Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. Officer-involved shooting under investigation in Maconby WICS (WICS) — The Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations Zone 5 has been called in to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 3 The Macon County Sheriff’s Department requested the investigation following an incident at the PV Quick Stop in Macon Preliminary information indicates that officers encountered a subject armed with a knife The suspect was struck and has been transported to the hospital with injuries and no additional information is available at this time (WGXA) — Macon-Bibb leaders and community members broke ground on new renovations to the Frank Johnson Recreation Center on Monday morning City leaders held a groundbreaking ceremony in the Macon neighborhood of Unionville with officials from the Recreation Center marking the official start to renovations and upgrades WGXA spoke with the center's supervisor who anticipates the renovated facility and its impact on the community "This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand what we do here and better serve the community here in Unionville and beyond The city said the project is fully funded through the voter-approved SPLOST new sidewalks and an additional conference room and weight room The renovated Frank Johnson Recreation Center is projected to open later this year in September Stick with WGXA where we're keeping you ready for what's next This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page MACON, Mo. — John Fogerty would be proud members of the KTVO staff were ready to play this weekend Meteorologist Hagan Zinecker and News Director Jessica Childs played in the Travis Boots Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament in Macon on Saturday Travis Boots is a teenager from Moberly who is fighting two types of leukemia currently Each team paid $300 plus each individual could pay an extra $10 to be able to hit unlimited home runs in each game they played Those proceeds went to the Boots family to assist them with Travis's medical bills they had a great time and were thrilled to see Matt hit a homer in their second game of the day MACON — Macon County Sheriff Jim Root said his office has launched its own internal review into the dramatic events Saturday afternoon that led to police confronting and shooting an armed man at the P&V Quick Stop along U.S The incident began shortly before noon when sheriff's deputies and Decatur Park Police responded to the gas station where a caller had reported that a man had crashed a vehicle into another and was standing in the parking lot with a machete "acting suspiciously," authorities previously said Officers began negotiating with the man but he ran away onto U.S The sheriff's office said in a news release that the man then took a sheriff's office squad car and rammed it into a park police vehicle The man then pointed a shotgun at officers who responded by firing their service weapons at him The man was taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening gunshot wounds He was later taken to a hospital in Springfield for injuries sustained in the traffic crash A Decatur Park Police officer was also treated at Decatur Memorial Hospital for injuries from the crash The Illinois State Police will investigate the incident following protocol for officer-involved shootings Speaking to the Herald & Review on Sunday Root said: “The State Police are doing their independent evaluation and the sheriff’s office will conduct our own internal investigation based on the events that took place on Saturday.” The injured suspect was not housed in the Macon County Jail on Sunday and Root said he understood the man was still hospitalized The sheriff said a decision on whether to arrest him on charges will be made by his office and any update on that situation will come from his office This isn’t the first time the gas station in Macon has been the scene of dramatic events On Jan. 13, 2021, a clerk working at the station attacked a 41-year-old female customer who had stopped in at lunchtime to buy a drink had menaced the woman with a knife and police reports described him gagging her and tying her up after leaving her in the women’s restroom the victim was able to free herself and run outside to her car Hand had pursued her and police said he had jabbed at her with the knife but she fought him off and made her escape in her vehicle Hand had then fled but was captured several days later by Indiana State Troopers who found him at a highway rest stop in Plainfield The defendant pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated kidnapping and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in January 2022 Donnette Beckett contributed to this story Demand for picture books explaining traumatic events such as school shootings has grown dramatically Experts say these books can help kids process their feelings known by his stage name "Electric," works with children on gun violence prevention in New York City if I can use some songs and then go out and start with a five year old an Emmy award-winning Sesame Street writer As anxiety and depression rates rise among young Americans experts say demand for resources like children's books dealing with trauma are also increasing Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email Email notifications are only sent once a day Additional charges are being filed against Aaron L the former Macon gas station clerk accused of trying to kidnap a female customer at … Police said Hand tried to abduct gas station customer twice before fleeing and being arrested at Indiana highway rest stop Hand was working as a clerk of the P&V Quick Stop just off U.S Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) will