team to win the World Series.
I never thought in a million years that I would ever get the chance to play there, it's crazy, I'm just trying to keep working hard to get there."
"I didn't it never really rang a bell in my head, it's so exciting to be there, first we're going to have to make it there but I think we have the talent."
and coach Martin Pinckney says it's now their time to shine.
Martin Pinckney, Coach : "it's a different team, different kids you know different dynamics of the team you know this has to be our little run and see what we can do and not worry too much about the historic you know how teams have done in the past."
Winner says they don't have any superstitious good luck rituals... But he says they do start every game the same way.
"we pray a lot and I think that's probably the most important thing."
The players aren't nervous for their next game.
my mom is probably more nervous than I am."
Leyton Pinckney, short stop/ pitcher: "we just got to go out there and take it game-by-game and keep working hard, and hopefully if we keep working hard we'll get there."
In Warner Robins, Jennifer Moulliet 13WMAZ eyewitness News.
Bibb county has been named an "age-friendly" community by the AARP.
That makes Macon one of 7 cities that... according to the organization... show a commitment to become more accessible, convenient and user-friendly for seniors.
Some local seniors agree with the designation.
We asked why like about Macon, and how it can improve.
<I just love... I've been here all my life in Macon>
<I think my college years were probably the best. I love Mercer and I love the work that they do there.>
<I like Macon because it has a historical element to it. Because I come from Quinsy, Mass. and that's where the Adams were born and there's a parallelism>
<I think tours of the city would be better. We've got a great history and a great city here. And I think not only the older people but the younger people would be much profited by this.>
<we need to have more activities around Macon for the senior citizens.>
<anything that the city could do to make it more appealing for seniors?
Umm... Look for appropriate housing, housing that's safe. I'm not saying that these arent available, but I think the older population is growing.>
As a member of the A-A-R-P's network of age-friendly communities, Macon and Bibb county have to create an advisory committee to identify the needs of seniors in the community.
Two weeks from today....voters in many georgia counties head back to the polls...for runoff elections.
But if you live in Bibb County... This isn't your typical runoff.
Leah looks at why.
Macon-Bibb County voters will cast ballots in two separate elections on August 21st..
One involves runoffs from the July 31st primary.. Including a congressional and state Senate seat.
But people will be voting for the first time on three board of education candidates.
That's because a federal lawsuit over district lines,....delayed the vote.
Even though their names appeared on the original July ballots... votes for board candidates didn't count.
And if you vote on those races on the 21st....you'll have to vote under the same party preference you used in July.
That means... No switching parties to cast ballots for school board candidates.
<He wrote into the order that if you chose a party July 31st that you were locked into that party through September 18th in case there is a board of ed race.>
The school board has three contested primary races.. Districts one.. two.. And three..
All have democratic candidates. So if you voted Republican last week...you've got no vote on these races.
Frank?
Bibb County Commissioners hope extended hours at the Macon-Bibb County Animal Welfare headquarters will help increase adoptions.
Today they decided to open the doors for business on Saturdays.
Brittiny Barber has more on their decision.
More changes are on the way at Macon-Bibb Animal Welfare.
Tuesday County leaders voted to change the shelter's business hours.
<by the time most people get off from work the shelter traditionally has been closed >
Right now they're open from 8:30 to 5:30 Monday through Friday.
By October 1st... The new hours will be 11 to 4:30 Tuesday through Friday... And 11 to 4 on Saturdays.
< So hopefully this will make it a whole lot easier for the average person who has to work for a living to get by the shelter>
Commissioners also addressed several other issues with the shelter... Which the county took over on July 1st.
They voted to pursue a grant to help fund a spay/neutering program... and use a local company as a contractor for pet food.
Steps Commissioner Lonzy Edwards says are in the right direction.. But he admits there's still work ahead.
<The facility is just great inadequate from every prospective. Not only is it inadequate to house the animals but it's also for places just to keep the food safe free from contamination, free from rodents and the like >
Edwards says in the coming week's they plan to hire more staff.. and a permanent director should be in place in about a month.
Brittiny Barber 13wmaz eyewitness news
Coming up tonight on Eyewitness News at Eleven... Macon City Council has the proposal for Lauren Giddings' memorial bench on its agenda tonight... and council members are meeting as we speak. We'll have an update on any votes.
And... out with the old...in with the new.
Demolition of some run-down houses in Macon makes room for progress.
Tonight... Judy Le lays out the roadmap of future plans for the city.
And...what kind of computer best fits your child's Back to School needs?
In tonight's Geek 13... Our computer consultant will have everything you need to know.