<winning a gold medal isn't everything in the world. if you can impact people in a positive way on a daily basis, then I think that's the highest accolade that you can possibly reach for yourself>
That's Vincent Hancock...who's won not one...but two gold medals...
But before he was an Olympian, he was a Central Georgia native and a Gatewood School graduate.
Good evening, everyone.
Thanks for joining us.
I'm Frank Malloy.
Leah Johnson has the night off.
Eatonton's gold medalist today returned to his high school alma mater to share some words of wisdom with a new crop of students.
Katelyn Heck caught up with the skeet-shooting champion. He told her... After an exciting trip to London... It feels good to be back home.
{***VO***}
Students decked out in red, white, and blue lined the streets to see...
<vincent Hancock! Yeah #1 in the world!>
<a gold medalist!>
A *two-time* gold medalist.
Hancock graduated from Gatewood School in 2007.... now, he's the first skeet shooter to win back to back golds in his event.
<it's an amazing experience, being able to come back to my old school, my alma mater, and see people that are just excited for me, to be able to come out here and look at a gold medal, touch it, feel it, and take pictures with all these kids too, it's a really good sense of accomplishment for me to know that I can impact so many people in a positive way>
Students soaked in Hancock's words of wisdom Friday <NATS> And he hopes his story will inspire others to shoot for their goals.
<when I was growing up, there wasn't really much of an avenue to get anywhere in my sport, so if i can tell these kids the experiences that I've had, what I've been through, going into the army at 17 years old, and winning the world championships at 16, and winning two olympic gold medals, and maybe they can take something from that and build on it in their lives, and hopefully do something even greater than what I've accomplished>
One piece of Hancock's advice stuck out for brothers and aspiring shooters Jasper and Aaron Copelan.
<he said that make sure you stay with something if you want to do it, don't quit, don't let anybody tell you anything like you can't do it>
<if you want something, don't ever quit>
That's the attitude that won Hancock a gold medal in Beijing at only 19 years old... And his second in London at 23.
Hancock says he wants to share that success with everyone around him.
<knowing that your completely serving selflessly to impact other people, that's what it's all about>
Katelyn Heck 13WMAZ Eyewitness News\
The Eatonton Chamber of Commerce will host a full day of events for Hancock tomorrow... including a motorcade... And a meet and greet session with the Olympian.
Katelyn Heck will have footage from the celebration... And another chat with the gold medalist... Tomorrow on Eyewitness News.
In other news tonight, Central Georgia leaders celebrated what they view as progress towards ending encroachment.
That's what happens when properties crowd the space around Robins Air Force Base, preventing further growth.
Base leaders say it's been a major issue for a quarter century now.
the end of the Robins runway.. a noise and potential crash zone.
They say it's the number one issue considered in rounds of BRAC..or Base Realignment and Closure.
Today... Bibb... Houston... Peach and state leaders announced they have commitments for about 20 million dollars to buy the properties in the area.
Houston Commission Chairman Tommy Stalnaker says the long-term picture is optimistic...but there's still work to be done.
<I think it was a reminder that the process is continuing. It is pleasing were at the point were at, but we are not finished with the process. The process is long term. It's not a few months.>
Stalnaker says so far... They've purchased 93 of 250 properties.
Today Bibb and Houston Counties each pledged six million dollars... Peach County committed a half million.. The state will chip in 2 and a half million.. And the Department of Defense earmarked five million toward the effort.
Two young men face animal cruelty charges tonight, after law enforcement officers say, they killed a middle school student's pet goat.
William Dakota Dixon, 19, and Tanner Dylan Ritnour, 17, were arrested by the Perry Police Department and Houston County Sheriff's Office.
Police say the two released the goat from its pen and ran over it with a vehicle early Tuesday morning.
The goat, according to the news release, belonged to a Houston 4-H club member at Mossy Creek Middle School in Kathleen, Georgia.
Dixon and Ritnour were also charged with burglary.
Police urge anyone with information on the case to contact the Perry Police Department at (478) 988-2833.
Two young men face animal cruelty charges tonight, after law enforcement officers say, they killed a middle school student's pet goat.
William Dakota Dixon, 19, and Tanner Dylan Ritnour, 17, were arrested by the Perry Police Department and Houston County Sheriff's Office.
Police say the two released the goat from its pen and ran over it with a vehicle early Tuesday morning.
The goat, according to the news release, belonged to a Houston 4-H club member at Mossy Creek Middle School in Kathleen, Georgia.
Dixon and Ritnour were also charged with burglary.
Police urge anyone with information on the case to contact the Perry Police Department at (478) 988-2833.
A new study argues that the state of Georgia could cut smoking by 20 percent...while padding the state government's economy by four-hundred million.
And University professor James MacKillop...who drafted the research...says a one dollar a pack increase in cigarrette taxes is the way to do it.
MacKillop, a psychologist who specializes in behavioral economics, based his results on assessments of one thousand, fifty-six people who smoke...some of those in Georgia.
The study measured reactions to various prices, with the cost ranging from free to $20 per pack.
Georgia's current tax is 37 cents per pack.
The average pack in Georgia costs $4.37.
Both are among the lowest rates nationally.
On Facebook today...we asked if the one dollar tax would affect your smoking habits...and what you thought of the research.
Most of the responses lined up on the "con" side of the argument.
This one's from Angie Joiner Mallinson. She said, "I love how so many other dangerous things are not taxed so ridiculously high. Why not alcohol or fast food or red meat or non-organic food or junk food? It is not right that smokers have to foot such a tax bill."
Eric Arnold commented, "People who smoke, are going to smoke. Quit trying to nickel and dime the tax payers. Reduce government spending! We are taxed enough!"
