Geneva County’s Dawson Spivey to Make Cordele Motorsports Park Debut in Pro Late Model Race with Jett Noland Motorsports
Geneva County’s Dawson Spivey is set to take the next step in his racing career on May 31st, when he straps into the #50 Pro Late Model at Cordele Motorsports Park for the Kiwanis Club Fishing Rodeo 100. This marks Dawson’s first appearance in a Pro Late Model event and his debut at the legendary Watermelon Capital Speedway.
Spivey will be behind the wheel with Jett Noland Motorsports, a proven race team with a strong track record of wins in both Pro and Super Late Model competition. Earlier this year, the team picked up a victory at Cordele Motorsports Park and earned an impressive third-place finish in Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s CARS Tour race on April 12th. The Florida-based operation is widely respected for developing elite talent and competing at the highest levels of short track racing. This partnership marks a major opportunity for Dawson as he continues his steady rise through the ranks of grassroots motorsports.
Last season, Spivey made 12 starts in the Modified Series and several more in the Outlaw Lites Series, where he picked up multiple wins and valuable experience behind the wheel.
The event is expected to draw fans from across the region, and Dawson is encouraging all local supporters of short track racing to come out and be a part of this exciting night at the track.
“Getting to work with a team like Jett Noland Motorsports and drive at Cordele is a huge opportunity,” Spivey said. “I’m thankful for the chance to work with Jimmy Glover, Jett Noland, and the entire crew behind this operation.”
He also expressed deep gratitude to the Noland family—Greg and Lori, and their son Jett—for their support and belief in him as he prepares for one of the biggest weekends of his career.
Dawson also shared his excitement about having Travis Braden as his spotter for the event. Braden brings extensive experience from the ARCA Menards Series and is a former winner of both the Winchester 400 and the Snowball Derby—two of the most prestigious events in short track racing. Braden is currently working with Hendrick Motorsports on the #48 team, one of NASCAR’s premier organizations, further adding to the strength of the team heading into race weekend.
The Kiwanis Club Fishing Rodeo 100 will take place on Saturday, May 31st, with a full day of racing and family-friendly entertainment. Gates open early with practice and qualifying throughout the day, followed by the feature race under the lights.
OZARK: 5:00 PM Tonight at the regular scheduled City of Ozark Council meeting the leave of absence request of Charles Ward, Ozark Director of Department of Public Safety was granted.
During the Administrative Meeting held just prior to the regular meeting where votes are cast, Director Charles Ward requested a leave of absence to seek election to the Office of Mayor for the City of Ozark.
Incumbent Mayor Mark Blankenship was present for the meeting. Mayor Blankenship, in his first term as Ozark Mayor, is seeking re-election.
Charles Ward has always lived in Ozark Alabama. He began as a dispatcher for Ozark Police and Fire. Following service as dispatcher Charles Ward then moved to Ozark FIre Department. Ward worked in the fire department until he went into law enforcement.
Before law enforcement and while working with Ozark Fire he also worked emergency medical services. Charles Ward even worked for Pilcher Ambulance. Ward has worked field and administration.
That law enforcement was as an Alabama State Trooper. There Charles Ward moved through the ranks to Corporal, Lieutenant, Captain, Major and then Colonel. As Colonel, Charles Ward commanded the entire uniform division of the Alabama State Troopers. All the while Charles Ward maintained residency in Ozark Alabama.
It was nothing to see Colonel Charles ward on scenes all across the state. He even worked wrecks as Colonel in addition to administrative duties.
Upon his retirement Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship and the Ozark Town Council tapped Ward to be the Chief of Police for Ozark Alabama. Into his tenure as Chief of Police the position of Fire Chief and Police Chief were combined into the Ozark Department of Public Safety with Charles Ward as now the Director.
The leave of absence is effective immediately. In the command staff of police and fire there are Deputy Chief’s. These two gentleman, immediately, are the two men in charge. One over police and one over fire.
Election for Mayor and Ozark City Council is in August. Ward will return as Mayor or Director of Department of Public Safety. The decision will rest in the hands of the registered voters for the City of Ozark.
DOTHAN: There was a FOUL ODOR surrounding Dothan School Board Member Melanie Hill last night at the Dothan School Board Meeting.
Without the apparent knowledge of the fellow Dothan School Board Members, and without the knowledge of Dothan School Board Chairman Scott Childers, Melanie Hill stated that she had a “censure” from some group against Dothan School Board Chairman Scott Childers.
This item was not on the agenda for the school board meeting. It was stated in the open meeting to cast a bad light on Chairman Scott Childers. Even caught the other members by surprise. And Melanie Hill is not the Vice Chairman of the School Board. The matter should not have come from Melanie Hill at all.
When asked about it Melanie Hill had “no comment.” And in my opinion Melanie Hill feels she does not owe anyone in the public any explanation of anything. She is not the same Melanie Hill that grew up at Southside Baptist Church. She has become an arrogant, better-than-thou person. She has an agenda and in my opinion her agenda is not what is in the best interest of the children and parents of the Dothan City Schools.
