“As our community grows and changes, so do the levels of risk posed by various threats and hazards,” says Robert McCord, EMA Deputy Director. “By reviewing our potential risks and planning for preparation and response, we can reduce or eliminate the impacts from the threats.”

The final of four meetings will be held Monday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. in Commission Chambers at City Hall (700 Poplar Street). 71 people attended the first three meetings, and 66 submitted an online survey that was available earlier this year.

“This meeting is open to anyone who wants to learn more about how we prepare for disasters or would like to provide us information. We want different points of view and new ideas so we have a complete view of our community,” adds McCord.

“Everyone’s voice should be heard and be part of making our community more prepared for future disasters.”

“The quality of our roads has been one of the most talked about daily issues people in Macon-Bibb face the past few years, so we are making an historical investment in improving roads across the entire county,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “Since we began the Paving the Way program this past summer, people have noticed a marked improvement in their daily commutes.”

Since Paving the Way began in August, 885 segments of 351 streets totaling 117 miles have been repaved, with another 64.4 miles already identified and bid out for repaving. In previous years, only 7-8 miles per year were repaved per year.

Additionally, Macon-Bibb has worked directly with the Georgia Department of Transportation on getting the roads they maintain repaved, including Eisenhower Parkway and Mercer University Drive. So far 9.5 miles have been paved with another 23.3 miles in progress or soon to be started.

“I’m proud of the collaborative work of our departments, partners, Commissioners, and public to identify the worst roads in the county, as well as the most well-travelled roads, so we can have the greatest positive impact on people’s daily lives,” says County Manager Dr. Keith Moffett.

The contract for these 16.34 miles to be repaved is for $3,248,988.49, and it will be paid for from state Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) funds and voter-approved SPLOST funds. They were selected after an Invitation for Bid was posted on the County’s website and sent to 558 vendors. Six companies applied, and after the bid review, Professional Paving’s total bid was the lowest responsive and responsible submission.

About Paving the Way

Roads were identified through a scan of the more than 1,100 miles of county-owned and paved roads. Every road segment was rated on a scale of 1-100, and roads were selected for this list based on the following criteria:

• Roads rated 30 and below.
• Arterial and collector roads rated below 40.
• Connecting, nearby roads rated between 30 and 55.
• Well-trafficked roads in industrial areas.

“We identified the worst roads in our community and are focusing first on them, as well as roads that are heavily traveled every day,” says Mayor Miller. “There isn’t a part of our county that won’t have major improvements for daily travel.”

Funding for this work comes from the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) and state Local Maintenance & Improvement Grant (LMIG) funds.

The ceremony recognized fallen police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and firefighters whose service and sacrifice continue to leave a lasting impact on the community. During the event, each name was read aloud as members of the Honor Guard placed a rose at the base of the memorial monument in remembrance.

“We want everyone to remember and honor each of our public safety heroes who devoted their lives to protect our community,” said Warren Selby with the Macon-Bibb Law Enforcement Foundation. “This memorial ceremony is so important to us, and we are proud to hold it each year.”

The somber ceremony included prayers from Dr. Walter Glover and Reverend Levornia Franklin Jr., the National Anthem was performed by Zelda Williams, a bagpipe performance by Scott Gunn, and a flyover from the Georgia State Patrol.

The annual ceremony is held each year around National Police Week, observed May 10 through May 16, a time dedicated to honoring law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and recognizing the service and sacrifice of those who continue protecting communities every day.

“Our community will never forget the courage and sacrifice of these men and women,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “This ceremony gives us the opportunity to come together, reflect, and honor the heroes who gave everything in service to others.”

Join the celebration on Saturday, May 9, at Mattie Hubbard Park (1991 First Ave) from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The free community event will honor the neighborhood’s history while connecting residents with local programs, services, and resources provided through community organizations and partners.

This year’s celebration is made possible through the work of Reimagining Community Connections (RCC) Mini Grant recipients Monica Miller and JaCory Marcus, who helped bring the historic event back to the neighborhood.

“The original May Day celebrations in Pleasant Hill were known for bringing neighbors together through fellowship, entertainment, and the crowning of May Day royalty,” said Miller. “We hope this year’s event will not only celebrate the neighborhood’s past but also help strengthen relationships and opportunities for current and future generations.”

Community members can expect music, activities, local resources, and opportunities to connect with organizations serving the area. The event is also designed to highlight the ongoing work being done to invest in and support Pleasant Hill residents.

