DOTHAN: Tonight the Houston County Republican Party held a forum with the candidates for Dothan Mayor and Associate Commissioners.
Incumbent Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba was the only candidate for Mayor who participated in the forum. Saliba is in his second term for Mayor and asking to be elected to a third term as Mayor. Saliba has given 110% plus of his time during the 8 years he has served as Mayor. He asks each registered voter for their vote on August 5th.
Two of the candidates for District 3 Associate Commissioner. Incumbent Commissioner Bradley Bedwell asked for someone to run in District 3. Bedwell said that is the way you gauge your service to the citizens. Bedwell also said by getting on the streets seeking votes it allows you to have one on one with the people. There are three in District 3 Commission race and only one opponent took the time to appear and that was David Haight.
The incumbent in District 4, John Ferguson, is not seeking re-election. Two candidates, David Stock and Josh Chapman are seeking election as District 4 Commissioner. Both are businessmen. David Stock also owns The Forum, and event venue, on West Main Street. Stock said he invested in downtown Dothan to contribute to the growth and success of Downtown. Chapman is self employed and at one time was an employee of the City of Dothan.
REHOBETH: You talking about a Mayor and Town Council that rolled their sleeves up and have worked since day one one taking office. Look no further than Rehobeth Alabama
Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter, along with her team of Town Council Members – Charles Barthlomew’s, Bill Breason, Bobby Clemmons, Lisa Jones, Jim Tyson, the Town Clerk Tammy Watson, Administrative Assistant Jennifer Smith, Fire Chief Nick Floyd, Public Safety Coordinator – Facilities Director Todd Phillips, have done incredible jobs. Rehobeth Alabama is on the move.
On Saturday, the RED – WHITE and BOOM event held where hundreds upon hundreds of people attended, FREE. People were asked to bring can food for the food pantry for the Baptist Association. But if you did not, no problem, it was free admission. Many food vendors, arts and crafts, helicopter rides, entertainment. And the ending was an outstanding fireworks show.
Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter has led her team of council members and staff to be progressive and each one have been public servants with sleeves rolled up and working. Councilman Bobby Clemmons recently had a stroke and paralyzed on his left side. But Bobby Clemmons was present and doing all he could do for the RED – WHITE and BOOM to be a success.
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza and members of Houston County Sheriff Department and REserve Deputies were on hand to make sure it was a safe and orderly event. Straight Line Parking was on hand making sure everyone parked where people could get in and out when they wanted.
Again, all of this for FREE!!!! Great job to Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter and her team.
UPDATED @ 7:27 PM BY REHOBETH MAYOR KIMBERLY TROTTER
The Red, White, Boom is coordinated and planned by a large group of community volunteers led by Chris Mendez and Nikki Enginger. These two headed up a board that includes Misty Tyson, Kaitlin Pugh, Todd Phillips, Mayor Trotter, Jason Shiver, Jason Richards, and Ashley Wright.
The event planning for the next year begins immediately following each year’s event. Rehobeth is very fortunate to have a great team of studen ambassadors as well who put in countless volunteer hours to see RWB succeed.
This year 20 students who are junior and seniors at Rehobeth High School worked over 500 combined hours serving the Rehobeth community.
Rehobeth is thriving in part from its community members who are committed to seeing it succeed and are invested in its future.
DOTHAN: 05:05 AM. Dothan 911 dispatched a firearm assault at Johnson Homes. At the time of dispatch the exact location of the victim was unknown.
Multiple Dothan Police Officers and Houston County Sheriff Deputies responded. The person reporting called back into Dothan 911 and reported the gunshot victim was in Apartment 76 at Johnson Homes.
Dothan Police located the firearm victim, declared scene safe for Dothan Fire Engine 5 ( Eastside ) and Pilcher Ambulance to enter. Dothan Police reported gunshot wound to the chest.
After arrival of fire and EMS it was determined the gunshot victim was deceased. Multiple Dothan Police Patrol units on the scene. Dothan Criminal Investigators and Dothan Crime Scene Investigators responding. Dothan Police Chief Will Benny and Dothan Police Major Will Glover are responding.
Call is only 30 minutes old at this time.
UPDATED @ 08:37 AM
Dothan Police Criminal Investigators have issued a BOLO for a person of extreme interest in this murder case. Anyone with information can call CRIMESTOPPERS at 334-793-7000.
Authorities have not released the names of of the victim at this time. About 15 minutes ago they just called for the Coroner of Houston County to respond so as of 15 minutes ago the body is still on the scene.
Dothan Police Criminal Investigators have been numerous and steady since the call at 5:05 AM to identify the person or persons responsible.
