THE GATES JUST OPENED AT MCCONNELL TALBERT STADIUM IN WARNER ROBINS FOR TONIGHT'S HUGE INDEPENDENCE CONCERT.
DIAMOND RIO AND THE BAND OF THE AIR FORCE RESERVE WILL TAKE THE STAGE AT 8 P-M.
LORRA LYNCH-JONES IS JOINING US FROM THE STADIUM WITH A PREVIEW.
LORRA?
LORRA TOSSES TO BEN FOR WEATHER HIT
FOR YOUR THREE DAY FORECAST.. WE JOIN CHIEF METEOROLOGIST BEN JONES.
THANKS BEN AND LORRA. WE'LL TALK WITH YOU AGAIN IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.
A WARNER ROBINS MAN WANTS TO START A RECALL PETITION AGAINST MAYOR CHUCK SHAHEEN.
WAYNE OVERHOLT ACCUSES THE MAYOR OF MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE... AND MISUSING FUNDS.
TODAY... HE PICKED UP AN APPLICATON TO START THE PROCESS.
OVERHOLT MUST COLLECT SIGNATURES FROM 99 PEOPLE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN THE LAST CITY ELECTION..
ONCE HE GETS THAT NUMBER - A JUDGE WILL VERIFY THE NAMES AND THEN DECIDE IF THERE ARE GROUNDS TO START A FORMAL RECALL.
"Somebody told me today that he was too immature to be mayor of Warner Robins and I personally, wholeheartedly agree with that comment. He's not mature enough to be mayor."
IF THE APPLICATION IS APPROVED... OVERHOLT WILL HAVE TO GET 30 PERCENT OF THE CITY'S REGISTERED VOTERS... ABOUT 9 THOUSAND PEOPLE... TO SIGN.
IT'S DAY TWO....OF GEORGIA'S "NO-TEXTING WHILE DRIVING" BAN.
THE NEW LAW PROHIBITS DRIVERS FROM TEXTING ...AND USING OTHER KINDS OF TEXT BASED COMMUNICATION BEHIND THE WHEEL.
LAUREN DISPIRITO SHOWS YOU WHAT THOSE OTHER KINDS OF COMMUNICATION ARE AND ANSWERS SOME QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE ABOUT THE NEW LAW.
Marty Young, Macon: "I can see where it'd be confusing if it's not spelled out"
MARTY YOUNG SAYS WHEN HE HEARD OF GEORGIA'S NEW LAW THAT BANS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING .HE TOOK IT TO MEAN DRIVER'S SHOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ON THEIR PHONE WHILE DRIVING...OTHER THAN TALKING...BUT HE ADMITS...THAT'S JUST HIS INTERPRETATION.
Marty Young: "But that might not be everybody's, if there's a grey area then that's what people are going to do."
SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE STATE'S NEW LAW...SENATE BILL 360...SAY? HERE ARE SOME ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE...
(graphic)
AM I BREAKING THE LAW IF I USE MY PHONE TO SURF THE WEB WHILE DRIVING?
(graphic)
THE LAW PROHIBITS DRIVERS FROM *USING A WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE TO WRITE, SEND, OR READ ANY TEXT BASED COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A TEXT MESSAGE, INSTANT MESSAGE, E-MAIL, OR INTERNET DATA.*
MACON POLICE DEPUTY CHIEF MIKE CARSWELL TOLD US THIS WEEK THAT...ONCE THE ONE-MONTH GRACE PERIOD IS OVER....THEY'LL CITE PEOPLE WHO SURF THE WEB WHILE DRIVING.
(graphic)
CAN I STILL USE MY PHONE'S G-P-S WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT VIOLATING THE LAW?
(broll of phone GPS and Peake)
STATE REPRESENTATIVE ALLEN PEAKE SAYS ATTORNEYS FOR THE STATE LEGISLATURE SAY USING GPS ON A MOBILE DEVICE WHILE DRIVING DOESN'T VIOLATE THE LAW...BECAUSE USING THE PHONE AS A NAVIGATION DEVICE IS NOT PROHIBITED...BUT HE SAYS ULTIMATELY...THAT WOULD BE UP TO A JUDGE TO DECIDE.
