ASHFORD: Tonight, Ashford was home team to Barbour County, basketball. The game ended early after multiple Houston County Sheriff Deputies and Ashford Police were called to the gym.
According to people at the game, the first incident was when a parent from Barbour County is alleged to have struck a Barbour County youth player in the face. Later, it is alleged a person from Barbour County had a firearm and it was pulled. NEVER FIRED, but shown and pulled from his waist band.
RSN is told the person claimed to be a law enforcement officer from Barbour County but did not give name or badge number. And according to sources did not look like a law enforcement officer.
When the firearm was displayed persons fled the gym in a hurry and the game ended at that point.
According to some present parents plan on contacting the Houston County Superintendent on Friday and requesting that all games with Barbour County be cancelled. They reported they do not feel safe.
At 11:05 PM do not see anyone booked into the Houston County Jail on what the charges would be so unknown if any arrests made.
HOUSTON COUNTY: 10:00 AM The Houston County Commission met this morning for their regular scheduled administrative meeting. Chairman Shoupe began the meeting with discussions over the Houston County Jail.
Chairman Shoupe stated there are a lot of factors which impact the jail, and some of those factors were not present when the current jail was constructed in year 2000. Those issues are transgender, mental health, and more issues. Chairman Shoupe stated the jail overcrowding is not on the Judges, District Attorney, Defense Attoryney. It is the dips and dunks required by the state, the system as a whole which adds to the daily population. Chairman Shoupe has spoke to the Judges who are helping where they can but laws require them to take certain actions and they have no discretion in. Chairman Shoupe stated that he would like the jail situation to wait until year 2034 when some debt rolls off but the problems will not wait until then. Chairman Shoupe said the commission, along with Sheriff and Jail Captain will be in discussions and work sessions the first part of 2026 as to slution.
D4 Commissioner James Ivey, who is a Captain with Houston County Sheriff Department. D4 James Ivey is over Sheriff 911 Center but before that was the Captain over the Houston County Jail. D4 Ivey said he and Chairman Shoupe have met with the local legislative delegation concerning some help to offset costs and debt repayment on adding to the Houston County Jail. D4 Ivey also explained that in year 2023 the Alabama Legislature passed a retail theft law. Persons charged with retail theft do not go to the municipal jail but straight to the county jail. D4 Ivey said as of this morning 21 people in the Houston County Jail are for retail theft. D4 Ivey said he is not blaming legislature but sometime they do n ot realize when they pass legislation the trickle down that happens.
D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring, who is also a Sergeant with Houston County Sheriff Department, stated that Houston County Jail has been a ongoing problem since D3 Commissioner Herring came on the commission. D3 Herring wants the public to know, the commission is mandated by law to take care of the jail and inmates. The laws require the commission to provide food, places for inmates to sleep. As the population grows, D3 Herring stated crime goes up which the laws hold the commissioners feet to the fire. And the way D3 Herring reads the law the commission can be arrested if they do not do certain things for the inmates. D3 Herring made it clear that he is not going to jail for anyone and Herring stated IF IT COMES DOWN TO THE FACT A TAX HAS TO BE PASSED HE WILL MOVE FORWARD ON A TAX FOR THE JAIL. Again, D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring made it clear he is not going to jail for anyone.
Chairman Shoupe stated the commission does some popular things such as road re-surface, funding first responders, and more which are important. Those are “choices” the commission makes. Funding the county jail and certain things for inmates, the commission is mandated by law and not optional.
D2 Commissioner Tracy Adams stated that he wants the commission to do their homework. This problem is not unique to Houston County and he would like to see what other counties have done to create revenue for the jail.
Chairman Shoupe stated that some investigation of the issue was done by the County Chief Administrator Peter Covert. And in the work sessions is 2026 they will look at that research. Chairman Shoupe stated that he and the new county administator are going to examine a lot of avenues. Covert retired and the county has a new administrator beginning in 2026.
IN OTHER BUSINESS … Chairman Shoupe said the Town of Rehobeth has voted to join the Alabama Association of County Commissioner and Houston County as defendants in the SSUT use tax lawsuit. This suit is in Montgomery County filed by the City of Tuscaloosa in regards to the Internet Tax on items purchased online.
