A traffic stop in Covington County escalated into an on-foot chase and deputy assault near a local high school, according to the Covington County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Blake Turman said deputies attempted to stop Ezekiel Reed Jr. on the bypass near Southeast Gas in Andalusia. After pulling over, Reed exited his vehicle and fled on foot toward Andalusia High School, officials said.
It remains unclear whether the school was placed on lockdown during the pursuit.
During the incident, deputies located marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside Reed’s vehicle. Authorities said Reed later assaulted a deputy after being apprehended.
Reed was charged with parole violation, attempting to elude, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of government operations, and assault in the third degree.
He was transported to the Covington County Jail.
Officials said Reed has bonds totaling $12,000 on all charges except the parole violation, which is not bondable.
The City of Geneva is continuing to rebuild “brick by brick” after a powerful January tornado tore through the community, leaving widespread destruction in its path.
On Friday, Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Director Kenneth Boswell toured the storm damage and announced a $300,000 commitment to assist with recovery efforts.
“I’m here and ready to commit $300,000 toward the damages as we’ve seen today, to help Mayor Hayes get the city back in order how he needs it to be,” Boswell said. “Obviously no one ever plans for a storm or any type of activities of this nature. And we want to make sure we do everything we can do to alleviate that pain.”
The storm, confirmed as an EF-2 tornado with peak winds of 115 miles per hour, left visible scars across Geneva. Bricks remain scattered along downtown streets, trees crashed into homes, and rooftops were ripped away.
State and local leaders walked through the damaged areas Friday morning, including the collapsed remains of a former historic hotel and residential neighborhoods where debris still rests on damaged structures.
Mayor David B. Hayes said support from state officials was immediate.
“The night the tornado hit, Senator Chastain was on the phone with me the whole night,” Hayes said.
Donnie Chesteen praised the way Geneva residents responded in the aftermath.
“I think that’s what small-town America’s all about,” Chesteen said.
The ADECA funds will go toward storm cleanup, debris removal and structural repairs, helping accelerate the city’s recovery process.
“We’re so blessed to have a team like this behind me, here today to go over what happened in this town and be supportive of what’s going on. It’s a good day for us,” Hayes said.
But city leaders say the true strength of Geneva lies in its people.
“Many times you don’t even know who they are. But they know you need some help and they’re there to help,” Chesteen said.
Hayes added that Geneva’s history of hurricanes and floods has only strengthened the town’s unity.
“In a small town like this, any time that you have something devastating, people do come together and respond. And we’re thankful that we have that unity here,” Hayes said.
With state support, help from Alabama Power, and the determination of its residents, Geneva continues rebuilding — one brick at a time.
If you’re ready to let the good times roll on the “Happiest Day in Dothan,” be prepared for a few changes to the 2026 Mardi Gras parade.
Now in its 11th year, the Krewe of Kolosse Mardi Gras Parade has become one of the most anticipated annual events in the Wiregrass.
Hosted by the Krewe of Kolosse in Dothan, the three-mile parade begins in the Garden District and makes its way into downtown, drawing massive crowds each year.
🎉 A Year in the Making
While spectators enjoy a single day of celebration, organizers say the work never really stops.
“Saturday is the culmination of not a few days, weeks, or months of work,” said Harry Hall, Captain of the Krewe of Kolosse. “The plan for this started the day after the last parade… You’ve got 1,900 people that ride in this parade and all of them have been working all year for Saturday.”
The parade has earned the nickname “The Happiest Day of the Year in Dothan” thanks to its high-energy atmosphere, creative floats and entertainment factor.
“Seeing the crowd and entertaining them… we try to entertain, not just throw, but we’re there to entertain as well,” said Krewe member Chris Lee. “The look on people’s faces of ‘what? What is that? How did you do that?’ Turning off of Choctaw and seeing that crowd is awesome.”
🔄 What’s Changing in 2026?
With the parade’s continued growth, adjustments were necessary this year.
📍 New Ending Route
Instead of turning down Foster Street for the final stretch, the parade will now turn onto South St. Andrews Street to finish the route.
Organizers say the change was needed to accommodate the parade’s size and ensure a smoother flow as nearly 1,900 riders make their way through the city.
👑 What to Expect
A three-mile parade route
Nearly 2,000 riders
Creative, high-energy floats
Beads, throws and surprises
One of the largest crowds of the year in downtown Dothan
For many in the Wiregrass, Mardi Gras in Dothan isn’t just another event — it’s a tradition. And with continued growth and new route changes, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest celebrations yet.
So grab your chairs, bring your beads bags, and get ready to celebrate the “Happiest Day in Dothan.” 💜💛
Dale County Coroner John Cawley has identified the man who died in a crash Thursday morning on U.S. 231 north.
The victim has been identified as Evelio DeJesus, 58, of Sebastian, Florida. Officials confirmed that DeJesus’ next of kin has been notified.
According to the coroner, DeJesus’ body will be transported to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy as part of the ongoing investigation into the crash.
No additional details have been released at this time. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Florida’s strict drug trafficking laws were enforced this week as a repeat offender received a lengthy prison sentence following a Bay County conviction.
Calvin Lavor Johnson, 36, of Panama City Beach, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being found guilty Wednesday on multiple felony charges, including Trafficking in Amphetamine (28 grams or more), Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence.
According to court records, Johnson had been released from prison just two years and two months prior to his arrest, after previously serving time for cocaine distribution.
The investigation was conducted by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division. Prosecutor Morgan McAfee presented the case to the jury, which returned guilty verdicts on all charges in less than 30 minutes.
In addition to the 30-year prison sentence, Johnson was ordered to pay a $100,000 fine.
Prosecutors emphasized that enhanced penalties for repeat drug traffickers are critical to keeping dangerous narcotics off Florida streets, stating that cases like this will continue to be aggressively pursued.
