DOTHAN: Portions of the Westgate Park Bike Trail will temporarily close beginning Monday, Dec. 1, as the City of Dothan works to complete safety and quality improvements.
The project, a joint effort between Leisure Services and the Public Works Street Division, will impact select areas of the trail while crews repair and upgrade the biking path. Officials say the improvements are essential to keeping the popular outdoor space safe and enjoyable for residents.
During the closure, riders and walkers are urged to follow all posted safety signs and avoid designated work zones. Cyclists are also reminded not to move onto the adjacent walking trail, which experiences heavy pedestrian use and could become hazardous if shared with bikes.
The city emphasized that barricades should never be crossed or bypassed for any reason.
Leisure Services thanked the community for its patience, assuring residents that updates will be provided as the project progresses.
MIDLAND CITY: Midland City Police to include Midland City Police Chief Willie Powell, Dale County Sheriff Deputies, Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum, and Dale County Coroner John Cawley are on the scene of Gardenia Street in Midland City. Reports are two people are deceased.
Reports are the scene is a murder – suicide that involve a father and son.
Law Enforcement Officers are on the scene and no information or details have been released at this time. Neighbors reported the father as “a real sweet man”.
The death scene is under investigation at this time.
UPDATED @ 5:34 AM MONDAY
The victim in the murder – suicide is identified as Dustin Lee Letcher, age 39. The person responsible is his father, Gary Aubrey Letcher, age 62. Following the shooting death of his son, Gary Aubrey Letcher is reported to have taken his own life.
Both Dustin Lee Letcher and Gary Aubrey Letcher were pronounced dead on the scene by Dale County Coroner John Cawley.
REHOBETH: AL – Emergency crews are responding to an outdoor fire at the intersection of Battles Road and Juke Road. Rehobeth Fire Department is on scene and has requested additional backup to assist with containment.
Drivers in the area are urged to use caution and avoid the scene, if possible, to allow first responders full access.
We will update as more information becomes available.
The Houston County Sheriff’s Office is proud to spotlight one of its newest K-9 Unit members — K9 Rolo, a highly trained 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer who joined the agency all the way from Greece.
K9 Rolo was generously purchased through a donation from a local resident who wished to remain anonymous — a tremendous show of support for school safety and the deputies who protect our community.
Assigned to the School Resource Officer (SRO) Division, Rolo teams up with Deputy Jason Myers to help safeguard students and staff on campuses across Houston County. Rolo specializes in Firearms and Explosives Detection, providing an added layer of security in our school system.
With strong drive and energy, Rolo gives his all on the job — and enjoys plenty of running, playing, and downtime with his handler’s family when he’s off duty.
Sheriff Donald Valenza says he’s proud to welcome Rolo to the HCSO K-9 family, which now includes nine skilled teams featuring a variety of breeds including Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, German Shepherds, and Bloodhounds — all serving with unwavering dedication.
REHOBETH: On Tuesday evening Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter and members of the Rehobeth Town Council celebrated a great achievement of Todd Phillips.
Recently the Alabama EMS ( Emergency Medical Services ) held the annual convention in Orange Beach Alabama. EMS work force from all 67 Alabama Counties were on hand for the conference.
Rehobeth’s Todd Phillips was elected as EMT of the year for the State of Alabama.
Mr. Sean Gibson who is the District Coordinator for the State of Alabama EMS nominated Todd Phillips for this award. He was selected from a pool of some 1,400 EMT’s across Alabama. Gibson retired from Dothan Fire Department where he was the Batallion Chief over Dothan Fire EMS Division. Prior to being full time with Rehobeth Fire – Rescue Gibson was the supervisor of Todd Phillips while employed with Dothan Fire Department.
A native of the Taylor – Rehobeth area. Todd Phillips has stayed close to his roots. During his career he worked with Enterprise Rescue and Dothan Fire Department. A number of years ago, wanting to give back to his community, Todd Phillips joined as a volunteer with Rehobeth Fire – Rescue. It was not long before the members elected him as Chief of Rehobeth Fire – Rescue. A volunteer job that Todd did in addition to his duties with Dothan Fire Department. When Todd took over Rehobeth Fire – Rescue he learned the department was some $ 300,000.00 in debt. Todd dug deep into the financial sitation and after much prayer, talking, thinking, he developed a plan for the future.