Actual crime is down in Dothan. Dothan Police Chief Will Benny, members of Dothan Police Department, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenzuela and members of Houston County Sheriff Department have been proactive in crime prevention. Also all municipalities across Houston County have been proactive.
Yes, Dothan had a couple of murders recently. But a question … how do you prevent the murders? Other than staying proactive on the criminal element, when someone does as they did on the last murder – a neighbor – challenged the victim on the back porch and followed her inside and shot her. How does law enforcement predict that or prevent something like that? And today’s murder, other than the proactive on those involved in routine criminal activity, how does law enforcement prevent the murder?
So as some are running for election, RSN monitors the crime and out and about involved more than most and keeps heck on criminal stats. Some seeking to unseat incumbents have spouted crime on rise. It is just the opposite and the TOP COPS are doing a good job maintaining proactive steps.
UPDATED @ 2:55 PM
Within a couple of hours of the firearm assault being dispatched Dothan Police Patrol Division and Criminal Investigation Division has the person of interest detained in Criminal Investigation Division of Dothan Police Department.
After an intense questioning by seasoned Criminal Investigators, then consultation with 20th Judicial Circuit District Attorney Russ Goodman, it has been determined this was a self defense shooting. No charges have been filed.
The death, as in all deaths, will be presented to a Houston County Grand Jury.
REHOBETH: This Saturday is the day – RED, WHITE and BOOM !!! in Rehobeth.
Rehobeth Red, White & Boom is back…bigger and better than ever!
Join us for an unforgettable evening of fun, food, and fireworks!
The event is totally FREE, no ticket is required, and parking is available by donation only.
It truly is the most exciting and unforgettable night in Rehobeth, AL.
Don’t miss it!
Approximately 7,000 People Expected to Attend
Through the support of local businesses and sponsors this event is FREE to our community!
FREE parking
FREE Inflatables
FREE Activities
FREE Concert
The only money needed is for food, retail and craft vendors and a helicopter ride!
It really is one of the most fun nights in Rehobeth!
Live performances by Jonboy Storey, Ashley Walls, and Crews Wright
Enjoy an incredible live concert brought to you by Mike Schmitz Automotive Group featuring top talent before the fireworks! Concert & Fireworks will be inside the Football Stadium with plenty of seating and stage front standing room access. Entertainment will begin at 6:30 PM and the Fireworks will kickoff at 9:00 PM.
Provided FREE by Stone Martin Builders, Kid’s Corner includes a large gated area with inflatables in all shapes and sizes. Kids ranging in ages from 12 months to 12 years old can come and bounce the day away for free.
End the night with a bang! The breathtaking fireworks show at 9:00 PM will light up the Rehobeth sky, creating a picture-perfect ending to an incredible evening.
Indulge in the best local eats from a variety of food trucks and vendors. Shop retail and craft booths for unique finds and local treasures. Lots of free activities for all ages.
Test your aim at our thrilling Axe Throwing Booth! Ages 12+ can take a turn at the mobile axe trailer—fully enclosed and supervised for safety. Younger kids have a fun inflatable axe-throwing setup with Velcro axes so they can join the action too.
Mechanical Bull
Sun South John Deere has brought the Mechanical Bull back this year and wants to see who can ride it the longest? It’s fun for all ages, so stop by and test your might against the bull and walk away with the bragging rights for 2025! Who will get thrown off, and who will beat the bull?
RWB Queens
Come meet all of our Miss Rehobeth Red White & Boom Queens. Each represents our festival so well!
JACKSON COUNTY FL: Today marks the official day of retirement for Jackson County Sheriff Lt. Eddie Ingram. After 46 years of law enforcement service Lt. Eddie Ingram is hanging up the badge.
Born and raised in Houston County, the son of the late Frankie and Shirley Ingram, a graduate of Ashford Academy, Eddie Ingram first started his law enforcement tenure under Houston County Sheriff A.B. Clark in 1978. He later worked under Houston County Sheriff Lamar Hadden and Deputy Coroner under Coroner Rickey Stokes. Eddie Ingram worked under Jackson County Florida Sheriff John McDaniel.
During his 46 years in law enforcement he worked in Villa Rica Georigia, Barbour County Sheriff Department, Quitman County Georgia Sheriff Department, Holmes County Sheriff Department and Summerdale Police Department. Some of these positions were as Deputy Sheriff, Chief Deputy Sheriff and Chief of Police.
In the beginning years Eddie Ingram was a very active member of Houston County Rescue Unit. He grew up with his dad, Frankie Ingram, involved in emergency services and serving as Houston County Coroner. That developed his passion for law enforcement.
