Shipping Containers for Sale in Macon, GA

A high-speed chase hit speeds of 130 mph and crossed multiple counties resulted in one dead and another in custody.

TWIGGS COUNTY, Ga. — A person is dead and another was arrested after a multi-county high-speed chase reaching 130 miles per hour ended in a fatal crash, according to a release from the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office.

The sheriff's office said that a patrol deputy saw a vehicle parked at a closed gas station near Sgoda Rd. around 2 a.m. on Friday that didn't have valid insurance. The deputy tried to make a traffic stop on the eastbound lane of the Interstate 16 ramp near the 12-mile marker.

The sheriff's office added that while the vehicle initially stopped, they suddenly drove away, and a chase that reached extremely high speeds began.

They said the chase was on I-16 and continued into both Laurens County and Treutlen County. Sheriff's offices in both counties helped with the chase.

Based on the release, the Laurens County Sheriff's Office attempted to put down spike strips, but the driver avoided it.

Other deputies tried a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit. However, someone in the car fired multiple gunshots at the deputies' vehicles during the PIT maneuver, and the driver managed to regain control and continue the chase.

The driver eventually lost control of the vehicle again in Treutlen County, causing it to overturn and ending the chase, the sheriff's office said. While the driver was taken into custody and brought elsewhere for medical treatment due to life-threatening injuries, the passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Twiggs County Sheriff's Office thanked the other sheriff's offices and the Georgia State Patrol for helping in the high-speed chase.

They added that the chase and crash is an active and ongoing investigation, with many agencies helping. They added that multiple deputies are still at the scene.

This is a developing story. We will provide updates as we get further information.

The Fair Food Frenzy is coming to Macon for First Friday this week, and more than 15 local businesses are joining in on the culinary competition.

MACON, Ga. — Central Georgia diners are in for a treat.

The Fair Food Frenzy is coming to Macon for First Friday this week, and more than 15 local businesses are joining in on the culinary competition.

Cashman's Pub is one of the restaurants getting in on the fun. Jasmine Gregg, one of the Kitchen Managers at Cashman's Pub, said they're looking forward to the challenge.

"At Cashman's Pub, we usually participate in competitions or events going around," she said. "We keep it pushing and keep on going."

Gregg said at Cashman's, they'll be bringing forward a foot-long, deep-fried, chili cheese coney with melted jalapeños.

She said the Cashman's kitchen was "bouncing around ideas," when they landed on the chili cheese coney, a different kind of delicacy than you'd usually find in Central Georgia.

Gregg said the creative drive to create new items is one of several interesting aspects of the competition.

"It brings out the ideas in our kitchen's head, and it's fun to do," she said. "It's also a big thing for getting our name out there."

Gregg said the competition reflected the kind of environment that they're trying to create at Cashman's: good times and good food.

"It's a great atmosphere, a place to have fun and relax," she said of Cashman's Pub. "We have events going on, specials every day. We have trivia, bingo, live performances, all types of thing."

The following establishments will all be competing in the Fair Food Frenzy, according to the Downtown Macon Facebook page:

Photo: Courtesy of the city of Macon, Georgia

The Macon-Bibb County has officially selected Barton Malow, in association with Sheridan Construction, to manage the construction of the new arena. This facility will replace the current and is set to cater to a variety of events, including minor league hockey, basketball games, concerts, and trade shows. The arena will feature a modern design, aiming to provide a top-tier experience for guests with amenities including luxury suites, club seating, and extensive modern fan amenities.

Construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2026, with a planned completion date of 2028. Macon-Bibb Mayor Lester Miller has emphasized the arena's potential to be a significant economic engine, attracting visitors and supporting the city's competitiveness against other areas in Georgia.

Photo: Courtesy of the City of Macon, Georgia

The new arena aims to be more than a venue; it is envisioned as a destination that will enhance the region’s reputation for tourism. Officials believe the facility will generate business opportunities and help maintain low taxes for citizens by bringing in revenue. The arena’s location near Interstate 16 is designed to capture the attention of passing motorists, enticing them to make a stop in Mac

Local leaders are optimistic that this project will foster an environment ripe for cultural and entertainment growth, with connections to nearby venues like the Atrium Health Amphitheater and the renovated Macon City Auditorium. The success of these venues could provide a model for what the new arena can achieve.

