Dothan Police arrested a man Sunday for inappropriately touching and abducting a female, and hotel employees intervened to protect the victim.
DPD responded to a report of a kidnapping at a hotel in the 2100 block of Ross Clark Circle Sunday afternoon just before 1 p.m.
When officers arrived, hotel employees said they saw a white man inappropriately touch a minor and force her into his hotel room. Thankfully, hotel employees intervened and removed the minor from the room before calling the police.
Officers tried to make contact with suspect, but he ran away on the second floor of the hotel before being quickly surrounded by police and arrested.
Stephen Ayers, 46, was charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sexual abuse. He’s being held in the Houston County Jail with no bond.
Officers say Ayers made sexual advances to the victim, which she refused, before touching her inappropriately and grabbing her from behind to force her into a room.
“Crimes like these will not be tolerated,” Dothan Police Chief Will Benny said in a statement. “The Dothan Police Department will hold those who commit these crimes accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
I want to share what has been heavily on my mind for a long time now and I have shared my feelings with some local funeral homes and maybe just maybe it will give some comfort to future grieving families
There’s a quote that says
“ One small change can make a big difference “
Before I did the Angel Of Hope the standard norm of obituaries never stood out to me but after talking to hundreds of parents every year for 9 years who have lost a child I look at many things in life differently. Not sure you remember me telling you that I worked part time at Ward Wilson in the 1980’s. Obituaries have for as far back as I can remember been written with everything in the past tense……….
John was the son of..
Jane was the daughter of…
John was the father of…
Jane was the parent of.
And then……….
John LOVED his family
Jane LOVED her family
People have their own beliefs about the Bible’s interpretation of what happens after we die …but I believe if the obituary could be written…..
John IS the son of…
Jane IS the daughter of…
John LOVES his family
Jane LOVES her family
John IS the father of
Jane IS the mother of……
Maybe that might give just a small bit of comfort to the families .
I’ll always be my children’s father even after I’m gone
And my children and everyone else’s children will ALWAYS be my children and their children.
I know the computer programs and especially AI now that it exists automatically writes or gives hints to creating an obituary.
But Maybe. Just Maybe…
If you could help change how they are written it might just help families.
I, just like you, will ALWAYS love my children after I’m gone…
Please don’t let anyone write in my obituary that I LOVED my children.
HENRY COUNTY: Henry County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge Ray Marler, members of the Henry County Commission, Henry County Engineer Chris Champion, Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankensip, Henry County E911 Director Chad Sowell, Henry County Emergency Management Director Matt Hatcher make an exciting announcement.
Effective January 25, 2025 at 2:30 PM the raod conditions across Henry County have improved. The previous IMPASSABLE TRAVEL ADVISORY for the Henry County Roads and Bridges has been lifted.
While each can not guarentee the conditions everywhere, drivers are reminded to use caution while traveling.
The above named wish to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to each and every Henry County resident and guests for their paying attention to the advisories and the staying off the roadways. Because of your co-operation there was minimum injuries and accidents across the entire square mileage of Henry County.
The above named also wishes to thank all first responders, paid and volunteer across Henry County, all fire and EMS, all law enforcement from all agencies, county – municipal and state, all Henry County Road and Bridge, and ALDOT with State of Alabama. Together as a partnership, Henry County was safe.
The above named also wants to thank the City of Headland, City of Newville, City of Abbeville, and Town of Haleburg for all of their contributions.
A special thanks to those heard but not seen in the Henry County 911 Center for taking 911 calls, dispatching services required and their tireless efforts.
ASHFORD: 12:59 PM Ashford Fire is responding to a report of a two-vehicle T-bone wreck on Highway 84 East at Pleasant Grove Road.
As of 1:10 PM, a westbound lane of of Highway 84 in the area is blocked.
Airbags were deployed.
Injuries are currently unknown.
Ashford Police and Houston County Sheriffs are on-scene.
UPDATED @ 1:31 PM
Ashford Fire Department, two Ashford Rescue units, Ashford Police, Houston County Sheriff Deputies and Webb Police responded.
The wreck was dispatched by Houston County 911 as having critical injuries, two vehicles, T-bone style wreck.
Involved a Camaro and a Dodge Ram truck. Both vehicles received major damage.
No one was transported to the hospital.
Ashford Police is in charge of the accident investigation.
NOTE: JUVENILE RECORDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO POST. JUDGE LORI COLLIER INGRAM & JUDGE BUTCH BINFORD HANDLE ALL JUVENILE CASES:
HOUSTON COUNTY:
DV-District-Civil:
38-DV-2025-900080.00 Max Credit Union Vs Jacqueline A Forte (Contract/EJMNT/SEIZU) with
Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-DV-2025-90081.00 Capital One Vs Katie Hatcher (Contract/EJMNT/SEIZU) $11271.01 with
Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-DV-2025-900082.00 Discover Bank Vs Richard D Swint (General Damages) $6007.25 with
Judge Benjamin Lewis
SM-Small Claims:
38-SM-2025-900338.00 Republic Finance LLC Vs Skyetta Oliver (Contract/EJMNT/SEIZU)
$5370.54 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900339.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Tina Flowers (Account Collection)
$2315.76 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2025-900340.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Kayla M Offutt (Account Collection)
$1259.79 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2025-900341.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Jeffrey B Cook (Account Collection)
$ 1052.74 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
DC-District-Criminal:
Judge Lewis had 5 cases for Possess Contr Subs Inte, Possess Marijuana 1st , Possess/Receipt
Cont, and Retail Theft 3rd X 2.
TR-Traffic:
Judge Lewis had 2 cases for Failure to Wear Safe, Speeding.
Henry County:
CV-Circuit-Civil:
37-CV-2025-900003.00 Progressive Direct Insurance Company A/S/O It’s Oms Vs John Duhaime
(other CV Case) $17255.08 with Judge John Steensland
SM-Small Claims:
37-SM-2025-900036.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Lakesha T Thompson (Account
Collection) $2411.82 with Judge Spencer Danzey
37-SM-2025-900037.00 Midfield Dental Center Associates P.C Vs Horace Adams (Account
Collection) $2476.00 with Judge Spencer Danzey
The melting snow and sleet is expected to refreeze this evening when temperatures plummet again, according to a special weather statement from the National Weather Service.
“This will create areas of slippery black ice, especially in places that have not already completely dried, or places that have remained shaded through the day,” the statement reads.
These areas include roads shaded by trees or overpasses, or any place on the shaded north side of buildings.
“If you must be out this evening, be ready for the sudden re-freezing of snowmelt water and the formation of black ice,” the statement says.
Slushy snow will become icy and hard. If you’re driving, SLOW WAY DOWN before encountering icy spots. Put extra space between you and surrounding vehicles.
Houston County officials urged people to stay home after 5 p.m.