In the newest episode of the Macon It podcast, listeners get an inside look at the life, service, and impact of Macon-Bibb County’s Executive Director of Community Affairs. From education and public service to civil rights advocacy and community leadership, Dr. Ficklin shares the experiences that have shaped his decades of work in Macon-Bibb County.

Over the years, Dr. Ficklin has worn many hats in the community. He served as a high school teacher, spent decades on City Council, advocated for civil rights and community engagement, and continues serving residents today through his work with Macon-Bibb County. In his current role, he leads initiatives and partnerships focused on strengthening neighborhoods and supporting residents across the community.

Listeners will hear about programs like GCAPS, the Council of Clergy, and the importance of building relationships and trust throughout the community.

The latest episode of Macon It is available now on major podcast streaming platforms or click here to listen.

Macon was the first community in the nation to be designated by AARP and the World Health Organization as an Age-Friendly City, and the annual celebration continues to highlight the work being done to make the community more accessible, connected, and welcoming for everyone.

The free event featured local vendors, resources, refreshments, and speakers focused on healthy aging, community engagement, and quality of life.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about programs and services available throughout the community while connecting with organizations focused on health, transportation, housing, recreation, and other resources that support older adults and families.

“Being age-friendly is about making sure everyone has the opportunity to stay active, engaged, and connected in our community,” said Co-Chair of the Macon-Bibb County Age Friendly Council Greg Brown. “After 14 years, it’s encouraging to see the continued support and collaboration from organizations and residents across Macon-Bibb County.”

The Age-Friendly initiative focuses on improving the quality of life through the eight domains of livability established by AARP and the World Health Organization, helping communities create environments that are inclusive and supportive for residents of all ages.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Infrastructure Grant provides up to $2,618,518 for the project, with a local match of up to $137,816.74 paid through previously appropriated funds. The runway extension project is designed to support the airport’s continued growth and improve operations for aviation activity in Macon-Bibb County.

“This investment is another important step in strengthening our airport and preparing for future opportunities,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “The Middle Georgia Regional Airport plays a critical role in economic development, business recruitment, and transportation throughout our community and region. By continuing to invest in infrastructure like this, we are helping position Macon-Bibb for long-term growth.”

The runway extension is part of ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure at the airport and enhance its ability to serve corporate, commercial, and general aviation traffic. After decades of discussion about the need for the project and years of behind-the-scenes work, construction is now underway to extend Runway 5 on the southwest corner of MCN by 600 feet, increasing its total length from 6,501 feet to 7,101 feet.

“The runway extension is a major step forward for the future of our airport,” said Aviation Director Doug Faour. “Not only will it allow larger aircraft to operate more efficiently at MCN, but it also opens the door for more opportunities as we continue growing air service, attracting new business, and expanding what our airport can offer the region.”

Here is how you can help:

• Pick-up breakfast for co-workers
• Encourage your work friends to go out for lunch
• Take your family to a nice dinner
• Remember to mention to your server that you are there for United We Dine for Brookdale
• Share your dining experience by tagging @UnitedWayCG and use #UnitedWeDineForBrookdale to capture pictures of this special day with your friends and family in our community.
• If you are unable to dine out, you can still support Brookdale by making a donation at: https://www.unitedwaycg.org/united-we-dine-brookdale

By visiting the restaurants listed below for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you’ll be supporting the Brookdale Resource Center’s mission of helping move families towards financial stability in Central Georgia.

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

Baldino’s

Bearfoot Tavern

Bear’s Den

Brasserie Circa

Dairy Queen (Gray)

Dawson’s Kitchen

El Sombrero (Forsyth Rd.)

Fatty’s Pizza

Grow

Her Majesty Kitchen (Forsyth)

Ingleside Village Pizza

J. Reid’s Tavern

Jack’s (Gray)

Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (North Macon)

Jonah’s on Johnston (Forsyth)

Just Tap’d

Macon Bagels

Marco’s Pizza

Ocmulgee Brew Pub

Oliver’s Corner Bistro

Outback (Macon)

Parish on Cherry

Piedmont Brewery

Pig on a Pie

Shuster’s Candy & Creamery

Slim Chickens (Gray)

Sweet Eleanor’s

Switch Macon

Texas Roadhouse (Macon) – participating on May 20th

The Rose Room

Vida Latin Kitchen

Your Pie

Zaxby’s-Macon

Thank you for your consideration and commitment to making a positive difference in our community!

