Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum is speaking out following the introduction of Alabama’s proposed Child Predator Death Penalty Act, a bill that would allow the death penalty for certain crimes involving sexual abuse of children.
Sheriff Bynum said protecting children is one of the most important responsibilities for law enforcement and emphasized that predators who harm children must face serious consequences.
“Anytime you’re dealing with crimes against children, those are some of the most disturbing cases our investigators handle,” Bynum said. “Our job is to protect the most vulnerable members of our community, and children fall at the top of that list.”
The proposed legislation would strengthen penalties for individuals convicted of severe child sexual abuse crimes and could allow prosecutors to pursue capital punishment in certain cases.
Bynum said while lawmakers ultimately decide how the law is written, his office will continue focusing on investigating cases thoroughly and ensuring offenders are held accountable.
“Our investigators work tirelessly on these cases,” Bynum said. “Anything that helps protect children and hold offenders accountable is something we take seriously.”
The bill is currently under consideration in the Alabama Legislature.
The Dale County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the community out for two nights of rodeo action this weekend.
The Dale County Sheriff’s Rodeo will take place March 6–7 at the Dale County Ag Plex Arena, located at 202 AL-123 in Ozark. Gates will open each evening at 5:00 p.m.
The event will feature several traditional rodeo competitions including steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, break-away roping, team roping, bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping, and bareback riding.
The rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Cowboy Association (PCA) and promises two nights of high-energy entertainment for the whole family.
Organizers encourage residents across the Wiregrass to come out and support the event while enjoying an evening of rodeo competition and community fun.
Hidden Lake Elementary welcomed some special guests during Read Across America Week. Officer Volkman with the Dothan Police Department, Travis Fretts with the Dothan Fire Department, and former Miss National Peanut Festival Jakia Pearson stopped by Ms. Jones’ classroom to spend time reading with students and encouraging a love for books.
National Slam the Scam Day is a reminder for the public to recognize, avoid, and report scammers who are looking for an easy payday.
Officials warn residents to be cautious of emails, phone calls, or messages asking you to enter personal information, passwords, or financial details. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly.
Remember, no legitimate government agency will ever ask you to pay fines or fees using Bitcoin, gift cards, or other unusual payment methods.
If something feels suspicious, pause and verify before taking action.
Construction is underway on a new public emergency response facility that will house the Abbeville Police Department, Abbeville Fire and Rescue and Abbeville EMS under one roof.
Abbeville Mayor Jimmy Money said the project has been in the works for several years and will serve the community for decades to come.
“We’ve been working on this facility for six years,” Money said. “This is a dream come true for our city. This is where we are, and this is what we’re doing. It’ll last a long time when we finish. It’ll be great. It’ll be good for the county and the city.”
Officials say Abbeville Fire and Rescue has outgrown its current station, and the existing EMS space cannot accommodate all staff members.
Abbeville EMS Director Laura Feggins said the department currently runs two 24-hour crews but does not have the space to house everyone on shift.
“Right now we run two crews 24 hours a day, so we’re unable to house all of our employees,” Feggins said. “We don’t have enough bedrooms, enough showers.”
The new facility will provide additional space for personnel and equipment as the departments continue to expand, including plans to add more fire trucks and ambulances.
Plans for the building also include a dedicated training area for first responders. Feggins said the additional space will allow EMS personnel to stay up to date as emergency medical practices continue to evolve.
“EMS is always changing,” Feggins said. “Having a bigger facility means that we have a larger training area and better equipment to meet our needs.”
City leaders also incorporated a storm shelter into the design to provide a safe place for residents during severe weather.
“We all need a place to go in time of trouble,” Money said. “One of the things we’re all trying to do is plan for tomorrow and not just today.”
Mayor Money said construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
