DOTHAN: During the day today multiple Dothan Police units have been seen on Flowers Chapel Road. The officers were searching for a missing persons who was seen running in the woods.
Dothan Police has cleared the area but search efforts are undergoing in different areas.
No more information available.
ELBA
An Elba woman has been arrested and charged following an investigation into alleged child abuse involving a child under the age of 6.
According to authorities, Emily Mikala Stroud, 22, was charged with Aggravated Child Abuse after law enforcement received a report from medical personnel on Saturday. The report led to an investigation by the Elba Police Department.
Jail records show Stroud was booked into the Coffee County Jail on Tuesday night, where she remains held without bond.
Coffee County District Attorney James Tarbox stated that the child is not the biological son of the defendant but confirmed she was considered a responsible person for the child.
Elba Police said no additional information is being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.
DOTHAN | RICKEY STOKES NEWS
A Houston County jury on Friday, Jan. 16, found Robert James Suggs, 53, of Cottonwood guilty on two felony counts of rape in the first degree.
Suggs was originally arrested in November 2024 following allegations involving a 95-year-old Cottonwood woman who was suffering from dementia.
According to testimony presented at trial, Sgt. Brandon Barnes with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office said Suggs and the victim were neighbors at the time of the incident. Barnes testified that Suggs picked the woman up in a golf cart and took her to Sealy Bales Creek under the pretense of going fishing.
Barnes stated the first rape charge stemmed from that encounter, during which Suggs removed the victim’s adult diaper in order to commit the assault. Court testimony confirmed the victim had been diagnosed with dementia in 2016.
According to Barnes, the second rape charge occurred later the same day when Suggs allegedly repeated the assault at the victim’s home.
Suggs was indicted by a Houston County grand jury in April 2025. Following the verdict, Barnes commented, “She didn’t deserve what happened to her,” adding that he was grateful to see justice served for the victim.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 4, 2026, according to public court records.
HOUSTON COUNTY: On Tuesday afternoon Houston County businessman John Rogers announced that he is seeking election as Chairman of Houston County Commission in the Republican primary.
John Resident, born and raised in Houston County, a family man, announced that he feels those elected are public servants. The person elected does not have ownership of the office elected. Rogers made it clear the office belongs to the people. Rogers stated that freedom is not free and we are all blessed to be born in this country. Rogers said he makes the announcement to serve the citizens of Houston County, stressing as a public servant.
John Rogers cited transparency, physical responsibility, family, family values and integrity.
John Rogers said there is a need to help serve all people of the county. That government is taxpayer funded and that money should go back to our citizens.
John Rogers said we need jobs, people in servants role who have a work ethic and work to provide jobs.
John Rogers is a conservative Republican. He is thankful for an opportunity to serve the people.
Rogers said it is important to get back to We The People and the office belongs to the people.
John Rogers ask for your support. His phone number is 334-701-3502 if you would like to talk with him. If you want to support his campaign contributions can be made to THE JOHN ROGERS CAMPAIGN FUND, P.O. Box 86, Dothan, Al. 36302. If mailing in please include full name, email and address to the contribution can be recorded. Or you can uuse Apple Pay to 334-701-3502.
DOTHAN
Dothan Fire Department crews responded to a reported fire at the Guest House Inn in the 1000 block of Ross Clark Circle around 11:40 a.m. Tuesday.
According to initial information, the fire was isolated to an exterior breaker box at the property. Fire crews were able to quickly contain the issue, preventing the fire from spreading into the structure.
Dothan Fire Department units remain on scene along with Dothan Police Department, as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
No injuries have been reported at this time.