(graphic)
IS IT ILLEGAL TO PLAY GAMES ON MY MOBILE DEVICE WHILE DRIVING?
(broll of the law printed pages)
THE LAW DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT PLAYING GAMES ON A PHONE OR OTHER WIRELESS DEVICE.
Marty Young: "I think that probably they do need to make it more clear, the definition of what you can and can't do"
YOUNG THINKS IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR BOTH DRIVERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO NAVIGATE THE LANGUAGE...HE SAYS MEANTIME...HE'LL STEER CLEAR OF ANY DISTRACTIONS BEHIND THE WHEEL.
LAUREN DISPIRITO
13 WMAZ
EYEWITNESS NEWS
THE LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO PEOPLE REPORTING A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT...EMERGENCY...OR POTENTIAL CRIME...ANYONE ENGAGED IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WHILE LAWFULLY PARKED...AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS...E-M-S WORKERS...FIREFIGHTERS OR OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONDERS WHILE PERFORMING THEIR DUTIES.
NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RULES DESIGNED TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS AND WORKERS FROM LEAD PAINT COULD MAKE GETTING YOUR HOUSE PAINTED MORE TIME-CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE.
AS ELEANOR LISSITZYN EXPLAINS... ONE COMPANY SAYS THE NEW REGULATIONS COULD BE BAD FOR BUSINESS.
BLAIR HODGE SAYS SHE KNEW WHEN SHE BOUGHT AN OLDER HOME...IT COULD HAVE LEAD PAINT.
It's just something that you get with older homes, but we weren't concerned because it's only a problem when you disturb it."
NATS
LEAD PAINT CAN CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS...ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN.
SO WHEN SHE DECIDED TO PAINT HER HOUSE...SHE SAYS SHE WAS GLAD THAT HER CONTRACTOR GREG TATRO WAS TAKING EXTRA PRECAUTIONS...
SINCE APRIL...NEW EPA RULES REQUIRE WORKERS TO WEAR FULL BODY SUITS...RESPIRATORS...AND COVER AT LEAST TEN FEET OF THE SURROUNDING AREA IN PLASTIC DROP CLOTHS...WHEN WORKING ON HOMES BUILT BEFORE1978
BUT...THE GEAR...COSTS MONEY....HUNDRED OF DOLLARS PER HOUSE.
TATRO OWNS EXOVATIONS...HE SAYS THE EPA HAS GOOD INTENTIONS...BUT HE'S NOT SURE THE LAW IS PRACTICAL...
" What we're still trying to figure out what the best way to comply with the law is without adding a tremendous cost to our customers" 3:24
TATRO ESTIMATES IT'S COSTING HIM $400 A JOB...HODGE SAYS SHE WOULDN'T MIND PAYING THAT...FOR SAFETYS SAKE...ESPECIALLY WITH TWO SMALL KIDS.
NATS
BUT THREE DAYS IN...AND CREWS ARE STILL SCRAPING...PROJECT MANAGER DONALD NARDONE SAYS ONE UNINTENDED SIDE EFFECT...IS THAT EVERYTHING TAKES LONGER.
"It's going to take them about two weeks total...pre-EPA it woulda took five days."
HODGE SAYS SHE DOESN'T MIND THE DELAY...
"It's a good excuse for us to get out and do stuff."
BUT EXOVATIONS CHARGES BY THE JOB...NOT THE HOUR....AND THAT MEANS TIME EQUALS MONEY...
AND TATRO SAYS...HE'S STILL NOT SURE....WHO'S GOING TO PAY
STD
TATRO SAYS HE DOESN'T KNOW YET HOW MUCH OF THE COST INCREASE HE'LL HAVE TO PASS ALONG TO CUSTOMERS.
HE ALSO SAYS COMPANIES THAT VIOLATE THE NEW RULES COULD FACE FINES OF OVER 30 THOUSAND DOLLARS.
RANGERS AT LAKE TOBESOFKEE COULD SOON GET A NEW ACCESSORY.
BIBB COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOE ALLEN WANTS TO OUTFIT ABOUT 6 RANGERS AT THE PARK WITH BULLET PROOF VESTS.
