HENRY COUNTY-HEADLAND: Tonight a Henry County Sheriff Deputy went to make a traffic stop at the square in Headland in front of the bank. The vehicle refused to stop. The vehicle traveled from the square to Mrytle Street and turned towards the school.
As the Henry County Sheriff Deputy approached the vehicle the driver threw a bag of dope in the face of the Henry County Sheriff Deputy. The passenger exited the vehicle and began fighting the Henry County Sheriff Deputy and in the fight was attempting to gain control of the Deputies service weapon. The Henry County Sheriff Deputy called for backup.
A Henry County Sheriff Deputy near Headland and a Henry County Sheriff Deputy near Tumbleton rolled emergency to the Deputy as did Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship. They were able to gain control of the suspects and take them into custody. It was a scary few moments for the Henry County Sheriff Deputy while in a fight for his life with the suspect attempting to take control of his service weapon.
After the two Henry County Sheriff Deputies arrived and Sheriff Blankenship arrived Headland Fire-Rescue arrived on the scene. Which Fire-EMS are not to arrive until the scene declared safe. Headland Police also responded.
The two suspects are in custody, under no bond, per Henry County District Court Judge Spence Danzey.
COWARTS: 9:45 pm Houston County 911 dispatched Cowarts Volunteer Fire, Ashford Rescue and Houston County Sheriff Deputies to Jordan Avenue in Cowarts. You will see multiple units. There is no foul play, as we understand, as to why the units are present.
PRAY for those involved. RSN is not going to explain. Just letting you know there is no foul play at this time, expected.
Houston County Sheriff Department is in charge.
UPDATED @ 5:37 AM
Last evening Houston County 911 dispatched a firearm assault, possible self inflicted, in the 2900 block of Jordan Avenue in Cowarts. The reports were a 15 year old was shot and was possibly self inflicted.
Houston County Sheriff Major Bill Rafferty, Houston County Patrol Deputies, Cowarts Volunteer Fire, Ashford Rescue responded. Shortly thereafter Houston County Sheriff Donald Valena, Houston County Criminal Investigations Lt. Anthony Hatcher, Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigations Captain Arias, Houston County Criminal Investigations Sgt. Brandon Barnes and others responded to the scene. In fact Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza just went home at 5:37 AM this morning.
RSN was brief because initially it was thought to be self inflicted, and it being a 15 year old male, well RSN does not cover self inflicted unless in public place and this was at a residence. But with 10 or more Sheriff Deputies on the scene, Fire and EMS, on the main street in Cowarts, RSN felt something needed to be posted.
As the investigation moved forward, this changed from a self inflicted to a murder. Sheriff Valenza and Criminal Investigators have worked through the night on the case. While all details are not known at this time, and I am not going to wake Sheriff up, and no one is showing on the booked list on the Houston County Jail – which is a common problem with the Houston County Jail. For the Sheriff to go home I feel a person or persons have been arrested.
What the murder is over is unknown at this time. No press statement has been issued.
RSN always questions myself. On the first call, a 15 year old, possible self inflicted. And RSN knew the person was deceased. And Ashford Rescue had to return to the scene because someone had difficulty breathing, do we post that or not. RSN felt something needed to be posted because the amount of activity, but RSN does not want to publish someone’s child who took their life. So where do we draw the line?
So we were brief with what the initial reports were. This one changed in the course of the investigation. So what something looks like at the beginning is not what it is once all layers are peeled back.
As more information is available we will update.
UPDATE: @ 9:46 AM Teen Identified in Cowarts Murder Investigation
Authorities have identified the victim in an apparent overnight murder investigation in Cowarts as a teenager.
Multiple sources confirm that Robert Byrd, Houston County Coroner, identified the victim as Karion Parrish. Parrish was fatally shot at a residence on Jordan Avenue in the town of Cowarts.
While investigators have not released an official statement, sources familiar with the case say Parrish was inside the home when shots were fired from outside the residence.
According to sources, multiple individuals were questioned in connection with the shooting, and possible charges may be pending.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate. Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.
DOTHAN: 6:12 PM Dothan 911 has dispatched Dothan Fire, Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police to a structure fire at 415 Mona Drive ( Denton Road ) in Dothan.
Reports to Dothan 911 a fire in the oven, smoke and flames.
Multiple Dothan Fire Engine Companies rolling because you roll assuming worst case until someone is on the scene and determines a all out response is not needed.
If nothing else posted all is ok.
UPDATED @ 6:20 PM
No fire at this location. All units return to service.
Prison sentences were handed down this week for two women accused of abusing children inside a Daleville daycare classroom.
Kirk Adams, the Dale County District Attorney’s Office, confirmed that Keiley Gilley and Magan Koker were each sentenced to a split 20-year term. Under the sentence, both women will serve five years in an Alabama state prison, followed by three years of probation. Neither woman is eligible for parole.
The sentences were handed down Thursday morning by William Filmore.
Gilley and Koker were arrested in September 2024 and initially charged with aggravated child abuse and child abuse-torture. Those charges were later reduced as part of a blind plea agreement, meaning the defendants pleaded guilty without a pre-negotiated sentence.
According to Daleville Police Department, the women were accused of abusing children while employed at Happy Hearts Christian Academy Daycare in Daleville.
Investigators say the case began after parents noticed bruising and swelling on their children following pickup from the daycare. In 2024, Daleville Police Chief John Crawford told WDHN that surveillance video from inside the classroom allegedly showed the women striking children.
Happy Hearts Christian Academy Daycare closed shortly after the first arrest in the case.
Dothan 911 dispatched a multi vehicle accident on Westgate Parkway at Technology Drive.
Dothan Fire Engine Company 9 ( Technology ) arrived on the scene and reported multiple vehicles with heavy damage. Shortly after arrival Engine 5 requested additional ambulance, emergency, and an additional fire engine company.
Dothan Fire Engine 5 ( Eastside ) and two Pilcher Ambulance responding and Dothan Police.
Westgate Parkway is down to one lane of traffic at this time. At least four patients are reported to be transported.
UPDATED @ 12:43 PM
A third ambulance has been requested. The first patient has left the scene transporting, emergency, to Flowers Hospital. Now a fourth ambulance has been requested.
HOUSTON COUNTY: When you are told that Houston County does not have Animal Control, someone is not telling you the truth. They do and the trucks are housed at the Houston County Health Department on Cottonwood Road.
There are two Ford F-150 trucks, one a four door and one an extended cab. Both with County license plates, Houston County logos and dog cages on the back. But according to information that RSN has learned, Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe has instructed them not to pick up animals or respond to animal complaints.
LOL – the animal control agents even drive them home!!!! So nice of you Brandon to give them a truck and let them drive them home.
