DOTHAN: 1:30 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Police Officers to Dollar Tree on Murphy Mill Road at Walmart Northside.
Multiple Dothan Police Patrol Officers, Dothan Police Major Will Glover, Dothan Poluce Captain Thomas Davis and Dothan Police Criminal Investigation DIvision is on the scene. There are no EMS or fire units on the scene.
The calls to 911 varied as in shots fired, possible robbery. Dothan Police Patrol and Command Staff rapid response to the scene. There were no injuries. The initial investigation was two subjects were in the back of the store and apparently got into a fight. One produced a gun and fired shots. Dothan Police rapid response swarmed the area and were able to detain both subjects and are investigating at this time.
This incident did not involve the business, Dollar Tree or any of their employees.
Dothan Police rapid response, and in force, prevented any injuries and quick detaining of the parties involved. The weapon was recovered.
Dothan Police Criminal Investigation Division is in charge of the investigation.
GRACEVILLE: On Monday evening RSN learned that Graceville Florida City Council is as normal as most communities. DRAMA!!!
The Mayor and City Council spent approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes of discussion, listening to citizens concerning abolishment of the Graceville Police Department.
The first 45 minutes was between the Mayor, City Council and Graceville Police Chief. The discussion was why more money was needed, which was explained they get officers trained only to be recruited by other agencies which pay more money.
In the 45 minute discussion was Jackson County Sheriff Department dedicate a Deputy from 11 PM to 7 AM. That would be a cost of $ 100,000.00 per year, per deputy.
Then citizens talked. Multiple citizens voiced their desire to keep Graceville Police and for the Mayor and City Council to meet the suggestions of the Police Chief. They also praised the Graceville Police for their prompt and professional service.
Then there were a couple to call out the pay of non law enforcement staff and high wages paid. The citizens said the law enforcement needed to be paid more because they placed their lives on the line.
When viewing the video the man on the far left was far abolishing the police department. The man on the far right voiced keeping law enforcement. The man on the far right stated they were there to do what the people wanted, the people have spoken an dit is their job to make it work.
The lady with Graceville News told the Mayor and City Council they should be ashamed and the officers of Graceville Police Department deserved an apology from them. That they do a great job.
With 1 hour and thirty minutes the Graceville Mayor and City Council decided not to disband the police department and to establish a budget that would support 5 officers with a three percent increase. The next meeting is August 11.
COTTONWOOD: 06:58 AM Houston County 911 dispatched a motor vehicle accident at 9032 S. County Road 55 at Cottonwood.
At the time of dispatch the person reporting to 911 reported a red Z71 Chevrolet truck, overturned in the middle of the road and driver entrapped. The call was dispatched as critical injuries.
A Cottonwood Volunteer Fireman, Paul Hughes, came up on the accident immediately after the wreck occurred.
Cottonwood Fire, Cottonwood Rescue, Cottonwood Police Sgt. Justin Pearson, and Houston County Sheriff Department responded. Because of the information dispatched Dothan Fire Department was mutual aid requested for advanced life support and Ashford Fire Department was dispatched for extrication assistance.
As emergency units arrived the driver was able to self extricate the overturned vehicle. The driver side was crushed. The driver refused transport so Ashford and Dothan Fire were cancelled while responding.
It appears the driver was traveling south on County Road 55, went off the road on the left side, jumped a ditch and overturned in the middle of the road. It appear the vehicle perhaps travled down the road on the roof.
The vehicle traveled a long distance after leaving the roadway.
Cottonwood Police Sgt. Justin Pearson is in charge of the accident investigation.
DOTHAN: On Monday I, Rickey Stokes, filed a complaint against the Dothan School Board for violations of the Alabama Open Meetings law. In my opinion they have consistently violated the Alabama Open Meetings Law. And last night’s board meeting, I really believe that Board Members Brett Strickland, Franklin Jones and Brenda Guilford were admitting that.
First understand, this is not about “who” they selected the person for Superintendent. I have not researched him. In fact I learned that he had never been a superintendent at last night’s meeting.
First, when the board first voted on the qualifications for Superintendent no member of the board or then School Superintendent Dennis Coe admitted to drafting the qualifications. The qualifications, different than those in the past, limited to only persons with a doctorate. So if no member of the board drafted the qualifications, how did they appear?
In Dothan Commission meetings to add a item to the agenda it takes unanimous approval. When the board selected who they wanted as Superintendent, Board Member Brett Strickland made a motion to hire an out of town attorney to negotiate the contract. The item was not on the agenda and unanimous consent was not given to add it to the agenda. Furthermore the board had a lawyer on retainer.
There has been a 4 to 3 very contingeous time on the school board. School Board Member Melanie Hill, who has been very rude at the meetings, ran faster than a football player to school a touchdown in her leaving the meeting. She has appeared to feel she does not owe an explanation to the people for anything she does.
Past pattern and practice of the Dothan School Board is they have had to pay past Superintendent’s large sums of money when they terminated the contract. And they had to pay the new Superintendent while paying the terminated. Some of those are Dr. Edwards, Dr. Leon Hobbs and Tim Wilder.
