Eighth District Congressional candidate, Rick Goddard is criticizing Congressman Jim Marshall for his vote on the 700-billion dollar bailout package. Marshall is just one of two Georgia House members who supported the measure, which failed in the House. Goddard says he would have voted against the plan. Just last night the Senate passed a similar measure. Georgia's two Republican Senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, both voted in favor of the plan.
The Carl Vinson VA Medical center is opening an outpatient clinic in Perry later this month. This means some veterans will not have to travel so far medical care. Veteran's can come to the clinic for primary care, mental health care, as well as eye exams and nutritional advice. Officials with the VA say the goal is to be able to treat patients closer to their homes.
The Georgia National Fair opens today in Perry. The ten day event is the largest fair in the state. Last year nearly 450-thousand people attended. The fairs Michelle Treptow says in light of the tough economic times organizers are changing their marketing strategy this year.
"We know that people have not been taking the big vacations, that they're staying closer to home. Thus the concept, staycation. Well we've taken that a further step and we're calling it a faircation. We're inviting everyone to come out to the Georgia national Fair October 2-12 and enjoy a faircation."
The fair is also important to Middle Georgia's economy. Each fair visitor spends an average of fifty dollars.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Headlines for September 25, 2008
DayJet discontinues service into Macon
DayJet has discontinued service into the Macon Downtown Airport. The on-demand air service company made it possible for customers to fly into sixty cities across the Southeast for a yearly membership fee and the cost of a ticket. Officials with the Florida-based company say they were unable to arrange financing to continue operations. They will not honor reservations or issue refunds. Atlanta-based ImagineAir is a similar service. They serve more than 600 airports across the Southeast and say they will pick up many of DayJet's abandoned routes. They will fly out of Macon's Middle Georgia Regional Airport.
Medical Center of Central Georgia cutting millions from its budget
The Medical Center of Central Georgia is attempting to cut 33-million dollars from its budget. Hospital officials sent an email to employees and trustees informing them of the cuts. The hospital is in the midst of an initiative to reduce costs and has asked employees for their input. They say operating margins are the weakest in recent memory. They also cite state budget cuts, increased competition, and reductions in the number of patients. They say job cuts are likely as a result of the upcoming changes.
Flu vaccines are coming soon
Several local health departments in Middle Georgia will begin offering flu vaccines next week. They say supplies are good this year and that they should have plenty of the vaccines on hand. In recent years shortages have plagued doctors and health departments across the country. Officials say the elderly and very young are particularly at-risk for the flu. Flu kills around 36-thousand Americans every year.
DayJet has discontinued service into the Macon Downtown Airport. The on-demand air service company made it possible for customers to fly into sixty cities across the Southeast for a yearly membership fee and the cost of a ticket. Officials with the Florida-based company say they were unable to arrange financing to continue operations. They will not honor reservations or issue refunds. Atlanta-based ImagineAir is a similar service. They serve more than 600 airports across the Southeast and say they will pick up many of DayJet's abandoned routes. They will fly out of Macon's Middle Georgia Regional Airport.
Medical Center of Central Georgia cutting millions from its budget
The Medical Center of Central Georgia is attempting to cut 33-million dollars from its budget. Hospital officials sent an email to employees and trustees informing them of the cuts. The hospital is in the midst of an initiative to reduce costs and has asked employees for their input. They say operating margins are the weakest in recent memory. They also cite state budget cuts, increased competition, and reductions in the number of patients. They say job cuts are likely as a result of the upcoming changes.
Flu vaccines are coming soon
Several local health departments in Middle Georgia will begin offering flu vaccines next week. They say supplies are good this year and that they should have plenty of the vaccines on hand. In recent years shortages have plagued doctors and health departments across the country. Officials say the elderly and very young are particularly at-risk for the flu. Flu kills around 36-thousand Americans every year.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Headlines for September 24, 2008
Bibb County Grand Jury issues more indictments
A Bibb Coutny Grand Jury has re indicted four men involved in the shooting death of a Bibb County Sheriff's deputy. Damon Jolly and Antron fair are already charged with the murder of Deputy Joseph Whitehead, who was shot and killed while serving a no-knock warrant. The additional charges name Thomas Porter and Hassan Harclerode and include drug and gun possession, aggravated assault, and additional counts of murder. Jolly is scheduled to go on trial in January. A judge ruled that those proceedings will take place in Savannah. Jolly and Fair both face the death penalty if convicted.