HE SAYS VESTS COST 400 DOLLARS A PIECE.
ALLEN SAYS HE RECENTLY PUSHED FOR SECURITY AT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSE TO GET VESTS AND WANTS TO DO THE SAME FOR LAKE LAW ENFORCEMENT.
SOME OF THE RANGERS SAY THEY WORK AT NIGHT AND NEVER KNOW WHO THEY'LL COME ACROSS.
Butch Sumlin, Lake Tobesofkee Ranger:
"I think it's a grea idea, we're out here at night, by ourselves. Yes ma'am I thin it's great idea."
Joe Allen, Bibb County Commissioner:6sec
"Safety alawys safety is the number one issue. Safety of the people that are here and safety of our officers that do the job for the safety of our people."
ALLEN SAYS HE'LL BRING HIS PROPOSAL TO COMMISSIONERS NEXT TUESDAY.
PARK DIRECTOR DOUG FURNEY SAYS THEY'LL ALSO LOOK AT THEIR RULE THAT BANS GUNS AT THE LAKE...TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW STATE LAW ALLOWIING PERMIT HOLDERS TO CARRY THEM IN PARKS.
FURNEY SAY THAT COUNTY RULE IS SUSPENDED FOR NOW.
A MACON NIGHTCLUB PLANS TO CLOSE SUNDAY ... AFTER 11 YEARS.
CLUB MONEY'S OWNER GEORGIA WILLIS SAYS JULY FOURTH MARKS THEIR ANNIVERSARY... BUT IT'S TIME TO GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS.
BOFTA YIMAM EXPLAINS WHY MUSIC IS STILL PART OF HIS FUTURE PLAN.
Georgia Willis NATS "Ciara came when she was a brand new artist."
GEORGIA WILLIS POINTS OUT ARTISTS ALONG HIS WALL OF FAME.
NATS "Juvenile"
THE CLUB MONEY'S OWNER SAYS HUNDREDS USED HIS STAGE... AS A PLATFORM FOR THEIR CAREERS.... INCLUDING HIS SON - PERFORMER SKEET.
NATS "that was with B.H.I"
PLUS.. WELL-KNOWN RAPPERS LIKE LIL' WAYNE... T-I... AND JEEZY. BUT LAST YEAR... WILLIS SAYS HE REALIZED HE NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE BUSINESS... TO HELP GET IN TOUCH WITH A HIGHER CALLING.
Willis,
"I lost my enthusiasm because my focus became community oriented, my focus became spIritual."
Bofta Yimam,
"Willis says he met with the Macon Housing Authority Thursday to discuss plans to open up a site for a music studio to help develop young talent."
Willis,
"to teach kids how to become producers, writers, and engineers."
THE 47-YEAR OLD SAYS HE PLANS TO USE MUSIC TO REACH KIDS... WITH A FOCUS ON CLEAN AND INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES. wILLIS SAYS HE NEEDED TO END HIS ROLE AS CLUB OWNER... WHERE HE SAYS HE STRUGGLED TO KEEP CRIME...DRUGS...AND WEAPONS OUT.
Willis,
"did the best we could but it still popped up here and there."
Vyvia Harris, Det.
"They have the about the same as any other club."
MACON POLICE DETECTIVE VYVIA HARRIS... HEADS UP SECURITY AT CLUB MONEYS OFF-DUTY. SHE SAYS THEY HAVE CRIME... BUT GOT A BAD RAP COMPARED TO OTHER CLUBS.
NATS Wllis "lot of good moments up here."
WILLIS HOPES PEOPLE WILL SHARE THE SAME MEMORIES HE HOLDS... SNAPSHOTS OF HISTORY... HIP-HOP AND AN ERA IN MACON THAT MANY WILL MISS.
BOFTA YIMAM 13WMAZ EYEWITNESS NEWS
HARRIS SAYS ON THE SLOWEST NIGHTS... AT LEAST TWO POLICE OFFICERS WORK AT THE CLUB MONITORING THE OUTSIDE... AND SEVERAL SECURITY PERSONNEL INSIDE.
