BLAKELY GEORGIA: Well yesterday Early County Georgia Sheriff Price did a FACEBOOK post alerting everyone in Early County of a problem.
Blakely Police Department changed radio systems to an encrypted radio of which the Sheriff Department can not monitor.
Last evening reports are 5 people were shot in the corporate city limits of Blakely Georgia. GUESS WHAT? The Blakely Police Department dispatcher had to call on the phone to Early County Sheriff Department requesting back up assistance.
On or about June 10, 2026 the Blakely City Council unanimousley hired Gregory Elder as Police Chief. Again, local is never good, according to most elected to office because they look in the mirror and see a dummy so they must go out of town to hire. THe Blakely City Council went to Albany State University where they selected Gregory Elder. He served as Emergency Management Director,
Elder must have skipped the class in Emergency Management where COMMUNICATIONS is perhaps the first and primary list of importance. But Elder, in 60 days fixed where the Sheriff Department could not hear Blakely Police Department. HOW STUPID?
Blakely Georgia is 17.66 square miles. Blakely Georgia Police Department has an estimated 15 officers, to include the Chief of Police, if all positions are filled.
Early County is 513 square miles. When Jimmy Murkeson served as Early County Sheriff the Blakely Police Department combined with Early County Sheriff into one department. After Sheriff Murkeson retired the Blakely City Council made a seperate department.
Do not have many details of the shooting at this time. But the Chief needs to check with his elders that have been in Blakely – Early County for an extended period of time. Because Chief Elder has not to make such stupid decision!
Hired in June, Elder has not been in Blakely Georgia long enough to know people, the city, the terrian. And one of his primary acts is to cut communication with the Sheriff Department.
And do not blame Early County Sheriff Price. He has zero control over the Mayor and City Council of Blakely or Blakely Police Department.
To The Citizens of Early County and The City of Blakely
Dear Citizens,
I want to take a moment to make our community aware of an important change involving law-enforcement radio communications.
In the past, our Sheriff’s Office has been able to hear City Police radio traffic. This allowed our deputies to be aware of calls taking place within the city and, when needed, provide assistance or backup to City Police Officers.
Recently, the City Police Department’s radio communications have been changed to an encrypted system that our Sheriff’s Office can no longer monitor. Because of this change, our deputies may not hear city calls as they are happening.
I want our citizens to understand that if there is an emergency or situation involving City Police and you do not see Sheriff’s Deputies responding as they may have in the past, it does not mean that we are unwilling to help or that we chose not to respond. It may simply mean that we were not able to hear the radio traffic and were unaware that assistance was needed.
Our Sheriff’s Office remains committed to working with all law-enforcement agencies in our community. When assistance is requested and we are made aware of the need, we will continue to do everything within our ability to help protect our citizens and our fellow law-enforcement officers.
I believe our citizens deserve to be informed about matters that can affect public safety. Communication, cooperation and transparency are important to the safety of our entire community.
Please know that our commitment to serving and protecting you has not changed.
If you are experiencing an emergency, please continue to call 911 so the appropriate emergency personnel can be notified and dispatched.
Thank you for your continued trust, support and understanding.
Respectfully,
Sheriff William Price
Early County Sheriff’s Office
The “Board” and DCS leadership fired our football coach today. I am a member of that Board I and found out afterwards, like everyone else. And I still haven’t been informed of a reason or who decided.
How does that even happen? Only DCS can do things like this. It’s no wonder we can’t get any support.
I do not want to be associated with this decision, because I wasn’t a part of it.
I would never support firing our coach in the middle of the season, that’s a horrible decision for the kids. Did we even think about them?
We are aweful, when will we wake up from the Insanity of how we do things?
What a great night seeing the plans for Southeast Health’s emergency department expansion! It was exciting to learn about the additional treatment space and plans to strengthen trauma care and emergency services. This investment will help Southeast Health care for more patients across the Wiregrass when they need it most. I had a wonderful evening with some great people Christine Cherry Irwin, @Kim Gantt AngieNmark Saliba Mary Beth Meadows learning about Southeast Health’s expansion!
The event was first class of course Mike Schmitz sponsor and @Missy was the host from the moment I arrived, beginning with valet parking. We picked up passports and walked through stations that explained the plans for the hospital, including emergency care, triage, trauma services, and additional patient rooms. Each station offered charcuterie and wine. I enjoyed my sweet tea!
What excited me most was learning that the community can be part of this effort. Every contribution matters, and civic groups and organizations can come together to support the medical center. Hearing local families share their stories of the care they received at Southeast Health made the evening even more meaningful.
Thank you to Chairman Mike Smith, his cochair, and everyone who made the night so informative and welcoming. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to be there!
DOTHAN: Sigma Kappa Delta, an English Honor Society, at Wallace Community College is partnering with the House of Ruth for a community donation drive benefiting individuals and families experiencing domestic violence and homelessness.
The donation drive will accept items now through October 22, with community members encouraged to contribute much-needed household, personal-care and family items. Donations made directly to the House of Ruth are also accepted at any time.
Among the most-needed items are disposable gloves, Lysol spray, sensitive-skin laundry detergent, kitchen garbage bags, deodorant, body lotion, dish detergent, bathroom cleaning supplies and resealable storage bags. The organization is also seeking twin-size bedbug mattress and pillowcase protectors, twin sheet sets and blankets, nonperishable food, over-the-counter medications for adults and children, shampoo and conditioner, towels and washcloths, paper towels and toilet tissue.
Baby supplies are also needed, including bottles, lotion, diapers in sizes 5, 6 and 7, diaper cream, pacifiers and rattles.
The House of Ruth has also provided a wish list that includes sports bras and women’s underwear in all sizes, phone chargers for both iPhones and USB-C devices, books and novels, coloring books for adults and children, colored pencils and crayons, journals, planners and desk calendars. Other requested items include ear plugs, duffel and overnight bags, socks, house slippers, and pajamas or comfortable clothing for women and children.
Donation drop-off is available at Wallace Hall, Room 136, on the Dothan Campus.
The partnership provides an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members to support people in need by donating practical items that can help individuals and families as they navigate difficult circumstances.