During Todd’s working years and Enterprise Rescue, Todd had seen how Enterprise Rescue, once a total volunteer unit, they moved to a paid staff. And Todd saw how the volunteer workforce was quickly becoming something that did not meet the needs. With all of his research, also seeing what the Hovey’s developed in Slocomb, he knew that fire and EMS had to join hands and be cross trained.
Todd was diligent in his planning and peristent in talking with Mayor Trotter and the members of Rehobeth Town Council. After multiple discussions it finally clicked with Mayor Trotter and the Town Council and the decision was made to make the department a full time department under the Town of Rehobeth.
With Todd Phillip’s blessings, NIck Floyd became the first paid FIre – EMS Chief for Rehobeth. Todd was still working with Dothan Fire Department on a full time basis. But Todd was still a very active part of Rehobeth Fire – Rescue.
As things began to work as Todd had planned then Mayor Trotter and the members of Rehobeth Town Council realized how valuable Todd Phillips was to the Town of Rehobeth. He was someone who loved his community, loved to serve others, always willing to roll his sleeves up and work at any task placed before him. Discussions began – and came to a reality of Todd Phillips coming to the Town of Rehobeth on a full time basis. Again after much prayer, thought and discussion Todd Phillips resigned from Dothan Fire Department and went full time with the Town of Rehobeth.
No one really knows what title to place on Todd Phillips. He is the right hand and left hand for Mayor Kimberly Trotter, Rehibeth Town Clerk, and Rehobeth Town Council. Nick Floyd is Fire – EMS Chief with Todd right there with him. Todd may be on the fire truck, the ambulance, when a second ambulance is needed on that ambulance. Todd may be constructing the training field. Todd may be cutting grass. He might be finding water lines or hydrants. He might be holding training sessions.
Then Todd might be attending important meetings where Mayor Trotter has a scheduling conflict. He is wherever and doing whatever is needed to serve the community and city.
Todd, Nick, Mayor Trotter and the Town Council developed and approved a plan to place a ambulance in Taylor. The plan was then presented to Joey Pilcher because Pilcher Ambulance was responsible for Taylor. The plan was then presented to then Taylor Mayor Billy Snell followed by the City Council for Taylor. That plan became a reality with a Rehobeth Ambulance stationed in Taylor working hand in hand with Taylor Volunteer Fire Chief Nathan Peterman and members of Taylor Volunteer Fire. Seconds count in emergencies and having a second ambulance stationed in Taylor helps save lives and property.
Todd Phillips is not always on the ambulance. But he took the debt as a challenge, developed plans, presented the plans – over and over until it clicked. And since the implementation of the plan no one has looked back. Because that plan saves lives and property.
But Todd Phillips could not be successful if it were not for the men and women who work for Rehobeth Fire – Rescue, Nick Floyd, Mayor Trotter and the Rehobeth Town Council.
Last evening Alabama State Representative Paul Lee, Rick Rehm and State Senator Donnie Chesteen presented Todd Phillips with a legislative resolution in honor of his achievement.
A celebration from 4 – 6 PM, a full house, people from all walks of life to congratulate Todd. But, at 7:33 PM, back to work when Rehobeth Fire – Rescue was mutual aid dispatched to assist Slocomb Fire – Rescue with a motor vehicle accident. Rehobeth works daily with Slocomb Fire – Rescue, Taylor Volunteer Fire, Southern Junction Volunteer Fire, Hodgesville Volunteer Fire, Madrid Volunteer Fire, Bay Springs Volunteer Fire, Pilcher Ambulance Service, sometimes Wicksburg Fire – Rescue and Dothan Fire.
CONGRATULATIONS TO TODD PHILLIPS. He has also been named Grand Marshall for the Rehobeth Christmas Parade. Todd hates recongnition and they have to not ask him, just tell him.
Ashford’s Thanksgiving tradition is back! 🎯 Join the Annual Masonic Turkey Shoot — 7:00 AM Thanksgiving Morning at Ashford Smith’s True Value on Hwy 84. Bring your 12- or 20-gauge shotgun and compete for turkey/ham vouchers, donuts, cash prizes — even a Henry Golden Boy! 🦃💥 Raffle tickets also available: 5 for $20 with gift cards up to $500! All proceeds support local youth sports and the Masonic Lodge. 📞 More info: Tracy Adams — 334-685-6703
