News

Georgia Graduation Rates Rise Slightly

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 7:35pm

For the second year in a row, barely half of Bibb County's high school students graduated.

Twiggs County had the lowest graduation rate of any system in the state, just over 45 percent, while 6 out of 7 Hancock County students graduated -- 86.5 percent.

Those were some of the results when state education officials announced 2012 statewide graduation rates.

Bibb County's rate was about 52 percent -- just about a point higher than in 2011. For the second year in a row, the county's schools had one of the state's lowest rates.

Rates at individual Bibb high schools ranged from the Hutchings Career Center, 71 percent, to Southwest, 39 percent.

Houston's rate rose just over 2 points, to 75.59 percent.

School rates ranged from the career academy, 39 percent, to Veterans High School, 86 percent.

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'Click It Or Ticket' Begins Today

Submitted by 13WMAZ Web Staff

Monday, May 20th, 2013, 9:33am

Even more than usual, cops are hunting Georgia's roads today for people who aren't wearing their seat belts.

That's because today is the kick-off for the national "Click It or Ticket" campaign.

State officials with the Governor's Office of Highway Safety are reminding you that your local cops, Sheriff's offices, and the Georgia State Patrol will be on an increased lookout for drivers and passengers who aren't wearing their seat belts.

Officials say the campaign is an effort to save lives.

In 2011, the state of Georgia had 421 traffic deaths that involved a victim who wasn't wearing a seat belt.

This year, the state is on track to see more than 400 of those deaths in 2013.

If they catch you without your seat belt, you could get a ticket and face a hefty fine.

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13 Summer Camps for Kids

Submitted by 13WMAZ Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 10:32am

School is almost out in Central Georgia and it's time to consider what your kids would like to do until school resumes!

Here are a few summer camps we've seen:

1. Sky Camp over Eastman at MGSC!
For kids 10-14
June 25-27, 9-4 each day
$100 per student
Learn about aircraft maintenance, build and launch rockets, launch a space balloon, take a flight on an aircraft and more.

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FDIC Closes Jeffersonville Bank

Submitted by 13WMAZ Web Staff

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 5:19pm

Regulators closed Sunrise Bank in Jeffersonville Friday.

The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance closed the Valdosta-based Sunrise Bank, according to the FDIC website.

They had three offices in Georgia: Jeffersonville, Valdosta and Atlanta.

A news release says a branch of Synovus bank will take over in its place. They took over $54 million deposits from the failed bank.

CB&T of Middle Georgia will operate in Sunrise Bank's former Jeffersonville location.

Synovus owns Synovus Banks in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee.

They also own Bank of North Georgia, which has 41 branches in 16 metro Atlanta counties.

They have CB&T of Middle Georgia locations in Warner Robins, Perry, Fort Valley and Byron, Ga.

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Wanted by Macon Regional Crimestoppers

Submitted by Jake Wade

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 1:04pm

Macon Regional Crimestoppers says these people are wanted on warrants in Middle Georgia. If you have any information, call Crimestoppers at 478-742-2330 or 1-877-68CRIME.

1. Wayne Anthony Howard:
B/M DOB 02-11-64 Age 49 510 160 lbs.
Wanted by the Houston County Sheriff's Office for Violation of Probation.

2. Roy Dale Thompson:
W/M DOB 07-17-90 Age 22 508 130 lbs.
Wanted by the Houston County Sheriff's Office for Violation of Probation.

3. Ronald Steven Barton:
W/M DOB 01-22-66 Age 47 506 185 lbs.
Wanted by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office for Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon.

4. Albert Ray Manson:
B/M DOB 05-03-75 Age 38 604 170 lbs.
Wanted by the Houston County Sheriff's Office for Burglary.

5. Walter Croswell Massey Jr.:
W/M DOB 10-24-67 Age 45 508 210 lbs.
Wanted by the Jones County Sheriff's Office for Violation of Probation.

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Lane Closes on I-16 in Twiggs Co. for Guardrail Repair

Submitted by 13WMAZ Web Staff

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 10:42am

One I-16 lane closes on each side of the Interstate next week through Twiggs County for roadwork.

Crews will repair guardrails from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday between mile markers 14 and 16, according to a release.

That affects both east and westbound traffic.

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State Report Card Ranks Central Ga. Schools

Submitted by Bernard O'Donnell

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 8:46am

by Bernie O'Donnell, 13WMAZ.com

STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

- State moved to new scoring standard for school after opting out of AYP requirements with 'No Child Left Behind' exemption.

- The state average for elementary schools is 83.4; the middle school average is 81.4; and high school average is 72.6.

- The number of Central Georgia systems that beat the state averages: elementary - six; middle - eight; high school - seven.

Houston County has some of the best-performing schools in Central Georgia.

Most Bibb County schools aren't making the grade.

And some schools in Bleckley, Laurens, Washington and Jones counties drew some of the best grades when the state Department of Education released the report card for every state school.

The College and Career Ready Performance Index replaces the federal standard used until now, called Adequate Yearly Progress.

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