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06:21 AM Houston County Needs Chris Love As D2 Commissioner

by | Jun 16, 2026 | Breaking News

HOUSTON COUNTY – DISTRCT 2:     Today is election day run off. The only local race on the ballot is Houston County Commissioner District 2.

Since 1977 I have followed politics and the Houston County Commission. And I am very concerned over the direction THIS Houston County Commission has the county headed.

Under Chairman Brandon Shoupe, he is headed for this county to be in great debt. He does not tell the public the entire truth, only half truths. This commission has wasted money and the current commissioners endorse whatever Shoupe says. This commission has caused a major lawsuit, a multi million dollar lawsuit because of ther negligence in ignoring a problem at the jail. The commission negligence caused a inmate to be injured and flown to UAB in Birmingham.

This commission made the public think they had a lease on Chattahotchee State Park when they did not. This commission made the people think something was going to happen at the park when it was in fact they had no lease.

This commission gave the City of Dothan the parking lot in front of the courthouse. This commission then closed off the parking lot behind the courthouse for employees only and if you, the registered voters are caught parking there your vehicle will be towed. This commission built a parking lot across from the old Dothan Eagle with onky 1 handicapped parking space.

When asked in Ashford where are the handicapped and senior citizens suppose to park, Chairman Shoupe is reported to have said “they can walk just like I can”. Confirmed by three different people.

The commission controls the courthouse, where offices are located and the parking. If you are a witness, a juror or someone in the courthouse, you are commanded to attend. But forced to walk blocks to get to the courthouse. And THIS commission actions have taken North Foster parking for the courthouse therfore causing problems for the private businesses tryng to make a living.

This commission spent $ 6.2 million dollars renovating the Houston County Farm Center. Then, behind closed doors, negotiated with the National Peanut Festival to manage the Farm Center on a 50/50 split of income. This arrangement can never – ever come close to being a break even deal. The registered voters will be forever paying for this.

While I like the incumbent as an individual, Houston County needs Chris Love. He is a farmer and a self employed businessman. He will look after the county in providing needs and not in wasting money. He will not be a rubber stamp to the wasting of money. And this commission will raise every fee or tax possible over the next four years possible. And Houston County needs someone who will stand up and say no.

Houston County Commisson Chairman Brandon Shoupe lost the county in the primary election. It was the City of Dothan that re-elected him. This is bad that a “County Commission” lost in the county. The county has no confidence in this commission. The Houston County Volunteer Fire Chief Assocation, the men and women who donate their time to serve and protect, have said in a meeting they have no confidence or trust in this Houston County Commission.

Chairman Shoupe has admitted since the election his purchase into Tri-State Graphics and is Vice President. He stated that the county has a good staff and Tri-State has a good staff that willl allow him to “split” his time. Chairman pays $ 130,000.00 per year and is a full time job. This county needs a commission that holds the Chairman’s feet to the fire to do the job he is hired to do. But THIS commission will allow him to not serve as a full time Chairman.

While I like the incumbent he has proven to be a follower rather than a leader. Not a innovator of ideas but rather someone who follows the others. Not to mention THIS commission attempt to take over Southeast Health, And the registered voters said NO WAY!

The Commission Chairman can not vote unless a tie. The Chairman can not make a motion. Houston County needs a commissioner who will tighten the belt and stop following a Chairman in anything he wants which is breaking this county. And Chris Love will look at the issues and be someone conservative in this county, looking into the present and future needs.

Placing items in mailboxes that are not mailed through the United States Postal Service is a federal crime. Materials have been placed in mailboxes with a listof who is running and Tracy Adams name has been highlighted in yellow. These were not mailed and were not legally in your mailbox.

CHRIS LOVE, as a businessman, will look after thiis county making sure it is financially sound..

Josephine Beall Ponder, known to most as “Jobie” passed away peacefully

Josephine Beall Ponder, known to most as “Jobie” passed away peacefully

by | Jun 15, 2026 | Breaking News

Josephine Beall Ponder, known to most as “Jobie” passed away peacefully in her apartment at Huntcliff Summit Assisted Living in Sandy Springs, Georgia on June 11, 2026.  Born in Dothan, Alabama on April 7th, 1932, she was 94 years old.

