COTTONWOOD: At the end of the regular scheduled Cottonwood Town Council Meeting, Cottonwood Mayor James Coachman stepped to the podium.
With tears in his eyes, Mayor James Coachman tendered his resignation as Mayor for the Town of Cottonwood. Mayor Coachman stated that he had some health issues and was going to be required to make trips to and from Birmingham. With that in mind, and knowing the needs of Cottonwood one year after it was struck by a tornado, Mayor Coachman said it was best for Cottonwood for him to resign.
Mayor Coachman said this is very hard for him to do and that he loves Cottonwood and everyone is a family. But, he had to what he felt was best for the future of Cottonwood.
Just prior to Mayor Coachman’s announcement the current Mayor Pro Tem Michael Capehart resigned as Mayor Pro Tem. Not as a Councilman, but only as Mayor Pro Tem.
In a unanimous vote, Councilman Van Granger was appointed Mayor Pro Tem. With the resignation of Mayor Coachman, now Mayor Pro Tem Van Granger will step in as Mayor. Following Mayor Coachman’s announcement the City Clerk for Cottonwood stated the procedures following the Mayor’s resignation.
We wish Mayor Coachman well and ask for prayers to be lifted for him as he deals with his pending medical issues.
PINCKARD: At 6:56 PM last evening Ozark – Dale County 911 dispatched Pinckard Police, Echo Rescue, Pinckard Volunteer Fire and Dale County Sheriff Deputies to a motor vehicle accident with injuries.
The accident location was 1024 Lees Bridge Road in Midland City. Reports to Ozark – Dale County 911 a motor vehicle accident with entrapment, single vehicle, vehicle verses tree with one female injured. A one vehicle, single occupant accident.
ECHO Fire – Rescue called a trauma alert. The patient was transported emergency to Southeast Health. The injuries were critical.
Around 6:44 AM Southeast Health notified Dale County Coroner John Cawley the victim from the auto accident passed away. The victim was identified as 61-year-old Susan Hutcheson.
Under today’s laws, the hospital is to notify the Coroner where the chain of events started. This accident was in Dale County. Although the death was in Houston County being in the healthcare facility, the Dale County Coroner has to be notified because that is where the chain of events, the wreck, initiated.
Pinckard Police are in charge of the accident investigation.
DOTHAN: 08:16 AM Dothan 911 dispathced Dothan Fire to 126 S. Alice to a commercial structure whre light smoke was visible.
On arrival of the first fire engine they reported gray smoke visible from th eeaves of the building, no flames. The call was upgraded to a structure fire which created a multi Dothan Fire Engine response. In addition to Dothan Fire Engines responded Deputy Fire Chief David Hasty and Deputy Fire Chief Pete Webb responded.
Reports of a gray smoke haze inside the business and in the office. Deputy Fire Chief pete Webb reports fire walls between the adjoining businesses and attempting to make contact with owners and make enrty into the adjoining business. At this time no source of the smoke has been identified.
Multiple Dothan Fire Engines on the scene. A Dothan Fire Prevention Officer is on the scene. Pilcher Ambulance is on the scene and Dothan Police is on the scene.
UPDATED @ 08:53 AM
Dothan Fire Inrerrior Fireman have found the source of the smke They have attempted to extinguish the insulation that was smoldering with a water can but unable to do so. They are going to be forced to make some holes to make access and are about to do so.
UPDATED AT 9 A.M.:
The first was called to be under control at 9 a.m.
There were multiple suites at the residence, but 911 was only able to notify some keyholders because of a lack of accurate records on who resides in each suite.
TIP: Make sure 911 has your updated contact information.
LOVETOWN – HOUSTON COUNTY: 7:45 PM Houston County 911 dispatched multiple volunteer fire departments to 2986 Fowler Road to a structure fire. Reports to Houston County 911 chiney on fire.
On arrival of the first Lovetown Volunteer Fireman he reported a two story residential structure, smoke and flames visible, a working structure fire was announced.
This location is between Halstead Store Road and County Road 33.
Lovetown Volunteer Fire, Cottonwood Volunteer Fire, Hodgesville Volunteer Fire, Cottonwood Rescue, Houston County Sheriff Deputies are on the scene.
There are water lines across the road and Fowler Road is closed. The utility company responsible for this address has been dispatched.
UPDATED @ 8:13 PM
Madrid Volunteer Fire has arrived on the scene. Kinsey Command – Jason Reneau who serves as President of the Houston County Volunteer Fire Chief Association, has arrived on the scene.
Wiregrass Electric Co-Op is enroute and the fireman are requesting them ASAP.
UPDATED @ 8:44 PM
Kinsey Command brought two volunteer fireman with him from Kinsey. Rehobeth Fire – Rescue also responded. A great turnout, and very cold, to fight this fire.
NO HOUSTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER WAS ON THE SCENE. They are under their electric blankets at a salary of $ 33,000.00 a year plus cost of living raises and $ 3,000.00 a year auto allowance plus 10 years invested in state retirement. The Volunteer Fire and EMS, well N-O-T-H-I-N-G B-U-T D-E-D-C-A-T-E-D S-E-R-V-I-C-E TO OTHERS. Service above self.
WICKSBURG: Today the building on Highway 84 West of Dothan, west of Highway 123 intersection in Wicksburg is being demolished.
The business known as Teaser’s, an adult etnertaiment business, strip bar is being torn down and debris burned in a controlled burn.
On August 9, 2012 a 33 year man by the name of Ryan Clark Peterson went into Teaser’s where he shot a killed three people. A fourth person was wounded.
After a 17 day trial before the Honorable Brad Mendhein in Houston County Circuit Court, a jury of 12 convicted Peterson and recomended the death penalty. Peterson is on death row at this time.
After a couple of years following the murder’s Teaser’s closed. It was attempted to open as a food business but the Houston County Commission attempted to block the opening.
Houston County passed a law years ago that a strip club could not be modified ( remodeled ), ownership transferred. The business had to remain the same as it was when the law was signed into existence.
NEW ORLEANS: Once having ties to Columbia Alabama, parents buried at Ebenezer Baptist Church Cemetery just west of Columbia, Sonny Smart passed away in New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. Not from the New Year’s Eve attack but after complications from hip surgery.
Sonny Smart is the father of Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart. At the time of his death he was surrounded by his wife Sharon and three children, Karl, Kirby and Kendall.
Sonny Smart is reported to have been in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame. Reports are he fell walking outside his hotel on New Year’s Eve day and fractured his hip.
Sonny Smart is a native of Columbia Alabama ( Houston County ), He was a high school head coach reported to have posted a record of 90-78-1. Sonny Smart coached in Bainbridge Georgia High School from 1988 – 1994 and Rabun County High from 1995 – 2003. Reports are Coach Smart coached at Alabama’s Holtville High School from 1977 – 1981.
Again, Sonny Smart’s death was not related to the attack on Bourbon Street at all. No arrangements have been announced.
