Fort Rucker has announced changes to its security and access procedures following direction from the commander of U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) to implement heightened security measures at military installations nationwide.
The Wiregrass Army base confirmed it is suspending its Trusted Traveler Program. Under the updated policy, all vehicle occupants aged 18 and older must present a valid Department of the Army (DOD) ID card or obtain a visitor access pass before entering the installation. Anyone without a valid DOD ID card will be required to secure a visitor pass prior to entry.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Fort Rucker said, “We routinely assess our security posture and have modified our access procedures in response to current events.”
USNORTHCOM directed installations to increase security following escalating strikes in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Officials have not indicated how long the enhanced security measures will remain in place.
DOTHAN: Today United States Congressman Barry Moore was in Dothan speaking to the Monday Dothan Rotary Club. Congressman Moore is seeking election to the United States Senate Seat held by current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville.
Congressman Moore is perhaps the only political office holder who has kept his word. When serving in the Alabama Legislature, Barry Moore promised that he would only serve two terms, eight years, in the Alabama Legislature. And he kept his word and did not seek re-election to the Alabama House.
Then Barry Moore sought election to the United States House of Representatives and was elected. Congressinal elections are held every two years. After 4 years in Congress the district lines were redrawn and placed the Congressional seat with Baldwin County Alabama. Representative Moore was in an election with a Incumbent Congressman, Jerry Carl, who lived in Mobile County. That made the Congressional District very large. What did Barry Moore do? Rollup his sleeves and put his life long work ethic in place and worked hard. The registered voters re-elected Barry Moore to the U.S. Congress.
When current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville made the decision not to seek re-election, a lot of conservative supporters talked with Barry about running for U.S. Senate. After he and his wife prayed about it, the decision was made to seek the U.S. Senate seat.
The 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump, has endorsed Barry Moore as U.S. Senator. . And the Vice President of the United States, J.D. Vance, has endorsed Barry Moore for the U.S. Senate. Other endorsements are coming.
Barry Moore is from Enterprise where he owned and operated a business. After election to Congress his wife assumed ownership of the business. Today his wife and son own and operate the business, which is still in Enterprise Alabama.
Barry Moore has common sense and is a workhorse in service to the people which he serves. He has formed relationships in both the Alabama Legislature and in the 5 years he has served in Washington. He knows what it takes to manage a business, make a payroll and a strong work ethic. Barry Moore has taken that common sense, business approach while serving in public office. With he and Senator Katie Britt, also from Enterprise, with a direct phone connection to President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Alabama is on the map and well represented in this state in Washington D.C.
HARTFORD: 4:20 PM Geneva County 911 dispatched a structure fire at 403 N. Third Avenue in Hartford. At the time of dispatch the information to Geneva County 911 was the residence was fully involved and evacuating residence at the time of the 911 and they were getting juveniles out of the residence.
Hartford Fire-Rescue and Slocomb Fire-Rescue were dispatched to the scene.
On arrival of Hartford Fire Engine 2 they reported a working strucutre fire. As Slocomb Fire Engine 4 arrived on the scene they connected to the nearest fire hydrant on North 3rd Street and Railroad Avenue. Bellwood Volunteer Fire Department was the third engine to arive on the scene.
After connecting to the fire hydrant it was determined the hydrant was dead. The fire departments quickly adapted and began to relay water to fight the structure fire.
The fire departments were quick with an offensive attack on the fire and got the fire knocked down quickly. Bellwood Volunteer Fire was able to be cancelled while they were responding.
Hartford Police Department was on the scene.
These departments fought a structure fire on Sunday and back on another structure fire today, Monday.
HOUSTON COUNTY: The advertising for “School of Choice”. While it appears everyone can decide on your “School of Choice”, it is actually a two way street. The schools are not required to take every child in the School of Choice.
The school systems evaluate the students academics, attendance record, disciplinary records and other criteria. They schools do not want to inherit students that are a disruption to education, but want students with a desire for an education.
Today Houston County School Board and Houston County School Superintendent Brandy White issued a press release the Houston County School system has LIMITED tuition enrollment as the Houston County School system is a qualified CHOOSE ACT provider.
The press release emphasizes there are established guidelines for student acceptance. And acceptance will be based on availability for additional students and based on optimal class sizes.
The enrollment is for the 2026-2027 school year.
Houston County School System was selected as the number one county system in the State of Alabama. There are 67 county systems in Alabama. Houston County School system rank 62 in the funding, but number 1 in the entire State of Alabama.
DOTHAN: On March 1, 2021, William ( Will ) E. Benny took the Oath of Office for Dothan Police Chief from Alabama Associate Supreme Court Justice Brad Mendheim. Following the Oath of Office, Chief Benny laid out clear expectations of the Dothan Police Department, someof which was treating citizens with respect and being honest.
Chief Benny is not a “look what I have done” person. As Chief, he strives to give the men and women of Dothan Police Department the tools and training to do their job. Then he backs out of the way and allows them to do their job. Chief Benny hates when the focus is on him and what he is doing, but wants the focus on the performance of the police department.
Early on in his administration Chief Benny created a huge partnership with the WASP ( Wiregrass Aviation Support Program ). In a recent murder case the Dothan Police aircraft, equipped with modern technology, and the ground units of Dothan Police Department, kept the scene area hot and the suspect confined in a small area. The suspect was apprehended 1 mile from the crime scene. That vision has allowed eyes in the sky for chases, watching officers, and patrolling around Dothan, being proactive in crime prevention, detection and apprehension.
Recently Chief Benny initiated a partnership with Axon. Now Dothan Police Officer and Patrol vehicles are equiped with the latest body worn and in car camera systems on the market. The system activates officers cameras within close distance of each other and the patrol cars. All angles of intereaction are now captured on video and audio.
While retired Dothan Police Chief Steve Parrish laid ground work for the construction of the Wiregrass Training Center, it has allowed Chief Benny to grow that facility. Chief Benny was able to get a police academy at the Wiregrass Training Center. Now Dothan amd area agencies are trained here in Dothan with a State Certified Police Academy. There is an ever on-going training for the law enforcement officers at the Wiregrass Training Center. Working daily to keep officers trained and certified in all areas of law enforcement.
Chief Benny is working on a real time crime center. The center is expected to be operatonal in the immediate future. It will allow Dothan Police Department to be on top of crime before and immediate after it has occured. Being on top of the latest technology available and helping quickly identify suspects. A lot of technology that has been implemented will not be identified. But some technology in the department that has been implemented is when something has happened, tehn implementing safety devices so it will not happen again.
The recent Mardi Gras Parade, the attendees felt safe with law enforcement prescence on land and in the air. Some the attendees saw teh prescence of officers and some officers they did not see, as Dothan Police Officers were staged to make sure it was a safe event. A lot of detailed planning by Chief Benny and staff goes into making sure all systems are go.
Chief Benny has worked hard to bring law enforcement officers pay up to where they can live. With the support of the City Manager, Mayor and members of the Dothan Commission, Chief Benny has brought the Dothan Police Department to a larger number and longer retention of officers.
Congratulations to Dothan Police Chief Will Benny has he begins another year as Dothan’s Top Cop.
