Thank you for joining us for Eyewitness News at Eleven.
I'm Jennifer Moulliet.
A Warner Robins church called "uno Nuevo Comienzo," or New Beginning ... Is hoping for just that for one of their relatives facing a life threatening condition. Tom George met with Armandito from Panama and his family and has their story...
There were tears, prayers and hugs ... as a local church celebrated helping one of their own.
"His aunt is actually our pastor and the church did a missions trip to Panama and my mom went over and she saw his condition and she said we have to help this child."
Armandito Creus was born in Panama with a rare heart condition requiring a costly surgery not possible in his home country ....
"The doctors in Panama haven't been able to do more for him and the machines that are required to perform this open heart surgery are broken."
8 months later, he's in Warner Robins, after chuch members, including a Westside High Spanish teacher raised thousands of dollars to fly Armandito's family to the U.S., and arranged for a surgeon in Michigan to operate pro bono.
He's still fighting slim chances, but his family say their keeping faith.
( In Spanish ) -- "Deadly... That was the diagnosis that my son was given. And that he could die suddenly at any moment. But we know that the God we serve strong and powerful and that he can change the situations in our lives."
It's a message their church is taking to heart...
"It is very fitting ... A new beginning ... Un nuevo comienzo .. I think that he is going to have a new beginning."
And for his first trip to America, it's a world of possibilities.
I asked Armandito what he wants to do ...
He says he want to go to school to become an international businessman.
But until then ... He had a message for Middle Georgians who helped him get there...Thank you.
"Muchas gracias..."
In Warner Robins, Tom George, 13WMAZ Eyewitness News.
Armandito's family is still looking for help with his expenses. If you want to reach out to his family we'll put you in touch with them, just look for this story on our website 13WMAZ.com.
The Atlanta South Comic Con made a stop in Warner Robins today and I got the chance to check it out.
The event gave fans the chance to dress up and search for that perfect comic book.
Some first editions were going for 12-hundred dollars and more.
Artist of The Iron Man comic series and actors from the Walking Dead were on hand to sign autographs.
I even ran into one of my favorite super heroes... Wonder Woman.
"She's such a great female hero and she's up there with the big boys with the trinity and batman and superman so I like being out there and showing them a good role model because Wonder Woman is she's pretty much superman but female form she has the strong moral value and female code."
If you missed the Atlanta South Comic Con today... You can catch another edition in September.
For more information check out our website 13WMAZ dot com... And look for this webstory.
As you know Macon's hosting it's film festival this weekend but they're not the only city with the red carpet treatment this weekend. The stars were out in Fort Valley too.
Starlite and Company, a non-profit group that works with youth in Fort Valley, honored local community activists for their work in the community.
The after -school group works with girls under the age of 15 to provide positive role models and activities.
Organizers say influencing young women at early age is critical for the future.
This year, the foundation awarded five recipients including our own Annette St. Claire. This is the third year for this event for more information or to volunteer call 478-662-2647.
The Savannah Hotel Motel tax collections set a record in 2012.
This is the third consecutive year the revenue from the tax has set a record
The six percent tax generated a whopping 17-million dollars in revenue for the city.
The most popular destination the historic district.
A White House Official says President Barack Obama will deliver the commencement address for Morehouse College in Atlanta this Spring, that's according to the Associated Press.
Reverend Martin Luther King Junior is an alumni of Morehouse.
The president typically speaks at a handful of college and university commencement ceremonies each Spring.
Morehouse College's commencement is schedules for May 19th.
Teachers in Pinellas County, Florida got a lesson in protection this weekend.
Hundreds responded to an offer to teach them how to shoot and carry a concealed weapon.
Chris Hopper has the details.
THAT'S TYPICALLY NOT THE REQUIREMENT TO TAKE A GUN SAFETY COURSE, BUT TODAY IT IS. IT ALL STARTED IN THE CLASSROOM BEFORE THIS GROUP OF PINELLAS COUNTY TEACHERS GOT SOME HANDS ON EXPERIENCE.
THEN IT WAS TIME TO ACTUALLY PULL THE TRIGGER.
LENNY BOGDANOS OWNER OF INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE PROTECTION IN CLEARWATER OFFERED UP THE FREE COURSE TO PINELLAS COUNTY TEACHERS INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT CARRYING A CONCEALED WEAPON. THE AD WENT VIRAL AND BOGDANOS GOT HUNDREDS OF CALLS AND EMAILS.
