5:00 pm Tornado Causes Damage South of Hartford and Near Geneva, Alabama
A tornado touched down in parts of southeast Alabama early this morning, causing damage in areas just south of Hartford and around Geneva. The storm moved through during severe weather, leaving behind downed trees, power lines, and damage to several structures.
Emergency crews responded quickly and are continuing to assess the affected areas. Some roads were temporarily blocked due to debris, and power outages were reported in spots as utility crews work to restore service.
At this time, no injuries have been reported. Officials are urging residents to remain cautious, avoid downed power lines, and report damage to local authorities.
More information will be released as damage assessments continue throughout the day.
ABBEVILLE: This evening, somewhere around 10:00 PM, a Abbeville Police Officer began yelling on the radio for help.
The Abbeville Police Officer made a traffic stop on Highway 431 near Highway 27 intersection near McDonald’s. Fortunately the Abbeville Officer had exited his law enforcement vehicle and he himself was off the roadway.
A motorist struck the Abbeville Police vehicle that was stopped with his blue lights on. The motorist went down the left side of the vehicle. The motorist that had been stopped by the officer and the officer were struck by the Abbeville Police Vehicle, as I understand and able to also jump and were not directly struck by the vehicle that struck the police vehicle.
The vehicle that struck the Abbeville Police car went down the road a few feet and either went spinning or overturned, not sure which and came to a stop. However the persons dog ran.
Additional Henry County Sheriff Units and Abbeville Police Units along with ALEA – Troopers. Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship and Abbeville Police Chief Marlos Walker responded.
The Abbeville Police Officer, motorist that had been stopped and motorist which struck the vehicle were not reported injured. Abbeville Fire – Rescue responded.
In Alabama, when you see and emergency vehicle, you are to SLOW DOWN and move to the opposite lane of traffic at a slow speed. Called Alabama Move Over Law.
Southeast Health announced the addition of two new medical professionals to its Cardiovascular Institute, expanding heart care services for patients across the Wiregrass.
Denea Stephens, MSN, FNP-C, has joined the institute as a nurse practitioner. Stephens previously worked at a Dothan-area medical clinic and brings experience from Southeast Health Medical Center, where she served as a cardiovascular intensive care nurse.
Stephens earned her Associate of Science in Nursing from Chipola College, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama. She later completed both her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctorate in Nursing at Troy University.
Southeast Health also announced that Barry G. Crowe, MD, FACS, has joined the Cardiovascular Institute, located at 102 Doctors Drive in Dothan. Dr. Crowe is board certified in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery and brings more than 20 years of experience to the institute.
Dr. Crowe previously practiced with the Heart and Lung Surgeons of East Alabama in Opelika. His clinical experience includes coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic and mitral valve replacement and repair, high-risk cardiac procedures, general thoracic surgery, and oncologic thoracic surgery.
Dr. Crowe earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from Birmingham-Southern College and received his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed his general surgery residency at Carraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham and his cardiovascular surgery training at Saint Louis University.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Crowe enjoys athletics, marksmanship, and culinary exploration.
Southeast Health officials say the additions further strengthen the Cardiovascular Institute’s ability to provide comprehensive and advanced heart care to patients throughout the Wiregrass region.
The Holmes County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman in connection with the theft of jewelry valued at approximately $20,000.
According to the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of stolen property and met with the victim, who identified Tamara Green as the suspect.
Investigators determined that Green allegedly pawned the stolen jewelry at a pawn shop in Chipley. Deputies were able to recover the stolen items and subsequently obtained arrest warrants.
Green was later located and arrested in Okaloosa County on charges of grand theft and dealing in stolen property. Authorities say she is currently being held pending extradition back to Holmes County.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Alabama parents shared emotional and deeply personal concerns during a recent public meeting of the Alabama Department of Human Resources, calling for reforms they say are long overdue.
During the department’s quarterly public meeting, parents were given the opportunity to address DHR leadership directly, voicing frustrations over what they described as delays, lack of transparency, and procedural failures within the child welfare system.
“We have experienced repeated delays, difficulty accessing records, unclear or missing hearings, and conflicting information,” one parent said during the meeting.
Another parent claimed their child was removed without proper legal authority, stating the baby was taken from a hospital shortly after birth without a court order.
Karen Smith, Deputy Commissioner of Children and Family Services for Alabama DHR, acknowledged the concerns raised but said some complaints fall outside the agency’s control.
“It does weigh heavy on our hearts to hear some of their concerns,” Smith said. “We do look at those complaints, but at the end of the day sometimes we’re not able to do what they’re wanting us to do. There were complaints around Guardian ad Litems and court continuances, and that’s not DHR.”
Smith emphasized that the department’s mission is not to unnecessarily separate families, noting that intervention occurs only in a fraction of reported cases.
“Last year we went out on around 52,000 children that were called in,” Smith said. “We only brought into the system around 3,000. That speaks volumes that we’re doing a lot of work on the front end to try and protect these children in their home environments.”
DHR officials highlighted a reported 70% family reunification rate for children exiting foster care last year. According to Smith, approximately 3,000 children left the foster care system in 2025, with about 2,100 returning to parents or relatives.
Looking ahead to 2026, Smith said one growing challenge is an increase in parents voluntarily relinquishing custody of troubled teenagers whom they believe pose safety risks at home. That trend, she said, is placing additional strain on the system and its available resources.
Statewide data presented at the meeting shows there are currently just under 6,900 children involved in Child Protective Services cases across Alabama, down from more than 9,000 cases reported in late 2021.
EUFAULA – QUITMAN COUNTY: 1:44 PM CST – Eufaula Police went to make a traffic stop in Eufaula near McDonalds on Highway 431. The person in front of the blue lights decided they did not want to be stopped and took off. Eufaula Police pursued the vehicle.
The chase crossed from Eufaula into Georgetown Georgia – Quitman County. The vehicle traveled on Highway 82 through Georgetown – Quitman County. The suspect vehicle continued out Highway 82, at times crossing into the opposite lane of traffic.
As the vehicle got to Highway 39 that goes towards Cuthbreth a Quitman County Sheriff Ford F-150 was at the stop sign awaiting the chase. The vehicle being chased did not make his turn, striking the Quitman County Sheriff truck and a Eufaula Police patrol vehicle.
There were injuries but non life threatening injuries.
Georgia State Patrol are in charge of investigating the accident. Eufaula Police and Quitman County Sheriff Deputies to include Quitman County Sheriff Charles Davis on the scene, Quitman County Volunteer Fire Department and Ameri Pro Ambulance.
