10:01 AM. Fed Ex Truck Fire
COWARTS: 10:01 AM. Fed Ex truck on fire on Hwy. 84 near Eddins Road.
9:42 PM. Santa’s Workshop Auditions This Saturday: Patti Rutland Jazz Welcomes New and Returning Families
Santa’s Workshop Auditions This Saturday: Patti Rutland Jazz Welcomes New and Returning Families
Article
One of the Wiregrass area’s favorite holiday traditions is getting ready for another season.
Patti Rutland Jazz will hold auditions for Santa’s Workshop 2026 on Saturday, September 19, and dancers from across the area are invited to be part of this year’s production.
Santa’s Workshop has become a special Christmas tradition for PRJ families, bringing dancers of all ages together for a holiday production filled with music, dancing, colorful characters, humor, and plenty of Christmas spirit.
This year, PRJ is especially excited to welcome new families.
Children do not have to be current Patti Rutland Jazz students to audition, and beginners are welcome. No prepared routine is required. All audition material will be taught during the audition, and dancers may wear comfortable clothing they can move in. Sneakers are perfectly fine.
Audition times are divided by age:
Ages 3 to 5: 9:00 to 9:45 a.m.
Ages 6 to 9: 9:45 to 10:30 a.m.
Ages 10 to 12: 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.
Ages 13 to 18: 11:15 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Auditions will be held at both Patti Rutland Jazz locations:
Headland Studio
21 Park Street
Headland, Alabama
Brundidge Studio
118 N. Main Street
Brundidge, Alabama
PRJ is also especially looking for boys ages 9 to 12 to participate in a special all-boy number this year. No previous dance experience is necessary. Boys will audition during the regular audition time for their age group.
And Santa’s Workshop is not just for kids.
After becoming a crowd favorite last year, the Santa’s Workshop penguins are returning for 2026. Adults ages 18 and older are invited to participate, and no audition is required for the penguins. Adults simply need to register. For parents who have children performing in the show, it can also be a fun opportunity to share the Santa’s Workshop experience together.
Saturday rehearsals are scheduled for September 26, October 10, October 24, November 7, and November 21. Specific rehearsal times will be provided after casting.
For the team at Patti Rutland Jazz, Santa’s Workshop is about more than putting on a Christmas show.
“We really are a family at PRJ, and Santa’s Workshop is one of the times you can feel that the most,” said Studio Manager Camille Whaley. “Our returning families look forward to it every year, but we also love seeing new faces walk through the door and become part of it. The more children involved, the more exciting and fun the production becomes.”
Advance registration is preferred, although dancers may also register on audition day.
Families can find additional information and register at pattirutlandjazz.com/santas-workshop-2026.
Santa’s Workshop auditions will take place Saturday, September 19. Families throughout the Wiregrass are invited to come be part of the Christmas fun.
8:56 PM Car Verses Building – Dollar General – Cottonwood Road
DOTHAN: 8:49 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Police, Dothan Fire Engine 4 ( Southside ), Dothan Fire Truck 1 ( Central ), and Pilcher Ambulance to reports of a critical inury wreck. The location is the Dollar General, Cottonwood Road and Ross Clark Circle.
On arrival of Dothan Fire Engine Company 4 they reported a single vehicle accident where the vehicle was inside the building. The vehicle appeared to be through the front doors and the integrity of the building was okay.
Dothan Fire Engine 4 reported the injuries were minor. Dothan Police Patrol Lt. Jason Adkins is on the scene along with Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Johnson.
UPDATED @ 8:03 AM. 07:37 AM Five Vehicle Accident – Hwy. 231 In Dale County
DALE COUNTY: Ozark – Dale County 911 has dispatched a five vehicle accident, Highway 231 at the twin bridges near County Road 18. Dale County Sheriff Department, ALEA – Troopers and Newton Police are on the scene.
The southbound lanes of Highway 231 at Dael County 18 intersection is closed at this time ( 07:40 AM ).
The accident is reported with injuries.
Anyone with additional information or scene pictures, TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
The accident is on the bridge and reports are both lanes of traffic is blocked at this time.
11:39 PM. Rick Rehm
With 48 days before Alabama’s general election, the House Republican Caucus is proud to highlight one of our hardest workers – State Representative Rick Rehm, Alabama House District 85.
Rep. Rehm represents House District 85, which includes portions of Henry and Houston Counties in Alabama’s Wiregrass Region.
Rep. Rehm is a veteran of the United States Army and worked as a Department of the Army Civilian Employee at one of his district’s most vital economic cornerstones – Fort Rucker.
He understands the issues our service members, veterans, and their families navigate daily and has been a staunch advocate for his community with every vote he’s made in the House.
Rep. Rehm has also been a driving force behind making life more affordable for Alabama families through his work to cut the grocery tax, cap property taxes, and support locally owned businesses.
9:41 PM QUESTIONABLE – Alabama High School Athletic Association
MONTGOMERY: The Alabama High School Athletic Association suspended Carroll High School Coach Steve McLendon for two games and fined Carroll High School. The board did nothing to Andalusia High School.
RSN wanted to see exactly what the Alabama High School Atheltic Board was about. http://www.ahsaa.com
A visit to their web site found there were no updted minutes since January 29, 2025: Today is September 16, 2026 at 9:23 PM.
According to the most recent minutes, January 29, 2025, the following were listed as on the board: Heath Harmon, Executive Director, Brian McRae, Assistant Executive Director, Terry Curtis, Dr. Farrell Seymore, Ms. Trinnia McKenzie-Smith, Mr.. Jeff Torrence, Mr. Todd Little, Dr. Holly Sutherland, Mr. Matt Geohagan, Ms. Kim Kiel, Mr. Trent Trawick, Mr. Mike Welsh, Mr. Brian Jett, Dr. Quentin Lee.
STAFF LISTED: Mr. Heath Harmon, Br. Brian McRae, Mr. Ron Ingram, Mr. Caleb Ross, Mrs. Amy Gulledge, Mr. J.T. Lawrence, Mr. Rodney Mills.
NEW STAFF: Dr. Brian McRae, Mr. Ryan Barkley, Mr. Caleb Ross, Mrs. Tara Osborne – who was not present for the January 29, 2025 meeting.
A google review of the football coaches for the past 15 years of Andausia High School:
Andalusia High School (Andalusia, Alabama) has had three head football coaches over the last 15 years (dating back to 2011). [1]
Head Football Coaches (Last 15 Years)
- Trent Taylor (2015–present): Led the Bulldogs to a Class 4A State Championship in 2022 and compiled an impressive multi-year record.
- Brian Seymore (2008–2014): Coached the team through the early 2010s, capturing a region title in 2010.
- Heath Harmon (2007): Led the team for the 2007 season to an 11-2 record prior to Seymore’s tenure.
Heath Harmon, former head coach at Andalusia High School, was hired in June 2024 by the Alabama High School Atheltic Association. In the ruling against Carroll High School, there was no documentation released and by viewing their web site no one can expect any up to date minutes to see how the decision was made.
The Alabama Atheltic Association was created in 1921. It is comprised of 425 Senior High Schools, 335 Junior High and Middle Schools, ruling over 150,000 sports activities with no documentation available on line since January 29, 2025. So no apparent accountability to the public after 6 months that former Andalusia High Scool Head Coach Heath Harmon took over as Executive Director of the Alabama Athletic Association.
