Tonight’s the Night, Houston County! The County Conversation town hall is happening TONIGHT at: Farm Center in Dothan 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, Probate Judge’s Office, Road & Bridge, and Revenue Commission will be there to share updates and hear your feedback. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your perspective with county leaders and help shape the future of Houston County. We hope to hear from you tonight!
Commissioner Tracy Adams also encourages those who don’t live in this particular district to attend!
A lightning strike hit and ignited a home in Coffee County, according to Coffee County EMA Director Grant Lyons.
Just as a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the area, a 911 came through around 3 a.m. early Thursday morning, saying lightning had hit a home and blown out a window, also lighting the house on fire. A lightning strike also possibly hit a nearby tree.
Goodman Fire responded and called mutual aid from New Brockton Fire, Elba Fire and Enterprise Fire.
The attic of the home was ablaze when fire units arrived, initially limited enough so units could make an interior attack, but the attic collapsed.
Firefighters were thankfully able to save a number of precious items.
Lyons said the 911 caller and his wife were able to exit the house safely. Neither were injured, nor did they experience any smoke inhalation.
UPDATE: Enterprise Police arrested Laquenton Decraig Sheridan, age 42, of Enterprise, and he was charged with first-degree assault.
He was arrested yesterday evening, but his arrest was announced today. Sheridan was taken to the Coffee County Jail.
ORIGINAL: Enterprise Police are searching for a shooting suspect.
EPD responded to a shots fired call the 800 block of North Ouida street just before 3 p.m. Monday.
A victim was found with a gunshot wound to the shoulder, but there was no suspect to be found.
Criminal investigators determined there had been an argument between the suspect and victim before the shooting.
No more information will be released at the time — but if you have any information on the case, call (334) 347-2222 or leave a tip at www.enterprisepd.com.
A bill defining sex as determined at birth passed the Alabama House Wednesday morning, and it’s now headed to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk — she’s already indicated she will sign the bill to codify it to Alabama law.
SB79 defines a female as someone whose reproductive system produces ova and a male as someone whose reproductive system produces sperm.
Transgender men and women, along with other allies, appeared at public hearings to oppose the bill, saying it would allow harassment and marginalization of transgender and intersex people.
The bill’s supporters say it would protect women and girls in spaces like restrooms and locker rooms.
“The purpose of this act is to bring clarity, certainty, and uniformity to the laws of Alabama regarding sex discrimination, equality of the sexes, and benefits or services specifically provided to males and men and to females and women,“ the bill says.
Republican leadership in the House unusually limited debate on the bill to 10 minutes, an aside from the usual process of allowing unlimited debate. Democrats said the 10-minute limit was unfair to their constituents.
Top Republicans said the time limit was to accommodate a busy day in the legislature, but Democrats decried the limit as unfair, saying they didn’t have enough time to discuss amendments.
A bill allowing state officials to appoint leaders for local police departments was expected to be approved, according to the sponsor of the bill. It will appear in the House County and Municipal Government Committee today.
HB 14 would allow the governor or attorney general to appoint a police chief if they determine there is an ongoing public safety risk. The appointee would not be subject to local oversight.
The bill says state officials can appoint an interim police chief if the state officials review local crime statistics, find the number of police officers is at least 30% less than the average numbers of law enforcement officers employed by that department in the previous 10 years, and consult with district attorneys and sheriffs.
Notably, the interim police chief would serve under the appointing authority — not the authority of the mayor, city council or other municipal official.
The interim chief would serve until the attorney general or governor determines the public safety threat no longer exists.
Montgomery and Birmingham have struggled to maintain staffing targets, according to reporting from the Alabama Reflector.
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road), said an amendment would be introduced modifying the legislation to require that both the governor and attorney general jointly agree to appoint an interim police chief.
The move comes after Alabama Republicans and Gov. Kay Ivey said public safety was a top issue for this year’s legislation.
Members of delegations representing both Montgomery and Birmingham do not support the measure, one Montgomery Democrat calling the legislation “government overreach.”
One Birmingham legislator said police departments need more revenue for salaries — not outside management.
Some departments see staffing issues because in many cases potential officers must be hired by a police department before they’re allowed to attend the police academy.
Tonight’s the Night, Houston County!
Farm Center in Dothan
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