Melanie Hill sits on the board of the Alabama Association of School Boards. The group which the board agenda stated “discussion” but she got the board to hire to select the new school superintendent. The agenda did not mention “vote,” only “discuss.” In a 4 to 3 vote, Hill – Strickland – Jones – and Guilford voted in favor. And Hill’s Other Board will be paid $7,499 for the screening of those applying for School Board Superintendent. Seems like a conflict – again a foul odor surrounding Melanie Hill, who is District 3 Director of the Alabama Association of School Boards.
Hill, Strickland, Jones and Guilford are bound and determined to get a Superintendent before the August 5, 2025 election. The entire board is up for election on August 5. Qualifying begins June 3. If you have a child in the Dothan City Schools, you need to think about seeking election.
Melanie Hill is running the board. For some reason Brett Strickland, Franklin Jones and Brenda Guilford, in my opinion, are being led around like stray dogs by Melanie Hill and doing whatever she wants. And, in my opinion, Melanie is riding the coattails of her husband, Walter Hill, who serves as Director of the Wiregrass United Way. Perhaps Brett Strickland, Franklin Jones and Brenda Guilford will wake up and stop being drug around like mangy dogs.
SCHOOL BOARD AGENDA
WORD TO THE WISE … civil action is forthcoming which you will have no choice but to answer questions under oath and penalties of perjury. The agenda is to be prepared by the Chairman of the Dothan School Board. That is Scott Childers. They have bypassed him on making the agenda. Melanie Hill gets items added to the agenda. There has been obvious violations of the Alabama Open Meetings Law, in my opinion. And they will get to answer that in court soon.
But Superintendent Dennis Coe, I let some board members know something tonight you should have told them. You need to keep them informed with accurate details. I realize you are retiring. But the agenda is the responsibility of the Chairman and get that under control. I am going to be checking and hold your feet to the fire. And it is your job that the board and Chairman are provided factual details.
Because if I was a school board member and my “factual” information did not come from you, there would be surgery removing my foot from your buttocks. Just the way it is.
To the group on censure, STICK IT. You do not run Dothan Alabama. And we do not need some Alabama ASSociation of School Boards trying to run the Dothan Schools.
WTVY – get the truth out. I know the connections of why you are not. I AM CALLING THE GENERAL MANAGER OF WTVY OUT!!!!!!!
DOTHAN: 1:28 PM Dothan 911 dispatched multiple Dothan Fire Engine Companies, Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police to a critical injury motor vehicle accident. The location was Highway 231 South at East Saunders Road.
The persons reporting to Dothan 911 reported a motor home overturned.
On arrival the call was downgraded from critical. One person was reported injured. Some responding emergency units were downgraded and/or cancelled.
Anyone with information or scene pictures TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
HEADLAND – HENRY COUNTY: Henry County 911 dispatched a fire at 117 County Road 447 Headland. Reports to Henry County 911 a stove fire.
Headland Fire – Rescue has requested mutual aid assistance from Kinsey Volunteer Fire. The departments have an automatic aid agreement to back both departments up.
At the time of this writing both departments are responding. Unable to monitor because SCI Communications does not have interoperability communications as their primary goal, in my opinion. And I have found them to spread lies to Headland Police Department. I DO NOT RECCOMEND any agency in using SCI Communications. Once a trusted name in my opinion no longer a trusted name.
Mrs. Buie is great. But do not trust Ryan and Ben, in my opinion.
In fact, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza sends his equipment 57.4 miles from Dothan, 1 hour and 10 minutes from Dothan, because he does not trust SCI Communications on South Foster Street in Dothan. Also Geneva County 911 does not use SCI Dothan but send their equipment to S & P Communications in Opp. 334-493-6729.
RSN DOES NOT RECOMMEND SCI COMMUNICATIONS IN DOTHAN, ALABAMA.
Anyone with scene pictures or additional information TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
DOTHAN: 07:07 AM Dothan Fire Department changes shift at 7:00 AM each day. Just 7 minutes into the new shift Dothan 911 dispatches a structure fire at 305 N. Edgewood. Reports are the structure is fully involved.
At 11:24 PM on Saturday night Dothan Fire was dispatched to the same location to a structure fire. Reports at the time of this fire was smoke and flames and visible. At 12:27 AM Dothan Fire announced under control.
The 7:07 AM fire Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Ash arrived on the scene. Chief Ash announced fully involved, defensive attack and protect adjacent exposures. Chief Ash directed fireman to check for any occupants. Also concern of chimney collapse and discussed establishing collapse zone.
Dothan Fire Engine 1 ( Central ), Engine 10 ( West Main Street ), Engine 3 ( Whatley Drive ), Rehab Truck ( Lakewood ) on the scene.
Anyone with scene photographs or addition information TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
