Houston County/Dothan City/Coffee County/Dale County Weekend Mugshots 3/7/2025-3/9/2025
Scam alert from Dothan Utilities
The City of Dothan’s Utilities Collection division has become aware or scammers trying to solicit debit card information from DU customers.
The scammers claim customers are due a refund and need their debit card information to deposit that refund.
Dothan’s Utilities Collection division will never contact anyone, by phone or otherwise, asking for a customer’s debit or credit card information.
Don’t fall for the scam!
9:26 PM Sheriff and Coroner Pay Bill Introduced In Legislature
MONTGOMERY – HOUSTON COUNTY: Local legislation was introduced into the Alabama House this past week concerning the salaries of the Houston County Sheriff and Houston County Coroner.
The local legislation would bring the salary of the Sheriff up to $150,000 per year. This is needed to widen the gap between the Sheriff and Chief Deputy, and bring the Sheriff in line with other counties. The Houston County Sheriff manages a department of close to 200 people between the Sheriff Patrol, Civil Division, Court Detail, School Resources Deputies and Corrections Deputies. The Sheriff also manages the Houston County Jail where the population is equal to some small cities. In a jail with a capacity of about 370 people had 430 people in the jail.
Currently the Houston County Coroner has a salary of $18,000 per year. The legislation will bring the Coroner salary to $22,000 per year. The proposal was by the Houston County Commission. The salary “SHOULD” be the same as that of a County Commissioner, which begins at $33,000 per year plus $3,000 a year for furnishing their own car. Both a commissioner and coroner are part-time, with the Coroner being full-time on call. And no person makes an appointment to die. But the commission refused to bring the Coroner in line with the pay of that of a part time county commissioner.
CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS: The Alabama Legislature debated to ban cell phones in schools. The FOCUS ACT would prohibit cell phones on school property. The academic and discipline referrals in Montgomery schools with their own cell phone ban. There are exceptions in the law. The bill will be voted on at a later date.
DUAL ENROLLMENT: The Alabama Senate passed House Bill 102. This bill, which is on the way to Governor Kay Ivey, reads schools “shall” allow high school students to enroll in any dual enrollment course that is offered by a local community college or university and approved for dual credit by the State Department of Education.
RESISTING ARREST: The Alabama House passed Senate Bill 265 in a 78-14 vote. This legislation enhances Resisting Arrest to charge from a Misdemeanor to a Class D felony. The legislation now moves to the Alabama Senate.
UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS: House Bill 3 passed out of the Alabama House to the Alabama Senate in a 76 – 3 vote with 24 abstentions. This legislation enhances criminal penalties in cases where undocumented immigrants are alleged to have committed and the victim is a minor child.
GLOCK SWITCH BAN: The Alabama House voted 77-23 with 4 abstentions to outlaw machine gun conversion devices. This device makes the firearms able to fire at machine gun speed.
10:32 AM Miki McFatter – Wife of Retired Houston Co. District Judge Bill McFatter Passes Away
PANAMA CITY BEACH FL: RSN has learned that Miki Thrasher McFatter, wife of Retired Houston County District Court Judge William ( Bill ) McFatter has passed away.
Miki Thrasher McFatter studied at the University of Alabama. She and Bill McFatter married on July 6, 1968. She was a great inspiration to everyone she met. She was always smiling, laughing and is a person who enjoyed life.
Mike McFatter was the solid rock to Bill McFatter. She was with him along the path of life. She was in real estate for many years here in Dothan. Bill McFatter served years as Houston County District Court Judge. A very firm Judge. He was often criticized of his handling defendants in court as someone strict. Ordering young people to Court Referral and to obtain their GED. But his goal was if he could help someone get a handle on their drug or alcohol problem or get their GED to help them in life to obtain a good job and career, then he had taken his role as Judge and turned lives around. And if he could put fear in them about the court system, that would help deter them from repeat offending. His goal was to change lives to be what each person could be.
On Judge McFatter’s retirement, they sold their home in Dothan and moved to their place on the beach. The Judge, an avid fisherman, enjoyed he and Miki living at the beach. A life of relaxton, fishing and no stress. Miki shielded the Judge and was very protective of him in his retirement.
It is my understanding Miki and Judge were living in an assisted living facility in North Georgia near family at the time of her death. At this time it is my understanding there will be no memorial service, but one may be announced later.
A post on Miki’s Facebook said “to my beloved McMom, Miki Thrasher McFatter: God speed on your journey to be with our Lord. I am glad that you have found peace, escaped this world and can be the best you again in heaven. I miss you so much but treasure every moment that you were in my life, your impact on me was immeasurable. Thank you for all the guidance, direction and love that you showed me. You were the best McMom I could have ever hoped for. I love this picture. It is how I always remember you, full of energy, sharing that energy and love with all of those around you”.
And that best describes the life of Miki McFatter. The energy and excitement around her was contagious.
4:00 PM Working Structure Fire – North Bell Street – Dothan – Possible Arson
DOTHAN: 3:13 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 306 Bell Street in Dothan. At the time of dispatch Dothan Fire Engine Companies were advised smoke and flames visible.
RSN was at Highway 431 and Ross Clark Circle at the time Dothan 911 dispatched the fire. Heavy black smoke was visible from that location when Dothan 911 dispatched the fire. Also Dothan 911 reported unknown if all occupants were evacuated. Reports of some people running from the residence.
Dothan Fire Engine Company 1 ( Central ), Dothan Fire Truck1 ( Central ), Dothan Fire Engine 5 ( Eastside ), Dothan Fire Engine Company 10 ( West Main Street , Rehab Truck, Dothan Fire Central Battalion Chief Johnson, Dothan Fire Deputy Fire Chief David Hasty, Fire Marshall Forehand, Dothan Police Patrol Division and Pilcher Ambulance on the scene.
On arrival of the first fire engine companies is was reported active, working fire, heavy smoke and flames visible. Dothan Fire Department made an aggressive attack. Not long after on the scene it was reported “all clear” as to anyone inside the residence. At 3:57 PM Dothan Fire announced “under control”.
Dothan Police Patrol questioned some residents and there is a suspect in that the fire is possible arson. Dothan Police are searching the area for the suspect.
RSN NOTE: This residence has been the scene of several Dothan Police Vice search warrants for drug activity,
9:40 AM: Dothan Utilities vehicle wrecks with semi
Dothan Fire and Pilcher’s responded to a report of a wreck between a Dothan Utilities truck and a semi at Omussee Road and Webb Road.
Early reports indicate one person is trapped in a vehicle with a head injury. Two critical patients are reported.
Heavy damage was present.
The person in the Dothan Utilities truck was being extracted from the vehicle as RSN arrived on-scene. The victim was moving.
On-scene witnesses said the semi did not stop at a stop sign, and the DU truck tried to turn away and miss the truck but was unsuccessful.
3 PM: Some reports indicated one person from the Dothan Utilities vehicle is still in the hospital.
