A Houston County judge sentenced James Robert Suggs to life in prison Wednesday morning following his conviction for the rape of a 95-year-old woman.
Investigators said Suggs assaulted the elderly victim after taking her on a fishing trip, during which he removed her diaper before committing the assault.
Victim advocate Angela Underwood spoke on behalf of the woman’s family during sentencing, urging the court to impose the life sentence handed down by Circuit Judge Henry D. “Butch” Binford.
“This shows victims and their families that crimes like this will not be ignored or brushed aside,” Underwood told WTVY News4. “For a 95-year-old woman to endure something so horrific after living such a long life, and to still be here, sends a powerful message that justice will be served.”
Although Suggs, who is in his 50s, will be eligible for parole in several years, the Alabama Parole Board has historically taken a strict stance on cases involving sexual offenses.
Fire crews responded to a structure fire Thursday evening in the Onycha community that left a residence and two large storage buildings heavily damaged.
According to Opp Fire Department, units were dispatched at approximately 6:03 p.m. alongside Onycha Volunteer Fire Department to the intersection of County Road 32 and Cook Road.
On arrival, Onycha Engine 1, Onycha Truck 5, and Opp Car 1 found one residential structure and two large storage buildings fully involved in fire. Officials confirmed the occupants were out of the home and safely accounted for.
Onycha Tanker 1 and Opp Engine 7 assisted with fire suppression. Due to the extent of the fire and exposure concerns, additional mutual aid was requested, including Opp Engine 10, Kinston Engine 5, and Babbie Engine 4 and Attack 5. Crews were able to bring the fire under control, and no injuries were reported.
Additional agencies on scene included Covington County Sheriff’s Office, Haynes Ambulance, and Covington Electric Cooperative.
Officials are asking the community to keep the homeowner in their prayers as they recover from the loss.
My lifetime friend, Steve Clouse, turns 70 this week. He was born February 7, 1956. I hope his legislative colleagues and friends wish him a Happy Birthday. He truly is a good man.
Steve was born and raised in Ozark and has represented his home County of Dale as well as neighboring Houston County for 32 years – almost half of his life and well over 72% of his adult life. He was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1994 at age 38. He will be re-elected to his ninth, four-year term this year.
Steve Clouse is not only the Dean of the Wiregrass delegation in the House, he is the stalwart, respected leader and heart and soulof the Wiregrass delegation. Coincidentally, when Steve came to the House in 1994, he was the only Republican in the Wiregrass, House or Senate. Today, all Wiregrass Senators and House members are arch Republicans. The Wiregrass is one of the most Republican Regions of the State.
Steve is currently Chairman of the House Transportation Utilities and Infrastructure Committee. However, his most important leadership role was as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, where he wrote the General Fund Budget for over a decade.
Steve has always had a keen interest and knack for Alabama politics. He also has an astute marketing mind. When he first ran for the House, he coined the phrase, “Put Clouse in the House.” If he were to have an opponent, he could say, “Keep Clouse in the House.”He is truly a man of the House.
Steve is truly a man of Ozark, also. He is Ozark, through and through. His father, Jimmy Clouse, had deep roots in Dale County. Steve worked with his father in the oil distribution business until his Dad passed away a few years ago.
Steve has been a devout member of the First Methodist Church. He and his wife, Dianne, live right across the street from the Methodist Church. They don’t have far to go so it makes it hard for him to skip. He parks his white truck right out front of his antebellum style home, right on Main Street, which tells his constituents, “I’m at home, come see me with your problems.” Believe you me, small town legislators get more cries for help than you can imagine. Especially if you’re Steve Clouse, who knows most of his constituents personally. He has fixed many a Dale countian’s problems and potholes over the past four decades.
I often use the saying Alabama is a Big Front Porch. When it comes to me and Steve Clouse, that adage is definitely apropos.
I have never, not known Steve Clouse. We played together as little boys. Steve’s mama was Ruth Price. She grew up in Pike County. My mama, Gloria Grant Flowers and Ruth Price Clouse were like sisters all their lives. They were best friends as girls and teenagers and continued their friendship after Mrs. Ruth married Jimmy Clouse and moved to Ozark. Mama lived all her life in Troy. When Steve and I were little boys, our mamas would bring us to Troy and Ozark to play together. We became like brothers rather than friends. We are still more like brothers. I don’t think it is just a coincidence that we have the same first name. I also had a sister named Kay and he has a sister named Kay. We are pretty sure our mamas collaborated on that.
When it got time for Steve to go to college, he chose the University of Alabama where I was finishing up. He pledged the same fraternity that I and a good many Southeast Alabama boys were in, Sigma Nu.
Our legislative districts connected for the 16 years I was in the House. We had almost identical pro-business conservative voting records. People still, today, get us confused because we have similar names. He tells me that often in our almost weekly phone conversations. “Someone called me you the other day.” My response to him, “I’m sure you told them that you were a lot younger and better looking.”
Steve Clouse is one of the best men I’ve ever known. He epitomizes honesty and integrity. I cannot believe that my young friend and little brother is 70. Alabama is a Big Front Porch.
Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on drug charges following a traffic stop conducted during proactive patrol operations.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation while patrolling in Jackson County. During the stop, deputies observed a passenger attempting to conceal contraband inside the vehicle.
Deputies reported locating drug paraphernalia along with a magnetic container that held approximately 7.25 grams of methamphetamine.
As a result of the investigation, Thomas Wright was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The sheriff’s office also shared information for individuals seeking help with substance use. Outreach coordinators are available to connect people with resources and support. Ashley Sellers can be reached at 850-693-5021, and Stephanie Culbreath can be reached at 850-693-3242.
A Marianna man was arrested Thursday night after leading police on a vehicle pursuit followed by a brief foot chase, according to the Marianna Police Department.
Police said an officer attempted to stop a white Hyundai around 8:26 p.m. on Harrison Street near Old Cottondale Road due to equipment and registration violations. The driver refused to stop and fled, traveling through several residential streets, running multiple stop signs, and driving at a high rate of speed.
The vehicle eventually came to a stop in the 4000 block of Roulhac Street. The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot, attempting to enter a nearby residence before resisting arrest. Officers took the suspect into custody following a short foot pursuit.
Authorities identified the driver as Frank White Jr. During the arrest, officers discovered a concealed knife with an 8.25-inch blade on White. Police also recovered suspected narcotics that later tested presumptively positive for Alpha-PVP.
While White fled on foot, police said the unattended vehicle rolled into a nearby residence, causing minor property damage. No injuries were reported.
Investigators determined White is a convicted felon and was also driving with a suspended license at the time of the incident.
White was charged with aggravated fleeing or eluding law enforcement, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, driving while license suspended or revoked with knowledge, resisting arrest without violence, felon in possession of a concealed weapon, and possession of Alpha-PVP.
He was transported to the Jackson County Jail without further incident.
NO CHILDREN ON THE BUS – NO CHILDREN ON THE BUS – NO CHILDREN ON THE BUS – NO CHILDREN ON THE BUS
DOTHAN: 07:26 AM Dothan 911 dispatched a three vehicle accident on Prevatt Road which included a Dothan School Bus. The bus had just dropped off all children. No children were on the bus.
Dothan Police on the scene. Traffic is a issue so probably some children brought by parents will be delayed in getting children to school.
