The Plant in downtown Dothan is bustling with action today as volunteers prepare to deliver turkeys to those in need this Christmas.
Turkeys from Heaven is a local organization feeding families this holiday season. They’re delivering over 2,000 turkeys today, along with green bean casseroles, rolls and cranberry sauce—an entire Christmas dinner.
Rebecca Marsella, co-founder of Turkeys from Heaven, said this is a project 27 years in the making. The movement began when she and her family decided to cook a turkey to donate in their front yard; the next year, it was four turkeys; and the project has grown exponentially since.
“It has just grown from different people wanting to help,” she said.
Over the 27 years Turkeys from Heaven has been active, she said they’ve donated some 40,000 turkeys to families in need.
Those wanting to volunteer or deliver turkeys still have time to go to The Plant. There are nearly 100 volunteers already working to put together meal bags—but delivery volunteers are still needed.
“We’re just trying to spread some Christmas cheer,” she said. “If you’re out shopping and you have 30 minutes, come by and grab a turkey and deliver it. If you have all day, come with us all day.”
Dana Anners is a volunteer who brought some local high school baseball players to volunteer bright and early at 7 a.m. She described the experience helping feed families as “fabulous.”
“I’m mostly thankful for what we have, and that we’re able to come out here and help those that are less fortunate and provide meals for them,” she said.
Not only are delivery volunteers still needed—Turkeys from Heaven is still several thousand dollars short.
You can donate to their PayPal or Venmo. Links can be found on their Facebook. They will stay at The Plant until they’re done handing out deliveries, so you have plenty of time to attend and help out.
HOLMES COUNTY:On December 20, 2024, the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) was contacted by a supervisor with the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) regarding a threatening phone call made by Daniel Marble, the father of a juvenile recently detained by the court earlier that morning.
According to the DJJ supervisor, Marble became angry after the judge ordered the juvenile’s detention. Shortly after leaving the courthouse, Marble called the DJJ office and stated that he was “loading his gun and coming down there for them.”
The staff, feeling threatened, reported the incident to HCSO, and a warrant was obtained for Marble’s arrest on the charge of Intimidation via Verbal Threat to Kill or Injure.
HCSO deputies executed the warrant and took Marble into custody. During his arrest, Marble told deputies that he “was just playing.”
Sheriff Tate emphasizes that threats of violence, regardless of intent, are taken seriously and will not be tolerated. This incident underscores the importance of maintaining safety for all individuals in the justice system.
NOTE: JUVENILE COURT DOESN’T HAVE PUBLIC RECORDS JUDGE LORI
COLLIER INGRAM & JUDGE BUTCH BINFORD HANDLE ALL JUVENILE
CASES:
HOUSTON COUNTY:
CV-Circuit-Civil:
38-CV-2024-900613.00 Credit Acceptance Vs Redan Williams
(Contract/EJMNT/SEIZU) $23550.12 with Judge Todd Derrick
38-CV-2024-900614.00 Naomi Baldwin Vs Country Mutual Insurance
(Medical Malpractice) with Judge Butch Binford
38-CV-2024-900615.00 Credit Acceptance Vs Isaiah J Bouier
(Contract/EJMNT/SEIZU) $6944.17 with Judge Kevin Moulton
DV-District-Civil:
38-DV-2024-901354.00 Vaughn Towers Apartments Vs Kevin George Hebert
(Unlawful Detainer) $1261.00 with Judge Benjman Lewis
38-DV-2024-901335.00 Safeway Insurance Company of Alabama Vs Walter
Harrell (Auto Damages) $6000.94 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
SM-Small Claims:
38-SM-2024-903721.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Melissa Roberts (Account
Collection) $2121.31 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2024-903722.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Katrina Holder
(Account Collection) $2058.67 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2024-903723.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Wanda Rice (Account
Collection) $700.67 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2024-903724.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Derriet Reed (Account
Collection) $2557.35 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2024-903725.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Virginia L Welch (Account
Collection) $5770.33 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2024-903726.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Keyana Turner (Account
Collection) $632.47 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
38-SM-2024-903727.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Leane Price
(Account Collection) $849.34 with Judge Lori Collier Ingram
38-SM-2024-903728.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Sherry Mclean
(Account Collection) $638.23 with Judge Benjmain Lewis
38-SM-2024-903729.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Wesley Williams (Account
Collection) $817.28 with Judge Lori Collier Ingran
38-SM-2024-903730.00 Rock Creek Capital LLC Vs Jennie Lowe (Account
Collection) $2822.23 with Judge Lori Collier Ingran
38-SM-2024-903731.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Timothy Allen (Account
Collection) $1101.30 with Judge Benjamin Lewis
CC-Circuit-Criminal:
Judge Richardson had 4 cases for Possess/Receipt Cont, Possess Marijuana
2 nd , Public Intoxication, and Robbery 3 rd . Judge Moulton had 38 cases ranging
from Arson 2 nd , Possess/Receipt Cont, Break/Enter Vehicle, Fraud Use
Credit/Deb and Possess Marijuana 1 st .
