DOTHAN: 6:06 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a critical motor vehicle accident at 4400 Fortner Street. A single vehicle verses a tree.
Dothan Police, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance responded.
On arrival it was determined minor injuries. Pilcher Ambulance transported. Dothan Police investigated the accident.
WICKSBURG: 5;53 PM Houston County 911 dispatched a structure fire at 655 North State Highway 123 in Wicksburg. This is on the Dale County side of Highway 84 West.
Houston County 911 dispatched Wicksburg Fire – Rescue, Bay Springs Volunteer Fire, Slocomb Fire – Rescue to the structure fire. No one ever requested Newton Volunteer Fire and the residence is on the Dale County Side of Highway 84.
When Houston County Sheriff Deputies was responding they reported smoke visible. On arrival Houston County Sheriff Deputies reported smoke and flames visible, a working structure fire, fully involved.
I AM NOT BEING CRITICAL OF WICKSBURG FIRE – RESCUE OR THE 911 DISPATCHERS, BUT I AM DOING A MAJOR STUPID SLAP TO THE HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN AND HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION …
It is my belief the Houston County Commission Chairman, Brandon Shoupe, and the Houston County Commissioners D1 Curtis Harvey, D2 Tracy Adams, D3 Ricky Heering and D4 James Ivey told the new Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management Director, Mark Powell, not to respond. Some of the famous “lack of brains” in management believes the Emergency Management Office is not a responder but just a planning agency. But some idiot in the Alabama Legislature named the agency EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. It is not the mission to take over the fire but to assist the agencies in the county.
When Chris Judah was Dothan – Houston County Emergency Manager he responded to calls such as this. He never took over, but assisted. Even to the point of putting on fire fighting gear to assist in fighting the fire. But this group of County Commissioner, especially D3 Ricky Herring, had issues with Emergency Management responding. And from day 1 of his taking office D3 Ricky Herring was determined to get rid of Chris Judah. And because of a former Dothan Fireman, Herring and the others took the opportunity and forced Judah to resign.
And making sure appropriate agencies responded was one of the things that former Dothan – Houston County EMA Director Chris Judah would make happen.
So, if what happened in EMA was something to force Judah out, let me ask. THIS HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSION Chairman and Commissioners first budget was prepared by former Chairman Mark Culver. The budget was required to be passed in September and they did not take office until November. So this Chairman and Commissioner have only done 2 budgets. And the second budget, GET THIS … this Commission Chairman and Commission OVERSPENT BY $ 10 MILLION DOLLARS the budget!!! So should this Chairman and Commissioners be forced out of office?
Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management does not respond to things in Houston County. I am not blaming Director Mark Powell because I think this commission told him not to respond. Because they think EMA only plans. But in the county EMA is a resource to work beside fire – EMS and law enforcement assisting them with resources and needs.
And I could go on.
6:30 PM Wicksburg, BaySprings and Slocomb are still fighting the fire and Newton has never been requested.
Anyone with scene pictures TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
COWARTS: Only 2 from the current Cowarts Mayor and Town Council will return to office on this coming Monday. This Wednesday and Thursday, in Montgomery, the Alabama League of Municipalities hosted two day orientation to familiarize new Mayors and Council Members about ALM Services, the Alabama Open Meetings Law, ethics law and more.
HOWEVER, the newly elected Mayor and Council Members who take office on Monday … well … they remained in Cowarts and did not attend the training. Staying and changing the locks on the doors of the Cowarts City Hall. And after the arguments on Wednesday, someone changed the locks on the Cowarts Senior Citizens Center.
With that said, WHY DID THE MAYOR-ELECT AND COUNCIL-ELECT not require the training required?
NEW AND RETURNING MAYORS ATTEND TWO DAY ORIENTATION IN MONTGOMERY
More than 450 new and returning mayors and council members filled the ballroom at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery Wednesday to be trained as they take their seats.
The Alabama League of Municipalities is hosting the two-day orientation, which ends today, to familiarize new mayors and council members about ALM services, the Alabama Open Meetings Act, ethics laws and more.
“I think for any newly elected official, that it’s really important that they learn the roles of mayor and council, learn things like the bid law and things about planning and Open Meetings Act—all those kind of things that they may or may not know, especially if they’re newly elected,” said Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan, ALM president. “But it’s even important for people who’ve been in office for a while to continue learning about these things, or just to refresh their memory.”
ALM worked last session to pass the Alabama Municipal Official Training Act requiring mayors and councilmembers to complete 10 hours of training annually, provided by ALM, during their first term in office. All elected local officials will be required to receive five hours of training credits annually after receiving the 40 hours required for ALM’s basic Certified Municipal Official (CMO) certification.
ALM is hosting the training sessions across the state, having already held one in Tuscaloosa and others to come. In all, more than 1,000 mayors and councilmembers will have attended from the state’s smallest municipalities to its largest.
DOTHAN: The 81st Annual National Peanut Festival is blowing and going. Opening night was last night and they are open today. All that is missing is YOU!!!
Schedule of Events for today, Saturday, November 1, 2025
November 1, 2025– – Peanut Proud Saturday- Hometown Pride!
Texas Roadhouse South Gate and AG Gate open at 8:00 AM
Gates open at 10:00 AM, Admission $11.00*, and Ride Armband $44.00.*
Equestrian Chaos-BankPlus Arena
Car Show from 1-7 PM
Livestock Events;
Jr Heifer / Feeder Steer 9:00 am
Jr Breeding Ewe Show 12 noon
Open Market Lamb Show 2:00 pm
November 2, 2025, Salsa Sunday
Gates Open at 1:00 PM, Admission is $9.00*, Ride Armband $38.00*
Equestrian Chaos-BankPlus Arena
Lego Competition (first 20 registered builders) Summerford Premium Building 3:00 PM
Food Court Stage-Willie Ziavino and the COT Band 2 PM-6 PM
All In Amphitheater-Vincent Mason 7:00 PM
Food Court Stage-Baylee Bennett Knighton, 6:30 PM
HOUSTON COUNTY – ASHFORD: Houston County 911 dispatched Houston County Sheriff Deputies and Ashford Rescue to Harvey Hicks Road. This is not in the city limits of Ashford but sits east of Ashford.
The call was a property dispute. A 60 year old man was reported to have recevied some injuries.
Houston County Sheriff Patrol Division responded and cleared the scene for Ashford Rescue. Unknown if patient was transported but the patient was treated in the ambulance.
Houston County Sheriff Patrol called for Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigation Division to respond. Investigator Arnold responded. A male subject was taken into custody and transported to Houston County Jail.
DOTHAN: 9:21 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a firearm assault at Greentree and Whiddon Street. Dothan Police Patrol, Dothan Fire and Pilcher Ambulance responded.
On arrival of emergency units they found a male subject who had been shot. The injuries were moderate in nature.
Dothan Police Patrol requested Dothan Police Criminal Investigation Division to respond.
The patient was transported, emergency, trauma alert, to Southeast Health. On arrival, after intubation, the gunshot victim was then carried to surgery.
Dothan Police are investigating.