GENEVA COUNTY – SAMSON: On Saturday evening Geneva County 911 received a 911 call of an accidental gunshot of a hunter.
Geneva County Sheriff Deputies and Samson Rescue were dispatched. On arrival a hunter was found deceased from an apparent gunshout wound.
Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson was dispatched to the scene. Alabama Game and Fish Officers were also dispatched.
In a joint investigation by Geneva County Sheriff Department, Geneva County Coroner’s Office and Alabama Game and Fish Officers it was determined the shooting death was self inflicted and accidental.
UPDATED @ 8:45 PM
The deceased has beeen indeitified at 67 year old Gary Wayne Sutton from Red Level Alabama.
DOTHAN: 9:53 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 116 Woods Drive. Reports are flames coming from the stove which are visible from the back door.
9:54 PM Dothan Fire Engine Company 2 ( Lakewood ), Engine Company 10 ( West Main ),Engine 1 ( Central ), Truck 1 ( Central ) and Battalion Chief 2, Jack Wood, enroute.
9:55 PM Rehab 1 ( Lakewood ) enroute ).
9:55 PM Pilcher Ambulance responding.
9:56 PM A off duty Dothan Police Patrol unit has moved the stove to the back yard.
9:57 PM Dothan Fire Engine 10 has arrived. Reports nothing visible. All units go to Level 1 staging.
9:57 PM Dothan Fire Engine 2, and Engine 1 on the scene, staging.
9:58 PM DOthan Fire Battalion Chief 2, Jack Wood, on the scene.
9:59 PM Pilcher Ambulance arrived on the scnee.
9:59 PM Dothan Fire Engine Company 10 reported fire contained to a stove outside, Engine 10 can handle and all units can return to service.
Dothan Police Patrol Division also responded.
UPDATED @ 10:14 PM
Dothan Fire Engine Company 10 ( West Main ) reported ventilation complete. One Smoke Detetectot installed. Engine 10 in service.
Today I placed this orange floral arrangement with the #12 on the ribbon in the arms of the Angel of Hope for Blake Bowen.
July 28, 1992 – January 30, 2026
Blake was born July 28, 1992, in Dothan to Leonard Carlton Bowen & Vicki Odom Prickett.
A proud 2011 graduate of Rehobeth High School, Blake’s work ethic was evident early on.
Following graduation, he attended Lineman School at Wallace Community College, a foundation that led to a dedicated 9 ½-year career at Farley Nuclear Plant.
There, he served as a skilled Refueling Technician with Dry Cask Storage.
While his days were spent in the nuclear industry, Blake’s entrepreneurial spirit flourished in the local community.
He was a visionary real estate developer, owning and operating Bowen Estates, Next Level Real Estate, Bowen & Green Properties, and Newton Creek Properties.
Blake’s true first love, however, was found in the red clay and the roar of an engine.
A dirt track racing enthusiast since he was a small boy, Blake famously built his first car and competed in his first race at just 12 years old.
Over the years, he raced various car classes across Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi, earning a reputation as a fierce and respected competitor.
His commitment to the sport went beyond the driver’s seat.
In February 2020, Blake brought racing back to his community by reopening Dothan Motor Speedway in Cottonwood after it had sat dormant for a decade.
Opening to a sell-out crowd, he served as the promoter for two years, revitalizing the track for a new generation of fans.
Blake’s final chapters in racing were marked by triumph.
He won his last two races at his home track, Dothan Motor Speedway racing sprint and non-wing cars, and recently made local history in November 2025 by winning the first-ever Figure 8 Demolition Derby at the National Peanut Festival.
Blake became curious about taking to the skies as a young man.
After his father earned his license and owned a plane Blake continuously told his father that he would do the same, and if you know Blake when he says it, he DOES it.
He walked into ACOM Aviation with his mind set on a goal and the rest was history.
He earned his pilot certificate in no time and began flying.
Blake being the man he was and taking everything to the max he ended up buying a “project plane” and worked hard to turn it into one of the cleanest and most advanced Piper Cherokee Six’s on the market.
He flew the plane on multiple adventures including vacations to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas, as well as races and Brailynn’s volleyball tournaments.
His kind heart even flew a family in need all the way to Pittsburgh and back to assure their young baby boy could get the care he needed.
Blake had a curiosity that turned into a love and a passion for flying.
A truly good man and a true aviator indeed.
Blake will always be loved, missed and remembered by
his loving wife of almost 10 years, Allison Kay Bowen; his two daughters, Brailynn Kay Bowen, and Brynlee Grace Bowen; his parents, Vicki & Terry Prickett, and Leonard & Jan Bowen; his three sisters, Erica Weller (Mathew), Shannon Garber (Jamie), and Robin Prickett; his four brothers, Patrick Prickett, Ryan Schueler, Blair Schueler, and Chase Schueler; his sister-in-law, Ann Marie Cook; his special nephews, Beauden Weller, Harrison Weller, Trotter Cook, Joshua & Jacob Herevia; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
A Dothan man convicted in a multi-state sex trafficking operation has been sentenced to life in federal prison.
Chad Cornelious Seymore, known as the “Circle City Pimp,” pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges after investigators said he trafficked women between Alabama and North Florida for several years. Prosecutors said Seymore and others bonded women out of jail and then forced them into prostitution to repay the debt.
Authorities said Seymore targeted women struggling with drug addiction, recruiting them at hotels and through online advertisements. The women were controlled through threats, intimidation, and physical violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Court records show Seymore worked with 48-year-old Kimberly Robinson Gandy to traffic women in Panama City and Destin, Florida, using online payment platforms to collect money from the illegal activity. Gandy was convicted in June 2025 and sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.
The sentences were announced during a press conference in Tallahassee, Florida.
A wreck was reported at 645 Twitchell Road involving a truck and a power pole.
According to initial information, the truck struck the power pole, causing damage to the pole. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
Motorists were advised to use caution in the area as crews may respond to assess damage and make any necessary repairs. Traffic impacts, if any, were not immediately known.
This is a developing situation, and updates will be provided if more information becomes available.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall released a statement following final legislative passage of the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, a measure that makes certain sexual crimes against children under the age of 12 eligible for the death penalty under Alabama law.
The statement was issued after the Alabama Legislature approved House Bill 41, legislation Marshall said sends a strong message about protecting children across the state.
“I applaud the Alabama Legislature for passing HB41, the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, which sends the strongest possible message that our state will not tolerate crimes against our children, who are among our most vulnerable citizens,” Marshall said.
Marshall stated the legislation strengthens the tools available to prosecutors and law enforcement when handling the most serious crimes involving children.
“Our children deserve to grow up safe, protected, and free from harm,” Marshall said. “This legislation provides law enforcement and prosecutors with the tools they need to pursue the ultimate penalty against those who commit the most depraved acts against children.”
Marshall also credited lawmakers who supported the bill throughout the legislative process.
“I commend Representative Matt Simpson, Senator April Weaver, and all members of the Legislature who supported this critical measure,” he said. “Alabama is leading the way in child protection, and this bill affirms that we will always stand on the side of our children.”
According to the release, House Bill 41 passed the Senate by a vote of 33–1. The bill was approved by the House earlier in the session and now heads to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature.
