HOUSTON COUNTY: This evening at 5:00 PM, Houston County School Supt. Brandy White and the members of the Houston County School Board met for their regular scheduled meeting.
Alabama State Representative Paul Lee was on hand to present a proclamation to four teachers who teach special education. The proclamation also complimented the Houston County School System for been the number 1 performing school in the entire State of Alabama. The proclamation was signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey and was supported by the entire local legislative delegation – Senator Donnie Chesteen and Senator Billy Beasley, Alabama State Representatives Rick Rheem, Paul Lee, Steve Clouse, and Jeff Sorrells. The teachers and directors recognized are Dr. Misty Freeman, Margaret Valenza, Hayden Brown and Sylvia Ketron.
The principal of Houston County High School in Columbia recognized Aiden Noblitt for her achievements at Houston County High School. She recently received an award for $ 6,500.00 towards her college of choice. Miss Noblitt has a full scholarship for college to also include her housing for one year. The principal of Houston County High School, the board and Superintendent complimented Miss Noblitt for her achievements.
Houston County School Board Member Chris Lassiter sent Board Chairman Vince Wade received a letter of resignation from the Houston County School Board. Mr. Lassiter praised the system, all teachers, principals and everyone involved in the Houston County Schools for their work. Mr. Lassiter has moved from his district which caused him to have to resign. Alabama State Law gives the sitting members of the Houston County School Board to make an appointment within 30days. Failure to do so would mean that the State School Superintendent would then make the appointment. With that said the meeting was turned over to Houston County School Supt. Brandy White because White does not get to vote on the issue. With that said the floor was open for nominations to fill the board vacancy. Donnie Gilliland was nominated. After a period for other nominations, the floor closed and a unanimous vote to appoint Donnie Gilliland
After the appointment Houston County District Coourt Judge Benjamin Lewis administered the oath of office and Donnie Gilliland was seated on the board for the remainder of the meeting.
The school board handled other business but RSN left.
DOTHAN: ALEA – Trooper Arnold went to stop a vehicle. But the driver of the vehicle decided he wanted to try and outrun the vehicle.
The pursuit traveled down Woodland to West Main Street. The wanted suspect blew the traffic light at Woodland and Main, then hung a right on Main Street. The wanted suspect, with ALEA Trooper Arnold behind him, turned north on Park Avenue. As the chase approached Montgomery Highway the wanted suspect blew the traffic signal at Montgomery Highway and North Park. Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies are rolling to assist ALEA Trooper Arnold. Not sure what road hit next but the wanted suspect was on Junaluska Avenue next and then back south on Montgomery Highway.
At times the wanted suspect hit speeds of 100 miles per hour. Several streets hit off Montgomery Highway. At Houston Street and Chickasaw the wanted suspect hit a tree, and then bailed on foot. ALEA Trooper Arnold and Dothan Police went into foot pursuit. ALEA Trooper arnold got close enough to tase him and game over. Suspect in custody. Several agencies had outstanding arrest warrants and now the wanted suspect has more charges on him.
GREAT JOB to ALEA Trooper Arnold, Dothan Police and Houston County Sheriff Deputies. Also GREAT JOB to ALEA Trooper Dispatch, Dothan Police 911 Dispatchers and Houston County Sheriff 911 dispatchers.
Dothan Fire Engine Company 1 ( Central ) was dispatched to check the wanted suspect since the officers had to deploy taser.
DOTHAN: 09:46 AM . DOTHAN 911 dispatched Dothan Fire Engine 4 ( Southside ), Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police to a critical motor vehicle accident, East Main and Health Sciences Blvd. This was once Old Cowarts Road.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief and Dothan Deputy Fire Chief Ash on the scene.
A passenger car stuck under a semi trailer. The semi was traveling on East Main and a vehicle went under the trailer in front of the rear tires of semi.
On arrival of Engine 4 it was reported heavy damage. The patient is conscious and alert and talking to the medic crews. Dothan Fire Heavy Rescue has been dispatched. This will be a prolonged extrication as will take some time to extricate patient.
East Main, traveling west will be closed while extrication takes place.
UPDATED @ 12:24 PM
At 11:20 AM Dothan Fire Heavy Duty Rescue called “return to service” from the extrication of the accident. The patient was called “trauma alert” due to the extensive extrication and mechanism of injury. PRAISES TO GOD that the patient was reported to be conscious and talking to the medics.
PRAISES to Dothan 911 staff, Dothan Fire Battalion Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Fire Department crews, and Dothan Police. When you see calls such as this and the precision that different components of the system work, smooth, for the saving of lives it is amazing. During extrication the on scene crews were in contact with medical control keeping them informed.
HOUSTON COUNTY – HENRY COUNTY: Alabama State Representative Rick Rheem is challenged in the election by David Money. Recently the David Money campaign started running negative ads against incumbent Rick Rheem.
Incumbent Rick Rehm responds to the negative ads on Facebook.
Rehm states what he has done as State Representive during the four years he has served and plans forward. The ads claiim that Rhem has taken gambling money. Rehm said that is false, that infact he has retiurned over $ 7,000.00 which came as campaign donations. Rehm said he never even deposited the money because he was not taking campaign donations from gambling entities.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Incumbent Houston County Commission Chairman Brandn Shoupe took to FACEBOOK to attempt to call out Rev. Ricky Plummber, Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church.
Shoupe stated there was inaccurate statements in the post. Shoupe said if you consider yourself a “physical conservative” then you will agree with Him – Shoupe.
The issue is Chattachochee State Park. The public recently learned that Houston County did not renew the lease on the Chattahochee State Park.
Rev. Plummer had requested skeet shooting range at the park. Plummer is a big supporter of the skeet shooting and several youg people have gotten scholarships from the skeet shooting.
Shoupe stated Plummer needed to post “more honestly”. Plummer was critical of Brandon Shoupe’s leadership as Houston County Commission Chairman.
Plummer also challenged the pay for law enforcement officer’s for Houston County. Shoupe stated that Houston County paid “uncertified” deputies ore than Dothan Police Officer’s. But then Shoupe agreed that Dothan pays law enforcement officers more once they are certified and that Dothan pays more.
NOTE: Plummer said the pay for law enforcement police officer, the City of Dothan pays their police officers more than Houston County does. Shoupe said that was not accurate. That a “uncertified deputy” starts out more than a Dothan Police Officer, but said once certified that Plummer is accurate. Well, Chairman Shoupe, know what you are talking about. A officer has to be certified within six months of employment so Rev. Plummer is accurate. Most of the time Sheriff Valenza attempts to hire “certified” Deputies. Out of 100 deputies employed by Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, see how many are “certified” and how many are “uncertified”.
