09:49 AM. Truck Lost His Chickens
DOTHAN: In the 3300 block of South Oates a chicken truck has lost his chickens.
08:36 AM. Voters Continue To Loose Under Chairman Brandon Shoupe
From Facebook Of Rev. Ricky Plummer
HOUSTON COUNTY RESIDENTS KEEP LOSING UNDER SHOUPE
First, residents continue to lose on the Chattahoochee State Park. This property, 596 acres owned by the state, is leased to Houston County for $0. The land is Title 16 land, which means any profit from the land must go into the education fund. The property has had very little profit, especially since Hurricane Michael destroyed the timber. Back in 2022, the Commission was about to forfeit the lease because it was costing too much to keep up the park. I proposed a project to the commission, and they entered into an emergency lease to avoid losing the property. I understand at this point, unless something changes, they are not renewing the lease. I am not sure who is leading in this decision, the chairman or the county engineer. The property has been cleaned up and replanted by the state at no cost to the county. I have asked how many service hours the county has put into the park, and I have yet to receive that number. I was told that the number is very low. In meetings I have been privy to, the engineer has made it clear that he does not intend to invest hours into the park. Remember, it is a park for the residents, and these guys serve the residents.
The proposed project was a public shooting park for the residents. This park would be enjoyed by Houston County residents, with revenue coming from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida residents. Under the leadership of Paul Lee, the State of Alabama gave $300,000 dollars to Houston County for the purchase of Clay Target Machines with committed funds of $2.7 million dollars of federal funds from the Pittman Robertson Fund. This is 3 million dollars committed to a project for the residents of Houston County and the State of Alabama, from whom the federal funds have been raised. The resident’s money back into one of the communities it was raised from. Houston County is still in possession of the $300,000 dollars because they cannot figure out how to use it since it was originally designated for the Clay target machines. Whether a shooting park ever comes to fruition or not, I cannot fathom the county allowing 596 acres of free land to be turned back over to the state and not used for the residents of the county to which the land is positioned. Houston County residents lose again.
Second, I have spoken to the chairman about our Houston County Sheriff deputies. I do not know exact figures, but I believe it to be at least a $10,000-dollar difference between Dothan City and Houston County Law Enforcement Officers. I am equally grateful for our law enforcement officers, city and county. How is it that our county officers serve the same residents with starting salaries $10,000 lower than city officers? This is not a reflection on our officers but on our chairman’s leadership. We have great men and women serving our community, city, and county. The salary deficit puts our county agency at a disadvantage in hiring and maintaining great officers.
It seems that Houston County residents continue to lose under Chairman Shoupe. It seems that he is very politically minded without serving the residents. You will have to ask him, but I understand he feels no one can stop him from getting elected for another term.
I am not telling you who to vote for, and I am not endorsing any other candidates at this time. Please do your own research and vote with your conscience.
I recently met candidate John Rogers. In our conversation, he explained how he had served the residents of Houston County through the court system for the last 30 years. He seemed very community-minded and ready to be a public servant. I am not endorsing him at this point. He seems like a viable candidate, and it just seems that we continue to lose under Shoupe.
UPDATED
I have spoken to Tracy Adams, who is the commissioner of District 2, where the AL State Park is located, and he has gone on record as being all for reopening the state park. He supports opening the state park for the residents of Houston County. I appreciate his stance on the park.
SOME ARE ASKING WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH THE PARK
Some are asking what could be done at the park. Here is what was proposed for the state park. The state would get behind this without the ATV trail because of liability. Sorry, not my decision, it’s the state‘s decision on that. Florida has many shooting facilities like this, eleven, I think. Political aspirations seem to have gotten in the way of supporting this. This would generate money for the education fund. Since this is Title 16 land, it has to be used for this purpose if it generates profit. Florida and Bay County have made this work, and I believe Houston County could too. I have personally pitched this to Shoupe to no avail. Remember, the land was and is about to be released back to the state without them signing the lease. I just can not figure out why we would let this happen.
UPDATED
My post concerned the chairman’s unwillingness to sign the lease for the state park. I do not know where the other commissioners stand. You should ask your commissioner. As far as I know Tracy Adams is the only commissioner who has publicly supported the reopening of the state park. I am not in District 2 but Tracy is a friend, he is honest and serves with integrity. If anyone is saying he is not for the park reopening that is not the truth and the ones saying it are using their false claims to promote their own agendas. Tracy publicly announced his stance on the park two weeks ago with a video on his Facebook. For all of the nay sayers out there I have as much right to state my opinion as anyone else. I promise to post professionally and honestly. If a person cannot do so without the junk that follows it is a good indication why we cannot dialogue anymore. It is also indicates that people will post without any knowledge. I will speak to anyone in an open forum and share with them all the hours I have spent trying offer an idea to the county. An idea that will cost county 0 dollars. The grants I am talking about can only be used to enhance hunting and fishing because that is where the money comes, the hunting sports and fishing sports. None of this money can be used elsewhere. Pittman Robertson Fund, look it up and read it for yourselves. At this point it is a 90/10 grant. May have reverted back to a 75/25 match at this point. Again, Tracy is the only person who I believe has tried to dialogue with me. He at least wants to reopen the park. Do not try to slant this any other way.
