Dothan Prep will begin to distribute 7th grade backpacks today (Thursday). See the release from DPA below:
Dear DPA Families,
We will begin distributing backpacks for our 7th grade students on tomorrow. During this time, only 7th grade backpacks will be available for pick-up. Due to the expected volume of traffic, we are asking that only the students that absolutely need their backpack come at this time. All backpacks are secure.
Note: No one will be allowed in the building.
Anyone that did not pick up their phones on Tuesday can do so Thursday at the same time and location.
Pick-Up Location: Auditorium Entrance
Pick-Up Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work through this process. Thank you for understanding!
COTTONWOOD: This is one of the stories that there is NO WAY that I am going to be able to write without making people mad. But, it will not be the first time and definitely will not be the last time.
On April 1, 2025 there was a scheduled meeting of the Cottonwood Mayor and Town Council.
There were no agenda items on the printed agenda concerning the Cottonwood Police Department.
There were no official discussion or votes by the Mayor or members of the Cottonwood Town Council Members concerning the Cottonwood Police Department at the meeting or after the meeting.
Following the meeting, in casual, one or more council members asked a couple of questions concerning the Cottonwood Police Department. Not official in decision making, but some general questions concerning overtime.
COTTONWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Town of Cottonwood “had” three full time police officers. Those being Chief Tony Money, Director of Department of Public Safety Colonel Jim Smith, and Corporal Justin Pearson.
For an extended period of time both Colonel Smith and Corporal Pearson have been on medical leave. Partially being exposed to fentanyl and other medical issues.
Colonel Smith works a couple of days per week and Corporal Pearson quit full time and took another job but it is my understanding works some part time.
Cottonwood Police Department is not a full time, 24/7/365 on duty police department. Someone is on call to investigate wrecks inside the city limits of Cottonwood. When there are no officers on duty, Houston County Sheriff Department handles the law enforcement calls within the corporate city limits of Cottonwood.
RECENTLY A CHANGE IN MAYOR’S IN COTTONWOOD
Recently the Mayor of Cottonwood resigned due to health reasons. Councilman Granger was appointed Mayor of Cottonwood.
Apparently today, Cottonwood Mayor Granger made an executive decision to limit the Cottonwood Police Officers to a 40 hour work week. The reasons we understand is because overtime pay has grown a tremendous amount. And it was felt the overtime needed to be cut.
There was not a discussion during the regular scheduled Town Council Meeting last evening and not a vote by the members of the Cottonwood Town Council members. It was solely an executive decision by the Mayor of the Town of Cottonwood.
COTTONWOOD SCHOOL SRO
The school in Cottonwood is managed by a SRO (School Resource Officer, but a Sheriff’s Deputy) of the Houston County Sheriff Department. This has been a rub to the members of Cottonwood Police Department. But Houston County Sheriff Department handles all Houston County Schools as SROs.
So even with the cutback to 40 hours of Cottonwood Police Department, it will have zero impact on SRO protection at the school.
HOUSTON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT PROTECTION IN COTTONWOOD
The City of Cottonwood is 5.8 square miles. By Alabama law the Cottonwood Police Department can only run radar within the 5.8 square miles and can not use radar traffic control device outside the 5.8 square miles. They have 1.5 square miles of police jurisdiction outside the corporate city limits they can patrol, but can not use speed detection devices in this 1.5 square miles outside the city limits but within the police jurisdiction. (Code of Alabama 32-5A-171). As a law enforcement officer in the State of Alabama, the Cottonwood Police Officer or any other law enforcement officer can make an arrest outside their city limits or police jurisdiction. When an arrest is made it is required to be placed in the District Court of the County.
The City of Cottonwood is in Houston County. The Sheriff has responsibility and jurisdiction in the entire Houston County. In the Corporate City Limits of Dothan his assistance is not needed as much because they have 208 sworn law enforcement officers. No where near that outside the corporate city limits of Dothan. The Sheriff has a responsibility, without a contract or payment from a municipality, to provide law enforcement protection to the entire county. He is elected by all of Houston County and his responsibility is to everyone.
There has been discussion, by a number of municipalities of contracting with the Sheriff for law enforcement protection. While I am sure he would welcome the money, but understand, it is his mandated duty without compensation from a municipality to provide law enforcement protection to all 582 square miles of Houston County, and furthermore the responsibility of the Houston County Commission to fund that law enforcement protection.
Any felonies in the city limits of Cottonwood are handled by the Houston County Sheriff Department currently. This has been the policy for a long time that all felonies are handled by the Sheriff Department.
CONTRARY TO RUMOR MILL, COTTONWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT CLOSING
Contrary to the rumor mill Cottonwood Police Department IS NOT CLOSING. It is a step to get the hours under control because overtime can have dramatic negative results on a municipality.
The Cottonwood Police Department is and has done a good job. As with everything there can always be improvements. But the Cottonwood Police Department has been responsive to the residents and guests of Cottonwood.
With the damage to the town and lack of strong economic structures of businesses in Cottonwood, finances are tight. And that requires some strong and major decisions that have to be made.
The lookin’ out the window weather is warm and foggy this morning, but sunny, breezy and very warm weather will be in by afternoon.
Left-over moisture from the last few days rains are rising into morning clouds and fog. Plenty of sunshine will push temperatures into the mid to upper 80s Thursday, and winds continue to breeze out of the south at between 10 and 20 mph.
Last night the low temperature barely dropped below 70, and after a hotter day today than yesterday lows this evening may stall out at 70 degrees. A few clouds will swirl in this evening, and Friday looks like a pretty Spring day before more clouds arrive Saturday and rains late Sunday into the start of next week.
Car enthusiasts spearheaded an event to spark interest in automotive history and mechanics with local 6th graders. D.A. Smith Middle School and the Ozark Boys and Girls Club are set to host a unique and educational event, “Driving Through the Decades,” on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (with a rain date of Friday, May 9). This inaugural event, organized to engage students in the history and evolution of automobiles, promises to be a fascinating experience for both participants and attendees.
Participants will showcase their vehicles, ranging from early 20th century models to cars from this year.
Here’s how it works: Vehicle owners register their year, make, and model at nscdothan.com/decades by the deadline of Friday, April 18 at noon. Sixth-grade teachers then provide this list to their students, who select a vehicle to research. The students delve into the car’s history and mechanics, creating informative posters and artwork to display alongside the vehicles on the day of the event.
Students will explore the evolution of cars, identify key innovations, and discuss potential future advancements, as well as address current automotive challenges and propose solutions. On the day of the show, students will dress in period-appropriate attire and present their research to their peers.
Participants are asked to arrive between 8:10 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. to park their vehicles, as students will begin arriving at 9:00 a.m. Due to bus drop-off, vehicle parking prior to 8:00 a.m. is not permitted. The event is free, and all types of vehicles are welcome. Cars will be arranged chronologically, showcasing 125 years of automotive development.
Pick-Up Location: Auditorium Entrance
Pick-Up Time: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