UPDATE: A change in film schedule has added locations for May 7 and potentially May 8. The original locations for May 7 have been moved to Monday, May 11. Update maps are below.

“It’s a great day in Macon-Bibb when our beautiful community will be featured on the big screen,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “I’m very excited to see Mercer University, Downtown, and many other locations featured so prominently.”

“We are always excited to welcome film and television productions to Macon,” says Visit Macon Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Aaron Buzza. “The productions provide a great showcase for our community both during the time filming is happening and into the future. Cast and crew have the chance to experience the hospitality Macon offers during their stays in hotels, meals at restaurants, and visits to attractions and retail throughout the community. Viewers also have an opportunity to see Macon on screen and often want to experience those locations in person and see more of our community.”

There will be an impact to public roads and sidewalks May 6-7 and 12-13, and those maps are attached. The primary areas to be affected include Cherry Street and Second Street in Downtown and College Street, Coleman Avenue, and Ash Street near Tattnall Square Park. Filming will not take place during Alexander II Magnet School’s start and dismissal times so parent and student traffic and walk-ups will not be affected.

This follows multiple productions that have filmed in Macon-Bibb, including the movies: Superman, The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, Wise Blood, A Trip to Bountiful, The Crazies, Trouble with the Curve, 42, Need For Speed, The Fifth Wave, The Best of Enemies, Zombieland: Double Tap, Justice on Trial, The Color Purple, Rampage, Hillbilly Elegy, and I, Tonya. Several television shows have also filmed here, including Brockmire, The Originals, The Vampire Diaries, Witches of East End, Watchmen, Lovecraft Country, The Go-Big Show, FLOTUS, Tulsa King, The Rosa and the Jackal, 7 Little Johnstons, and WCW Monday Nitro.

Click here to see map for May 6, 2026.

Click here to see map for May 7 & 8, 2026.

Click here to see map for May 11, 2026.

Click here to see map for May 12 & 13, 2026.

The meetings are still a space where men who have never been are made to feel welcome, made to feel like one of the group, and made to feel comfortable enough to share their doubts and concerns.

On a muggy evening near the end of April and as the sun was beginning to set outside, more than a dozen men gathered at Serenity Entertainment Complex for the monthly Men’s Mental Health Meet-up, hosted by the Macon Violence Prevention Program and Macon Mental Health Matters. Unique about this evening was most of the men in attendance were there for only the first or second time.

One man had only lived in Macon for a few months, and after introducing himself and giving told the guys he had been looking for a group like this for several weeks. Without the words actually being said to change the direction, the guys who had been coming for months and years switched their focus to the new guys, asking them specific questions and sharing stories specifically in response to what they were saying.

“We deal with heavy things all the time,” they are told.

“Get it out there; get it off your chest,” another is encouraged as he’s reminding that not dealing with past experiences and issues can cause harm in the long run. “You don’t realize what it’s doing to you.”

The meet-ups help, though, the new guys are told. They talk about how the venue and the group has given the guys an outlet for the struggles and their feelings…a way to let it all out in a safe space where it can’t impact relationships with people who may not know what’s going on.“When we bottle this kind of stuff up, we lash out,” one says, encouraging the new guys to come back. The rest of the world may not care about the reason for the outburst, just that it happened, but in this group, they’ve found guys willing to listen and share their experiences.

One young man, only 24 years old, talks about the concerns he has with advancing his career, gaining financial stability, finding solid friends, working to help youth in the community, and more. The overwhelming advice for him from the veterans of the group: you are not alone and everyone in the room went through the same thing. But that’s okay…it’s how they all learned to deal with it.

“You’ve got to go through some stuff in order to know how to deal with stuff.”

Even with him having concerns, they all congratulated him on being there that evening, and for recognizing early in life that he could reach out for assistance.

“This is what this group is about: welcoming men wherever they are in life and finding a way to help them through their challenges,” says MVP Coordinator Jeremy Grissom. “No matter what you’re facing, what your career, what your age…we’re here for you.”

The Meet-ups happen on the fourth Monday of the month at Serenity Entertainment Complex (427 Poplar Street) from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The meetups are open to the public and are hosted by the Macon Violence Prevention and Macon Mental Health Matters programs. Discussions are facilitated by Stacey Phillips with Clasped Hands Counseling, LLC.