Rescue units are responding to a critical wreck at Deese Road and South Union Avenue in Ozark.
The Enterprise Rescue helicopter was requested, but injuries are currently unclear. Units arriving on the scene indicated the wreck looked bad.
Initial reports indicated road blockage.
Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum is on-scene.
Enterprise Air is set to land on Parker Drive.
Emergency units are currently responding to a critical wreck on Highway 84 near Bluff Springs Road.
Highway 84 was shut down at Bluff Springs Road. At least ten vehicles are involved.
Initial reports indicated multiple vehicles involved.
Visibility is almost zero due to heavy smoke and fog.
UPDATE: No fatalities are reported. About 12 vehicles involved. At least one person has been taken to the hospital.
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, Houston County Commissioner Tracy Adams, Houston County Chief Deputy Carlisle and President of Houston County Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association Reneau are all on scene. Ashford Police, Kinsey Police, Houston County Sheriffs and ALEA Troopers are on scene.
A patch of fog and smoke lowered visibility to zero in the area. At present, the eastbound lane of Highway 84 is blocked.
HENRY COUNTY: This week marks the final week of three people who served the citizens and guests of Henry County, Alabama for over 18 years. These three served with the strongest of definitions in Humility, Dedication, and a very STRONG SENSE OF JUSTICE.
These three are District Court Judge Derek Peterson; Circuit Court Clerk Shirlene Vickers; and Senior Judicial Assistant, Terry Thompson.
Judge Peterson and Circuit Clerk Shirlene Vickers did not seek re-election. They have served as elected officials in Henry County for 18 consecutive years. Both served as Republican elected officials. Circuit Clerk Shirlene Vickers holds the title of the first ever elected woman to public office in Henry County as a Republican.
Ms. Terry Thompson came on 18 years ago with Judge Peterson. She has served as the gatekeeper to Judge Peterson with class and dedicated service. Being a Judicial Assistant is a balancing act because people in court cases cannot just come into the Judge’s Office and discuss the legal matter at hand. Often times these are friends, but the Judge is bound to the Judicial Canon of Ethics. So as gatekeeper, it was Ms. Thompson’s duty to attempt to help them but shield the Judge so all was fair. She also made sure people understood the ethical boundaries and why so they would not leave mad. Terry Thompson served 18 consecutive years as Judicial Assistant to Judge Peterson.
Judge Peterson is one who I often described as a Judge you would still thank after sentencing you to death by lethal injection. Judge Derek Peterson was always kind and considerate. He is a balanced justice and a very smart man who knew how to navigate land mines in matters before the court.
Shirlene Vickers had 41.5 years as an employee State of Alabama, all in the Circuit Clerk Office in Henry County. Of those 41.5 years, 18 of those was as the elected Clerk. She was always diligent to her task of keeping all of the court records and dockets in order and everything on task. Being a Circuit Clerk is not a “position”, it is a job! During her 41.5 years and 18 as elected, Shirlene Vickers has gone above and beyond the call of duty in the performance of her job.
THANK YOU to all three of you. You have been the model for elected and appointed officials. You are the model for showing respect to the citizens that interact from all walks of life.
On January 7 there was a reception honoring these three dedicated public servants. Dr. Rich Hobson of the Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts traveled to Abbeville to present these three with plaques. Even Montgomery recognized the quality of these three public servants.
In closing, Well done thy good and faithful servants!!!
DALE COUNTY: 6:56 PM Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum, Dale County Sheriff Deputies, intercepted by Houston County Sheriff Deputies are escorting Ozark EMS from Dale County to Southeast Health.
In the Ozark EMS units, a two year old child not breathing. Without hesitation Dale County Sheriff and the Deputies intercepted the ambulance and escorting to Southeast Health, emergency.
The reason for escorting a ambulance with a critical patient the last thing the ambulance needs is to stop/start/swerve as they get through traffic while the Paramedics are fighting for this child’s life.
Imagine performing CPR, doing protocols onthe child such as IV and other medical procedures, as you are fyling around in the back of the ambulance.
Drivers hear sirens, slam on brakes directly in front of the emergency vehicle, fail to yield the right of way and travel through cross streets in the path of the ambulance.
7:02 PM the ambulance and law enforcement escorts are at Montgomery and Westgate and turning left on Ross Clark around the northside of Ross Clark Circle to East Main Street.
Dothan Police have made an arrest in the fatal hit-and-run on Honeysuckle Road.
George Shelby Rice, 57, of Dothan, was identified through video surveillance and witness statements. His vehicle was seen on camera before and after 89-year-old Marcus Gaddis, a retired Troy University professor, was struck and killed on Honeysuckle Road.
Officers went to Rice’s residence and found the vehicle with damage consistent with striking a pedestrian.
Evidence suggests Rice knew he had struck a person in the road and had consumed alcohol earlier in the evening.
Rice was charged with murder and leaving the scene of an accident with injuries or death. He’s in the Houston County Jail with no bond.
He was already on bond for a previous crash in which he left the scene after hitting two pedestrians on Murphy Mill Road in August 2024. The Houston County District Attorney has filed to revoke his previous bond.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Dr. Gaddis’ friends and family during this time,” said Dothan Police Chief Will Benny in a statement. “Hopefully this arrest will help them begin to heal from this terrible tragedy.”
FORMER PASTOR OF SOUTHSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH, DOTHAN ALABAMA WHERE HE SERVED ABOUT TEN YEARS
Dr. Kenneth Wayne Harrison passed from this world into the glory of Heaven, Monday, January 6, 2025. He was 92 years old. He was born September 12, 1932 in rural Walton County, Florida in a log cabin, built by his grandfather in 1898 and he passed away in the very same home. His childhood on the family farm not only instilled a shepherd’s heart, but taught him many life skills that prepared him for the ministry that God had planned for him. After his ordination, he pastored numerous Baptist churches in Florida and Alabama during his 68 years in the ministry.
During this time he also worked with Agricultural Missions in Africa and the Philippines. His earlier years on the farm were key to his learning all about gardening, tending to animals, wood working and all the aspects required to be a successful farmer. God gave him the opportunity to share this knowledge with farmers in Africa and Philippines.
Dr. Harrison received his Bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Florida State University. He received his master’s degree from the New Orleans Seminary. Later he received an honorary Doctorate from Baptist College of Florida.
Dr. Harrison was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Laura Nell Rogers Harrison, his parents, Horace Franklin Harrison and mother, Ethel Beatrice Anderson Harrison, and his brother Samuel R. (Roddy) Harrison.
Dr. Harrison is survived by his daughter, Lona Harrison Robinson and husband Nicholas Schuster of North Walton County, Florida; his son David Kenneth Harrison and wife Michelle of Pleasant Grove Community, Florida; grandchildren Emily Watson, Rhen Robinson and Dalton Harrison; his two brothers Ralph Harrison and wife Ruby of Marianna Florida, Eddie Harrison and wife Pam of Pleasant Grove Community, Florida, and sister-in-law, Ann Harrison.
A time of visitation will be held from 12:30-1:30 pm, Saturday, January 11, 2025, at First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs, FL. 216 Live Oak Ave. E. DeFuniak Springs Florida 32435.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM, Saturday, January 11, 2025, at First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs, FL, with Reverends Dan Harrison and Tim Burnham officiating.
Flowers are being accepted. Donations may be made to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home. https://www.fbchomes.org/
Pallbearers will be Willy Tatman, Rodney Hitzing, Timmy Carter, Nick Anderson, Frank Harrison, and Chuck Harrison.
Burial will be held at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery