12:58 PM Fried Turkeys
12:27 PM Marianna Inmate Admits to Smuggling Drugs into Tallahassee Federal Jail
TALLAHASSEE, — A federal inmate from Marianna has acknowledged his role in bringing illegal substances into the Federal Detention Center in Tallahassee.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, 50-year-old Bertram Williams entered a guilty plea in connection to an April incident where staff uncovered contraband hidden in his clothing after a visit.
Investigators say that on April 13, correctional officers searched Williams following a visitation period. During the search, officers inspected his left boot and came across latex glove fingertips that had been cut and modified to hold two small plastic containers.
Inside one container, staff located marijuana. The second held a small piece of paper that was soaked in a drug that later tested positive for synthetic marijuana, officials said.
Both substances were confirmed through testing by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Williams, who remains in custody at FDC Tallahassee, now faces a maximum sentence of five years behind bars and an additional year of supervised release.
12:06 PM Joint Press Conference – Houston and Dale County – On Simplified Seller’s Use Tax Lawsuit
HOUSTON COUNTY: This morning following the Houston County Commission Meeting members of the Houston County Commission, Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, Dale County Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon and Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum held a press conference. The purpose of the press conference was their announcement that Houston and Dale County are joing as defendants in the SSUT ( Simplified Seller’s Use Tax ) case. This is a court case filed by City of Tuscaloosa, School District if the City of Tuscaloosa and City of Mountian Brook verses he Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Revenue.
This case involves the “use tax” and not a “sales tax” involving internet purchases. The sales tax system of Alabama is out of date and complicated as flying a jet plane. That is one of the reasons the internet purchase tax is referred to as a “use” tax and not a “sales” tax.
The Houston County Commission voted to join the lawsuit in today’s meeting as a defendant.
According to Chairman Shoupe he said that Tuscaloosa and the “Big 10 Cities”, of which the City of Dothan is one of the “Big 10 Cities”, want is geo tagging addresses. Shoupe used the example that he lives 1/2 miles outside of the City of Dothan and the geo tagging would not be possible. Shoupe also said he does not feel the government should know how much his family spends with Amazon or other online vendors.
Shoupe admitted that county residents, where the sales tax is 5% and not 8%, but on the SSUT they pay 8%, is the best option then what the City of Tuscaloosa is wanting in the lawsuit.
Very confusing.
All motions to intervene are to be filed within 30 days of the Montgomery Circuit Court order issued November 10, 2025. The court will hear all pending motions on January 21, 2026 in Montgomery County Circuit Court.
9:14 AM – Man Charged After Two Missing Teens Found Shot to Death
WILCOX COUNTY,
A tragic discovery in Wilcox County has led to a Capital Murder arrest involving the deaths of two teenagers.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the victims — ages 18 and 17 — were located Saturday near Ralph Ervin Road in the Pine Hill area. Both teens suffered fatal gunshot wounds. They had been reported missing earlier in the week, last seen on Monday, Nov. 17, in the Thomasville area.
Authorities confirmed that 27-year-old Courtney Anderson, a Thomasville resident, was taken into custody Saturday. He is currently being held at the Wilcox County Jail.
The Alabama State Bureau of Investigation is continuing to gather evidence in the case. Upon completion of the investigation, ALEA will present the findings to the Wilcox County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.
08:01 AM What A Son Did For His Mother This Weekend
DOTHAN: Recently a co-worker of mine, known as BJ ( Brandon Brock ) found out that his mother, Lisa Langley, had been diagnosed with lung cancer. And it rocked BJ’s world.
The treatment plan is good so there is encouragement.
Other than being there for someone there is not much one can do. But with situations as this it brings about financial issues. Unplanned for expenses, if a family has two incomes and one is cut, then the other has time taken off to help, brings financial expenses.
So BJ, with help of friends such as Cabrea Harvesting and 431 Produce, launched a fundraiser.
This past Saturday, BJ and friends raised more than $ 3,400.00 for his mother to help with financial issues throughout her journey with cancer.
This shows the love of a son for his mother.
As a co-worker, BJ is in charge in bail enforcement. To search for and locate those who fail to appear in court or go AWOL. He is the best I have ever seen and has a great talent in locating people. And he has a way of handling people with true caring to help solve their issues.
BJ, THANKS for all you do and for the love for your mother.
7:37 PM Outdoor Fire Calls Are Dominating Agencies
HOUSTON COUNTY – GENEVA COUNTY – HENRY COUNTY: The men and women who volunteer have spent their weekend fighting outdoor woods fires in three counties. All through the day these departments have rolled to the woods fires.
PEOPLE – NO BURNING RIGHT NOW.
These men and women have spent their entire weekend responding to the outdoor fires. Large woods fires.
I was asked to pass this message also: Houston County Commissioners when you question funding and purchases made by the volunteer fire agencies, you, the Commissioners make money in your job. These men and women volunteer their time, money and resources. Remember, your weekend were not spent fighting fires and your plans cancelled. The commissioners get salary, car allowance, health insurance and retirement. No commissioners were helping fight the fires. But those not paid were working to save lives and property.
And citizens, when these agencies say they need funding, it is to save lives and property in the county. And it could be your life or property.