Trial begins for Perry doctor
A trial is underway for a Perry doctor. Dr. Spurgeon Green is accused of prescribing medication that caused the deaths of seven patients. Prosecutors allege he prescribed vast amounts of painkillers, sometimes seeing more than 150 patients in one day. He is also accused of manipulating medical records. Defense attorney's say he was an affordable physician who was also a certified pain specialist. A physician's assistant and pharmacist are also charged in the case.
Bibb County School students are putting on their walking shoes
A new policy is taking some Bibb County students off the bus. The school system sent letters to the parents of children who live within 1 1/2 miles of their schools. They will now be required to walk. Officials say 45-hundred students live within designated walk zones. The State of Georgia will not provide funding for bus transportation for kids in walking zones. The school system says the changes are as a result of Governor Sonny Perdue's budget cuts.
A Bibb Coutny Grand Jury has re indicted four men involved in the shooting death of a Bibb County Sheriff's deputy. Damon Jolly and Antron fair are already charged with the murder of Deputy Joseph Whitehead, who was shot and killed while serving a no-knock warrant. The additional charges name Thomas Porter and Hassan Harclerode and include drug and gun possession, aggravated assault, and additional counts of murder. Jolly is scheduled to go on trial in January. A judge ruled that those proceedings will take place in Savannah. Jolly and Fair both face the death penalty if convicted.
Trial begins for Perry doctor
A trial is underway for a Perry doctor. Dr. Spurgeon Green is accused of prescribing medication that caused the deaths of seven patients. Prosecutors allege he prescribed vast amounts of painkillers, sometimes seeing more than 150 patients in one day. He is also accused of manipulating medical records. Defense attorney's say he was an affordable physician who was also a certified pain specialist. A physician's assistant and pharmacist are also charged in the case.
Bibb County School students are putting on their walking shoes
A new policy is taking some Bibb County students off the bus. The school system sent letters to the parents of children who live within 1 1/2 miles of their schools. They will now be required to walk. Officials say 45-hundred students live within designated walk zones. The State of Georgia will not provide funding for bus transportation for kids in walking zones. The school system says the changes are as a result of Governor Sonny Perdue's budget cuts.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Headlines for September 23, 2008
DOT Chief in Macon
Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner, Gena Evans was in Macon Monday evening. The city was the first stop on a seven city statewide listening tour. The audience was filled with residents and politicians who were there to give input on local roads projects. More than fifty groups have banded together to try and block the proposed changed to the I-16/I-75 Interchange. They attended the hearing, but left with little hope that the project would be scaled back. Macon Mayor, Robert Reichert supports the 300-million dollar plan for the highway. He says interstates are good for Macon.
"I for one appreciate the fact that the interstate highway system runs through Macon. I think it has been a key to our success thus far. I think it is a big part of our promise for the future."
Commissioner Evans also expressed her support for commuter rail service and the use of tolls to fund road projects.
Macon City Council looks at alcohol tax
The Macon City Council is not showing much enthusiasm for Mayor Robert Reichert's proposed alcohol tax. The mayor's administration requested the 3-percent tax as a way to raise revenue. Council officials say the new tax would drive business away from the city to the county. They suggest the city work with the county to pass a similar tax at the same time.
Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner, Gena Evans was in Macon Monday evening. The city was the first stop on a seven city statewide listening tour. The audience was filled with residents and politicians who were there to give input on local roads projects. More than fifty groups have banded together to try and block the proposed changed to the I-16/I-75 Interchange. They attended the hearing, but left with little hope that the project would be scaled back. Macon Mayor, Robert Reichert supports the 300-million dollar plan for the highway. He says interstates are good for Macon.
"I for one appreciate the fact that the interstate highway system runs through Macon. I think it has been a key to our success thus far. I think it is a big part of our promise for the future."
Commissioner Evans also expressed her support for commuter rail service and the use of tolls to fund road projects.
Macon City Council looks at alcohol tax
The Macon City Council is not showing much enthusiasm for Mayor Robert Reichert's proposed alcohol tax. The mayor's administration requested the 3-percent tax as a way to raise revenue. Council officials say the new tax would drive business away from the city to the county. They suggest the city work with the county to pass a similar tax at the same time.
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