hold its first ever symposium on Friday at the South Bibb Recreation Center (7035 Houston Road) The MMHM Symposium is a two-day event aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of creating a trauma-informed community particularly focusing on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their long-term impact This event is designed to engage various stakeholders from Macon-Bibb and beyond to collaborate and discover innovative solutions for building resilience while addressing community mental health concerns “From Trauma to Transformation is more than just an event,” said MMHM Director Andrea Cooke “We’re so excited to welcome people from across the state and it’s a great opportunity for us to reimagine how we care for our communities from a collaborative perspective We’re starting with understanding the impact of childhood adversity and building spaces where healing is possible for everyone.” The primary objectives of the MMHM Symposium are to: MMHM is in need of volunteers to help with the event. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Andrea Cooke at acooke@thesoutherncenterforchoicetheory.com If you would like to be a vendor, click here. Click here to register for the event. Customer Service Sign up for email updates from Macon-Bibb County to get information on announcements — MACON— A tense standoff at a P&V gas station in Macon ended with a suspect being shot and hospitalized after a series of dramatic events unfolded on Saturday Deputies from the Macon County Sheriff's Office responded to a call at 11:50 a.m regarding a person who had crashed into a vehicle and was acting suspiciously while armed with a machete secured the scene and attempted to negotiate with the suspect The situation escalated when the suspect fled on foot to U.S prompting officers from the Decatur Park District Police to shut down the highway The suspect then commandeered a Macon County Sheriff's Office squad car and rammed it into a Park Police vehicle The suspect subsequently pointed a shotgun at officers who responded by firing their service weapons The suspect was transported to Decatur Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and later moved to a Springfield hospital for additional treatment related to injuries from the traffic accident A Decatur Park Police officer involved in the incident was also taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the accident The Illinois State Police Zone 5 Crime Scene Unit is assisting with the investigation and the Illinois State Police Zone 5 Investigations Unit is handling the officer-involved shooting inquiry and no further details are available at this time The Macon County Sheriff's Office responds to an incident early Saturday afternoon near the P&V Quick Stop in Macon MACON — A man and a police officer were injured in a series of incidents Saturday afternoon at the P&V Quick Stop along Route 51 in Macon The Macon County Sheriff's Office and Decatur Park Police responded to the gas station at about 11:50 a.m after a caller said a man had crashed one vehicle into another and was standing in the parking lot holding a machete and "acting suspiciously," according to a news release from MCSO secured the scene and began negotiating with the man the man gained control of a sheriff's office squad car and rammed it into a parked DPP vehicle He was later transported to a hospital in Springfield for injuries sustained in the traffic crash A DPP officer was also injured in the traffic crash and was taken to Decatur Memorial Hospital for treatment The sheriff's office called Illinois State Police Zone 5 Investigations Unit to investigate the officer-involved shooting ISP Zone 5 Crime Zone Unit as also called to assist in the criminal investigation A Herald & Review reporter on the scene Saturday afternoon observed police vehicles scattered in the area of the gas station and along Route 51 between Andrews Street Road and Wall Street and that stretch of highway was closed for several hours A white truck that appeared to be empty could be seen crashed into the side of a semi truck in the gas station parking lot Witnesses at the scene said the driver of the semi truck was inside the gas station when the white truck crashed into his semi The South Macon Fire Department said early Saturday evening that police would be working in the area for some time and asked the public to stay away from the area "During events of this magnitude and danger it is critical that the public stays clear but attempting to drive through or near an active emergency scene creates unnecessary risk for both responders and civilians Emergency vehicles and blocked roadways are not invitations to detour around — they are in place to protect lives including yours," the department stated on its Facebook page The department asked drivers to use the south connector to enter and exit Macon Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983 Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter "Together Decatur" Columnist and Food/Drink Reporter Police said a Decatur man sitting in his parked car suddenly found himself confronted by an armed robber He admitted instead a charge of burglary connected with the case One person is dead Friday after a vehicle crashed into the Odd Fellow-Rebekah Home in Mattoon The developer of a proposed solar farm near Mount Zion is keeping mum about next steps after the Macon County Board failed to approve the proposal will hold its third annual Celebrity Chef Cook-Off this Saturday located at 1180 Bartlett Street in west Macon This fundraiser affords teens who are members of YouthUp’s Youth Leadership Council the opportunity to learn community engagement skills and helps them practice leadership skills through