Hey if you guys want to learn how to carry a weapon in light of the shooting, I can do that for you and help you.
BEFORE THE CLASS EVEN STARTED THEY HAD SOMEBODY OUT HERE IN THE PARKING LOT DIRECTING TRAFFIC. PEOPLE THEN GOT OUT OF THE CARS AND GOT INTO THIS LINE RIGHT HERE THAT SPILLED OUT THE DOOR AS PEOPLE REGISTERED FOR THE CLASS.
Just get educated, saw it was a good opportunity to learn something about safety and guns.
I think that every teacher is concerned about the safety of their own families and their own children, just like a lot of people, and um teachers don't have a lot of extra money.
SOME TEACHERS ADMIT THEY TOOK THE CLASS BECAUSE THEY'RE WORRIED, ESPECIALLY AFTER WHAT HAPPENED AT SANDY HOOK.
I mean it's always a concern with recent events it can be a big concern.
FACT OF THE MATTER IS THIS CLASS IS JUST A CHANCE FOR THESE TEACHERS TO LEARN HOW TO SAFELY HANDLE AND FIRE A WEAPON THEY'RE NOT YET ALLOWED TO CARRY ON SCHOOL PROPERTY.
Bogdanos says so many teachers were interested, he's holding another class next Saturday, too.
An infant heart patient is the victim of heartless thieves in Florida
Meet nine-month-old Jaelyn Anderson.
Four months ago, she was diagnosed with an infection in her heart.
She's now in intensive care awaiting a heart transplant.
Jaelyn's family had been collecting donations for her treatment.
But on Valentine's Day, Jaelyn's grandfather was robbed of three-thousand-dollars in donations.
Josh Anderson/ Father: "They stopped and went to eat at a restaurant and locked the truck up. Went back out and everything was stolen, their luggage and the money and everything in the truck. It was pretty devastating. You know, we were in shock like it was like wow..are you serious..who could do that?"
Although devastated by the theft, the family isn't letting it get them down.
They're focusing on Jaelyn and patiently hoping she'll get a new heart soon.
Everyday you trust that the things you bring into your home are safe for you and your family but when those products don't work the way they should the company issues a recall to protect you.
John Deere is recalling their Gator Utility Vehicles because the oil filter can leak, posing a fire hazard.
The recall involves John Deere Gator R-S-X 850-i Base, Sport and Trail models.
The company has received four incident reports involving fires. No injuries were reported.
The vehicles were sold at John Deere dealers nationwide from August 20-12 through January 20-13 for between 12- and 15-hundred dollars.
For more information call 1- (800) 537-8233.
Cramer L-L-C is recalling their Task it one up folding step stools because they can crack or break and collapse posing a fall hazard to others.
The company has received 14 reports of the step stools breaking... Including two injuries.
The stools were sold at office supply stores and online at amazon dot com... From January 20-12 to December 20-12 for around 40 dollars.
For more information call 1-800-366-6700.
Samsonite is recalling their Dual Wattage Travel Converter Kits because they can overheat posing a fire hazard.
No incidents of the converter kits overheating have been reported.
The converters were sold at retail stores nationwide and at samsonite online stores from January 2011 to December 20-12 for around 35-dollars.
For more information call 1-800-382-7259.
That's it for this week's recall wrap for more information on recalled products visit our website 13wmaz dot com... Look for the features dropdown menu on our homepage and select recalls.
It was a chilly weekend and many of you may have spent your days off indoors at the theater so what topped the box office this weekend.
Coming in number one, the 5th installment of the Die Hard franchise, Starring Bruce Willis., A Good Day to Die Hard brought in 25-million dollars in ticket sales this weekend.
At number two, Identity Theft, Starring Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman raked in 23 point 4 million dollars at the box office.
And rounding out the top three, Safe Haven, based on the Nicholas Sparks novel and starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough brought in 21 point 4 million dollars.
A man in South Florida not only finished a marathon Sunday... he dribbled two basketballs for the entire 26-miles!
Darren Weissman, who is known as Doctor Dribble, finished the race in a little over four and a half hours.
The certified personal trainer and motivational speaker says he was running to raise money for a Miami-area organization that helps foster kids.
Doctor Dribble said he was in pain after the race but his happiness overshadowed that.
Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records were monitoring the marathon to see if Weissman had the fastest marathon run while dribbling two basketballs.
That is the show for tonight. We'll see you back here at 5 for Eyewitness News Mornin
But the news is always on at 13wmaz dot com.
Law call is next. We'll see you tomorrow.