While the total cost for the arena is still to be finalized, estimates suggest that initial budgeting will rely on the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) approved by voters. Currently, $5.7 million has been earmarked from the total projected budget of $450 million.

MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — Ron Shipman, the President and Executive Director of the Macon Water Authority, died on Friday evening.

According to MWA, Shipman has been serving in the position since 2022, bringing his decades of experience in leadership and "commitment to public service" to the water authority.

Throughout his tenure, he worked closely with the authority's Board of Directors, employees, and community partners to advance essential water and sewer services and infrastructure, thereby supporting the health, safety, and economic well-being of Macon-Bibb County.

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MWA stated that Shipman's loss had a profound impact on all those who worked alongside him. Gary Bechtel, Chairman of the MWA Board, called Shipman's death a "painful loss" not only to his colleagues but to the community.

“Personally, Ron Shipman was a dear friend, and it is a personal and painful loss,” said Bechtel. “As a professional, Ron gave his all to the Macon Water Authority and was committed to its success. He was a leader in our community, serving in multiple capacities, and Macon-Bibb mourns his passing. On behalf of the members of the Macon Water Authority, we ask for thoughts and prayers for Ron’s wife, Anita, and his entire family.

In a Facebook post, Macon Mayor Lester Miller added that Shipman was a "passionate individual" who dedicated his life to serving others.

"It is with a heavy heart that we remember a remarkable leader in our community who has recently passed away. Ron Shipman was a passionate individual who dedicated his life to serving others, always striving for a better future for everyone," Miller stated. "Despite the undue criticism he faced throughout his latest journey, his resilience never wavered.

Ron’s unwavering commitment to our community inspired many and fostered a spirit of unity and collaboration. He believed in the power of compassion and engagement, always listening to the voices of others and advocating for those who needed it most."

MWA says arraignments for Shipman's memorial and organization updates will be announced at a later time.

Stick with WGXA as we learn more and keep you ready for what's next.

A man who cashed millions of dollars in loans from a Gray bank was sentenced to seven years in prison Thursday and ordered to pay back the money.

Ronnie Atkinson faced Judge Marc Treadwell on Thursday morning, roughly nine months after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

The market president, Alan Childs, also was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The bank had established limits on how many loans a person could take out, and Childs allowed Atkinson to go over that amount. Childs also suggested Atkinson should bring in other people to take out loans for him, court records show.

Childs was ordered to serve one year and one day in prison in September 2025.

The case against Atkinson involved taking more than $3 million in loans from Morris Bank in Gray.

Faith Mote, Atkinson’s public defender, said the scheme wouldn’t have been possible without Childs, who allowed Atkinson to obtain the loans.

In exchange for admitting responsibility in the fraud scheme, Atkinson went “above and beyond” for the government by helping them build a case against Childs, Mote said, as well as conducting “controlled buys” of illicit drugs to get them off Georgia streets.

Atkinson was sentenced to seven years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release — a sentence far below the recommended guideline, according to Georgia law. Childs’ assistance to the government factored into the sentence, Treadwell said.

He also must pay back the $3 million.

How the scheme worked

Atkinson — who owned Ronnie Atkinson, LLC, a timber-harvesting company — took out the loans between 2018 and 2022. The loans were meant to buy equipment, but he eventually exceeded the $500,000 loan limit.

If an applicant wanted to obtain more loans despite surpassing the limit, the market president would need to obtain approval from the bank’s senior credit officer as well as evaluate the customer’s financial information, the purpose of the loan, collateral and ability to repay. A credit administration officer also would need to approve the loan, court records showed.

But Atkinson brought in friends and relatives to appear as borrowers while taking out the loans for his benefit, court records showed. Despite knowing Atkinson would receive the loans, Childs let him obtain the funds without seeking approval.

Atkinson also admitted to providing fraudulent bills of sale and inflating the prices of equipment for which he was seeking loans.

Since Morris Bank issued loans in checks addresses directly to the seller, Atkinson instructed the sellers to provide him with the checks so he could cash them out at Kevin’s Check Cashing in Macon.

In cases where no goods were sold, Atkinson would then provide “a picture of an identification card belonging to the person whom the check would be made out to, to cash the check without the person being present,” according to the indictment. The identification belonged to previous or current employees who gave him their licenses.