She will be remembered by her friends and family as a vibrant and fun-loving person that made friends easily and loved them dearly.  She loved tennis, golf, fishing, dancing, and serving as Captain of their boat, the Why Knot.  Her favorite place in the world was Compass Lake, Florida, which her family has enjoyed for seven generations.

One of her nieces said that she was unafraid of life and of death.  This describes her long and full life perfectly.

Jobie was especially proud of her children, six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Jobie was married for 48 years to Dan Ponder, Sr. before his passing in 2001.  She assisted him in operating Beall Peanut Company in their hometown of Cottonwood, AL.   She was pre-deceased by her parents, Joe and Catharine Beall, her sister Catharine Byrd (Bill), and her brother Joe Beall, Jr.

Mrs. Ponder is survived by her children, Dan Ponder, Jr. (Mary Lou) of Auburn, AL; Ernest Ponder (Karen) of Dahlonega, GA, and Josephine Hasler (Jim) of Roswell, GA.

Other survivors include her grandchildren Catherine Vanstone (Daaron) of Bainbridge, GA, Elizabeth Faulk (Grant) of Dothan, AL, Stephen Hasler (Mandi) of Cumming, GA, Bailey Cochran (Justin) of Lavonia, GA, Addison Fields (Jay) of Blairsville, GA, and Davis Ponder (Jalen) of Ewa Beach, Hawaii.

Jobie is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Henry Vanstone; Laura, Will & Andrew Faulk; Mason Hasler; Anniston & Lennon Cochran; Payne & Lucy Fields, and Tatum Ponder.

There will be a private graveside service for the family at the Cottonwood City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Capstone Hospice, 5550 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 150, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 or the charity of your choice.

 

HOLMAN-HEADLAND MORTUARY & CREMATIONS IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS. Phone 334-693-3371. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com.  This establishment does not own a crematory.

6:22 PM Structure Fire – Dempsey Court – Dothan

by | Jun 13, 2026 | Breaking News

DOTHAN:     6:15 PM     Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 218 Dempsey Court, off Denton Road,  in Dothan. Person reporting advised 911 heavy smoke from the rear of the residnece.

Dothan Fire Engine 6 ( Napier Field Road ) reported smoke could be seen from a distrance away.

6:20 PM    Dothan Fire Engine 6 ( Napier Field Road ) reported a single story residential strcture, heavy smoke visible. Reported a working structure fire with an offensive attack.Engine 6 reported they did not connect to a hydrant and next incoming engine company needs to connect to a fire hydrant.

Engine 6 exited the structure due to the heat and making an aggressive fire attack from another area. Heavy fire on the back side and roof line of the residence.

Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Jack Wood is on the scene and in command of the fire. Engine 6 requested an attack team enter from the garage to offensively attack the fire. Dothan Fire Deputy Chief Pete Webb is responding to the fire.

6:28 PM      Search team is in the garage, heavy heat if felt and search team backing out and applying mmore water to the fire.

6:30 PM      Flames visible to the center of the roof.

6:31 PM     Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Jack Wood jas requested a fourth fire engine be dispatched and respond.

6:32 PM    Fire Attack has changed to a defensive fire attack and all fireman inside has been instructued to exit the structure.

6:50 PM     Dothan 911 has made contact with homeowners. They are not home and just moved in a week ago. Deputy Fire Chief Pete Webb reported fire on the front side.

7:06 PM      Dothan Fire reports significant roof cave in at the center of the residence.

 

10:17 PM Firearm Assault Reported – Campbellton Highway amd Taylor Road

by | Jun 12, 2026 | Breaking News

DOTHAN:      10:05 PM    Dothan 911 dispatched a firearm assault at Campbellton Highway and Taylor Road. The initial reports are a female was shot in the chest.

Dothan 911 received information on a suspect vehicle. Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies have spread out casting a wide net for a suspect vehicle that left the scene.

Dothan Fire Engine Company 2 ( Lakewood ) and Pilcher Ambulance are on the scene. Initial reports to victim is conscious.

Dothan Criminal Investigation Division and Dothan Police Crime Scene Investigators have been dispatched to the scene.

UPDATED @ 10:26 PM

Dothan Fire Medics ( 2 ) are on board with Pilcher Amulance transporting the firearm assault victim, emergency, to Southeast Health.