HENRY COUNTY: This week marks the final week of three people who served the citizens and guests of Henry County, Alabama for over 18 years. These three served with the strongest of definitions in Humility, Dedication, and a very STRONG SENSE OF JUSTICE.
These three are District Court Judge Derek Peterson; Circuit Court Clerk Shirlene Vickers; and Senior Judicial Assistant, Terry Thompson.
Judge Peterson and Circuit Clerk Shirlene Vickers did not seek re-election. They have served as elected officials in Henry County for 18 consecutive years. Both served as Republican elected officials. Circuit Clerk Shirlene Vickers holds the title of the first ever elected woman to public office in Henry County as a Republican.
Ms. Terry Thompson came on 18 years ago with Judge Peterson. She has served as the gatekeeper to Judge Peterson with class and dedicated service. Being a Judicial Assistant is a balancing act because people in court cases cannot just come into the Judge’s Office and discuss the legal matter at hand. Often times these are friends, but the Judge is bound to the Judicial Canon of Ethics. So as gatekeeper, it was Ms. Thompson’s duty to attempt to help them but shield the Judge so all was fair. She also made sure people understood the ethical boundaries and why so they would not leave mad. Terry Thompson served 18 consecutive years as Judicial Assistant to Judge Peterson.
Judge Peterson is one who I often described as a Judge you would still thank after sentencing you to death by lethal injection. Judge Derek Peterson was always kind and considerate. He is a balanced justice and a very smart man who knew how to navigate land mines in matters before the court.
Shirlene Vickers had 41.5 years as an employee State of Alabama, all in the Circuit Clerk Office in Henry County. Of those 41.5 years, 18 of those was as the elected Clerk. She was always diligent to her task of keeping all of the court records and dockets in order and everything on task. Being a Circuit Clerk is not a “position”, it is a job! During her 41.5 years and 18 as elected, Shirlene Vickers has gone above and beyond the call of duty in the performance of her job.
THANK YOU to all three of you. You have been the model for elected and appointed officials. You are the model for showing respect to the citizens that interact from all walks of life.
On January 7 there was a reception honoring these three dedicated public servants. Dr. Rich Hobson of the Alabama Administrative Office of the Courts traveled to Abbeville to present these three with plaques. Even Montgomery recognized the quality of these three public servants.
In closing, Well done thy good and faithful servants!!!
Dothan City Schools announced more security measures, including security vestibules and Flock license plate readers.
Through the Partnership Alliance for Safer Schools, plans are in motion to upgrade all vestibules at district school buildings. The secure vestibules will accommodate the weapons detection systems already in place at Dothan City Schools.
“Secure vestibules are great because it allows the school personnel to manage more closely who has access to the interior of the building while also being able to bring them into the vestibule and be able to further help them,” said Sharla Godwin, Director of DCS Facilities and Maintenance. “The doors are fobbed-controlled for staff members and all guests have to be buzzed into the vestibule for service. You can easily keep track of who is coming and going. It will be great that all of our schools from Preschool up to the High School will have these secure vestibules.”
Flock Safety License Plate Readers are also to be installed to school campuses across the district.
These cameras scan and read license plates on vehicles coming onto campus.
Using license plate reader recognition, these readers can identify suspects and potential sex offenders by providing valuable information to the school district regarding potential threats long before problems arise.
For instance, the technology has the ability to send alerts to DCS SROs when stolen cars or wanted suspects come on campus. The technology also maintains a database of vehicle information while supplying administrators with live and recorded video.
“Safety and security are paramount at Dothan City Schools,” Dr. Dennis Coe, Superintendent of Dothan City Schools, said. “This technology will help us pinpoint possible security risks instantaneously, alert proper authorities when cameras perceive a threat, and potentially thwart dangerous activity on our campuses. We appreciate the Board of Education for approving the technology that will no doubt lead to a safer learning environment for our students and staff.”
WASHINGTON D.C. Last week, the living Presidents of the United States of America and some former Vice Presidents were in attendance of former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral.
It was meant to be a special time to show their respect to one who served in the highest office of the land; a time for these past Presidents, Vice Presidents and their spouses to show dignity and respect.
Among those in attendance: President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill; current Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff; Barack Obama; George and Laura Bush; Bill and Hillary Clinton President-Elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania; Al Gore; Mike Pence and his wife Karen, Vice President Elect J.D. Vance.
THIS ARTICLE IS NOT ABOUT IF YOU LIKE OR SUPPORT DONALD TRUMP. The majority of the registered voters across the United States of America cast their vote, a freedom that men and women died for, and their selection was Donald Trump to serve as President for the next four years.
The ONLY TWO PEOPLE to show dignity, respect and an example were Former President Barrack Obama and Former Vice President Mike Pence. While sitting next to President Elect Donald Trump, the two talked and laughed with each other. Former Vice President Mike Pence stood up, shook his hand, and referred to President-Elect Donald Trump as Mr. President.
The rest of the former Presidents and their guests, in particular George and Laura Bush, Karen Pence, and Bill and Hillary Clinton, disrespected every American citizen who voted in the 2024 elections. In fact, each of these were pure jackasses to the American people.
Everyone did not like these officials while they were in office. To disrespect the one who the majority of registered voter elected as their President was uncalled for. It was a total lack of respect towards former President Jimmy Carter. And to display this disrespect at Jimmy Carter’s funeral was distasteful and a display of their lack of respect for the citizens of these this United States of America.
The above named owe to the Carter family, the American voters and President Elect Donald Trump a public apology. Because in their once held positions, and now as “former” Presidents, they owe the office more respect.
How could Bill Clinton act the way he did when he was the one who received oral sex in the Oval Office?
Jimmy Carter’s funeral was about respect to Jimmy Carter, not politics!
Beginning Monday, January 13, 2025, multiple railroad crossings will be closed for maintenance. The closures will last 2 to 3 days per crossing depending on the amount of maintenance required at the crossing. The affected crossing are:
• Westgate Pkwy between Bishop Ct. and Technology Dr.
• Murray Rd. between Warehouse Dr. and Industrial Rd.
• Headland Ave. between Railroad Ave. and Depot St.
• N. Cherry St. between Railroad Ave. and E. Powell St.
• Lake St. between Vogel Dr. and Bayshore Ave.
Beginning Tuesday, January 14, 2025, multiple railroad crossings will be closed for maintenance. The closures will last 2 to 3 days per crossing depending on the amount of maintenance required at the crossing. The affected crossing are:
• Burdeshaw St. between Sunset Dr. and Bloom St.
• N. Beverlye Rd. between Kelley Dr. and Columbia Hwy
Motorists are requested to exercise caution when traveling in this area.
Several railroad crossings in Ashford was closed this morning as crews have been working on railroad crossing arms.
According to Dothan Houston County EMA, the crossing at North Broadway Street will be closed until around Wednesday evening. It seems other crossings in Ashford were also affected by the repairs.
Surrounding railroad crossings in the area were also closed Monday morning, leading people to drive around the arms; railroad crossings with arms down should not be crossed. Drivers should find alternate routes.
Reports indicated railroad crossings at 8th Avenue, Pleasant Grove and Weeks Trailer Park were still accessible.
