From 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2026, through 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 10, 2026, the Dothan Police Communications Center and the Houston County Sheriff’s Communications Center managed a combined total of **1,206 calls for service**. Of those calls, **569 were emergency 911 calls**, reflecting the vital role of both communications teams in providing prompt, professional support to the community.
For perspective, during the same 24-hour period the previous week, both agencies handled a combined total of **161 calls**. This significant increase underscores the exceptional volume and intensity of activity managed by our dispatch professionals, whose steady commitment and expertise help ensure that every call receives the attention it deserves.
October 13, 2026 – Dothan Utilities (DU) storm related restoration work will end at 4:30 PM today. The mutual aid crews from JEA will be released at 4:30 PM today, as well.
The DU Dispatch Office will close at 10:00 PM today. The Dothan Police Department Communications Center will page DU Crews for any calls/issues received between 10:00 PM tonight and 6:00 AM on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The current power outage map indicates 51 outages, with the majority being customers needing repairs and/or pulled meters. All of these customers have been notified by DU.
The City of Dothan would like to thank our friends from JEA for their assistance in restoring power to our Dothan Utilities customers. An incredible amount of work went into making repairs where they were needed. These repairs do not include the work by Alabama Power Company and Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. These companies have worked diligently to get power restored across our area.
As a reminder from our Environmental Services Division – Please continue to put your green garbage cans and blue recycling cans out on your normal days. The major issue with storm debris is that it needs to be separated from regular household or bulk waste items. The goal for Environmental Services is to collected tree limbs, leaves, etc. caused by the storm and to burn the debris. No plastic bags with leaves or other items will be picked up until after the storm clean-up is completed. Please be aware that this clean-up process may take several weeks, so please be patient with our collection crews.
The City of Dothan wishes to thank our employees from all departments who have put in the hard work that was necessary to recover from Hurricane Isaias.
Wiregrass Electric Coopera ve Reaches 100% Restora on
Following Hurricane Isaias
Cooperative celebrates major milestone, recognizes extraordinary efforts of crews, mutual aid
partners and employees
HARTFORD, Alabama — Wiregrass Electric Cooperative (WEC) has reached 100% restoration
following Hurricane Isaias, marking the completion of an extensive recovery effort that brought together
cooperative employees, contractors and mutual aid crews from across the country.
Hurricane Isaias caused widespread damage throughout southeast Alabama. The storm left downed
power lines, broken poles and damaged electrical infrastructure across the cooperative’s service territory,
requiring significant repairs and rebuilding efforts. At the height of the storm, WEC had approximately
18,000 outages among the cooperative’s 27,750 meters.
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, power has been restored to all members affected by Hurricane Isaias.
“This is an incredible accomplishment, and I could not be prouder of the people who made it possible,”
said Brad Kimbro, chief executive officer of Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. “From the moment this
storm passed through our communities, our employees, contractors and mutual aid partners worked
tirelessly toward one goal: getting the lights back on for our members. Reaching 100% restoration is a
testament to their dedication, determination and commitment to the people we serve.”The restoration effort required extensive coordination across WEC’s service territory, including
replacing damaged utility poles, repairing downed power lines, clearing debris and rebuilding sections
of the electric system.
Mutual aid crews from multiple states joined WEC employees, contractors and right-of-way personnel
to accelerate recovery efforts. Their assistance was instrumental in restoring service following one of the
most significant storms to impact the cooperative’s system.
Behind the scenes, WEC employees played an equally important role in the restoration process. The
cooperative coordinated crew assignments and resources, while employees at headquarters worked to
ensure trucks were equipped with the materials, supplies and equipment necessary to complete repairs.
The National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds served as a staging area for restoration crews, and MLU
Services provided a base camp to accommodate additional personnel supporting the recovery operation.
“Restoring power to approximately 18,000 members after a hurricane is an enormous undertaking,”
Kimbro said. “It takes an entire team working together, from the linemen in the field to the employees
coordinating logistics, managing supplies, answering member questions and supporting our crews.
Every single person involved contributed to this milestone, and we are deeply grateful for their efforts.”
WEC also extends its sincere appreciation to the electric cooperatives and mutual aid organizations that
responded to the call for assistance. Their willingness to leave their own communities and families to
help restore power in southeast Alabama reflects the cooperative spirit that strengthens electric utilities
across the nation.
“One of the greatest strengths of the electric cooperative network is knowing that when disaster strikes,
we are never alone,” Kimbro said. “The crews who traveled here to help us became part of our
Wiregrass family. Their hard work and generosity made a tremendous difference, and we cannot thank
them enough.”
Beyond the restoration crews, WEC recognizes the support of local businesses, community
organizations and individuals who provided resources, meals, encouragement and assistance throughout
the recovery effort.
The cooperative also extends heartfelt thanks to its members for their patience, understanding and
support during the extended outages.
“Our members have shown tremendous resilience throughout this challenging time,” Kimbro said. “We
know that being without electricity is difficult, especially when restoration requires extensive rebuilding.
The encouragement, kindness and prayers our crews received meant more than words can express. We
are proud to serve these communities, and we are grateful for the trust our members place in us.”As the cooperative transitions from emergency restoration to normal operations, WEC remains
committed to maintaining a safe, reliable electric system and serving the communities that depend on it.
