This is Eyewitness News at 11.
Good evening everyone, I'm David Earl and this is Eyewitness News at 11.
It's Saturday, December 15th.
Flags in Georgia are flying at half-staff through sunset Tuesday to mourn the victims of the deadly school massacre in Connecticut.
It's symbolic of the grief felt across our country as more information emerges about the deadly massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
We're learning more about the 26 people killed - the students who died were all 6 and 7 year olds.
People in Newtown are trying to cope with the enormous tragedy as police work to find a motive.
Ines Ferre has the latest form Newtown, Connecticut.
One Macon woman has a direct connection to the Connecticut town now rocked by tragedy.
Lori Ugolick was born and raised in Newtown.
She still has friends living there in what she describes as a quiet, peaceful bedroom community.
In fact when she lived in Newtown. No one even locked their doors.
She was back there in February.
Ugolick has been able to reach several friends who have children, they are okay.
However, she still hasn't been able to reach others.
Ugolick has a trip planned to Newtown in January.
You can get latest developments in this story on our website 13 wmaz.com.
In local news, one man is dead tonight after being hit by a car hit in Warner Robins.
It happened on the corner of Watson Boulevard and Knodishall Drive.
That's where a car hit 51-year-old Stephen Yeisley as he was standing outside the westbound lane of Watson Boulevard.
Warner Robins police say the driver of the car is 63-year-old Helen Gavoe.
First responders pronounced Yeisley dead at the scene.
No charges have been filed as of this evening.
This next story is definitely something you don't hear every day.
Macon police were chasing a naked man earlier tonight.
It happened on Napier Avenue.
According to dispatch, The man exposed himself to two young girls at the Dollar General.
That's in the 34-hundred block of Napier.
Police found him in a nearby dumpster.
The manager of the Dollar General says the man had been in the store earlier in the evening and attempted to steal something.
He was not naked at that time.
Check back with 13wmaz.com for updates to this story.
We have some developments tonight in the fiscal cliff negotiations.
A person close to the standoff says House Speaker John Boehner has proposed raising top rates for earners making more than one million dollars.
The same person says the President has not accepted the offer.
The proposal, however, indicates new progress in talks that had appeared stalled.
The person would only discuss the plan on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.
Boehner is still seeking more spending cuts than Obama has proposed.
Boehner's tax proposal was first reported by Politico.
A Boehner aide would not comment on the report.
A special delivery arrived this morning for Jay's Hope, a charity that works to improve the lives of Georgia children with cancer and their families. Santa arrived on a sleigh...or in this case...a U-haul filled with over 500 toys.
Scott Gunnell (gun-nell) started the Season of Hope Toy Drive in South Florida, where his family collected unwrapped presents for infants and teenagers. He spread the word using social media. Gunnell dropped off the bundle at Jay's Hope where the non-profit will make the distributions. He drove through the night and arrived in Macon at 3AM.
Gunnell: "Very rewarding experience. I would say, normally on three hours of sleep I wouldn't be this energetic but when you're able to deliver and make something happen like this, it really makes you feel good."
Cindy: "This is what hope looks like, is turning around and giving back and giving a little Christmas cheer to these children."
Gunnell says he teamed up with Jay's Hope because he supports the cause. His goal is to bring the Jay's Hope message to families in Florida.
Bands took to the stage in Macon tonight to help raise money for a good cause.
The non profit group, rock by the Sea hosted the event tonight at the 567 Center for Renewal on Cherry street, to help raise money for pediatric cancer research and treatment.
Board Member Todd Elmore explains why he thinks the event is important for the community.
Todd Elmore/ Board Member of Rock by the Sea: "Our charity benefits the pediatric research and treatment. We feel like the kids are the most vulnerable and innocent victims of cancer there are."
If you want to learn more about the charity or make a donation, look for the story on our website at 13wmaz.com.
This weekend offers many opportunities to enjoy special holiday events.
Here are just a few from the 13wmaz.com Community Calendar.
It's the final evening for Bethany Baptist Church's annual Drive Through Bethlehem.
From 6 to 8pm tomorrow night, experience the city of Bethlehem on the night of Jesus' birth complete with Roman soldiers, animals and craftspeople.
