If you live in Macon or have been before then you probably know that the International Cherry Blossom is one of the city’s largest events and easily one of the favorites! The festival is currently in its 29th year and this year’s events are easily the best yet. TheBlueIndian.com will be out and about this week taking photos, videos, and enjoying all of the fun activities, music, and art. There’s bound to be live music that caters to every person’s taste!

Macon's former former public works director has one week to request a hearing to appeal his firing.

Richard Powell was dismissed earlier this year by Mayor Robert Reichert and he wants the council to review it. But he waived his right to a public hearing.

Tuesday, the council said he should follow proper procedure and ask for a formal hearing.

Reichert's termination letter to Powell cited several reasons for firing him.

It claimed that Powell was unable to draw up his department budget on his own, mishandled changes in garbage and recycling routes, violated city code by hunting wild hogs at the city landfill and behaved inappropriately with a female employee.

Powell told 13WMAZ'S Eleanor Lissitzyn that he will request a hearing. If he does, an administrative law judge will run it, and the Macon City Council will act as jury.

Powell needs 10 votes from the council's 15 members to overturn his firing.

ATLANTA (AP) -- Newt Gingrich will address Georgia Republicans at their annual convention in Macon in May. The former U.S. House speaker is set to speak the convention's victory dinner May 13. Gingrich has been shoring up support in his old home state as he readies for a possible White House bid. He's raising money as he tests the water and expects to announce a decision in early May. If he does run, Gingrich has the backing of Georgia's current and former chief executives. Gov. Nathan Deal and former Gov. Sonny Perdue have both said they'll support the 10-term congressman.

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