Of those who responded...more than 75 percent opposed the idea of an extra tobacco tax.
Democrats and Republicans are using social media to turn their national conventions away from the smoke-filled rooms and into meetings where anyone who wants to get involved is just a click away.
Leaders in both parties promise this year's conventions will be the most open in history. Democrats will not just show prime-time speeches live on the Internet, but will also stream caucus meetings and the council discussions of the party's platform over the Web.
Republicans have hired a full-time blogger and a full-time digital communications manager to do nothing but engage people online.
Social media was just in its infancy in 2008. Twitter says the number of tweets sent on its site on Election Day 2008 is equal to about six minutes worth of tweets today.
While the parties are preparing to tweet ...Mitt Romney's campaign says there's too much chatter about the Republican's taxes...rather than real issues.
Randall Pinkston has both sides of the latest back-and-forth between the president and his challenger.
((roll pkg))
Mitt Romney intended to offer a quick lesson on the differences between his Medicare plan and President Obama's
((nats- ROMNEY SOUND UP ))
But reporters changed the subject to taxes:
((sot))
Mitt Romney/ (R) Presidential Candidate
"EVERY YEAR I'VE PAID AT LEAST 13-PERCENT, AND IF YOU ADD IN ADDITION THE AMOUNT THAT GOES TO CHARITY, THE NUMBER GETS WELL ABOVE 20-PERCENT."
((vo))
The Obama campaign pounced on the comments - asking Romney to prove it. The president's campaign manager sent a letter promising to back off the issue - if Romney agreed to release five year of returns.
The Romney campaign said no deal - it wants to talk about the economy.
Romeny's VP pick is trying to help get the campaign back on message
((sot))
Rep. Paul Ryan/ (R-WI)
I SEEM TO REMEMBER ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO THE PRESIDENT SAYING THERE WILL BE JOBS CREATED TO PREVENT UNEMPLOYMENT FROM EVER GETTING ABOVE 8 PERCENT. IT'S BEEN ABOVE 8 PERCENT FOR 42 MONTHS.
((on cam bridge))
Randall Pinkston/ CBS News
The White House insists it welcomes a debate on Medicare and the economy.
((sot))
Jay Carney/ White House Spokesperson
"THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO BE TALKING ABOUT. THESE ARE THE SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES THAT WILL BE DECIDED FOR THIS COUNTRY, AND THAT WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THIS COUNTRY."
((vo))
To counter Romney's claims about Medicare.. The Obama campaign hit the airwaves with this new ad.
((sot-campaign ad))
((vo))
Next week Mitt Romney will be teaming up with his running mate Paul Ryan in New Hampshire for a
We're sizing up the scene at the box office this weekend with three new releases.
They include a quirky animated feature about a young boy with some pretty unusual friends...a family film from Disney Studios...and Arnold Schwartzenegger's return to the silver screen...after his real-life stint in California's statehouse.
<find them. Kill them. You're going to need more men if you expect to get out of there alive.>
We start with the action-packed return of The Expendables in The Expendables Part Two.
Sylverster Stallone, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean Claude Van-Damme, and Chuck Norris all line up in this one.
The original Expendables crew reunite when a mysterious Mr. Church... played by Willis..who hires them for what looks like an easy paycheck...but things go wrong...and the team is forced to seek revenge in some rough terrain.
This one's rated R...and it's a Lionsgate Productions release.
<there's something you need to know about me. I came from the garden.
Where did he come from?>
Also new this week... Disney's "the Odd Life of Timothy Green".
This Pg-film brings you the tale of a happily married couple who can't wait to start a family...but can only dream about what their child would be like.
Then, when young Timothy shows up on their doorstep during a storm one night...they learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts.
Jennifer Garner is among the headliners in this one.
Also fit for younger audiences...the story of Para-Norman..a very misunderstood little fella who can speak to the dead..and takes on zombies, ghosts, and yes, grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
This animated flick is from Focus Features.
It's also rated PG.
So three new films...offering up action...in both real-life and animated form...and a little fantasy.
You can check out theater times at your closest silver screen...from the link on our website, 13-W-M-A-Z-dot-com.
Planning to take advantage of the weekend with a nice dinner outing?
This week, some Central Georgia diners made the grade from the health inspector.. While other fell short.
Brititny Barber has more in this week's Restaurant Ratings
We're back in Bibb County Starting off with our lowest scores.
Steak and Shake on Tom Hill Sr Blvd received an 89.. A "B'.. That comes after a 91 or "a" on their last report.
Hot Wings Plus at 34-79 Poi Nono Avenue got an 82... Which is a "B"...
The last time they were inspected they scored a 92.. And that's an "A".
And Anderson's Diner on Pio Nono Avenue scored a 64... Or a "U"... At the time of their last inspection they scored an 89.. Which is a "B."
Here a look at the top scores.. And this week's Golden Spatula nominees.
The Dairy Queen on Pio Nono brought in a 100.. The last time they were inspected had the same score.
Zander's Market at 1568 Forest Hill Road received a 100.. They also had a 100 on their last inspection.
And The Dairy Queen at 3661 Eisenhower Parkway raked in a 100... On their last inspection... It was a 100 too.
WE averaged our nominees last five score... And the winner of this week's Golden Spatula is...
We actually have two winner for this week... The Dairy Queen on Eisenhower Parkway and Zander's Market.
Both have a fie score average of a perfect 100.
Congratulations to everyone.. Join us next week for more Restaurant Ratings.
I'm Brittiny Barber 13wmaz eyewitness news.>
For all your Restaurant Ratings go to our website 13wmaz-dot-com.. Click on the features an then select Restaurant Ratings.
We have them broken down for you by counties.