Local law enforcement leaders are urging Wiregrass residents to stay home amid the risk of snow and icy roads.
“We recommend unless it’s absolutely an emergency, try not to get out,” said Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza.
“We’re going to probably have enough calls where we really don’t need any more,” he said. “For your safety, it’s best to stay off the road unless you absolutely have to.”
Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum echoed that idea, urging people to be smart.
“It puts a burden on the system when you’ve got people out,” he said. “Make good decisions. We urge everyone, for their safety and the safety of first responders, to stay off the road.”
Enterprise Police put out a statement on Facebook, saying not to travel unless it’s absolutely necessary.
“We don’t want to get a call about witnesses seeing your minivan pirouetting like it was auditioning for the Ice Capades or your Civic sledding down into a ditch when you knew your tires were as bald as Uncle Larry,” the statement said.
Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills will persist for much of the upcoming week. Confidence has increased for wintry precipitation across portions of the region in the late Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning time frame, according to the National Weather Service.
Highs Monday will only get into the thirties, with “feels like” temperatures sitting just around freezing.
But forecasters say Tuesday and Wednesday are growing more and more likely to see snow.
A system capable of winter precipitation will move in around noon Tuesday, possibly dumping snow on the region until Tuesday night.
Freezing rain could also be a risk Tuesday night into Wednesday.
The area could see two to four inches of snow, and Wednesday could see icy roads.
The First Baptist Church Family Life Center at 300 West Main Street will open as a warming shelter on today at 6:00 p.m. It will remain open until Thursday, January 23, at noon.
Rose Hill Senior Center: Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Christian Mission in Enterprise will serve as a warming station. They are located at 231 Geneva Highway, Enterprise, AL 36330. The secondary location, should the Mission reach capacity, is First Methodist Enterprise, 217 Main St., Enterprise, AL 36330.
The Cottonwood Community Church, located at 1331 Metcalf Street, will be open as a warming station until Thursday, January 23, at 5 p.m., with this subject to change pending weather conditions.
The City of Taylor will provide a warming station Monday and Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. at the Taylor Senior Center at 1457 State Hwy 605.Wednesday is still to be determined.
HENRY COUNTY: This past Friday Henry County District Court Judge Derek Peterson performs one of his last official acts as Judge. Judge Peterson retired after 18 years as a Judge.
On Friday Judge Peterson administered the Oath of Office to Incoming Probate Judge/Commission Chairman Ray Marler. After serving 20 years as Mayor of Headland Ray Marler leaves Headland and takes over the duties as Judge and as Commission Chairman.
Judge Peterson administered the Oath of Office to incoming Henry County District Court Judge Spence Danzey. After serving as a Private Attorney with his office in Abbeville, residing in Headland and a Henry County native, also serving as Attorney for the City of Abbeville, City of Headland and Henry County. Danzey assumes the reigns as District Court Judge from Judge Derek Peterson.
Judge Peterson administered the Oath of Office to incoming Henry County Circuit Clerk Kim Roland. After serving many years as Chief Magistrate/Court Clerk for the City of Headland, Kim Roland assumes the duties as Circuit Court Clerk when Shirlene Vickers retired. Roland has many years court experience in Municipal Court. Serving as Circuit Clerk in Henry County, which is part of the 20th Judicial Circuit, is an extreme task. You have less Grand Juries a year which means management of cases longer in District Court, all Circuit Judges offices are located in Houston County which makes exchanging documents slower, and managing different days for Circuit Court Judges. The District Court Judge, Spence Danzey, is the only full time judge in the Henry County Courthouse.
Kim Roland, while is an “elected official” as Circuit Clerk, being a Circuit Clerk if “not a position but a job”.
HOUSTON COUNTY: In Alabama some elected officials have six year terms and some four year terms. That places their elections the same time as a Presidential election and sometimes the same time as Governor elections.
This year the Probate Judge and Circuit Clerk’s elections were the same as the Presidential election. In Houston County, the Probate Judge and Commission Chairman are held by different people. In Henry County, the Probate Judge also serves as Commission Chairman.
This week Houston County Probate Judge Patrick Davenport was sworn into another term. Administering the Oath of Office is one of the last official acts of Henry County Probate Judge David Money.
During Patrick Davenport’s tenure he has digitized the recording of documents, made is remotely accessible, and streamlined the license plate and business license purchases. Take note driver license renewals can be done at the Probate Office. The office also handles mental commitment’s.
This week also Carla Woodall was sworn into another as Houston County Circuit Clerk. Administering the oath of Office was 20th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Chris Richardson. Carla Woodall begins her 4th tenure as Houston County Circuit Clerk which are 6 year terms. Carla Woodall served 15 years as a Court Reporter before she sought election as Circuit Clerk.
All Circuit Clerks, they are not “elected positions” but in reality they are “elected jobs”. Awesome responsibilities where the responsibility for 7 Judges, criminal, civil, juvenile, child supports cases. All records kept straight, accurate and corrects and the collections of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Schools have announced closures Tuesday and Wednesday due to the threat of winter weather. See the list below. We will update this list as more closures may be announced.
Dothan City Schools
Enterprise City Schools
Houston County Schools
Dale County Schools
Henry County Schools
Geneva County Schools
Geneva City Schools
Coffee County Schools
Okaloosa County Schools
Pike County Schools
Troy City Schools
Wallace Community College (Dothan/Eufaula)
Northside Methodist Academy
Providence Christian School
Houston Academy
Bethel Christian Academy
Westgate Christian School and Daycare
Midland City Childcare and Academy
Holmes County Schools
Eufaula City Schools
Covington County Schools
Opp Schools
Calvary Weekday and Preschool
Paul-a-Roos Daycare
Angel’s Child Care and Academy
Fortis College
On The Rise Academy
Kiddie Care Learning Center
Please email rickey@rickeystokesnews.com with school closure announcements to be added to this list.
