DOTHAN: 04:00 AM Dothan 911 hit the alert tones at 4:00 AM, Structure Fire, 305 Jeff Street in Dothan.
Jeff Street runs off West Newton Street off North Park on the east side.
At the time of reports to Dothan 911 and on arrival of the first Dothan Fire Engine Companies, smoke and flames were visible. Occupants were reports to have exited the residence. This was a offensive attack.
Dothan Police were on the scene. Dothan Utilities dispatched. Pilcher Ambulance on the scene. ( NOTE: No one to transport, THANKFULLY, so a run Pilcher Ambulance responds to but no one to bill for service ).
The first Dothan Fire Engine Company arrived at 4:05 AM. ( NOW, THAT IS FROM ASLEEP AT THE STATION AND AT 4:00 AM THE TONES HIT, FIRE BRADCAST THROUGH THE STATION, INTO THE FIRE ENGINE, DOORS UP, ENGINE STARTED AND ON THE SCENE. )
On arrival of the first Dothan Fire Engine Company reported smoke and flames visible, offensive attack, instructed the second engine company to connect to a water supply. The water supply was laid into the Jeff Street scene from West Powell Street
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Jack Wood was in command of the scene. Dothan Fire Deputy Fire Chief Pete Webb was on the scene.
04:55 AM Dothan Fire Prevention Officer ( Investigator ) arrived on the scene.
04:48 AM Fire was announced under control.
04:55 AM Dothan Fire is in the salvage and overhaul phase.
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza gave an update to the brutal assault of a woman in Lovetown Thursday.
Police and emergency response units were notified of a woman covered in blood lying in the front yard of a residence yesterday. She was taken to Southeast Health with traumatic injuries.
It’s believed the suspect in the early hours Thursday broke in to the victim’s home through the back door of the residence — appearing to have pried the door open — while the victim was in bed watching television.
Valenza said the suspect entered the bedroom and began a vicious assault, striking the victim several times with a claw hammer in the face, back of the head and chest.
Valenza noted the victim was struck multiple times with the hammer. He said it was amazing the victim survived after the seriousness of her injuries.
The victim lost consciousness but eventually came to and made it to a neighbor’s yard on Woodland Road before falling unconscious again. It’s unclear when she regained consciousness before neighbors discovered her in the yard when they woke Thursday morning.
Latarius My’lik Dale, 30, of Cowarts, was quickly identified as a suspect. He had been involved in a single-vehicle accident shortly after the time of the assault and was also taken to Southeast Health with minor injuries.
Dale and the victim were married but had been separated several months, and they have a young child together. The child was not in the house at the time of the assault.
Dale previously had a misdemeanor domestic violence charge from 2023, but that charge was dropped by a judge after the victim did not cooperate. It was not yet been confirmed if the victim of the previous domestic violence charge is the same from Thursday’s attack, but it is believed the victim is the same.
Dale was charged with first-degree domestic violence and first-degree burglary. He’s being held in the county jail with no bond on conditions of Aniah’s Law. Law enforcement took him from the hospital straight to the jail.
The victim still has very serious injuries. Sources say the victim got a protection order from Dale after Thursday’s assault.
TAYLOR: 9:05 PM Houston County 911 dispatched a critical motor vehicle accident at West Cook Road and Highway 605. Reports of a single white vehicle overturned.
Rehobeth Fire – EMS, Taylor Fire, Houston County Sheriff Department and ALEA – Troopers responded.
On arrival no one was around the vehicle. The vehicle was laying on the driver side. There was a car seat inside and EMS and Fire searched the vehicle and area surrounding in order to make sure no one or no child was trapped inside or ejected. No one was found.
ALEA – Troopers are investigating the accident. Taylor Mayor Billy Snell and Taylor Vice Mayor/Councilman Merritt Carothers were also on the scene.
LOVETOWN: 08:13 AM Houston County 911 dispatched a “person down” on Dusty Lane in Lovetown.
“Person Down” is a female was found outside in the yard, breathing, but bleeding from the nose and mouth.
Houston County Sheriff Corporal Hunter and Deputy Vann responded along with Cottonwood Rescue.
On arrival of Houston County Sheriff Deputies it was reported the victim is reporting an assault from a burglary overnight. The Sheriff Deputies requested a Sheriff Criminal Investigator be dispatched to the scene.
Initial reports, patient is conscious. A 34 year old female reported to have been hit in the head with a hammer.
Cottonwood Rescue requested Dothan Fire Engine 4 (Southside) be dispatched for advanced life support assistance. The EMS reported a trauma alert.
The Sheriff Department is investigating the circumstances. Houston County Sheriff Patrol Sgt. Nowell is on the scene.
UPDATED @ 08:52 AM
Cottonwood Rescue with Dothan Fire Paramedics have arrived at Southeast Health with the patient.
Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigators are on the scene.
UPDATED @ 09:34 AM
08:59 AM Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigator Brandon Barnes has arrived at Southeast Health. When a call of this nature law enforcement responds to the scene and when a patient is transported a law enforcement officer and/or criminal investigator goes to the hospital where the victim is located.
09:01 AM Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigation Division Commander Captain Donovan Arias and Houston County Sheriff Criminal Division Commander Lt. Anthony Hatcher is on the scene in Lovetown.
UPDATED @ 10:17 AM
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza is on the scene. Houston County Sheriff Lt. Grantham is on the scene. Grantham commands the drone unit of the Sheriff Department. The drone was flying over the scene obtaining scene photographs.
The Sheriff Department is continuing the investigation.
UPDATED @ 4:48 PM
Houston County Sheriff Criminal Investigation has determined what took place. The neighborhood is safe and secure and no reason for the area residents to be concerned for their safety. More information will be released in the upcoming days.
