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Macon Community News

The Macon Newsroom

Macon Community News

The Macon Newsroom

Macon Community News

The Macon Newsroom

Macon Water Authority executives review plans to correct flooding problems in south Bibb County near Nowell Estates.

MWA knows how to fix south Bibb flooding, but here’s why it still may take years

The Macon Water Authority’s project in Nowell Estates could have been shelved if not for negotiations with Army Corps of Engineers
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
July 3, 2023
Macon Water Authority District 2 seat is now empty after attorneys concluded Desmond Brown legally vacated the office when he qualified to run for the at-large chairman's seat.

5 qualify for Macon Water Authority, including man who vacated the seat

Special election on Nov. 8 is to fill the unexpired term of Desmond Brown who wants to regain seat after failed run for MWA chairman
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
August 17, 2022
The Macon Water Authority's Kendra Finney, left, talks with property owners who attended committee meetings at Macon City Hall on May 19.

South Bibb neighbors will have to sell some land for flooding fix

Macon Water Authority to meet with property owners and hold stormwater credit workshop for businesses
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
June 3, 2022
Gary Bechtel, left, and Desmond Brown advance to the June 21 runoff election for Macon Water Authority chairman.

Top executive leaving Macon Water Authority as chairman’s race goes to runoff

Gary Bechtel took 47 percent of the vote, putting him in a runoff with Desmond Brown, who received 30 percent
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
May 27, 2022
 Macon Water Authority race pits incumbent against political newcomer

 Macon Water Authority race pits incumbent against political newcomer

District 1 incumbent Anissa Jones defends gerrymandering claim as challenger Eleanor Welch is sidelined by injury
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
May 3, 2022
Bechtel, Brown, Ellington, (left to right)

Voters to pick new chairman at critical time for Macon Water Authority

2 of the 3 candidates have sat on the board overseeing the MWA water, sewer and stormwater utility
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
April 29, 2022
A Macon Water Authority worker climbs out of the storm sewer as the crew works on clearing a storm drain in Mercer Village after flash flooding last fall. The EPD found the Stormwater Management Program to be in compliance for the first time since the county was fined $145,000 for documented deficiencies in 2018.

EPD: Macon now stormwater compliant after 2018 fines

Bibb School System strikes deal for reduced stormwater fees
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
April 22, 2022
South Bibb County Nowell Estates resident Mary Ann Chevalley was one of several neighbors enduring stormwater flooding who addressed the Macon Water Authority at its April meeting.

South Bibb neighbors demand MWA create plan to battle ‘horrendous’ stormwater flooding

Macon Water Authority hears multiple complaints about chronic flooding as Sheddrick Clark rejoins board in District 2
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
April 8, 2022
A Macon Water Authority Stormwater Management crew unclogs a storm sewer after flash flooding in Mercer Village last fall.

MWA adds stormwater credits, raises starting pay in critical staff shortage

Macon Water Authority chairman candidate Desmond Brown files bankruptcy as replacement sought for his vacated District 2 seat
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
March 18, 2022
Former District Attorney David Cooke speaks at Thursday's Macon Water Authority meeting about the censure of board member Desmond Brown. Cooke's special counsel investigation concluded Brown had a "blatant conflict of interest" in billing the authority for flood damage on behalf of a client of Brown's disaster mitigation business.

Board member censure fractures Macon Water Authority, stymies committees

MWA Chairman Sam Hart balked at removing District 2's Desmond Brown from committees after 'blatant conflict of interest' as authority also faces redistricting challenges
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
February 4, 2022
Former District Attorney David Cooke, left, delivers his special counsel report on Macon Water Authority Board Member Desmond Brown during a called meeting in January.

“Blatant conflict of interest” leads to censure of Macon Water Authority board member

Through his company, District 2’s Desmond Brown billed the authority for more than $46K for a client’s flood damage
Liz Fabian, Civic Journalism Senior Fellow
January 28, 2022
22 things to look for in 2022 in Bibb County

22 things to look for in 2022 in Bibb County

Center for Collaborative Journalism Civic Fellows Liz Fabian and Laura Corley preview what's expected in the coming year.
Liz Fabian and Laura Corley, CCJ Civic fellows
December 21, 2021
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