HOUSTON COUNTY:
Jurors called for the Houston County Circuit Court for the term beginning Monday, March 16, 2026, shall report at 10:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m. to the Houston County Courthouse due to inclement weather. This change in time is limited only to jurors in Houston County and does NOT apply to any cases set before the Houston County Courts.
Carla H. Woodall
Houston County Circuit Clerk
PANSEY-HOUSTON COUNTY: 2:48 PM. Multiple Houston County Volunteer Fire Departments are fighting a large outdoor fire.
The location is on the eastside of Houston County in the area of County Road 8. The fire has jumped the road and on both sides of the road. Visibility is reported to be zero.
Pansey, Gordon, Ashford, Lovetown, Cowarts, Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Departments. Alabama Forrestry has been dispatched. Houston County Sheriff Deputies.
HOUSTON-DOTHAN CITY- HENRY COUNTY-DALE COUNTY: 3:22 PM. Multiple school systems have delayed school opening Monday morning by 2 hours.
The systems we have so far, Houston County, Dothan City, Henry County and Dale County.
Bad weather with sudden temperature drops is expected to move in around 10:00 PM this evening.
Sunday, 15-MAR-2026, Severe Weather Update
Good morning,
–Changes since last briefing: Coffee County has been upgraded to an Enhanced Risk (3 out of 5)for severe storms overnight tonight. The timing has generally remained the same.
SEVERE WEATHER SUMMARY
–What changed? Mainly an increase in the risk of tornadoes, some of which could be strong, in addition to large hail.
–Main hazards: scattered damaging wind gusts 60-70 mph, a few tornadoes (a couple could be strong) and large hail (up to 1” or greater).
–Timing: earliest arrival of 3 AM CT, with most likely arrival from 4-7 AM CT.
SEVERE WEATHER OVERVIEW: A squall line will race through our region overnight tonight. The squall line itself will have the potential to bring damaging wind gusts and a few isolated brief embedded tornadoes. If any supercells develop in advance of the squall line, then stronger tornadoes and medium-large hail could be expected.
As this is an overnight event please make sure you have multiple, reliable ways to receive weather alerts.
LATE SEASON FROST/FREEZE SUMMARY
–Behind the storms, cold air will revisit us again for a few days. Tuesday morning looks to be windy with wind chills in the 20s, with temperatures right below freezing. Wednesday morning will feature another freeze but light to calm winds will keep the wind chills bearable. Later in the week temperatures rebound with plenty of sunshine.
GL
Grant Lyons
Director,
COFFEE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
COTTONWOOD | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
Houston County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call regarding a deceased person discovered inside a vehicle south of Cottonwood.
According to information, deputies were dispatched to the area in the vicinity of South Gene Terry Road near the crossroads outside Cottonwood after a caller reported a body inside a vehicle.
Authorities say the person inside the vehicle appears to have been deceased for some time before being discovered.
Sheriff Donald Valenza and Houston County Deputies are currently working to gather details and determine the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
At this time, the identity of the deceased has not been released, and officials have not said whether foul play is suspected.
This is a developing situation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.
DOTHAN | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
A Dale County woman was arrested Thursday after police say she stabbed a man in the chest during a domestic incident.
According to the Dothan Police Department, officers responded to the 100 block of Geranium Circle after receiving reports of a stabbing. Police said 31-year-old Tonya Spivey fled the scene before officers arrived.
Authorities said officers located Spivey within minutes and took her into custody.
She was charged with Domestic Violence, first degree.
Spivey was initially taken to the Dothan City Jail before later being transferred to the Dale County Jail.