A 13-year-old Cottonwood boy is facing a fight no child should ever endure — but thanks to thousands of strangers, he’s not facing it alone.
Karson Pender is a typical young teen who loves football and is known for his kindness and wisdom beyond his years. But in April, his world changed when he was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor impacting his cognitive abilities.
Since then, Karson has bravely completed 21 of his 42 chemotherapy treatments, with his family at his side every step of the way.
Support for Karson has now stretched far beyond his hometown. More than a thousand letters have arrived from across the country and around the world, each filled with love, encouragement, and hope.
The outpouring began through Cards for a Cure, a yearly holiday campaign dedicated to lifting the spirits of children battling cancer. Karson’s mother, Brittany Granger, says the letters have become a source of strength for her son on the hardest days.
“When you see hundreds and hundreds of strangers — people who don’t know you and you don’t know them — take time out of their day to send a card, that’s pretty special,” Granger said. “I think he thinks it’s a really neat deal.”
Each handwritten message brightens Karson’s day, giving him bursts of joy and energy to continue fighting.
His family says they look forward to the day when they can be the ones sending cards, spreading hope to other children going through the same battle. Their goal is to help deliver more than 3,500 cards next year.
Those wishing to support Karson and follow his journey can find more information on the family’s Facebook group and their GoFundMe page.
Petersen was convicted in the three-week Teasers Hard Rock Cabaret murder trial — the longest in county history — but fewer than half of the seated jurors were women. His current defense team argues that if more women had served, Petersen may have received life without parole instead of a death sentence. The Alabama attorney general’s office opposes a new trial. Judge Derrick has ordered both sides to submit briefs by January 15.
At the center of the dispute is a recording in which Valeska comments that he did not want an all-female jury. Defense attorneys say that remark, combined with the pattern of peremptory strikes, shows women were removed because of their sex. If the court agrees, it could order a new trial or a new sentencing hearing.
The court is also weighing claims that Petersen’s original lawyers, Ben Freeman and Christopher Capps, were ineffective. Both men testified Monday, insisting their performance met professional standards.
Judge Derrick will apply two main legal standards: whether the prosecutor’s jury strikes were based on gender and whether trial counsel’s performance fell below constitutional requirements under Strickland v. Washington. His decision will determine whether Petersen receives a new trial or whether the conviction and death sentence stand.
Both sides will file written arguments by the January deadline, after which Judge Derrick will issue a ruling that could either reopen one of the county’s most notable cases or leave the original verdict in place.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating 37-year-old Nicholas Lee Jones, who was last seen on December 6, 2025.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Jones leaving a local hotel with an unknown woman, believed to be Hispanic, in a red Jeep Cherokee. Deputies say Jones’ current whereabouts remain unknown.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 850-482-9624. Callers may remain anonymous.
This is a developing story — please share to help bring him home safely
Dothan Police are requesting the community’s assistance in identifying a person captured in a recently released photo connected to an ongoing investigation.
Officials urge anyone who recognizes the individual to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3632 or 334-793-0215. Callers who wish to remain anonymous will have their identities protected, authorities said.
The case number associated with this investigation is CN 01-25-029650.
Walton County deputies arrested Perry Lee Cosson on Sunday after a series of alarming incidents that investigators say targeted a local woman.
According to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the victim’s home after she reported receiving hundreds of explicit and threatening text messages and voicemails. In one alleged voicemail, Cosson reportedly said, “I chose not to (expletive) kill you. I want to and I can get away with it.”
Deputies say they discovered that earlier in the day, Cosson had gone to the victim’s property, where he allegedly burned the tires on his vehicle and threw frozen fish at the home’s exterior wall and the fence surrounding the property.
Cosson was taken into custody and charged with stalking. His bond was set at $100,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities have not released information regarding Cosson’s court date, whether he has obtained an attorney, or if he has any prior criminal history. The sheriff’s office noted that the investigation remains ongoing.
Officials encourage anyone with information related to the case to contact Walton County investigators. For the safety and privacy of the victim, law enforcement is not releasing any identifying details.
DOTHAN: Glenn Cain was a retired Dothan Fireman of 26 years followed by 22 years in the Dothan School System. Betty was a beautician at Nelson’s Salon. Glenn and Betty, devoted members of Southside Baptist Church, have been married 49 years.
They were friends of mine and have known them most all of my life. It is my understanding that Glenn had been in the hospital following a stroke. As I understand on Saturday when Mrs.Betty went to the hospital she suffered a stroke and both Glenn and Mrs. Betty died within an hour of each other.
That is true love!
OBITUARY
Betty Jean Joiner Cain (78) passed away suddenly Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Southeast Medical Center. Her loving husband, Glenn Franklin Cain (74), passed away Saturday, December 6, 2025 at Southeast Medical Center after a short illness.
Funeral services for Betty and Glenn will be held at 11 AM Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at Southside Baptist Church with Reverend Jerry Grandstaff officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 AM until 10:50 AM at the church prior to the services. Burial will follow at Memory Hill at a later date.
Betty was born in Dothan to the late Genelle Matthews and Byron Joiner. She was a Beautician at Nelson’s Salon in Dothan for 50 years. The beach was one of her favorite places, but as grandchildren, and great-grandchildren came, she thoroughly enjoyed her role as MeMaw! Betty had a great sense of humor and was fun to be around!
Glenn was born in Dothan to the late Charles G. and Lillian Simmons Cain. He was a 1970 graduate of Dothan High School, and soon served the City of Dothan as a fireman for 26 years. After retiring, he was employed by Dothan City Schools in the diversion program, and worked for 22 years. Glenn was a kind man, and like Betty, enjoyed the beach, but also treasured his role as Pop to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After their retirement, they enjoyed going on cruises, and were always planning the next one!
Betty and Glenn were married in October, 1976, and enjoyed 49 years of marriage before passing away on the same day. She was the love of his life, and he was the love of hers.They were lifelong members of Southside Baptist Church.
They are survived by daughters Paige (Devin) Whittle, Sandi (Ron) Parrish, both of Dothan, and Tina (Richard) White of Montgomery; Grandchildren Douglas and Matt Mims of Dothan, Christopher (Jordan) Cooper of Knoxville, TN; Peyton (Peyton) Whittle, Opelika, Parker (Kirianna) Whittle Opelika, and Walker White of Montgomery.Glen is survived by his brother, Stan (Theresa) Cain, Dothan, and numerous cousins.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Linda Faison. In addition to her children, she is survived by brothers David Joiner, Charlie Prater; sister Ann (Frank) Thompson of Tampa, and numerous cousins and other and other relatives.
