DOTHAN: This morning all of the “whose who” was in Dothan for the official opening of the Wiregrass Innovation Center.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Nathan Ledbetter, the local legislative delegation of Alabama Senator Donnie Chesteen, Alabama Representatives RIck Rehm, Steve Clouse, Paul Lee, Jeff Sorrells, Rhett Marquis were all present. ADECA Chief Kenneth Boswell, Alabama Attorney General Chief COunsel Katherine Robertson, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba and all Associate Dothan Commissioners – D1 Vivian Daniels, D2 Phillipe Kirksey, D3 Bradley Bedwell, D4 Dave Stock, D5 Gantt Pierce, D6 Davis Crutchfield and many more were present.
Former Dothan City Manager Kevin Cowper played a key role in this and other downtown Dothan projects which are becoming a reality.
Our legislative delegation secured $ 20 million dollars in the budget with the help of Alabama Speaker of the House Nathan Ledbetter and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey to make the Wiregrass Innovation Center a reality.
The Wiregrass Innovation Center is a 45,000 square foot facility, located next to Wiregrass Museum, designed to serve as a hub for research, entrepreneurship and collaboration. The Wiregrass Innovation Center aims to enhance STEM education and inspire economic growth in the region, particularly agricultural technology ( agtech) and geonomic research,
The Wiregrass Innovative Center is co-located HudsonAlpha Institue for Biotechnology, which will provide leadership in these areas and offer hands-on training and practical learning opportunities.
The Wiregrass Innovation Center is suppported by significant funding from the State of Alabama, the Wiregrass Foundation, and Innovate Alabama, positioning the center as a key player in advancing innovation and economic development in the Wiregrass region.
COTTONWOOD: 12:24 PM Houston County 911 dispatched Houston County Sheriff Deputies to Cottonwood to a person with a weapon threatening people.
The Houston County Sheriff Deputy encountered the suspect on Granger Street and Johnson Street in Cottonwood. The person was disorderly and apparently aggressive towards the deputy. The deputy deployed his taser.
Additional Houston County Sheriff Deputies responded. Cottonwood Rescue was called and all they had to do was walk out the door because it was literally in front of Cottonwood Rescue building.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Bobby Lewis is a Republican candidate for District 1, Houston County Commissioner. RSN met with Bobby Lewis giving him an oppportunity to be introduced to the future employers, you, the registered voters of District 1, Houston County.
John Holman Watson, 88, a long-time businessman and Dothan resident, passed away early Thursday, April 30, 2026, at a local hospital surrounded by his loving family.
Celebration of Life services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Evergreen Presbyterian Church with Reverend Christine W. Herrin officiating and Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., Monday, May 4, 2026, at Evergreen Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
A full obituary and survivors will be posted once completed.
’Public Service Announcement – Asher HaVon, Winner of The Voice, Leading Local District 2 Parade
This is a public service announcement from The Ordinary People Society.
Get ready, Dothan! On Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 11 AM to 2 PM in District 2, Beginning at New Beginning Church. The Ordinary People Society will host the TOPS People’s Parade, a powerful May Day celebration honoring the culture, work, and spirit of our people.
This year’s parade will feature Asher HaVon, winning vocalist from The Voice, serving as one of our grand marshals and lifting up the sound of hope and inspiration.
Clergy from across the region will lead the front line, including local community pastor Dr. Kenneth Sharpton-Glasgow, joined by Dr. Byron Clay, former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); Commissioner Phillippe Kirksey of District 2; James Bush, 2nd Vice President of The New National Christian Leadership Movement; local activist and leader Rochester Johnson Jr., son of Senior Rochester Johnson; Mississippi State Representative Kathy Sykes; and a host of other community and national leaders.
Following the parade, we will have a community gathering, where Asher HaVon will deliver a live performance as we continue to uplift and inspire the city.
We are still accepting participants for the parade—bands, organizations, churches, and businesses are needed and welcome to join us.
This is a call for all people of faith, conscience, and goodwill to stand together for unity, justice, and a stronger Dothan.
Continue celebrating with us into the evening as we honor The Ordinary People Society’s 25th Anniversary at the TOPS Founder’s Unity Day Banquet at 7:00 PM, located at 805 N Lena Street, Dothan, AL 36303. Our keynote speaker will be LaTosha Brown of Black Voters Matter (BVM), and Trey Merritt, vocalist and artist, will deliver a powerful performance, along with our special guest Asher HaVon, winner of The Voice.
Tickets for the banquet can be found at Eventbrite.com or by calling 334-671-2882.
Bring your church, your youth group, your social club, your family, and your friends as we march, sing, and stand together for unity, justice, and community power.
For more information about the TOPS People’s Parade or to sign up to participate, call
334-671-2882 or 334-547-1763.
That’s Saturday, May 2, 2026, 11 AM to 2 PM in District 2, and 7 PM at 805 N Lena Street in Dothan.
The TOPS People’s Parade—where the culture, power, and spirit of the people take the streets, and the celebration continues into the night.