Houston County Engineer Barkley Kirkland obtained $ 300,000.00 in ARPA money from ADEM for storm water drainage. The work has been completed and the money is grant money to pay for it. Engineer Kirkland found the grant, Houston County applied and was awarded the money.
DOTHAN: 12:21 PM. Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Police, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance to a firearm assault at 805 Tacoma Street. This is just two houses off Montana Street.
On arrival emergency units found a male subject on the porch. The male was conscious and alert. Reports are gunshot wound to the leg.
UNCONFIRMED, but possible drive by shooting.
The patient was transported by Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance to Southeast Health under a trauma alert.
Dothan Police Captain Thomas Davis and multiple Dothan Police Officers on the scene. Dothan Police Criminal Investigators are on the scene.
DOTHAN: Today was a regular scheduled Dothan Commission Meeting. Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba was out of town today so D5 Associate Commissioner Gant Pierce served as Acting Mayor to moderate the commission meeting. All other commissioners were present for the meeting.
There were four public hearings on the agenda .One was “Public Hearing regarding the amendment of chapter 114, Article X of the City of Dothan Code of Ordinances to remove 40 parcels of land from the U.S. Highway 84 East Overlay Project. “This produced several people who spoke to the commission prior to a vote. One was in opposition to the change and the others spoke in favor of the change.
The City of Dothan stands on the fact notice was given to change the zoning while the residents stand on the fact they were not given notice of the zoning change. One person spoke of the changes and the large number of residents in Hidden Lakes in opposition of the change.
The next was ” Public Hearing regarding rezoning of app. 18.55 acres located at 172 Prevatt Road , 0 Prevatt Road, and 1701 East Cottonwood Road. No one spoke regarding this issue.” This is rezoning the old Devane residence on Prevatt Road, the first house on the right after turn off Ross Clark Circle onto Prevatt Road. The Houston County Commission purchased the property and information is they desire to construct a building to house the Alabama Department of Human Resources. By law the county commission are required to furnish office space for DHR, which is currently the 2 story building at the corner of Prevatt Road and Ross Clark Circle.
The first issue, the amendment of chapter 114, Article X of the City of Dothan Code of Ordinances to remove 40 parcels of land from the U.S. Highway 84 East Overlay Project. ” was later on the agenda. This was approved in a 4 to 2 vote with Commissioners Gant Pierce and David Crutchfield voting against the change. Commissioners Daniels, Kirksey, Bedwell and Stock voted in favor of the change.
D4 Commissioner Dave Stock thanked those who spoke against making the change and so professionally and polite she was in her presentation. D4 Commissioner Stock said while the majority of the commissioners were in favor of making the change, her comments were considered and he appreciates her taking the time to address the commission. D4 Dave Stock, as we are seen, wants all of the accurate information presented to the commission and believes it is the duty of the commission to serve the people.
Not much else from today’s meeting. The remainder seemed to be business as usual.
REHOBETH: On Monday evening Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter and members of the Town of Rehobeth Town Council were on hand in the community center of Rehobeth for a Christmas Celebration honoring the Rehobeth Fire – Rescue members.
The Christmas Celebration was a nice dinner provided by FCCLA of Rehobeth High School. The dinner was served by by Ms. Haddock and Ms. Kirkland of the FCCLA. A delicious meal.
The Town of Rehobeth took Rehobeth Fire – Rescue under the Town of Rehobeth. The have full time paid crews for the past three years providing emergency EMS care and fire services for the Rehobeth area – Houston County area. Time counts in emergencies. Mayor Trotter spoke of the great partnership with the City of Taylor where they recently placed a ambulance at Taylor Volunteer Fire Department. The time off response saves lives and property. Mayor Trotter thanked all men and women of Rehobeth Fire – Rescue who have made the fire – EMS a success.
Todd Phillips – I never know what title to give to him. Because Todd does a little of everything to include herding goats!!! Todd was the brain child behind Rehobeth Fire – Rescue, getting it out of debt and under the Town of Rehobeth umbrella with full time and volunteers. Todd is over the Rehobeth Fire – Rescue and wears many hats. He hugged and thanked everyone that is a part of the fire – EMS. Rehobeth Fire – EMS Chief Nick Floyd was present and also thanked everyone for that they do.
The entire department and city are like a family together.
A large crowd on hand for the special dinner of just saying THANK YOU for all that you do.
