Dental Implants in Macon, GA

A new Georgia law, SB 110, gives parents more legal protection to let kids walk, play, or go to school alone. It took effect Jul 1.

MACON, Ga. — Georgia parents now have greater legal protections if they allow their children to walk to the store, play outside, or go to school alone, thanks to a new law updating the state’s juvenile code.

Senate Bill 110, which took effect July 1 after being signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, redefines what constitutes “neglect” and clarifies when authorities should intervene.

The legislation follows the arrest of Brittany Patterson, a North Georgia mother who was charged after letting her son walk to a nearby store alone. Her case sparked debate over children’s independence and the state’s role in parenting.

Under the new law, parents and guardians will not be investigated for neglect simply because they allow their children to engage in unsupervised activities—such as walking to school or playing outside—if they reasonably believe their child is mature and safe.

The law also introduces a more specific definition of “blatant disregard,” requiring that a parent must place a child in obvious, imminent danger before facing legal consequences.

Not everyone is convinced the law goes far enough. Darlene Johnson, a self-described “helicopter grandparent,” said she worries the law is too broad.

“That means a young child, my granddaughter’s age—nine years old, five years old—could go out and no one’s gonna be held responsible. I really feel that it’s our responsibility as parents and grandparents to keep the kids safe,” Johnson said.

Deborah Dennis, also a grandmother, said she believes children are not always mature enough to make safe decisions.

“Parents probably know their kids better than anybody, but I don’t believe that there’s a 7-year-old that’s mature enough to make a decision to walk to a store. I just don’t think they’re old enough to make that good to be a good decision. We want good decisions, make good choices, and at 7 years old, I don’t think they’re mature enough,” Dennis said.

Both women said they would prefer to see clear age limits for unsupervised activities. In Georgia, a child is defined as anyone under 18. Johnson added that teenagers are better equipped for independence.

“I think at least 13. I really think that at 13 the child is, you know, very verbal where they could express themselves, give details. What if someone did mess with them? They can say, 'Oh, they left in a blue sedan,' or they can tell you the car. You can’t get that from a 7-year-old,” Johnson said.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SRI Management has further expanded its portfolio with the addition of Westhill Macon, an Assisted Living and Memory Care community in Macon, Georgia.

Westhill Macon is ten miles northwest of downtown Macon and features 76 assisted living units and 22 memory care units. Surrounded by high-end residential neighborhoods and local cultural amenities, the community offers residents the charm of Southern living with the comforts of high-end hospitality.

The property’s distinctive design includes a grand promenade, cozy fireplace, signature water wall, saltwater pool, and cigar and scotch lounge. Residents also enjoy an on-site salon and spa offering salt and LYT therapy, grand balconies, and Southern-style outdoor spaces.

With this latest addition, SRI Management now operates nearly 60 senior living communities across 13 states, reinforcing the company’s ongoing growth and dedication to high-quality care.

“This is a very special community, and we’re excited to welcome Westhill Macon into the SRI family,” said SRI Management CEO Don W. Bishop. "From beautiful spaces to engaging programming and personalized care, every detail at Westhill Macon is designed to enhance the resident experience. It fits perfectly with our mission to create communities where we treat others as we want to be treated.”

At Westhill Macon, residents benefit from a comprehensive array of services, from medication management to music and pet therapy, within a thoughtfully designed setting. The community’s vibrant lifestyle is rooted in the local culture of Macon, a city known for its music, festivals, food, and Southern charm.

“Having a presence in Macon is a meaningful step for us,” SRI Management President Todd Filippone said. “It’s a vibrant city reflecting the values we feel are important, like hospitality, culture, and community. We look forward to building strong local partnerships and continuing to elevate the resident experience with the exceptional care and lifestyle Westhill Macon and SRI Management provide.”

With decades of experience in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, SRI Management continues to enrich the lives of older adults through personalized care, innovative lifestyle experiences, and a strong sense of community. To learn more about SRI Management and its communities, visit www.westhillmacon.com.

About SRI ManagementSRI Management provides seniors and their families with an exceptional senior living experience, guided by the company’s core values of Character, Compassion, Commitment, Consistency, and Communication. SRI Management oversees nearly 60 Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care communities throughout the United States. More information about SRI Management can be found at www.srimgt.com.