DC-District-Criminal:
Judge Richardson had 3 cases for Possess/Receipt Cont, Use/Possess Drug
Par, Possess Marijuana 2 nd . Judge Lewis had 5 cases for Crim Mischief, Chem
End Child Exp X 2, Possess/Receipt Cont, Attempt to Elude.
TR-Traffic:
Judge Lewis had 76 cases ranging from Speeding, Expired Tag, Drive
W/Suspended, Tinted Windows, Follow too Close and Failure to Wear Safe.
Henry County:
SM-Small Claims:
37-SM-2024-900307.00 LVNV Funding LLC Vs Sharron Pittman (Account
Collection) $697.17 with Judge James Peterson
37-SM-2024-900308.00 Midland Credit Management Inc Vs Michelle Hendrix
(Account Collection) $985.74 with Judge James Peterson
DC-District-Criminal:
Judge Peterson had 7 cases for Possess/Receipt Cont X 2, Use/Possess Drug
Par X 3, Possess Marijuana 2 nd , and Public Intoxication.
TR-Traffic:
Judge Peterson had 5 cases for Driving W/Revoke, Tinted Windows X 4.
DOTHAN: These court cases are scheduled in the 20th Judicial
Circuit in Houston and Henry County Alabama:
Note: Juvenile court doesn’t have Public Record Judge Lori Collier
Ingram and Judge Henry “D” Butch Binford Handle all Juvenile
Cases.
Note: Domestic Violence is not always Abuse Cases. They have
cases like Petition for Custody and Petition to Modify.
HOUSTON COUNTY:
HONORABLE HOUSTON COUNTY DISTRICT-CRIMINAL COURT JUDGE BENJAMIN LEWIS: Each morning
has initial appearances. These are people who have not made a bond. They are required to be seen by a
Judge or Magistrate within 48 to 72 hours "of their arrest". Judge Lewis follows the law even when on
holiday he or another Judge comes to the Houston County Jail for initial appearances.
These Persons are seen via a TV screen from the jail to the courtroom.
HONORABLE HOUSTON COUNTY DISTRICT-CRIMINAL JUDGE Benjamin Lewis: Has District-Criminal with
58 for Possess Fraud Use Credit/Dib X 56, Theft of Property 1 st , Financial Exploits Elderly 1 st .
HENRY COUNTY:
Has No Docket Available Today:
DOTHAN: 04:13 AM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire Engine 1 ( Central ), Engine 10 ( West Main Street ), Engine 3 ( Westgate ), Squad 1, Battalion Chief 2, Pilcher Ambulance, and Dothan Police to reports of a structure fire.
The location was 1410 Osceola Street.
Dothan Fire Engine Companies arrived at 04:19 AM. Reported a single story residential structure, nothing visible, will be investigating. Instructed all incoming fire engine companies to go to Level 1 Staging.
At 4:22 AM Dothan Fire Engine Company Interrior reported a smoke haze inside from the heating system. The fire engine company advised their engine and Squad1 could handle and all other units could return to service. No structure fire at this location.
REHOBETH: Today was the first annual Turkey Shoot held at Rehobeth.
Hosted by Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter, members of Rehobeth Town Council, Rehobeth Operations Manager Todd Phillips, Rehobeth Fire – Rescue Chief Nick Floyd and members of Rehobeth Fire – Rescue.
A great crowd was on hand. In fact the organizers had to increase the field of teams because of the large crowd. While the organizers had originally planned for 20 lanes and 16 rounds, they quickly had to change to 21 rounds in 20 lanes.
Justin Godwin, a full-time Dothan Fire Captain and a volunteer fireman was the announcer. Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza, a very good marksman and a Mr. Womack were the judges on the score cards.
A 15 year old was the overall winner.
The Town of Rehobeth, Mayor Kimberly Trotter and her Town council team have it together. They provide a lot of events with great attendance and fun. The Christmas Parade had 50% of the entries as does the National Peanut Festival.
D2 Houston County Commissioner Tracy Adams traveled across the districts to the Turkey Shoot. D2 Adams did not come to watch byt actually jumped in and helped the organizers and worked to make it a success.
Houston County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jeff Carlisle was on hand and participated. Taylor Councilman Merritt Carothers and Taylor Director of the Department of Public Safety Chris Judah.