On June 18 Jackson County Sheriff Donnie Edenfield hosted a retirement celebration for Lt. Eddie Ingram. It was a well attended event with many law enforcement officers that have worked with Lt. Ingram. Some of those included Retired Jackson County Florida Sheriff Lou Roberts, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza and others as well as his wife, Lisa and sister Kellye Epperson.
Sheriff Edenfield described Lt. Ingram as one who always showed up ready to work and served the citizens well. That he was a good leader and kept his vehicle and equipment in great condition.
Ingram was a dedicated law enforcement officer who looked after his fellow officers to make sure they each went home at the end of the watch. He was fair with the citizens and always made sure they were treated fair.
Early on he worked with Jackson County Sheriff Department. So it was great that he ended his circle of service with Jackson County Sheriff Department.
He and his wife reside in Enon, the community between Cowarts – Ashford and Webb.
DOTHAN – HOUSTON COUNTY: Last evening during the weather reports are lightning struck the operations of the Dothan – Houston County Communications District building.
With the lightning strike of the Dothan – Houston County Communications District Building it caused the computerized system to go down. This forced all operations back to pen and paper. So during the storm striking and things happening everywhere those in the 911 Center stepped up to the plate and you would have never known they were thrown a curve from the system as they know to pen and paper.
The system in Dothan – Houston County is a screwy system. (1) Dothan – Houston County Communications District Board owns the building and the equipment such as the Computer Aided Dispatch system. (2) The dispatchers work for (a) Dothan Police (b) Houston County Sheriff. None other 911 dispatchers work for the Dothan – Houston County Communications District Board.
What was to be a JOINT communications center “ IS NOT” in anyway a “joint” communications center. It is a co-located but not joint. The Dothan – Houston County Communications District is managed by a board of 9 people, they only three people (1) Director (2) lady to input data and address (3) person to look after the building. They have zero management of any 911 dispatchers but own the equipment.
DOTHAN: The 911 dispatchers work for Dothan Police Department under the ultimate command of Dothan Police Chief Will Benny. There is a police captain and a communications center manager. They dispatch all of Dothan Police and Dothan Fire. Dothan Fire Chief sits on the 911 Board but has no command authority over the 911 dispatchers.
HOUSTON COUNTY: The 911 dispatchers work for Houston County Sheriff Department under the ultimate command of Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza. There is a captain in the Sheriff Department and communications center manager. They dispatch all of the Houston County Sheriff Deputies, all municipal police departments in Houston County ( with exception of Dothan Police ) which include Kinsey, Webb, Columbia, Gordon, Cottonwood, Ashford, and Taylor; all 17 Houston County Volunteer Fire Departments, and 5 Houston County EMS.
Both Dothan and Houston County have a ring down to Pilcher Ambulance when they are needed. This needs to be automated because over 200 man hours a year to get Pilcher Ambulance rolling when it could be automated.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: Under the Alabama 911 laws Houston County has to pay rent for Emergency Management to be located in the Dothan – Houston County Communications District building. Unless a tornado or hurricane they do not have to be in that building. Houston County has to pay an estimated $ 130,000.00 plus/minus to be in that building. They could move out into an existing building and save at least $ 100,000.00 a year and operate in the building only in a tornado or hurricane. And they have operated remotely in the last storms. The Houston County Commission Chairman and Houston County Commission STOPPED Dothan – Houston County Emergency Management from responding and being proactive calling them a “planning agency” only. Some Mayors across the county have complained but this Houston County Commission Chairman and Commission are deaf and do not care. Not being critical of Mark Powell, but the county people do not know him and Emergency Management has become a useless agency, because that is the desire of the Houston County Commission Chairman and Houston County Commission – especially D3 Commissioner Ricky Herring. They need to move out and save $ 100,000.00 plus a year. So when commissioners say they are managing tax dollars, CALL THEM OUT… WASTING TAX DOLLARS!!!! Challenge me on it guys !!!
There is a wall ( when I was on the board I voted against ) between the Dothan 911 dispatchers and Houston County 911 dispatchers. As Ronald Regan said, TEAR DOWN THAT WALL!
The 911 center should be combined,, under one management. Because communications is the one single vital component that keeps the entire system operating and successful. But TURF prevents that from happening.
HATS OFF the the boots in the 911 center, you did a FANTASTIC JOB. Thrown a curve ball but the emergency system kept on ticking without delays.
NOTE: I served on the Dothan – Houston County Communications District Board, helped change the legislation, was on the board when the building was constructed, and former Chairman of the Board. When my term expired, not getting along with some Houston County Commissioners, especially D3 Ricky Herring, I rotated off and was not re-appointed. Which was fine with me because I could tell as it is.