peer-to-peer mentoring wait tables and clean up after the event and are also able to mingle with community leaders business owners and professionals who may open doors of opportunity for them Following Community Leader chefs the first year and all Macon Pastors last year this year promises even more amazing food as the theme is all Personal/Professional chefs or Caterers Kobi Catering and Tommy’s Bakery will compete against Personal Chefs Sgt DeAndre Hall of the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Officer William Jones of the Board of Education Campus Police YouthUp has also secured the culinary talents of Dr Executive Officer at the Board of Education who is NOT a professional chef but will attempt to take an award home Attendees pay $20 to sample all 9 dishes and then vote On the menu this year (in no particular order) is Twisted Crack Chicken YouthUp also provides bread and butter at every table; tea No one goes away hungry so come on out and enjoy an exciting time and some delicious food this weekend Sign up for email updates from Macon-Bibb County to get information on announcements, initiatives, events, and more! Van Macon to Pursue New Professional Opportunities5/2/2025 10:30:00 AM | Men's Basketball Queens native spent six seasons on the Red Storm’s men’s basketball staff Macon-Bibb County celebrated Earth Day at Amerson River Park with a theme of “Our Power Our Planet.” This was the 15th year for this celebration and the Earth Day Committee presented a record six Champion Awards to people and organizations making a difference in our community because of their contribution to a greener Macon-Bibb “Amerson River Park is an amazing location for this annual event because it really brings people close to nature,” said Earth Day Committee Chair Sam Kitchens “We enjoyed having families come out and learn how we can all conserve and protect our planet for generations to come!” This was a free event for everyone and had live music once kids completed the activities and got their Earth Day passport stamped they earned a free kid’s Earth Day t-shirt Multiple organizations came together to plan this exciting event “We love coming together each year to plan this event because we get to help build a more sustainable community together,” added Kitchens Nearly 40 vendors and sponsors helped make this happen and provided information about their services and have free giveaways for the community during this time There were also awards given out to people and organizations in the areas of community Educational Champion – Wesleyan College Arboretum Environmental Champion – Historic Vineville Neighborhood Association Extra Mile Champion – Ocmulgee Mountain Biking Association Preservation Champion – Heather Bowman Cutway From Macon Area Habitat for Humanity – On Tuesday Macon Area Habitat for Humanity celebrated the dedication of three new homes during a Home Dedication Ceremony on Dorothy Avenue and Williams families to dedicate their homes and celebrate this milestone in their journey to affordable homeownership These homes were built after blighted property was cleared as part of the County’s Blight Fight and are a powerful example of how blighted properties can be transformed into opportunities for thriving homeownership Building a Habitat home is only possible thanks to the commitment of our partner families “Working together to strengthen families and our neighborhoods is what Team Macon-Bibb is all about,” says Mayor Lester Miller blighted houses from this property and with help from Habitat for Humanity we are now welcoming four families into something safe and beautiful that they will now call home.” “We are so thankful for the many donors and volunteers who helped these families achieve their dreams of homeownership including Macon-Bibb County and our Faith Build and Women Build partners,” said Ivey Hall “The need for affordable homeownership opportunities is at an all-time high and the Macon-Bibb County community has stepped up to help ensure every family has a place to call home.” an outdoor hospitality and public-private partnership leader invites Macon-Bibb County residents to a community town hall to share input on proposed improvements to Lake Tobesofkee This public meeting is an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to hear directly from Lovejoy’s leadership about its early-phase plans to enhance Lake Tobesofkee’s amenities through a potential partnership with Macon-Bibb County consolidated government The company is actively seeking local feedback to help shape a vision that best serves the community’s needs and strengthen the local economy — without impacting local taxpayers or restricting current access for residents Lovejoy’s early concepts include facility upgrades and new family-friendly features that preserve the lake’s natural beauty while making it more enjoyable for visitors of all ages Lovejoy is currently in the pre-development phase and evaluating ideas in tandem with county officials The May 8 event will feature a presentation from the project team followed by a Q&A and open discussion The public is encouraged to attend and arrive early as Lovejoy Capital team members will be on site ahead of the 5:30 p.m start time to answer informal questions and connect one-on-one with attendees Macon-Bibb County is proud to close out National County Government Month by spotlighting one of its most essential and wide-reaching departments: Facilities Management It is made up of seven divisions: Administration and Traffic Operations (which includes Signals and Signs) Each plays a critical role in ensuring government facilities are safe The Custodial Division works daily to keep our buildings clean and welcoming for both employees and the public but their