President Jimmy Carter and former first lady, Rosalynn, attended a ceremony at Wesleyan College Thursday afternoon, honoring the woman who was perhaps the country's best-known "first mother."

Lillian Carter, recognized in the late 70's as America's "favorite grandmother," and perhaps best-known as "Miz Lillian," earned one more title.

In a ceremony, Thursday morning, President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn accepted a Georgia Women of Achievement Award in honor of the late Mrs. Carter.

Rosalynn, the keynote speaker, says her spunk made Miss Lillian a household name.

"You never knew what she was going to say," says Carter.

Rosalynn Carter, a Plains native like her husband, says she spent much of her childhood at the Carter house; she was best friends with Jimmy's younger sister, Ruth.

Carter says, the times never changed Miss Lillian, not even Jimmy's presidency.

Bibb County and city of Macon leaders have agreed to seek a SPLOST this November to pay for recreation improvements.
If voters approve the sales-tax increase, they say, the county will take over management of recreation facilities in all of Bibb County.

It's part of a wide-ranging plan to redefine which services are provided by the city and which by the county.

Mayor Robert Reichert and County Commission Chairman Sam Hart announced the plan Thursday morning.

New numbers from the Georgia Department of Labor show that Macon's unemployment rate rose to 10.5% in the month on January.

The new numbers show Macon's unemployment rate increased from 10.2% in December. The release from the Department of Labor says layoffs in retail trade, construction, administrative and support services are to blame for the increase.

In Warner Robins the unemployment rate remained at 7.8% from December to January, says the release.

The Department of Labor says unemployment increased in all areas of the state in January except in Warner Robins. Of the 25 local areas, Warner Robins had the lowest January jobless rate at 7.8%.

January marked the 40th consecutive month that Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently at 9%.