Hello everyone. Thank you for joining us.
I'm Leah Johnson
And I'm Frank Malloy.
This is Eyewitness News at Six.
Our top story tonight .. Richard Brewer, the CEO of Macon's famous Cherry Blossom Festival has left.... after just four months on the job.
Festival officials say Brewer resigned to return to Charleston South Carolina where his wife works and his family lives.
But just last week.... Brewer sat down with our own Del Ward for her latest Personal Profile. And he talked about his plans to bring a family atmosphere to next year's festival.
"Well, you know you can't think about having a festival without thinking family, and Cherry Blossom has always been about the family and we just want to grow that and move in that direction, and I'm pretty family oriented, I love kids."
Richard Brewer was hired as the festival's CEO in June to replace Karen Lambert.
Some board members told us they didn't know about the resignation until yesterday... when the festival's chairman, George McCanless sent them an email.
Again...McCanless is the chairman of the Board of Directors for the Cherry Blossom Festival...
He says that they are looking at a couple of peoplewocould serve as the interim director.. and that next year's festival will go on as planned..
The 2013 dates are March 15th through the 23rd.
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Police are investigating a suspicious death in the Northwood area of Macon..as a possible homicide.
Austin Lewis has the story.
Neighbors say you usually don't see crime scene tape...and Macon police in their neighborhood.
But that's what many woke up to Thursday.
Police spent most of the day investigating a suspicious death at 2923 General Lee Road. Police spokeswoman Melanie Hofmann says they're treating her death as a homicide....until they know the cause of death.
Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones says officers were called out here early Thursday when friends asked police to check on a woman.
That's where police found her body. Neighbors say she was 89-year-old Christine Cook.
"Dee Stalnaker, Macon: I;m in shock, I am really in shock and hurt that someone could hurt an old lady, a sweet old lady, it's really sad. "
About two weeks ago...Macon Police were a little over a half a mile away on Stinsonville Road...investigating the death of 58-year-old Gail Spencer.
"Dee Stalnaker, Macon: this is the second one in what two weeks and that's a little uneasy feeling, you know what's going on? It's just sad."
Stalnaker says it's hard to believe that her friend across the street is gone. She says she hopes police will find some answers about her death.
"Dee Stalnaker, Macon: But I surely hope they find the people if this was actual a murder I hope and pray that find the ones who did this and bring them to justice it's just so sad."
Austin Lewis 13WMAZ Eyewitness news.
Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones says they could have the autopsy results on the case....tomorrow morning.
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Tenants at a troubled west macon apartment complex say federal inspectors came...and went...in just over 5 hours today.
Federal inspectors were scheduled to visit the Macon Gardens apartments complex today.
That's according to HUD spokesman...Joseph Phillips
Public money pays most of the rent at Macon Gardens apartment...but after they got a failing score last year...HUD admits they never did a followup inspection .....until now.
Phillips could not confirm that an inspector was on site today. Earlier...he told us that inspectors would randomly check some of the 131 units.
Today....some tenants told 13WMAZ's Judy Le that management told them the inspector arrived at 8 a-m and left at 1:30 p-m.
But Philips and Ambling management declined to comment.
Tenant Stephanie Davis decided to stay in her apartment and wait for the HUD inspector.
Davis says she's doesn't think HUD will help improve her living conditions. Cockroach sightings are so routine that her three-year-old son turns it into a game.
"He tries to shoot them with his little toy gun but that's all you can do in the house. I'm not going to let him go outside with all the glass out there and trash out there but there are so many roaches he makes a game out of it."
Tenants received notice about a HUD inspection last week. It was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. Tenants say management told them that inspectors arrived today and will continue the inspection Friday.
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Georgia's 12th Congressional District has attracted attention...from national media that describe incumbent John Barrow as the last white Democrat serving in the U-S House...from the deep South.
Barrow is after a 5th term. Republican state representative Lee Anderson from Grovetown is challenging him.
The 12th district covers 19 counties in eastern Georgia.... Including Laurens, Truetlen and Wheeler Counties.
We invited Mr. Barrow and Mr. Anderson for a debate... But Mr. Anderson declined.
Instead... Barrow took questions from Randall Savage and Lorra Lynch Jones.
You can hear the full interview with John Barrow on our website at 13WMAZ.dot.com.
Mr. Anderson has agreed to an interview with us next week.