Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Macon’s $350M arena deal and new projects mean for you

Coming up on the Macon Patch calendar: Cannonball House's Fall Bazaar

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Hey hey Macon! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Macon's $350M arena deal and new projects mean for you
  • When will Raising Cane's finally open on Riverside Drive?
  • What led to the Macon shooting that injured five men?

Also on today's calendar: Cannonball House's Fall Bazaar and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Dylanda Y.!

Today's riddle: What are the two favorite words for a shark to hear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Periods of sun, with a high of 87 and low of 51 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 86, low: 54.
  • Tuesday: Warm with plenty of sun, with a high of 90 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. $350M arena bond deal done, chronic homelessness, working for better sidewalks (macon-newsroom.com) — Macon-Bibb County has finalized a $350 million bond deal for the new arena while keeping its AA- bond rating, and is tying repayment to arena revenues and surrounding East Bank development. Mayor Lester Miller also outlined sidewalk priorities near schools, courthouse security upgrades, homelessness and mental health strategies, election access at Macon Mall, and future plans for solid waste, taxes, and the closed landfill—changes that will shape daily life across Macon.
   

2. Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers announces opening date for Macon location. Here's when (13wmaz.com) — Raising Cane's is set to open its first Macon location on Riverside Drive on Monday, Oct. 19, bringing about 110 new jobs with benefits. The restaurant will feature a drive-thru, late hours, and dine-in parking, and is operated directly by the company rather than a franchisee. Locals can already apply online for positions ranging from cashiers to fry cooks.
   

3. UPDATE: 20-year-old arrested in Macon shooting that wounded 5 men (41nbc.com) — Macon residents are learning that a 20-year-old man has been arrested in connection with Wednesday night's shooting near Anthony Road and Mercer University Drive that wounded five men. Bibb County deputies say he faces multiple aggravated assault, gang, and firearm charges and is being held without bond. Investigators are still gathering information and are asking anyone with tips to contact the sheriff's office or Macon Regional Crimestoppers.
   

4. Metro Macon Unemployment Rate at 4.0% as Labor Force and Employment Grow Over the Year (middlegeorgiaceo.com) — Metro Macon's unemployment rate is now 4.0%, slightly higher than last month but still lower than a year ago, according to state labor officials. The area's labor force and employment both grew over the year, even as total jobs dipped modestly. Initial unemployment claims in Macon also fell compared to both last month and last year.
   

5. Two Middle Georgia mental health providers merge as the state streamlines its safety net care (gpb.org) — A Macon-based provider, River Edge Behavioral Health, has taken over services from the Oconee Center Community Service Board, expanding its reach to six additional Middle Georgia counties. The move, backed by state mental health reforms, aims to stabilize finances and standardize crisis, addiction, and disability services, including new inpatient centers and jail-based support programs that directly affect how Macon-area residents access behavioral healthcare.
   

📣 Macon Shout Outs!

  • 🌟 Shout Out to Rock Springs Church Macon for All the Love, prayers and encouragement 🙏. This is the most Loving church. Pastor Benny, Pastor Noah and the entire Pastorial Staff Thank You —Dylanda Y. Like

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

NEW: Like a shout-out or pic? Click the heart!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Macon

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Paying a minimum of $200!
    My company, Cornerstone Fabrication LLC needs help for two days. I'm looking for a general laborer who can help with a repair job. We need someone… (Nextdoor Vineville)
  • Sort and customize your Nextdoor newsfeed
    Why Am I Seeing Posts from Far Away (Not Just My Neighborhood)? Why Can't I Receive Only the Email or Notifications I Want? Why Am I Getting "You… (Nextdoor Vineville)
  • Kroger posted a job opening for Online Grocery Pick-Up Clerk in Macon. Apply here.
  • Peet's Coffee & Tea posted a job opening for Route Sales Representative Hybrid in Macon. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Macon here.

Ok Macon! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "MAN OVERBOARD!" (Thank you M J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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