role is vital in creating a professional and safe environment across their work ensures that every space reflects the pride Macon-Bibb takes in serving the community The HVAC and Plumbing teams maintain systems that keep buildings comfortable year-round from repairing heating and cooling units to managing pools at recreation centers “We maintain these facilities so everyone will have a healthy environment,” said Dennis Yesky a Master Plumber who has served Macon-Bibb for 29 years The General Maintenance team is the go-to crew for building upkeep handling everything from fence repairs and wall patching to bathroom fixes and painting “The most important part is we’re part of the community too,” said Jonathan Steele “We treat our job with pride and do what we’re supposed to.” The Electrical Division maintains street lighting throughout Macon-Bibb Their work often takes place just feet from fast-moving traffic Whether restoring power or completing routine repairs this team plays a critical role in keeping our roads safely lit often working in challenging and high-traffic environments to get the job done is responsible for maintaining traffic lights and pedestrian crossings They handle both scheduled maintenance and emergency repairs to ensure intersections remain operational it’s about keeping everyone safe and alive,” shared Sydney Palmer and installs signage across Macon-Bibb: from stop signs and street names to ceremonial street dedication signs These are produced in-house using specialized equipment such as replacing downed stop signs after accidents “Our department plays a vital role in keeping Macon safe,” said Willie Hillman “We help prevent accidents with stop signs the Administration Division ensures everything runs smoothly by coordinating logistics “It’s clear the Facilities Management Department touches every part of our county,” said Emily Hopkins member of the Communications team and interviewer for the Bibb’s Backbone campaign “I learned so much through this process and was truly impressed by how hardworking and committed each team member is to their community It makes me proud to be part of Macon-Bibb.” To the entire Facilities Management department: thank you for your work and dedication You are truly the backbone of our local government and community On Monday, May 5, Macon-Bibb County will commemorate the start of renovations at the Frank Johnson Recreation Center (2227 Mercer University Drive) with a groundbreaking ceremony at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony will be live streamed on www.Facebook.com/MaconBibbCounty. “This project is a big one for our Recreation Center and community surrounding it,” said Recreation Department Director Robert Walker “Our neighbors will be able to enjoy enhanced amenities and be able to access the center easier with new sidewalks and more parking The $2,047,000 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funded renovations will include a renovated pool and an added conference room and weight room -- Randolph-Macon defeated Hampden-Sydney 20-11 in the decisive third game of their ODAC quarterfinal series The Yellow Jackets built an early lead with a five-run third inning that included seven hits James Baffone contributed with a single through the left side that drove in a run followed by Jon Quici scoring to push the lead to 5-0 Hampden-Sydney responded strongly in the fifth inning when they were trailing by four runs Former Mechanicsville standout Gavin Smith delivered a double to the gap in left-center field Smith finished the game with five hits and five RBIs helping the Tigers take a 7-5 lead with their four-run inning Randolph-Macon immediately countered in the bottom of the fifth Aidan Pinto launched a solo home run over the left field wall known as the "Black Monster," cutting the deficit to one run Former Hanover standout Jack Bowles then stepped up with the bases loaded and hit a deep double to left field that scored two runs The Yellow Jackets' offense exploded for eight runs on seven hits in the fifth inning alone ultimately securing the 20-11 victory to advance in the tournament From the Tubman Museum – The countdown is on for one of Georgia’s most anticipated cultural celebrations—the 29th Annual Pan African Festival of Georgia the festival proudly shines a spotlight on Uganda as the featured country and we are deeply honored to welcome The Honorable Ambassador Robie Kakonge and her esteemed delegation for a weekend filled with unity A powerful evening of worship and thanksgiving to kick off the festival (Invitation-only event for Afrocentric Ball Sponsors) The highly anticipated Afrocentric Ball at 7:00 p.m Kenny Pratt & Soulful DeMarco McDonald  Cuisine by A Catered Event and Donie Hogan Tickets are available now at www.TubmanMuseum.com—don’t miss this elegant hosted by Ambassador Kakonge – a must-attend for technology professionals ready to engage with Uganda’s growing tech space Opening Ceremonies & Festival Kickoff at 12:00 noon with a keynote address by Ambassador Kakonge Kee—an inspiring finale to a soul-stirring weekend This festival is more than an event—it’s a movement of culture We invite everyone to come out and be present all weekend long Visit www.TubmanMuseum.com for tickets and more information Read through the obituaries published today in Herald and Review Investigators say it appears a wayward kangaroo is to blame for a two-car crash on Interstate 85 in Macon County State troopers say the crash happened at around 11:50AM in the southbound lanes of I-85 near the 46 mile marker The crash led to the temporary closure of both sides of the interstate state troopers and the kangaroo’s owner recovered the animal 8 On Your Side i-Team Saving Selma Pay It Forward What the Tech Mugshots