Two daycare fires just six days apart left dozens of east Alabama families scrambling for childcare and led to an investigation that has now resulted in a third arrest.
Investigators say glass mason jars filled with an accelerant were discovered at both fire scenes, indicating the fires were intentionally set.
According to the Opelika Police Department, Terrence Johnson, 51, of Tuskegee, was arrested Tuesday night, February 24, and charged with two counts of second-degree arson. His arrest marks the third in the case involving two Opelika childcare facilities.
Public records and campaign materials show Johnson was actively running for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 82, at the time of his arrest. It remains unclear how the charges will impact his candidacy.
The first fire was reported January 13, 2026, around 3:23 a.m. at By His Grace Daycare and Learning Center on South Sixth Street. The second occurred January 19, just after 11:30 p.m., at Children’s Palace Learning Center on Columbus Parkway. No injuries were reported in either incident.
Police previously arrested Michael Leon Green, 26, and Dante Kharari Brundidge, 28, both of Tuskegee, on arson charges connected to the fires.
The investigation involved assistance from the Alabama State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the United States Marshals Service.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Opelika Police Detectives at 334-705-5220 or submit tips through the Opelika Police Mobile App.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
DOTHAN: On February 3, 2026 Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba and the Associate Commissioners of the City of Dothan approved advanced travel requests.
It was unanimously approved for Billy Powell, Andrew Love, and Clay Dempsey to a conference “RENO ARENA TOURS” in Reno Nevada in the amount of $ 5,200.00.
On the trip, now, February 25, 2026, are Dothan City Manager Randy Morris, Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba, and all Dothan Associate Commissioners. These 8 have never been placed on a commission agenda for advanced travel payments to be made by the City of Dothan. So either someone is paying for fly these 8 to Reno Nevada for arena tours or there has been a common plan, scheme and design to hide their travel from the citizens of the City of Dothan.
But RSN can tell you, they are in Reno Nevada for Arena Tours.
RSN can not say the video above is what this group is being privately paid to tour or the City of Dothan is paying for a tour. If the City of Dothan is paying, this expenditure has been intentionally hidden from the public. But when googled RENO ARENA TOURS, this video is what came up. If there had not been a common plan, scheme and design to hide it from the public then the public would have known.
JANUARY 20, 2026 DOTHAN COMMISSION AGENDA
There was an approved Advanced Travel Request for Jason Wright to attend the National League of Cities – Congressional Cities Conference in Washington D.C. in the amount of $ 3,685.00. On the same agenda there was an agenda approved for Jason Wright to attend Congressional Meetings in Washington D.C. in the amount of $ 3,985.00.
This week, Jason Wright, Dothan City Manager Randy Morris and Dothan Commissioner D5 Gnatt Pierce met with Congressman Barry Moore. Now Moore will be speaking at Dothan Rotary Club on Monday, March 2, 2026. They could have met with Conressman Barry Moore then in Dothan for free. While the travel for Jason Wright fits in with his job description, it was on the agenda in plain sight. What was not on any 2026 agendas were for Dothan City Manager Randy Morris and D5 Dothan Commissioner Gnatt Pierce to attend. Guess a part of the common plan, scheme and design to hide their travel from the public, once again. And how was it decided that D5 Commissioner Gnatt Pierce was to attend and none of the fellow commissioners or Mayor to attend. This was never discussed in public nor was the trip for D5 Commissioner Gnatt Pierce and Dothan City Manager Randy Morris.
If you got to hide it then you are attempting to be deceptive!!!
Probably will get a PRICE HIKE in business license along with electrical and water. Dothan has authorized two studies that combined are costing the citizens close to $ 150,000.00 for these studies.
DOTHAN: Last evening Dothan 911 was dispatched at 9:50 PM to a firearm assault in the 500 block of Santolina Drive in Dothan.
According to information obtained by RSN, it appears the investigation reveals, preliminary, the two were in arguments over President Donald Trump’s State of Union speech.