“Today is about more than restoring electricity. It is about the people who came together to help our
communities recover,” Kimbro said. “We are grateful for every crew member, employee, partner and
member who helped us reach this milestone. Hurricane Isaias tested our system, but it also demonstrated
the strength of our cooperative and the communities we proudly serve.”
Any members still without power should contact WEC so the outage can be addressed immediately. Call
1-888-4-MY-OUTAGE (888-469-6882) or simply text OUT to the same number.
For additional information, visit wiregrass.coop or follow Wiregrass Electric Cooperative’s official
social media channels.
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Wiregrass Electric Cooperative is an electric distribution system located in southeast Alabama with more
than 3,300 miles of power lines providing reliable and affordable electricity and energy solutions to
27,565 homes and businesses in Houston, Geneva, Covington, Dale, Henry and Coffee counties. For
more information, visit our website at www.wiregrass.
HOUSTON COUNTY: In September, without any advanced notice from the Houston County Commission to the Houston County Rescue Unit, Chairman Brandon Shoupe and Commissioners D4 James Ivey, D3 Ricky Herring, D2 Tracy Adams and D1 Curtis Harvey cut all of the funding to Houston County Rescue.
Apparently based on what D3 Ricky Herring told the commission and possibly D4 James Ivey told the commission, D2 Commissioner Tracy Adams told residents in Pansey the Houston County Sheriff Department Dive Team would fill the need of Houston County Rescue Unit.
While there is no doubt in my mind, D3 and D4 County Commissioners who are also Captain’s with Houston County Sheriff Department did say that, the commissioners soon found out what most around them already knew. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!
When RSN was contacted about what D2 Commissioner Tracy Adams was telling people, RSN called the one who knows the truth, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza. And the response from Sheriff Donald Valenza, this is the first he had heard about that. Sheriff Valenza said the Sheriff Department does not dive for bodies, are not trained in underwater search for bodies, does not have the equipment to underwater dive for bodies. That is and has been the mission of Houston County Rescue Unit.
Houston County Rescue Unit has been in existence longer than Ricky Herring has been alive. Former in 1963 by Mr. John C. Ingram, more than 25 men and women give of their time, money and energy to provide these services in the wiregrass. Just in September Houston County Rescue Unit was called into action in September, right here in Houston County.
This past Administrative Meeting of Houston County Commission, where D1 Curtis Harvey and D3 Ricky Herring did not attend, D4 Commissioner and Retired Sheriff Captain James Ivey proved how far out of reality he was. He questioned HCRU President Chris Ball about driving the HCRU vehicle and it being seen out of state. Ball answered Ivey’s questions, first Ball put the gas in the vehicle, he kept his dive equipment in the vehicle, ready to respond. Ball has frequently closed his business, where he makes his living, and responded to calls. Sometimes if quick enough the divers might can save someone who has drowned. Unlike D4 James Ivey, Chris Ball has a business he makes a living at and did not draw two government paychecks as Ivey did. Houston County Rescue also travels to Vortex Springs and other places for training exercises. Something that D4 Commissioner James Ivey could not figure out on his own and had to display his stupidity to the public.
Sheriff Donald Valenza, behind the scenes, told the Commissioners if they wanted to fund the Sheriff Department an additional $ 300,000.00 plus they could buy the equipment, and then they would have to pay Sheriff Department divers overtime while training and while on call outs.
This morning, without discussion, Houston County Commission re-instated the $ 20,000.00 funding to Houston County Rescue.
A Dothan businessman, who wanted to remain unknown, pledged a $ 20,000.00 donation if Houston County Commissioners did not do as they should in funding Houston County Rescue.
FOLKS IT IS WITH HEAVY HEARTS THAT WE ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF OF OUR TOP HAND AND VERY CLOSE FRIEND, KEVIN AMERSON. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FAMILY.
Well the border deal has gotten quiet for now, maybe the initial scare has passed, we just need the U S GOVERNMENT to get out of the way !! We have a new Auctioneer. Drake moved on to another job and we wish him all the best!! We have hired a young man that I think is one of the best and is a good fit for us. Dustin Doughtry is our Auctioneer and we are glad to have him !!
Slaughter cows steady to firm. . Replacement bred cows too few to trend with no pairs to report . Calves and feeder cattle steady to 4 higher!! Very good demand on a wet day. Hopefully the market has turned the corner!! The cattle numbers are still low and the BEEF demand is still very STRONG !! We need the government to get out of the way and let the MARKET WORK !!! Do something about fuel and fertilizer cost and the BEEF market will take of itself!!!
Thank you all for your business and friendship!! And remember, we are not here just to sell your cattle; we are here to do whatever it takes to get every penny we can for your cattle.
WIREGRASS: Some local Emergency Management Agencies are being critisized because of a National Organization failure during this weekend’s hurricane.
A representative who has worked with multiple Emergency Management Agencies in the past had apparently promised local EMA’s they had help from the National organization on the way. There were no reasons to check and verify the representation because the person has produced in the past. However, this time they were not able to produce as promised.
This has caused some Emergency Management Directors to come under fire. As one who has worked with this representative before, they have produced. Not sure what happened this time, but there was no reason to not trust the representations the person made.
Most Emergency Managent Agencies are one person shows. They have no staff. So the EMA Director is clerical, administrative and in the field.
In Houston County, they have a full time staff of 4 people. And this article is not about Houston County.
