The (Macon) Telegraph week in review

By This digest was produced using AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division.

April 30, 2026 4:23 PM

Bibb County School District bus driver Clarenza Payton unplugs an all-electric school bus from its charger at the district bus depot in Macon, Ga. Fifteen all-electric buses were added to the district’s fleet, marking a first for BCSD. Katie Tucker The Telegraph

Bibb County schools unveil electric and propane buses

The Bibb County School District unveiled 15 new electric school buses, 10 propane-powered buses, and 15 electric charging stations on April 23, marking a significant step in its clean transportation initiative. The 15 electric buses, a first for the district, were funded through a nearly $6 million EPA Clean School Bus program grant. Propane-powered vehicles now make up 71% of the fleet, with the total reaching 151 propane buses. Dr. Keisha Callins cited research suggesting children on diesel buses may be exposed to up to 15 times more air pollutants than the general population. District transportation director Anthony V. Jackson noted fuel and maintenance savings of 27 and 23 cents per mile, respectively, compared to diesel. The buses are Blue Bird Vision Electric models, built by the Macon-headquartered Blue Bird Corporation.

Reported by Margaret Walker, published April 27

Little Light Coffee Co. opens new Warner Robins drive-thru

Little Light Coffee Co. has expanded in Warner Robins with a new drive-thru location at 107 Assembly Lane, near the intersection of Ga. 247 and Sandy Run Road, in the former Caffe Vignette space. Owners Jaimi and Kevin Norrell, who took over the original Watson Boulevard shop in mid-March 2025, have grown the brand to include a Montana location and a community space addition. The drive-thru features two dedicated lanes and offers specialty coffees, hand-topped mini vanilla doughnuts, and made-to-order beignets. Marketing director Anita Jantz noted the corridor near Robins Air Force Base lacked a coffee option following the closure of a nearby Hardee’s. The grand opening on April 10 drew heavy traffic, with employees reportedly stuck in the drive-thru line. Hours are 5 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

Reported by Becky Purser, published April 26

Former Monroe County youth pastor faces child porn charges

A former Monroe County youth pastor is facing child pornography charges after Pennsylvania State Police records revealed more than 150 explicit photos and videos linked to his Snapchat account, authorities say. Investigators say the suspect, a Macon native, was arrested April 10 at a relative’s Houston County residence by the U.S. Marshals Service and was held without bond pending extradition to Pennsylvania. Police were called to a Lycoming County home on Dec. 27, 2025, after a mother found concerning images on her 10-year-old child’s phone. Authorities allege the suspect posed as a girl to solicit explicit images from children via Snapchat. Location data reportedly placed his device at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Monroe County, which immediately terminated him upon learning of his arrest. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and FBI are currently investigating whether any offenses occurred in Georgia, with search warrants obtained for devices in Monroe and Bibb County, authorities say.

Reported by Myracle Lewis, published April 23

Houston County man freed after decades-long sentence

Jessie Askew, 52, was released from prison after a Houston County judge granted a rare legal request that changed his life sentence to 25 years with credit for all time served since September 6, 1997. Askew had been sentenced to life without parole in 1998 for robbing Morrison’s Fresh Cooking, a punishment pushed by then-District Attorney Kelly Burke to demonstrate toughness and supported by Askew’s prior felony convictions under Georgia’s recidivist statutes. A consent order signed by current Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards and defense attorneys Kendell Long and Michael Admirand made the release possible. Defense attorney Admirand argued Askew’s sentence was unusually severe compared to similar Houston County cases. Askew’s sister addressed the court and asked for leniency, saying she had witnessed her brother’s remorse and growth over the years.

Reported by Alba Rosa, published April 24

Early voting opens in Middle Georgia for primary races

Middle Georgia voters can cast their ballots early through May 15, with Election Day set for May 19. Statewide, voters will weigh in on two Georgia Supreme Court seats and two Court of Appeals seats, with Justice Ben Land and appellate judges Sara Doyl, David Todd Markle, and J. Wade Padgett running uncontested. Both Democrat and Republican voters will select party representatives in races for U.S. Senate, Governor, and several other statewide offices. In Macon-Bibb County, early voting is available at the Macon Mall, the Elaine H. Lucas Senior Center, and Theron Ussery Park Recreation Center, open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Weekend hours are also available. All voters will also decide on a proposed 1% sales and use tax in Houston County aimed at reducing property taxes. Absentee ballot requests must be submitted by May 8 via the Secretary of State’s website.

Reported by Alba Rosa, published April 27

Three Bibb County deputies fired over use of force

Three Bibb County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been separated from the agency following internal investigations into alleged use-of-force incidents, authorities say. Deputies Frank Flucas and Kenneth Hester, along with deputy Meshaun Gibson, are no longer employed with the office. Flucas is accused of striking a handcuffed inmate in the face inside the Bibb County Jail on March 26. Hester allegedly struck a subject in the face during an arrest on February 10, causing a laceration. Gibson is accused of using excessive force against a compliant man during a domestic dispute response. All three turned themselves in and were released on bond. Hester and Flucas face misdemeanor battery charges, while Gibson faces simple battery. Sheriff David Davis stated that officers must act within the law and that violations require decisive, transparent action.