Bethany Baptist Church is located on Highway 26 in Cochran. The event is free.
Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon offers it's annual Christmas program "Through the Open Door"
You can see the program at 10:30am or 6 pm.
Ingleside Baptist is located on Wimbish Road in Macon.
Or you may want to enjoy the decorations of the season on the water.
Lake Wildwood offers "Christmas on the Lake" pontoon boat rides.
The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children with proceeds benefiting Pine Pointe Hospice.
Bring a non-perishable food item and get your picture taken with Santa.
Boats depart from 6 until 10 pm.
See other holiday events for tomorrow and throughout the season - just look for the Community Calendar on the Scene 13 tab at 13wmaz.com.
Welcome back.
Governor Nathan Deal is launching an initiative to protect Georgia's nine military bases from Pentagon budget cuts and base closures.
The Governor's Defense Initiative will try to stengthen its lobbying of defense policymakers in Washington while also working to recruit private industry to military communities.
That's also the goal of the 21st Century Partnership. Retired Major General Robert McMahon now heads the organization, which works to protect Robins Air Force Base.
In September, McMahon outlined changes for the organization including attaining 501-C-3 status, which means anyone could make a tax-deductible donation to 21st Century.
Leading the Governor's Defense Initiative is Washington consultant Will Ball.
Ball says the so-called fiscal cliff could trigger steep military cuts, and the next round of base closures is expected in 2015.
But now, we've got some great news for you about the Mullis family.
The non-profit organization, Homes for Our Troops will help them build a new home in Hawkinsville.
Family, friends and members of the community gathered to celebrate their new beginning.
Austin Lewis has the story.
Corporal Tony Mullis pulls into what will soon be his drive way with a hero's welcome, with supporters riding along with him to celebrate what he has given to this country.
The way that Homes for Our Troops shows appreciation..is by spear heading an effort to turn this plot of land into a strong foundation for a home.
Jeanie Mullis: "I cried, I cried when they called us and told us I was just emotional, I couldn't think I was like I know that I am going to have a house now and I don't have to worry about Tony, I don't have to worry about Cason it's just going to be amazing."
Friends, family and members of the Hawkinsville community came to show the Mullis family their support as they begin a new adventure.
In 2011 we first brought you their story...Tony Mullis lost his legs after an IED hit him in Afghanistan just one day after his son Cason was born.
Tony Mullis: "For them to still care, even after, it's been almost two years so for them to still care after that long. It just shows you that they actually do care."
This ground-breaking represents a new beginning and with a toss the dream of what their home could be was born.
Tony Mullis: "When I stuck the shovel in there the first thing that came to mind, I was telling my wife the other day about how my dad had a garden when I was growing up just a small one so if we wanted some vegetable it was there and I want to do that, that's what came to mind that I can make my own little garden."
The house will fit Tony perfectly from the size of the hallways, to the bedroom, right down to the bathroom.
Jeanie Mullis: "A bathroom every bathroom he could not fit in with his wheelchair and he doesn't take a shower with his legs on so it's difficult for him to get in a bathroom and have to take his legs off and then get in the shower and then get out have to put his legs back on and then walk out so he can just roll in there and jump in the bathtub."
Homes for Our troops' website, will track the progress as the home is being built and list the supplies still needed for completion.
Larry Gill, Veterans Liaison for Homes For Our Troops: "Here comes Homes For Our Troops
and we're building these homes that are completely accessible to them.everything to make his quality of life a little bit easier."
Tony Mullis: "This is where we're going to expand my family where my son could grow up and know that this is where he belongs where our family started that's home."
A home that's all theirs.
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
The time when thousands of Santa Clauses roam the streets of New York City.
It's the annual SantaCon in Manhattan.
SantaCon is an annual all-day party featuring people in Santa suits, accompanied by others wearing elf costumes, Mrs. Claus costumes and even Christmas trees.
On this occasion, many of the Santas brought some good cheer, donating items for Hurricane Sandy victims.
Others were naughty, going from bar to bar singing and yelling.
That is the show for tonight. We'll see you back here at 7 for weekend News Mornin
But the news is always on at 13wmaz.com
Have a good evening.