🌱 County Wants To Close M&M Grocery In Macon + Two Deputies Arrested

Hello, everybody! It's me, Rose Mendez, your host of the Macon Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Some sun with a thunderstorm. High: 80 Low: 66.
• Friday: Mostly sunny and warmer. High: 91 Low: 66.

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Here are the top three stories today in Macon:

1. Macon-Bibb County has filed a request to the superior court to have M&M Grocery on Montpelier Avenue permanently closed due to frequent incidents on the premises including homicides, car theft, stabbings, shootings, and drug sales. According to the county, the store violated conditions of an October 2022 court order, including operation hours and preventing loitering and gatherings, which led to a reemergence of conditions that threaten public safety. The county stated that more than 894 emergency 911 calls have been made from the store since 2016. (WGMT 41 News)
2. On Tuesday, Jun. 13, two Bibb County sheriff's deputies resigned and turned themselves into the sheriff's office for arrest. Quency Barnes and Frederick Ogletree were arrested for battery and violation of oath after they allegedly used "excessive and unnecessary force" to restrain a female inmate on May 30 at the Bibb County jail. Both have been released on bond and the investigation is ongoing. (Corrections1)
3. Bibb County commissioners visited different parks and recreation departments around Macon on Jun. 13 to hear from the communities about what improvements should be made. Macon Mayor Lester Miller said they will start allocating funds and residents should see improvements begin in six to 12 months. The county has over $7 million to spend on Macon's various parks and centers. (13WMAZ)

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Today and tomorrow in Macon:

Thursday, June 15

• Thrilling Science Thursday At Museum of Arts And Sciences (1:00 PM)
• Alex Stone Trio At The Historic Grants Lounge (9:00 PM)

Friday, June 16

• Good Times Bingo At Anderson Conference Center (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Macon-Bibb County will have its first-ever Juneteenth parade next week! Macon Black Culture will host the parade on Jun. 19 at 11:00 a.m. The event will also include vendors, music, and a soul food competition. (41 NBC News)
• Macon native and Westside High School alum Kareem Jackson was back in Macon last weekend to host his free youth football camp at Ed Defore Sports Complex! The football star is preparing for his 14th year as an NFL safety. View the link to read what Jackson has to say about his career, teammates, and more. (13WMAZ)
• HFG Development of Stockbridge and Rowland Engineering of Macon presented a plan to Macon-Bibb County Planning & Zoning commissioners to rezone nearly 79 acres to build 368 homes off Jennifer Drive near Interstate 75. Commissioners told the developers that building a walking trail over wetlands is not viable, the amenity requirements were not met, and increased traffic concerns must be addressed. A new proposal hearing is set for Jul. 10. (13WMAZ)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Rose Mendez

About me: Rose Mendez is a freelance writer. She is studying English Literature at Hunter College. She loves reading, walking around the city, and coffee!