Macon officials celebrate groundbreaking of south Bibb recreation center
Macon-Bibb County officials were on site Friday for the groundbreaking on a $7.6 million south Bibb County recreation center.
Some modifications were made to the facility to meet the budget after the first round of construction bids came in about $3 million higher than projected. But Friday’s event was an opportunity to celebrate the start of a project that fills a major void in the area.
“This is a project that the southern portion of our county has long asked for, has long needed and has long deserved,” Commissioner Scotty Shepherd said in a statement. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of everyone living around here or that are looking forward to another place to bring their families. From voting for the SPLOST to attending one of the design forums, it’s the people of Macon-Bibb that have made this project possible.”
The center will be built on Houston Road, south of the Sardis Church Road intersection.
The project is being paid for with special purpose local option sales tax revenue.
Vaughn named District Attorney of the Year for 2016
Oconee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Timothy G. Vaughn has been named District Attorney of the Year for 2016.
Vaughn began work as an assistant district attorney in the circuit in 1985 and was promoted in 1989 to chief assistant district attorney. He was appointed district attorney by then-Gov. Zell Miller in 1994 and has held the office since then with only one contested election, according to a release.
The Oconee circuit spans nearly 2,000 square miles and six counties — Bleckley, Dodge, Montgomery, Pulaski, Telfair and Wheeler.
Lauren Shurling, Vaughn’s chief assistant, nominated him for the award and said of him, “Tim treats everyone with respect — from the victims, to defendants, to judges and to the citizens he represents. Members of law enforcement and defense attorneys joke that even the defendants whom he sends to prison like and respect him.”
Warner Robins veterans center grand opening Tuesday
A veterans center opening Tuesday in Warner Robins will help provide a “one-stop shop” for services.
The Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center will provide services aimed at helping veterans and their families transition into Georgia’s colleges, universities and workforce. The center is a venture of the Technical College and University Systems of Georgia and also involves partnering with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service and Georgia Department of Labor, according to a release.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for veterans in Middle Georgia, and we are excited to be a part of it,” GDVS Commissioner Mike Roby said. “The VECTR Center aims to bring many partners together to serve veterans under one roof, and the GDVS is delighted to have been offered space under that roof.”
The grand opening, an invitation-only event, for the newly construction facility at 1001 S. Armed Forces Blvd. is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. The 32,000-square-foot building offers a home for the Warner Robins Veterans Field Service Office.
For additional updates and information, visit veterans.ga.gov/warner-robins. For more information on the VECTR Center, visit gavectr.org.
Telegraph writers Stanley Dunlap and Amy Leigh Womack contributed to this report.
This story was originally published July 29, 2016 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Macon officials celebrate groundbreaking of south Bibb recreation center."