ON BUSIER NIGHTS... LIKE THIS WEEKEND... SHE SAYS SEVERAL POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE WORKING.
THE FINAL NIGHT FOR CLUB MONEYS IS ON SATURDAY... FOR THOSE 18 AND UP.
IF THE FIREWORKS DON'T GET YOU OUT THIS WEEKEND MAYBE GRABBING A BITE TO EAT WILL...
JENNIFER BELLAMY HAS THIS WEEKS RESTAURANT RATINGS.
THIS WEEK WE'RE BACK IN BIBB COUNTY...STARTING OFF WITH OUR LOWEST SCORES FIRST. EVERYONE FELL FROM A PREVIOUS SCORE OF A.
WAFFLE HOUSE AT 62-80 ZEBULON ROAD SCORED AN 87 OR "B" AFTER A 94.
HERE AN INSPECTOR FOUND A TRAY IN THE ICE MACHINE WITH A "MOLD LIKE GROWTH."
JIM SHAWS AT 30-10 VINEVILLE AVENUE MADE AN 82 OR "B" AFTER A 98.
AN INSPECTOR SPOTTED A MOLD LIKE SUBSTANCE HERE AS WELL AS RAW POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS STORED ABOVE READY TO EAT FOODS.
AND AN INSPECTOR GAVE HONG KONG EXPRESS AT 6-10 NORTH AVENUE A 60 OR "U" WITH A 100 OR "A" BEFORE THAT.
A FOUR PAGE INSPECTION REPORT LISTED A BLACK GROWTH AROUND THE KITCHEN.
IT NOTED UNCOVERED FOOD...AND FOOD WITHOUT DATE MARKS...AS WELL AS CLEAN DISHES IN A DIRTY DRAINER THAT HAD DUST...GREASE...RICE AND CRUMBS IN IT ALONG WITH THOSE DISHES....THEY WERE RE-WASHED.
NOW FOR A LOOK GOLDEN SPATULA NOMINEES AND THE TOP SCORES OF THE WEEK...
ANTOJITO'S AT 67-17 HAWKINSVILLE ROAD PULLED IN THE SAME TWO PERFECT SCORES.
AS DID THE FOLKS OVER A BUFFALO'S CAFE AT 59-90 ZEBULON ROAD.
JOIN US AGAIN TONIGHT AS WE AVERAGE OUR NOMINEES PAST FIVE SCORES TO GIVE YOU THIS WEEK'S GOLDEN SPATULA WINNER....FRANK?
FOR ALL YOUR BIBB AND HOUSTON COUNTY RESTAURANT RATINGS... GO TO OUR WEBSITE 13WMAZ DOT COM.
YOU CAN BE A HERO BY GIVING BLOOD TO THOSE IN NEED THROUGH THE RED CROSS AND 13WMAZ EVERYDAY HEROES BLOOD DRIVE.
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SOUTHERN BLOOD SERVICES PROVIDES BLOOD TO PATIENTS IN MORE THAN 120 HOSPITALS.
THE DRIVE KICKED OFF TODAY AT THREE LOCATIONS... BASS PRO SHOPS IN MACON, THE MACON DONOR CENTER AND THE GALLERIA MALL IN CENTERVILLE.
DONORS ARE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A ONE THOUSAND GIFT CARD.
LORIE FROST SAYS THE NEED TO DONATE BLOOD IS CONSTANT BUT FAMILY MAY BE TIED UP DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO COME OUT AND GIVE BLOOD.
Lorie Frost, Donor Center REcruiter "Every holiday are numbers drop because of the fact people are traveling, people are out of town, their entertaining having parties. the kids are out of school especially in the summer months where parents are busy"
THE BLOOD DRIVE WILL RUN THROUGH TOMORROW.
FOR MORE INFORMATION LOOK FOR THE EVERYDAY HEROES BOX ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF OUR HOMEPAGE. THANKS FOR JOINING US.... WE'LL BE BACK TONIGHT AT 11.
BUT REMEMBER...THE NEWS IS ALWAYS ON AT 13WMAZ.COM ! THE EVENING NEWS IS NEXT.
WE'LL LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A LIVE LOOK FROM MCCONNELL TALBERT STADIUM.
HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.