Washington will be the star of WJBF Channel 6's first new "Your Hometown" visit later this month, and station personnel met with local representatives here Friday to plan the live broadcast.

On Friday, March 28, the news team from the Augusta ABC affiliate will roll into Washington to broadcast its 90-minute newscasts from 5 to 6:30 p.m. live from The Square, WJBF-TV's Pete Michenfelder told those gathered at The Fitzpatrick Hotel for lunch.

Michenfelder, along with news anchor Jennie Montgomery, meteorologist George Myers, production manager Scott Elledge, Robert Pippin, and Brandy Rushton discussed the revival of the popular "Your Hometown" series of newscasts that News Channel 6 did until 2004.

"We are so glad to be doing Your Hometown news again," said Jennie Montgomery, "and we're so glad to start with Washington."

She said the news content that day would focus on Washington people and stories, and that news teams would be in town reporting stories in the weeks prior. The live newscasts come just before the annual Spring Tour of Homes and the visit to Washington of the Tour de Georgia in April.

George Myers told the local group that he was looking forward to the visit. "Of all the things we do at Channel 6, this has been our favorite, and Washington the first place we wanted to come."

The news crews will be visiting schools, industries, shops, and businesses that are representative of Wilkes County, Michenfelder said. They will be in town all that afternoon, and begin the newscasts live at 5 p.m., 5:30, and at 6 p.m.

The citizens of Washington are expected to come out and be a part of the coverage, they said. "We want a big crowd on The Square," said production manager Scott Elledge. "The Square and the Fitzpatrick Hotel capture the essence of Washington, and it's the perfect setting. With a big crowd, we'll make you look as good as we can."

Churches, civic clubs, school groups, and others are invited to join the crowd on The Square that day and use the opportunity for fundraisers, he said.

Local businesses have the opportunity to advertise during the newscasts, Michenfelder said, with special packages and promotions, and representatives were in town this week to talk with potential advertisers.

The station has already begun to promote the visit, with a report on Friday's visit on Friday's newscast, links on the WJBF web site and promotional teasers broadcast in the weeks leading up to the event.

"We're really excited that Channel 6 chose Washington for the first stop on their Your Hometown Tour," said Tourism Director Ashley Barnett. "I know it's going to bring lots of good attention our way."