Media Contact: Dave ConePhone: (850) 583-7990Email: communications@srimgt.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3b55778b-1cdc-47ed-aca5-546a05180300https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/29ba593e-16ae-4258-9389-c0d99872ff88

(WGXA) — Still need plans to celebrate Independence Day in Middle Georgia?

Here in Macon, Lake Tobesofkee will host its 28th Annual Sparks Over the Park Independence Day celebration, complete with live music from the Plum Tuckered Band and a fireworks show just after 9 p.m. Attendees can expect the usual swimming, boating and picnics during the day.

Gates at each Lake Tobesofkee park opened at 8 a.m. Friday and will close at 10 p.m. in the evening. Admission is $3 per person, and kids get in for free.

The Historic Ingleside Neighborhood Association is also inviting neighbors and friends to a Fourth of July parade at 10:30 AM! The parade will cover Riverdale, Belvedere and Albermarle before returning to Riverdale. After the Parade, there will be treats and fun for the whole family.

While in Fort Valley, Lane Southern Orchards Farm is hosting a family fun day featuring a kids play zone, food trucks, a game trailer, and an exotic animal meet and greet at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Tickets are $12.00, and kids three and under are free.

Up in Milledgeville, the city plans to kick off its Fourth of July fireworks celebration at dusk on CGTC's campus. The campus parking lot will be closed for the show and suggested spots for best viewing are Walter B. Williams Park and the parking lot at the Board of Education.

Cochran is celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks, food trucks, a glow run/walk, bounce houses, and family games and activities. The event starts at 6:00 PM and fireworks begin at 9:00 PM in Downtown Cochran.

And in Juliette, the city's 5th Annual Fireworks show promises fun for the whole family with a raffle before the show to win a cooler full of tackle that's sure to come in handy for a fishing trip. The show will begin at dusk and the best view will be from the Juliette boat ramp that overlooks the Ocmulgee River.

In Forsyth, there will be family fun, food trucks and fireworks that light up the sky. The annual fireworks show will take place at Ingram Field, located across from City Hall, at 9:30 PM. The event will also feature a concert performance by Not Your Average Band, a family-friendly cover band, at 7:30 PM. Food vendors will include Fig Tree Catering, Eggroll Daddy, Fox City Brewing Co, Frios Pops and Sweet Mama's Fresh Squeezed Lemonade.

On Saturday, July 5, Dublin is celebrating July 4th with a splash and fireworks show at Sountern Pines Regional Park at 575 Southern Pines Road. Doors open at the water park at 9 AM and tickets are $12.00 per person. The recreational park will kick off fireworks at 9:00 PM, and visitors are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets.

Happy Fourth of July!

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An 11-foot alligator was captured near Houston Avenue in South Bibb, marking the 11th alligator capture in Bibb County this month.

MACON, Ga. — An 11-foot alligator caused quite a stir Tuesday morning when it was spotted lurking in a wooded area along Houston Avenue near Charlotte Street in South Bibb.

Bibb County Animal Enforcement confirmed this is the 11th gator captured and relocated in the county just within the last month, a sharp increase likely tied to the peak of alligator mating season.

Miami native Max McCorvey, who currently lives right off Houston Ave, said he’s used to seeing gators in the wild — but not here.

“We fish a whole bunch, so we see gators every day on the river,” McCorvey said. “But there ain’t no body of water out here right now, so I would think there’s no gators. If there’s one, there’s probably multiple. They breed a lot.”

Bibb Sheriff Office deputies and crews from Macon-Bibb County Fire Station Engine 7 responded quickly Tuesday morning to assist animal enforcement officers with the massive reptile’s capture. The gator was found resting in the brush just off the road.

Lieutenant Joseph Pettway, a former Florida trapper, helped lead the effort.

“Mullis and Rogers jumped on his back, held him down so they could get him taped up,” Pettway said. “Everything’s really a part of our job description. We've had it happen quite a few times throughout Macon. The best thing to do is just call somebody. Don’t mess with it.”

Animal enforcement officers stressed the importance of keeping a safe distance and immediately calling 911 if a gator is spotted.

