COTTONWOOD: At the end of the Cottonwood Town Council Meeting, Mayor James Coachman resigned as Mayor. The announcement came with tears in his eyes. The reason for the resignation: health related issues.
James Coachman was in his first term as Mayor. He had served as a Councilman for the City of Cottonwood for several terms before seeking election as Mayor. The incumbent Mayor, Ken Hamilton, did not seek re-election, and the Mayor’s Office was up with no incumbent.
Cottonwood was struck a year ago on January 9, 2024 with a tornado. The tornado caused extensive damage to Cottonwood, including the destruction of long term Animal Clinic belonging to Dr. Bruce Wozow. The tornado damaged Cottonwood Town Hall, Cottonwood Senior Citizens Clinic, Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Station and several other businesses and residences.
Mayor James Coachman is being forced to take several trips to Birmingham for treatment. He realizes that it will take him out of Cottonwood and not be available for management of the projects that are needed to get the City of Cottonwood back to the future.
It was evident during his talk his love for the Town of Cottonwood. His resignation was James Coachman looking into the future and what was best for the residents and businesses of Cottonwood Alabama. To make Cottonwood’s future brighter and bigger.
Being the Mayor of a small town is difficult. It is hard to be innovative to attract business to a small town and attract people to shop in a small town. And without the revenue it is them hard for a small town to grow. So in great times serving as Mayor is difficult.
THANK YOU James Coachman for your service as Councilman and as Mayor. And THANK YOU for being a man, stepping up to the plate, and thinking of Cottonwood’s future.
PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES as you battle health issues.
Houston County Coroner Robert Byrd identified the person struck and killed on Honeysuckle Road Tuesday night as 79-year-old Marcus Gaddis.
The coroner says it’s possible Gaddis stopped to pick something up from the road, possibly something from his car, when another vehicle hit him.
Officials say the driver who struck Gaddis was not on-scene when police arrived.
Gaddis was a retired Troy professor.
The matter is under investigation.
UPDATE:
Police confirmed Marcus Gaddis had stopped in the 800 block of Honeysuckle Road for unknown reasons. After he stopped, he exited his vehicle and dropped papers he was carrying. Some of the papers scattered into the road, and while Gaddis tried to collect them he was struck by a vehicle.
The suspect vehicle was described by witnesses as a dark colored Chevrolet SUV, which may have been a Tahoe.
If anyone has any information on the vehicle or driver of the dark Chevrolet SUV, they are asked to contact the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3632. Citizens can also submit tips anonymously through Central Alabama Crimestoppers at 334-215-STOP or at P3TIPS.com. Central Alabama Crimestoppers offers rewards on tips that lead to the arrest in serious cases. Vehicle body repair shops should be alert to vehicles matching this description that may come in for repairs and call the Dothan Police Department.
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.
