MONTGOMERY: The 2026 session of the Alabama Legislature officially kicks into session on January 13 in Montgomery. They have 30 official days to meet. The end of the session is scheduled for March 17, 2026.
This is an election year. The legislators will get in and out in a hurry in order to be back in their respective districts to politic.
The Alabama Legislature has 35 Senators and 105 Representatives. There are some scheduled committee hearings ongoing at this time and through the session.
In Houston County, our local legislative delegation members are: Representative Paul Lee, Jeff Sorrells, Steve Close and Rick Rheem. Senators are Donnie Chesteen and Billy Beasley. They are in great positions which benefit this area and serve with honor and distinction.
ALABAMA: On Monday morning, January 5 through January 23, the window opens for person wishing to seek election or re-election to political office.
Local races, you qualify with the local head of the party, Republican or Democrat. The Probate Judge in each county can answer who and how to contact. Those wishing to seek election as Independents have until the Election Day, May 5 ( I think is date ).
The Republican candidates and Democratic candidate face each other on May 5. The registered voters are not required to register as a Republican or Democrat. However, if you select to vote Republican or Democrat in the May 5 election, and there is a run off, you are required to vote in the same party race you voted in for a run off.
Then in November, the winner of the Republican Primary, the winner of the Democratic Primary and if an Independent, will face each other in the November race. In the November race the registered voters are allowed to vote for any candidate, Republican – Democrat or Independent. However, in a lot of races the race will be over on the May 2026 primary election date. As only 2 candidates and both are the same party.
So analyze the ballots real good when deciding what ballot in the May race you want.
STATE OFFICES
You qualify with the Alabama Repubican State Party and Alabama State Democratic Party. Your local Probate Judge can direct you there.
CANDIDATES
MAKE SURE you check the Alabama Secretary of State web site and download a copy of the candidate handbook. There are date deadlines for reports and raising money. Be sure, BE SURE to check that out and follow it to the letter.
HOUSTON COUNTY: At this time not releasing details, Houston County Sheriff Deputies involved in a standoff with a barricaded subject.
More details to follow.
UPDATED @ 8:27 PM.
Houston County Sheriff Deputies have been in a stand off since sometime after 5 PM on Sandbed Road in Wicksburg. A white male subject is reported to have been drinking a lot today. Reports are the subject pulled a gun on a neighbor and had his wife and child inside the home.
Houston County Sheriff Deputies arrived and observed the subject. After watching they called Sheriff Donald Valenza and the SRT Unit. The Sheriff and SRT responded and attempted to get the subject to respond and he did not.
At 8:11 PM SRT entered the residence. The subject had passed out on the couch and SRT members were able to take the subject into custody without injury.
When he passed out his wife and child were able to escape, safely.
Wicksburg Fire-Rescue has an ambulance staged nearby while the stand off was on going. PRAISES the ambulance was not needed.
THANK YOU to my Wicksburg News Team for scene pictures.
HOUSTON COUNTY: WATCH OUT FOR THE DEER. They apparently have a contract with body shops !!!!
5:28 PM. Houston County 911 dispatched Cowarts Volunteer Fire to Westborne Steet and U.S Highway 84 to a motor vehicle accident with no human injuries. A White Toyota Senna and a deer collided. ALEA – Communications dispatched ALEA Trooper Aaron Sanders who responded along with Cowarts Volunteer Fire.
5:31 PM Houston County 911 dispatched Cowarts Volunteer Fire and Ashford Volunteer Fire to 7147 E. Highway 84, Oakland Trailer Park to the fire from this morning. The fire had re-ignited. On arrival Cowarts Volunteer Fire Chief Roger Nall cancelled Ashford Fire and reported they could handle the call.
5:34 PM Houston County 911 dispatched Ashford Rescue to a medical call on North Broad Street in Cowarts. On arrival Ashford Rescue requested Cowarts Volunteer Fire on lift assistance. Members of Cowarts Volunteer Fire responded and assisted.
5:40 PM. Houston County 911 dispatched Cowarts Volunteer Fire to Omussee and Glenn Lawrence Road to a motor vehicle accident with no human injuries. A white Honda Civic and a deer collided. ALEA – Communications dispatched ALERA Trooper Aaron Sanders who responded along with Cowarts Volunteer Fire.
7:28 PM Ozark-Dale County 911 dispatched Midland City Police to Dale County 112 ( Napier Field Road ) and Mance Newton Road to a motor vehicle accident with no injuries. A vehicle verses deer. ALEA – Troopers have been dispatched. But I think this location is in Grimes, and if so, Midland City Police handles law enforcement for Grimes. That is unless the old/new Mayor of Midland City changed it.
DOTHAN: 4:50 PM. Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire, Dothan Police and Pilcher Ambulance to 2808 East Main Street, Beverley and East Main Street to reports of a critical injury accident.
The reports to Dothan 911 were vehicle verses a building.
On arrival of emergency units is was determined there were no injuries and minimum damage to the building.
DOTHAN: 2:11 PM. Dothan 911 dispatched a firearm assault, possible shooting into an occupied dwelling, at Johnson Homes, 1207 Kinsey Road in Dothan.
Reports are a 12 year old that was inside was shot in the leg.
Dothan Police Patrol and Dothan Police Criminal Investigation Division in charge of the investigation.
SHORTLY THEREAFTER
A patient was presented by private auto at Southeast Health. Reports are a reported accident gunshot wound to the hand that took place on Highland Avenue in Dothan.
