DALE COUNTY: Late Saturday afternoon Ozark – Dale County 911 dispatch Dale County Sheriff Deputies to Clayhatchee to some boaters stranded.
Reports were the boaters were stranded a distance down from Clayhatchee. The water was shallow and made navigation with a boat with a motor difficult.
Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum deployed the WASP ( Wiregrass Aviation Support Program ) helicopter to fly down and check on the boater. While the air support unit was in the air Sheriff Bynum had the Dale County Sheriff Air Boat deployed to the scene. The air boat was launched and responded to the stranded boaters, being led to them by the WASP air unit.
A successful recovery. Quick response and action from Dale County Sheriff Deputies, WASP and Air Boat.
Good Friday was good indeed — great, even, for members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Gordon, where the church and schoolhouse received a historic marker.
The fellowship was evident from the get-go; Houston County Schools Chairman Brandy White and Houston County Commissioner Tracy Adams were both present.
But the importance lies not in the big-name people — it lies in the congregation itself.
I rolled up in my my little hatchback and was met instantly with good nature the moment I was out the door and shoved my keys in the pocket of my Good Friday dress.
It didn’t take me introducing myself and announcing I was there for Rickey Stokes News for smiling folks to come up to me with hugs and handshakes and welcome my presence.
Chairs were set out, but the rising temperatures and blazing sun demanded people congregate under a large tree in front of the church.
The Hollinger family has a long history with the location — but they’re focused on preserving that history.
“This community was everything for (my family) so we need to preserve it,” said Cassandra Milton, the daughter of David and Betty Hollinger.
“We are about respecting history and trying to preserve it,” she said. “The people before us fought hard to bring this into the world.
“It’s up to this living generation to keep their visions and their history alive. This is worth coming back and cherishing.”
Furthermore, it’s important to the family that this event comes on Good Friday,
“This is one of the most important holidays to us,” she said. “Jesus died on the cross for us. and it’s very significant to us as a church, knowing what this church was built for. People have gone through some really hard times, and we can’t imagine what they’ve experienced. We are keeping His commandments to us to take care of each other.”
David Hollinger, Houston County Schools District 1 Board Member, said getting a historical designation was a labor of love years in the making.
Sharecroppers would construct a brush arbor — a shade shelter made from logs and leafy branches — to worship before J. Solomon bought the land.
Solomon allowed the people to continue worshiping before selling it to them for a dollar, donating another dollar to their cause; families were eventually able to build a church, where kids could also attend school. The church was later remodeled in 1992.
The cemetery was also previously grown up with weeds and trees, but the plot now looks clean and brand-new.
David was raised at the church, his grandmother bringing him there as a young child.
“This means a lot. Every day is progress,” he said. “We’re always trying to get more people to get behind the wagon and push it.”
The historical marker presents an opportunity for his family and so many others to retain their history.
“There’s a lot of history, so we’re trying to make sure we have some copy so maybe our grandkids can have something to go on,” he said.
David’s wife, Betty, was a huge part of organizing the historical designation.
But she was vocal in the fact she and her family cared immensely for what her ancestors provided her.
“They did a lot. They are the reason why St. John is where it is today,” she said. “The church went through a lot when they first started meeting.”
But families tried their best to make it through the tough times of the twentieth century — teaching their kids the same lessons.
“We’re trying to make sure our generation knows what the past generation did to get us where we are, and we can’t stop,” Betty said. “We have to keep pushing on and make sure the church stays grounded.”
The church now has a food program to help feed the needy and elderly.
You can attend their Easter Sunday church service at 9:30.
RSN received a press release on the matter — you can read the entire release below.
On April 18, 2025, Deputies with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 700 Block of WG Bond Road in reference to a Domestic Assault. Upon arrival the victim was located near a wood line some distance from her residence. It was determined the offender was still inside the victim’s residence. Wicksburg Rescue responded to the scene and transported her to a local hospital. As Deputies attempted to make contact with the offender, it was determined the offender had barricaded himself inside the residence.
The Houston County Special Response Team along with negotiators were requested and arrived on scene. Negotiators attempted to make contact with the offender and received no response. At approximately 0820 hours on April 18, 2025, Franklin Anthony Brown Jr. was detained and transported to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators determined during the early morning hours of April 18, 2025, Mr. Brown used forced to overcome the victim’s resistance to receive a sexual act. Mr. Brown began assaulting the victim by striking her multiple times with his fist and a hammer. During the assault he placed a pillow case over her head and used an extension cord to tie her up. Before abandoning the victim, he poured Clorox over her and attempted to ignite her body. The victim was able to free herself and leave the residence. She was able to find a safe place and called 911.
As a result of our investigation, Franklin Anthony Brown Jr. a 28 year old male was arrested and charged with Kidnapping I, Sodomy I, and Domestic Violence II/Assault II. He will be held in the Houston County Jail without bond. An Anaih’s Law Hearing will be requested from the 20th Judicial Circuit.
RSN spoke with Sgt. Brandon Barnes from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office shortly after the release was disseminated.
“It is unknown the extent of her injuries at this time. The information received from the victim was verified to be accurate and true,” he said.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza and members of Houston County Sheriff Department are on a scene on W G Bond In Wicksburg.
In a situation that unfolded during the night which Houston County Sheriff Patrol Deputies responded to eventually evolved in to a stand off.
Houston County Sheriff SRT ( Special Response Team ) responded.
A victim was transported to a Dothan hospital. At this time it is unknown all of the circumstances of why the subject is wanted.
As more information is available RSN will update.
09:23 AM Sheriff Deputies are returning to service at this time.
UPDATED @ 09:28 AM
A incident that began around 4:00 AM that has just ended with the apprehension of the suspect.
Based on the best information available a female victim was able to alert Houston County 911 of an assault and possibly being held against her will. Houston County Sheriff Patrol Deputies responded. As the information developed Command Staff was notified and the Sheriff SRT Team responded. Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza confirmed that was about 4:15 AM this morning.
The suspect was held up inside the house. The female victim was able to escape. After unsuccessful attempts to get the suspect to voluntarily exit the residence the Sheriff BEARCAT Armored vehicle was deployed. This vehicle has a ramming device that can be extended.
The BEARCAT Armored vehicle was used to ram the windows in the house. After a couple of windows were taken out the suspect, with arms in the air, realized “recess was over”. They were not playing.
The suspect then surrendered himself to law enforcement with no one injured.
At this time the best information available is a female was reported to have possibly been sexually assaulted by the male suspect. Then the male suspect used something to burn the victim. The device was a torch or lighters to burn the victim.
The female victim has been transported to a Dothan hospital.
Houston County Sheriff Department Criminal Investigation Division is investigating.
Two people are dead and multiple people have been hospitalized after an active shooter was reported at Florida State University’s campus in Tallahassee. Reports say the 20-year-old gunman was the son of a sheriff’s deputy whose former service weapon was used in the shooting.
The suspect is identified as Phoenix Ikner.
Reports say the threat has been “neutralized,” but the area around the campus is still an active crime scene.