What a thing to have a shooting over.
UPDATE @3:23 PM Wednesday February 25th
As previously reported, Dothan 911 was dispatched just before 10:00 p.m. to a firearm assault at the residence. According to investigators, the incident stemmed from an argument over politics.
Police say a 60-year-old man, identified as Anthony Summers, became involved in a verbal dispute with a 48-year-old man. During the argument, Summers allegedly produced a firearm and shot the victim in the abdomen.
The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.
Summers was arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault. He was booked into the Houston County Jail on a $30,000 bond. Jail records indicate he had not bonded out as of 3:00 p.m. Tuesday.
The investigation remains ongoing. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
ABBEVILLE-HENRY COUNTY: 12:31 PM ALL KIDS ARE OK! ALL KIDS ARE OKAY! NO ONE WAS INJURED!
This morning at Abbeville High School a student was found, in class.
The Henry County Sheriff School Resource Officer was on the grounds. The SRO was quick to respond and the student was detained and taken into custody. There were no injuries to anyone and no reports the weapon was pulled on anyone.
The Henry County Sheriff/Abbeville Police SWAT Team was on grounds conducting training exercises at the time of the incident. There was enough law enforcement manpower on the scene should they have been needed. The incident was quickly under control by the Henry County Sheriff School Resources Deputy assigned to the school.
The investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Henry County School Supt. Lori Beasley has not issued a public or private statement. According to TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729 the parental notification system has not been activated by Supt. Beasley as of this writing.
UPDATED @ 10:55 PM
At approximately 8:45am Abbeville HighSchool Administrators notified the School Resource Officer of a firearm on campus. Thanks to the swift and coordinated actions of school staff, school resource officer, and responding deputies, the situation was quickly contained. At no time was there a confirmed threat to any students or staff.
As a result of this incident Drashon Bussey 18, of Abbeville Al. was arrested and charged with possession of a firearm on school grounds and possession of an altered firearm. Bussey is being held in the Henry County Jail on no bond.
“We will continue to make the safety of our schools a priority. I want to commend Superintendent Lori Beasley and Principal McKay as well as the rest of the staff at Abbeville High School for their partnership with the Henry County Sheriffs Office to ensure the safety of all students” – Sheriff Eric Blankenship
A Montgomery man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison in connection to a deadly 2025 gas station shooting, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Rodriques Javaun Humphrey, 20, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a machinegun, possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number, drug trafficking, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime.
The shooting happened January 7, 2025, at a Chevron on Zelda Road. Twenty-four-year-old Rodriquez Harris, Jr. was shot and killed while sitting in his vehicle.
Authorities say officers with the Montgomery Police Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency heard gunfire and saw three suspects fleeing. Humphrey allegedly fired at officers while running before being captured. Investigators recovered a rifle, an AR-style pistol with a machinegun conversion device, marijuana, and a digital scale.
Humphrey and another suspect, Trawick Demond Smith, Jr., also face state capital murder charges. A third suspect, Ladarius Knight, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and is awaiting sentencing.
The Headland Police Department has been honored with the Community Gemmy Award, recognizing the department’s commitment to public safety and its strong partnership with the Headland community.
Officials with the department said the award is a reflection not only of the hard work and dedication of its officers, but also of the ongoing support and cooperation they receive from local organizations and residents.
The department expressed special appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce for the recognition, noting the Chamber’s vital role in strengthening the city through support of local businesses, economic development, community events, and initiatives that bring people together.
Department leaders emphasized that public safety is strongest when collaboration exists between law enforcement and the community. They credited partnerships with organizations like the Chamber for helping create a city that is not only safer, but also a better place to live and work.
The Headland Police Department thanked the Chamber of Commerce and the community for their continued support, partnership, and dedication to the success and well-being of the city. Officials said they are proud to serve the citizens of Headland and remain committed to working toward a safer, stronger community for all.
