WIREGRASS : As harvest season gets underway across the Wiregrass, it’s a good time to remember just how much farmers do for our communities and why a little patience on rural roads can go a long way.
Farming is more than planting seeds and gathering crops. It’s a year-round commitment that takes hard work, long hours, careful planning and the ability to work with whatever Mother Nature brings. Farmers help put food on our tables, support the local economy and provide the agricultural products that families and businesses depend on every day.
And in rural communities like ours, farmers are often much more than the people working in the fields. They are neighbors, friends, volunteers, community supporters and families who help keep our small towns moving forward.
Fall is one of the busiest times of the year for many farmers. After months of preparation and hard work, it’s time to bring in the crops. Farmers may work early in the morning, late into the evening and sometimes through the night to get their harvest in before bad weather arrives.
This is also the time when drivers in rural areas may encounter tractors, combines, grain trucks and other farm equipment traveling on public roads.
Here’s an important reminder for everyone: Please be patient during harvest season. Farm equipment is often large, slow-moving and difficult to maneuver. Farmers may need to turn into fields, cross roadways or move equipment between farms. What may seem like a delay to a driver can be an important part of getting a crop safely harvested.
Give farm equipment plenty of room, slow down when approaching it, and never try to pass unless you have a clear view of the road and enough space to do so safely. Remember that farmers are working hard to bring in crops that help feed families and support our economy.
A few extra minutes on the road are worth it when safety is at stake.
When the fields become quieter, the work doesn’t stop. Winter is the time to maintain equipment, repair machinery, review the past season and prepare for the next planting cycle. They must also manage expenses, plan purchases and make decisions that can affect their families and businesses for months to come.
Farming is an important part of life in the Wiregrass. It supports local jobs, businesses, equipment dealers, suppliers, transportation companies and countless others whose livelihoods are connected to agriculture.
Farmers also contribute to the character of our rural communities. Many support local schools, churches, youth programs, community events and neighbors in need. Their work often goes far beyond the fields, even when the demands of the farm leave them with little free time.
Farming is not just a job; it is a promise to the future.
WIREGRASS — When the power goes out, most of us expect it to be an inconvenience that lasts a few hours. But after the recent hurricane and its effects on our area, many Wiregrass residents have discovered just how difficult life can become when the electricity stays off for days.
Without power, refrigerators and freezers stop keeping food cold, air conditioning shuts down, lights go dark, and everyday tasks suddenly become much harder. For families with young children, older adults, medical equipment, or special health needs, an extended outage can be more than uncomfortable — it can become a serious concern.
That’s why more people may be taking a closer look at whether a generator belongs on their list of household essentials.
A generator can make a big difference.
Depending on its size and capacity, a portable generator can provide power for essential items such as a refrigerator, a few lights, fans, phone chargers and certain small appliances. A properly sized standby generator can power more of a home and may turn on automatically when the electricity goes out.
For families living in the South, where hot weather can linger well into the fall and severe storms can threaten the power supply, having a backup plan can offer peace of mind when the lights go out.
But owning a generator also means knowing how to use it safely.
Generators produce carbon monoxide, a deadly gas that cannot be seen or smelled. They must always be operated outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. Never run one inside a home, garage, carport or other enclosed space, even with the doors open.
Portable generators should never be plugged directly into a household wall outlet. A properly installed transfer switch, handled by a qualified electrician, is needed to safely connect a generator to a home’s electrical system. Keep generators dry, follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and allow the unit to cool before refueling.
It’s also important to choose the right size generator for your needs and keep an adequate supply of the correct fuel stored safely.
Don’t wait until the next storm is headed our way.
After experiencing an extended power outage, many people understand that preparing ahead of time can make a tremendous difference. Whether you decide to purchase a generator, invest in a battery backup, or put together a plan for staying with family during an outage, thinking ahead is important.
The recent storm was a reminder that we often take electricity for granted — until we no longer have it.A little preparation now could make the next extended outage safer, more comfortable and much easier on your family
FORT RUCKER, Ala. — Fort Rucker is taking on a new role in the U.S. Army’s plans to expand the use of drones, robotics and other advanced military technology.
The Army announced Tuesday that Fort Rucker will become the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Autonomy Center of Excellence under the newly redesignated Futures and Autonomous Systems Command, formerly known as the Futures and Concepts Command.
The move puts the Wiregrass military installation at the center of the Army’s efforts to develop and test technology that could change how soldiers operate on the battlefield.
The new command will bring together several Army research, modernization and innovation organizations. Its mission includes testing autonomous systems, improving military capabilities and finding new ways to combine robotics and technology with traditional military operations.
One area of focus will be the use of unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, alongside helicopters and other crewed aircraft. The Army has been developing ways for pilots to work with unmanned aircraft, giving them a better view of their surroundings and more information to help make decisions.
Fort Rucker’s existing aviation expertise and work on these systems helped make it a natural choice for the new designation.
Acting Army Chief of Staff General Christopher LaNeve said Fort Rucker offers a unique opportunity to bring together military experts and modern commercial technology to test new capabilities.
The announcement is another proud moment for the Wiregrass community. Fort Rucker has long been a source of pride for Southeast Alabama, and this new designation reinforces the installation’s importance to the Army, our national security and the region we call home.
The Army has not yet announced whether the designation will bring additional jobs, new facilities, increased funding or a specific timeline for fully establishing the center.
As the Army continues investing in new technology, Fort Rucker is positioned to play a growing role in shaping the future of military aviation and autonomous systems.
DOTHAN, Ala. — The Dothan Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in locating 17-year-old Lyriq Caldwell, who was reported missing after last being seen on October 12, 2026.
According to the department’s missing-person alert, Caldwell was last seen near the 100 block of Oakland Drive in Dothan. She may also be in the area of Alabama Avenue.
Caldwell is described as a Black female, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Her clothing at the time she was last seen is unknown.
Police are urging anyone who may have seen Caldwell or has information that could help bring her home safely to contact the Dothan Police Department.
Anyone with information is asked to call 334-793-0215 or 334-615-3632.
Community members are encouraged to share the department’s alert and help spread the word so Lyriq can be located and reunited safely with her loved ones.
ALERT: More Than 112,000 Bottles of Extra Strength Acetaminophen Recalled After Reports of Discolored Pills
If you recently ordered pain reliever on Amazon, you may want to check your medicine cabinet.
More than 112,000 bottles of Extra Strength Acetaminophen sold through Amazon are being recalled following consumer complaints that some of the pills appeared discolored.
The 500-milligram caplets are manufactured by Aurobindo Pharma and sold under Amazon’s private-label brand.
Acetaminophen is a common over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Many people recognize it as the active ingredient in Tylenol. It is also known as paracetamol in many countries outside the United States.
So far, it has not been determined whether the discolored pills have an actual product defect or pose a health risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not assigned a risk classification to the recall.
Anyone who purchased the affected medication through Amazon should contact Amazon customer service for information about the recall and available remedies.
If you have a bottle in your medicine cabinet, take a moment to check it and contact Amazon before using any product you believe may be affected.
When it comes to medication, it is always better to take a few minutes to check than to take a chance.