Alligators are more active during summer months, especially during mating season, but they typically stay near lakes, ponds or swamps. Their appearance in neighborhoods like this one is rare — but not unheard of.

Animal enforcement says the captured gator was safely relocated to a wildlife area approved by the Department of Natural Resources.

While several restaurants will close their doors on the 4th of July, many are temporarily shutting their doors before and after the holiday. Find out who.

MACON, Ga. — With Independence Day drawing close, many people around Central Georgia are set to host family members and friends from all over for the celebration.

While many plan to grill out on July 4th, there’ll be times when guests will need to be entertained and fed. In moments where they don’t wanna cook, many Central Georgians will likely look to take people to their favorite local spot.

However, a few of those spots are shutting their doors for the next few days to either enjoy some time off or make some needed renovations.

Here’s a look at some of the Central Georgia restaurants that are closed before or after the July 4th.

The Macon-based seafood restaurant closed up as it usually does each year.

In a social post, they thanked their customers for “a great” first half of the year and their support after a shed caught fire behind the restaurant. They did elect to do their annual closing for a short time to enjoy a break after a hectic start to the year.

Based on the social post, the restaurant said they’ll enjoy their break, but they’ll also have an opportunity to get some large-scale renovations done.

They said they’ll be closed from Monday, June 30, through Saturday, July 5, and will reopen Monday, July 7.

The restaurant right downtown in Macon will be taking some time off for the holiday.

According to a social post, from Monday, June 30, through Sunday, July 6, the restaurant will be closed to give employees time to enjoy a summer break and to make some renovations.

They've quickly found old draft menus and other goodies during their renovations, but they encouraged everyone to enjoy the summer sun.

The restaurant known for serving up classic staples has shut its doors for the week of Independence Day.

In a social post, they said they plan to be closed from Monday, June 30, through Sunday, July 6 and will reopen on Monday, July 7.

They did not include a lot of information, but did say they plan to close for both the holiday and for maintenance.

The Mexican restaurant on Mulberry Street has elected to give its employees a break.

Based on a social post, they'll be closed from Monday until Sunday. They will reopen their doors on Monday, July 7.

They thanked their guests for their continued support and asked everyone to stay safe and have fun during the holidays.

One of the newest additions to Bolingbroke’s food scene will be closed the week of July 4.

In a social post, they said they’ll be closed for a full week until reopening on Tuesday, July 8.

They didn’t provide a reason for their closure, but wished everyone a happy 4th of July.

As they approach their first anniversary, Braddock’s Cask & Table is planning to take a long holiday break from Tuesday through Friday, July 4.

They said in a social post that they’d like to give everyone a break before celebrating their anniversary and holding their first brunch. They said their chef hasn’t had a break since Thanksgiving.

They announced their first brunch will be on their first day back — July 5 — and that it’s reservation only.

The fine eatery in Perry won’t be closed for long, but will take a few days off to celebrate the holiday.

In a social post, they said they’ll be taking July 4 and July 5 off to celebrate Independence Day with their families.

After their short break, they’ll return to their normal hours on Tuesday, July 8 and will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.

Mercer Village Pizza

Mercer Village Pizza will be closed on Thursday and Friday, according to a social post from the restaurant. They say the closure is to support its team members, allowing them to "celebrate Independence Day with friends, family, and fireworks!"

The Greek eatery on Watson Boulevard in Warner Robins will also take a few days off for the holiday.

In a social post, they said they’ll be closed from Friday, July 4, through Sunday, July 6. They said they plan to reopen on Monday, July 7.

The part restaurant, part fresh produce market in Macon will take a few days off for the holidays.

In a social post, they said that they’ll operate under normal business hours until Thursday, but will be closed on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5.

They said that they’ll continue to offer their produce, baked goods and classic soul food until then from 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.

Unlike the other restaurants listed, it will be open on the 4th of July, but will be closed the next week for a family vacation.

In a social post, they said from Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 11, the burger restaurant and small-town diner will be closed.

They said in other social posts that they will be open the entire Independence Day weekend, including on the 4th of July, and invited everyone to come out and enjoy their burgers and ice cream before they take a week off for the summer.