The election is August 5. Board Members Brett Strickland, Melanie Hill and Amy Bonds are not seeking election. Scott Childers is not seeking re-election as Chairman but is seeking D4, unopposed. Aurie Jenkins is seeking re-election in D5 and is unopposed. School Board members Franklin Jones and Brenda Guilford are seeking re-election and have opposition. However is elected will take office in October.
REALITY: There will be 4 new board members, for sure, without a doubt. Depending on Jones and Guilford, if they are not re-elected there could be even more new board members on the Dothan School Board.
The four board members, Strickland, Hill, Jones and Guilford, as discussed last night are attempting to give the new Superintendent a five year contract of an annual salary of at least $ 285,000.00 plus. According to their discussion last night the one they have selected has never been a Superintendent before.
Based on the past pattern and practice of the Dothan School Board, if this person does not work out in two years and the board terminated the contract, they would have to pay him $ 285,000.00 plus for the next three years for doing nothing and pay whomever they hire as a replacement. And this board has been doing things, in my opinion, in violation of the Alabama Open Meetings law.
We have heard for years education needs more money. We have the lowest property taxes and education needs more money. Do they really need more money with the past pattern and practice? The City Manager in Dothan has only a three year contract at $ 225,000.00 plus. Why a five year contract which puts the contract a year after the next election which means the contract would end in year 2030.
NOW TO THOSE CLAIMING RACIAL: The complaint has nothing to do with the person chosen. The only thing I know is he is from Athens Georgia. I could care less his color, just do a good job managing the education of the students. So those claiming racial, SHUT UP! This is not about the person, it is about the process and the board making decisions that lock this new board into a five year contract. It is not fair to the citizens of Dothan Alabama.
Meet Phillipe Kirksey — Candidate for Dothan City Commission, District 2
Phillipe Kirksey is a dedicated husband, father, educator, and longtime resident of Dothan, Alabama. After proudly calling Dothan home for the past 22 years, he is excited to announce his candidacy for the Dothan City Commission, representing District 2. At 43, Phillipe brings a wealth of experience in public service, law enforcement, and education. A graduate of Headland High School (Class of 2000), Phillipe pursued higher education at Troy University, Wallace Community College, and Chipola College. He holds an Associate of Science equivalent in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with a concentration in leadership, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Phillipe is a 21-year veteran of law enforcement, having begun his career with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. He went on to earn certifications in law enforcement from the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Certification. His dedication was recognized early when he received the 2010 Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Student of the Year award, followed by the 2017 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. Currently, Phillipe holds a teaching certificate in Criminal Justice Operations and serves as an instructor at both Chipley High School and Vernon High School in Washington County, Florida.
As the son of Sgt, Carl W. Kirksey, a 30-year U.S. Army veteran and longtime Houston County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, Phillipe spent his formative years living in diverse communities around the world — from Fort Rucker, Alabama, to Fulda, Germany, and Fort Lewis, Washington, to Fort Polk, Louisiana. These experiences shaped his appreciation for diversity, resilience, and community service.
Phillipe is proudly married to Sadie Kirksey, a University of Alabama alumna, respected entrepreneur, and former 16-year City of Dothan magistrate. Together, they have four accomplished children:
Jordanne Daniels Edwards is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Tuscaloosa and a licensed clinical social worker.
Jordan Kirksey is an active-duty U.S. Army serviceman currently deployed overseas with the 63rd ESB-E, HHC Company.
Maisie Kirksey is an honor student and standout soccer player entering her junior year at Houston Academy, and has been accepted and plans to attend Howard University in the Fall of 2027.
Elijah C. Kirksey is a rising fifth grader at Kelly Springs Elementary School, an honor roll student, and an enthusiastic participant in the Houston Academy Raiders youth football program.
Phillipe Kirksey is committed to serving the citizens of District 2 with transparency, integrity, and vision, focused on public safety, economic development, and strengthening community ties. He believes in building a Dothan where every family can thrive.
DOTHAN: A Jackson Mississippi corporation was putting together a debate for the candidates for Dothan political office. Election is August 5.
RSN had been invited to be there and connect into the livestream. And the Jackson Mississippi man was going to have his logo spread all behind the candidates. And RSN was happy to show his logo during the debate.
With less than 12 hours until debate RSN has been notified that the Jackson County Corporation will not allow RSN to connect to the livestream. Which means with less than 12 hours we have to get mics, lights and equipment and have a packed day already. And when we do this Jackson County Corporation logo will still be featured behind the candidates.
And the questions asked will be from someone who can not even vote in Dothan.
So RSN was UNIVITED to what we thought we were going to be involved in and RSN knew we would not be even mentioned on only this Jackson Mississippi Corporation would be.
RSN is not intimated by this Jackson Mississippi Corporation at all and had no problems sharing the debate which featured their logo. But no time to get equipment so you can hear the questions from the Jackson Mississippi Corporation to the people seeking office in Dothan Alabama.
