COLUMBIA:
Please join us in wishing Mayor Cas Haddock a very happy birthday! 🎉
We are grateful for your continued leadership, dedication, and heart for the Town of Columbia. Your commitment to our community does not go unnoticed, and we appreciate all you do to help our town grow and thrive.
Wishing you a wonderful day and a year filled with continued success and blessings!
NOTE: While this article emphasizes Perry County, this legislation passed in the 2026 Alabama Legislative Session helps all EMS services in Alabama.
Ambulance Bill to Mitigate Financial Burden on County Commission Advances
The Alabama State Legislature has provided a significant boost to the establishment of a viable ambulance service in Perry County and other counties lacking a hospital. Senator Bobby Singleton’s bill, which aims to standardize reimbursement rates for ambulance services, currently awaits the Governor’s signature.
This legislation addresses two key concerns of rural ambulance services, which have been struggling to remain operational.
1. Enables Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers to receive reimbursement for treating patients on-site, rather than being required to transport them to a hospital.
2. Establishes a standardized payment rate for ground ambulance services, which is currently non-existent in the state. The bill mandates that health insurers pay in-network providers a minimum of 200% of the Medicare Ambulance Fee Schedule Rate for basic life support, while out-of-network providers must pay 180% of that rate.
This bill, widely regarded as a vital measure to support rural healthcare in Alabama, is one step away from becoming law. Upon receiving the Governor’s signature, the bill will take effect on October 1, 2026.
Currently, the Perry County Commission and the Perry County Hospital Board collectively allocate over $350,000 to maintain countywide ambulance services. Chairman Albert Turner, Jr., who publicly endorsed the bill and spoke during committee hearings in Montgomery, emphasized that this legislation will enable the service to contribute more significantly towards its operation and expansion to a full 24/7 operation on both ends of Perry County. The absence of a hospital in Perry County renders the ambulance service even more critical than in counties with existing hospitals.
Chairman Turner has consistently advocated for the expansion of the ambulance service and medical services in Perry County. He helped bring the dialysis clinic to Perry County, and supported the establishment of Cahaba Medical Clinic in Perry County along with his continued involvement with Sowing Seeds of Hope which provides an array of medical screenings for the community.
A week in the life of your Sheriff is anything but typical. While protecting our community remains the top priority, the role goes far beyond making arrests. From coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies, to building strong relationships within the community, to speaking at committee meetings and supporting public initiatives—every day brings a new responsibility.
The Sheriff’s Office is truly multifaceted, working behind the scenes and on the front lines to keep our county safe, informed, and connected. As your Sheriff I will continue to stay focused on what is our top priority, the people of Coffee County. #reelectscottbyrd #coffeecountyalabama
Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd has done a great job in leading the Coffee County Sheriff Department over his term. He has been both an Administrative Sheriff and a In The Field Sheriff.
No, Florida isn’t in Dale County running radar…
That’s Dale County Sheriff’s Office stepping up with a brand new fleet of Ford Interceptor Explorers.
They may have a new look, but it’s still your same trusted deputies behind the wheel. They’re now equipped with dependable tools to better serve and protect our county.
We’re proud to place these units into service. We’re just as excited about the reliability they will provide to help us serve and protect Dale County more effectively on both day-shift and night-shift patrol! Thank you to the Dale County Commission for entrusting us in the investment! ⭐️
Final Public Meeting for the Rehobeth Comprehensive Plan — Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m.
REHOBETH, Ala. — The Town of Rehobeth will hold its third and final Public Involvement Meeting
for the Comprehensive Plan on Thursday, April 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the Rehobeth Community Center.
This is the last scheduled opportunity for residents to weigh in before the plan is finalized, and we
hope to see a strong turnout.
Over the past several months, the town has been working with residents to put together a
Comprehensive Plan — a long-range document that guides decisions about growth, land use, roads,
parks, and community services for years to come. The first two meetings brought out great
participation and gave us a clear picture of what Rehobeth residents value most about their
community and where they’d like to see improvements.
At this final session, attendees will get a chance to see the draft plan’s recommendations, ask
questions, and make sure their voices are reflected before the document moves forward. You don’t
have to have attended a previous meeting to come — everyone is welcome.
“This plan will serve as a roadmap for the town to utilize as Rehobeth continues to grow,” said
Mayor Kimberly Trotter. “We’ve had great conversations in the first two meetings as well as above
average participation in our community survey. As we finalize the plan we want to make sure we
have addressed and heard from everyone with concerns, comments, and feedback; we want to
make sure there is a good plan in place for the years and decades to come.”
The meeting is free and open to all residents, business owners, and anyone with an interest in
Rehobeth’s future. For more information, contact Rehobeth Town Hall at (334) 671-5829 or
townhall@rehobethal.com. Town Hall hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
WHAT: Third and Final Public Involvement Meeting — Rehobeth Comprehensive Plan
WHEN: Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Rehobeth Community Center, Rehobeth, Alabama
ORANGE BEACH AL: Coroner’s and Deputy Coroner’s in the Wiregrass are in Orange Beach for the 2026 Training.
The Alabama Coroner’s Association’s Annual Symposium Conference is held this week, Monday through Wednesday. Alabama law requires Coroner’s and Deputy Coroner’s to have 12 hours continuing education per year.
From the Wiregrass, Dale County Coroner John Cawley, Dale County Deputy Coroner Adam Bruhn, Dale County Deputy Coroner Rickey Stokes, Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham, Coffee County Chief Deputy Coroner Mark Kelley and Geneva County Coroner Donny Adkinson.
The Alabama Coroner’s Association was established in 1956 in an effort to elevate the Office of Coroner in Alabama through the uniformity in the handling of dead investigations, improving education and training opportunities, and by working closely with the Alabama Legislature on related legislation.
The association works to promote the adoption of more scientific methods for the investigation of deaths, The association also works to foster good cooperation between Coroner’s and other Law Enforcement Officials.
The topics the Coroner’s are trained on are relevant topics that reflect the ever-evolving field of death investigation.