9:51 PM. Rehobeth – Meet The Candidates
UPDATED SATURDAY @ 6:32 PM. 8:27 PM. Enterprise – Firearm Death
ENTERPRISE: 8:20 PM. Enterprise 911 dispatched Enterprise Police, Enterprise Fire-Rescue and Enterprise Rescue to a location near the Enterprise Country Club.
Reports are a firearm injury.
Enterprise Rescue has helicopter on scene to fly the victim to a trauma center.
Full details are not known at this time. Enterprise Police Criminal Investigation Division in charge of the investigation.
Enterprise Police Chief Michael Moore is on scene and in contact with officers.
Anyone with scene pictures or additional information TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
UPDATED @ 8:27 PM.
The victim is deceased on the scene. Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham has been dispatched to the scene.
UPDATED SATURDAY @ 6:32 PM
Enterprise Police have arrested 37 year old Treilon Parkman and booked him into the Coffee County Jail. Parkman is booked on murder with no bond.
7:57 PM. Dawson Spivey Sets His Sights on the Snowflake 125
Dawson Spivey Sets His Sights on the Snowflake 125
Slocomb native Dawson Spivey is preparing to take his shot at one of short track racing’s biggest stages, officially beginning his road to the Snowflake 125 on April 24th at Five Flags Speedway.
For drivers chasing December in Pensacola, the goal is simple: earn your place and prove you belong.
And that journey starts now.
The First Step Toward December
Spivey and the No. 9 Jett Motorsports team will roll into Five Flags Speedway for the opening “Road to the Snowflake” event a two-night show featuring top-tier Pro Late Model competition from across the country.
This isn’t a warm up.
It’s the first real test.
The program is led by Patt Jett, coming off a Snowball Derby win in 2024 with Kayden Honeycutt one of the most respected victories in short track racing. Alongside him is crew chief Greg Jane, helping keep the No. 9 team competitive week in and week out.
A Track That Demands Everything
Five Flags Speedway is a fast, worn out half mile that exposes everything.
Tire management, discipline, and long run speed aren’t optional they’re the difference between competing and falling off. And when Snowflake caliber cars hit the track, you’re not racing a local field.
You’re racing the best in the country.
Teams travel from across the United States and Canada with one goal:
Win.
Built on History
The Snowflake and Snowball Derby week have long been proving grounds for the sport’s top talent.
Drivers like Kyle Busch, Chase Elliott, Erik Jones, and Darrell Waltrip all came through Pensacola on their way to the highest levels of racing.
More recent standouts include Stephen Nasse, a former Jett Motorsports driver, and Keelan Harvick, son of Kevin Harvick, who is already making noise in the sport. Drivers like Noah Gragson and John Hunter Nemechek have also found success here.
This isn’t just another race.
It’s where reputations are built.
A New Challenge
For Spivey, April 24 marks his first real look at this level long runs, large fields, and a completely different pace of racing.
“These Pro Late Models are a different animal,” Spivey said. “The long runs are where it really gets tough. You’ve got to manage your tires and adjust as the track changes. On restarts, everything tightens up timing, patience, and situational awareness become just as important as speed. One mistake in the pack can cost you everything… and a demolished race car.”
The team has already been putting in laps ahead of race week.
“We’ve been doing private testing, and it’s been good. We’ve got one motor we plan on wearing out making laps in Pensacola, and we blew one up last week during a private test.”
He understands the jump in competition.
“Last year, I thought I was having the time of my life running 25 lap Modified races at South Alabama Speedway. But stepping into these bigger races with the best in the country is a completely different level and I enjoy the challenge and the learning curve.
It really makes you appreciate what goes into it the long hours, the preparation, and the cost. It’s a dream come true, and I wouldn’t want to be doing it with any other team than Jett Motorsports.”
The Right People Around Him
Spivey credits the people around him for helping create this opportunity.
His relationship with Patt Jett someone he considers family along with support from his brother Weston Spivey and guidance from James Finch, has helped position him for this moment.
Add in help from former Snowball Derby winner Travis Braden, now an engineer with Hendrick Motorsports, and the foundation is in place.
All Eyes on December
There’s nothing easy about Five Flags Speedway especially at this level.
But that’s exactly where drivers want to be.
Dawson Spivey, out of Slocomb, is officially starting his run toward one of the biggest weeks in racing.
Pensacola in December is the goal.
And the road starts April 24.
GO NO. 9.
09:20 AM Houston County Sheriff Deputies Get New Tasers
HOUSTON COUNTY: Houston County Sheriff Deputies and Correctional Deputies are undergoing extensive training on new Tasers.
After 21 years Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza has been able to get new tasers for the deputies and correctional deputies. Currently Lt. Trent Blair and others in training division are training each and every officer in the use of tasers.
Often times law enforcement officers are placed in bad situations with offenders when they are non compliance in orders given by the law enforcement officers. In the jail, at times, inmates attempt to over power a corrections deputy. Often ambushing the corrections deputy.
The old tasers the officers had one shot. The new on they have ten chances of striking the offender. And all is captured on body cams which allows command staff to critique the use of the taser.
The tasers allow the officers to not use deadly physical force. The taser will normally temporarily stop the offender in their tracks allowing the officers to get handcuffs on them and in custody. Since Alabama has stopped a lot of mental health treatment law enforcement are now forced to handle a lot of mental health patients.