Hello everyone.
Thank you for joining us.
I'm Leah Johnson.
And I'm Frank Malloy.
This is Eyewitness News at Six.
First tonight... Central Georgia leaders say encroachment will be a problem of the past by the next round of BRAC... Or Base Realignment and Closure.
They made that declaration today at an event announcing they have about 20 million dollars dedicated to buying properties at the end of the Robins runway.
Lorra Lynch Jones explains why what government leaders call progress... Paints a daunting scenario for some homeowners.
Leaders from Bibb... Houston and Peach Counties called this a show of their ability to work together... To end the number one reason military installations are recommended for closure... encroachment.
The local governments have bought 90 of 250 properties along the Bibb-Houston line... And inked an agreement Friday... Pledging money to buy more.
Houston and Bibb Counties each committed six million. Peach allocated a half million. The state plans to chip in two and a half million more.
<we're also getting money from the DOD, Department of Defense. We currently have gotten $5 million. We hope to get $5 million more.If those money's come in we can completely eliminate the encroachment concern.>
Not everyone in the room shared the enthusiasm. Connie Currie is a property owner who doesn't want to sell.
<this place out here is near and dear to my heart>
The government hasn't made her an offer yet... but she's slowly watching her neighbors homes.. Become vacant houses.
<A lot of people are selling because they're just tired of the aggravation and uncertainty of what's going to happen.>
Houston County Commission Chair Tommy Stalnaker says he understands the sentiment... But this is about the greater good.
<when all is said and done, I think the driving force is what is going to keep Middle Georgia and the state of Georgia viable.>
He says if all goes according to plan... they should have all the properties they need in two to three years time.
Lorra Lynch Jones 13WMAZ Eyewitness News.
Stalnaker says he believes they need about 24 million dollars to buy all 250 properties.
He says the Central Georgia Development Authority is managing the money to buy the real estate... And they're using an appraiser to determine the value of the properties.
Eatonton's two-time Olympic Gold medalist returned to his high school alma mater for a visit today.
Vincent Hancock spoke to students at Gatewood school about his journey to become a skeet-shooting champion.
During the London games, Hancock became the first shooter to win back-to-back gold medals in his event.
He earned his first gold during the Beijing games... Just a few months after graduating from Gatewood.
Today, Hancock told the students to aim for the stars... But never forget where they came from.
<This is my first major event since leaving London, and I did several events while I was over there, got in front of a lot of cameras, talk to a lot of people and that was a lot of fun but being able to come back here to people that I actually know, and to know that they've been watching me over the years, and to see that through all my hard work, through all my dedication, that I've been able to accomplish what I have, it's really special to me to be able to come face to face with those guys.>
That was 13WMAZ's Katelyn Heck who had a chance to talk to him today... she'll have much more from him tonight on Eyewitness News at Eleven.
A shooting in Warner Robins last night sent one man to the hospital.
Brittiny Barber spent the day in the neighborhood where it happened.. and found some people surprised by the violence.. And others who say it's typical of the area.
Gunfire rang out Thursday night.. In the Briardale Apartments in Warner Robins.
<I would never think anything like that would happen>
Tourris Leary moved in about a month ago.
He was at work when the shooting happened.. But his 5 month old daughter and girlfriend were in an apartment just across the street.
<it's scary because like it could have been, shots could have been fired over here and it could have went through the window or something and hit one of my family members or something like that>
<brittiny: police were called out to this apartment on Tanya Place in Warner Robins Thursday night. When they got here they found one man had been shot in the pelvis. >
According to police, bullet hit 22-year old William Eubanks after he and his brother got into an argument with two other men at the apartment.
<you hear shootings coming from that neighborhood late at night and you hear gunshots being fired. It's kind of unnerving >
Jose Cuebas and his family have lived in the area for about 25 years.
He says what makes the situation worse.. It took place right across the street from Northside High school... Where his son attends.
<the only thing I've tried to tell my son is keep his eyes open you know just don't loiter around there. Go through there do your business and get on out. >
The victim was taken to the Medical Center of Central Georgia.. Where police say he's in stable condition.
Leary says he's just glad his family was safe.
<it makes you kind of nervous, but at the same time you just got to watch out and be safe and like I hope it just don't happen again>
Police are still investigating the shooting.
Brittiny Barber 13wmaz eyewitness news
Police say they haven't arrested anyone in connection with the shooting.