Good morning, Macon.

Surveillance footage from a Chevron gas station on Spring Street shows that on Tuesday night, 56-year-old Catrell Ford calmly talked with a driver before fleeing on foot and entering a wooded area near Rose Hill Cemetery—where deputies later chased and engaged him in a shootout following his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting at a Family Dollar parking lot that left Regina Smith dead and her 79-year-old relative hospitalized.

A man died in Warner Robins after firing at deputies during a stolen vehicle chase on September 3—deputies said they returned fire when he attempted to flee, and no officers were injured while the GBI investigates the incident.

At about 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, a 56-year-old woman died and a 79-year-old man was injured when shots were fired at a Family Dollar on Jeffersonville Road in East Macon—police are searching for a 43-year-old suspect named Catrell Ford last seen near Lancing Lane after an argument following a car crash.

Macon Fashion Week will run from November 2 to 8 and will highlight local fashion, design and sustainable practices through runway shows, workshops and panel discussions across the city.

A kickoff event is set for September 13 at 6 p.m. at Wesleyan College Leadership Lab+522 Cherry Street where local designers will present their work.

Meteorologists Ryan Stinnett and Noah Hauck visited Alexander II Magnet School today and spoke with nearly 100 first graders about severe weather and weather instruments—explaining topics like tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, snow and thunderstorms while showing thermometers, rain gauges and wind vanes.

Families in Central Georgia are starting the school year in new private schools thanks to the Georgia Promise Scholarship that covers up to $6,500 per student—nearly 9,000 families statewide have used the fund with hundreds in Bibb and Houston Counties, and the third application cycle runs through Sept. 30.

At L.H. Williams Elementary the first Walking School Bus event of 2025 was held to lower absenteeism and tardiness by engaging students after the holiday break.

Volunteers from Pleasant Hill joined Mystery Greeter Kevin Bacon on a community walk yesterday—future walks are set for October 13, December 1, January 6, January 20, February 19 and April 6.

Researchers identified two new bass species using genetic and physical differences, and one species—the Altamaha bass—is found in the Ocmulgee River near Macon; the discovery was detailed in a paper published on August 19.

At a Tuesday county commission meeting, Bibb County approved a short-term rental tax of $3 per night for Airbnb and Vrbo to raise about $2.5 million per year, awarded contracts for road repaving and airport upgrades totaling over $9 million, and began interviewing architects for a jail expansion after public outcry over poor jail conditions. Commissioners also unanimously accepted a four-acre land donation from 92-year-old George Clay—who survived a serious tractor accident decades ago—for a new fire station to be built within the next decade and named in his honor.

Sooza Brass Band Concert

9:30 p.m. – 3:30 a.m. — The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom — Cost info unavailable — Experience high-energy performances from Sooza and Jen in the Right Light as they rock downtown Macon.

The Giggle Fest - Customer Appreciation Night

7:30-10 p.m. — Cary W. Martin Conference Center — Discounted tickets available — Enjoy a night of laughter with top comedians to celebrate loyal customers.

King of Soul Fest 2025

4:30-9:30 p.m. — Capitol Theatre Macon — Ticketed event — Celebrate the legacy of Otis Redding with a night of musical performances and community spirit.

Big O Homecoming Show & Dance Featuring Mannie Fresh

8-10 p.m. — Capitol Theatre Macon — Ticket prices not listed — Experience the electrifying sounds of Mannie Fresh at the King of Soul Festival honoring Otis Redding.

Hughes Taylor Live Performance

9:00 – 10:30 PM — Grant's Lounge — Tickets available — Experience the soulful blues and impressive guitar skills of Macon's own Hughes Taylor.

Yächtley Crëw Concert

8-10 p.m. — Macon City Auditorium — Ticket prices vary — Catch the country’s #1 yacht rock band live in action!

Healing Service with Dave & Patricia Lage

10:30 PM – 12:30 AM — 109 Springfield Blvd — Free entry — Experience a powerful time of healing and restoration in Macon, Georgia.

Fall Meeting 2025 — GA EMC Technology Association

8 AM – 12 PM — GTC Electric Cooperative Training Center — Registration required — Attend the EMC Technology Association Fall Conference for engaging discussions on technology in the electric cooperative sector.

John Crist: Jokes for Humans Tour

7-8:30 p.m. — Macon City Auditorium — Mobile-only tickets — Enjoy a night of laughter with viral sensation and top touring comedian John Crist.

Macon Beyond: The Hunt at Burke Mansion

6:00 – 11:59 PM — Burke Mansion — $45+ — Experience a ghost hunt inside a historic mansion with cocktails and guided paranormal exploration.