A kindergarten teacher at Highlands Elementary School has been recognized for her dedication and commitment to students across the district.
Emily Breedlove has been named Dothan City Schools January Employee of the Month, an honor highlighting her compassionate teaching style and continued dedication to young learners beginning their educational journey.
Mrs. Breedlove is known for creating a welcoming and supportive classroom environment where students feel safe, valued, and encouraged to learn. Her caring and gentle approach allows students to thrive both academically and emotionally.
Her ability to speak Spanish has been a valuable asset to Highlands Elementary School, helping her effectively communicate with students, families, and staff members in a variety of situations.
Mrs. Breedlove places a strong emphasis on communication with families, ensuring parents feel informed, supported, and confident in their child’s education. She takes the time to understand each student’s interests, hobbies, and social-emotional needs, building meaningful and lasting connections throughout the school community.
Colleagues describe her as consistently positive, professional, and selfless, always placing the needs of her students and coworkers above her own. Her daily actions reflect the values and mission of Dothan City Schools.
In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Mrs. Breedlove actively participates in professional development opportunities and assists students after school, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to student success.
Dothan City Schools officials say they are proud to recognize Mrs. Breedlove for her kindness, dedication, and the lasting impact she continues to make within the district.
DOTHAN: Andrew Love manages the General Services Division of the City of Dothan.
Mission Statement
To provide exceptional support and service for the City of Dothan in the areas of new facility design and construction; sustainment, renovation, and maintenance of existing facilities; vehicle/equipment procurement and maintenance; and safety, risk management, and insurance.
General Services has 52 employees to include its department head, Andrew W. Love. The department is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement for all city facilities and its fleet. The city’s insurance and risk management needs are handled through this department as well. With our Project Manager, we also oversee the city’s facility construction projects.
General Services is in charge of cutting grass and upkeep. Andrew Love bio reads “keeps the city up and running and looking good”.
Andrew Love makes a six figure salary and, as RSN understands, is the “chosen” one that Dothan City Manager Randy Morris wants as Assistant City Manager.
The City of Dothan is responsible for the African American Cemetery located at Montana Street and Montgomery Highway. A United States Veteran grave, just off Montgomery Highway, well Andrew Love six figure salary does not include management of the grave in the cemetery he is in charge of maintaining. Perhaps he needs to focus on his job!!!! And not the City Manager’s rear end!!
“keeps the city up and running and looking good” NOT!!!!!
COFFEE COUNTY: 07:00 AM Coffee County or Enterprise 911 dispatched Enterprise Rescue and Coffee County Sheriff Deputies to a critical motor vehicle accident on Highway 167 and Salem Road.
The accident involved two semi trucks. Enterprise Rescue Helicopter responded to the scene. The injuries were critical but not reported to be life threatening.
Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd, Coffee County Sheriff Deputies and ALEA – Troopers on the scene. ALEA – Troopers are in charge of the investigation.
A bill aimed at increasing oversight of public assistance programs in Alabama advanced Thursday after clearing a Senate committee.
Senate Bill 61 would require state agencies to conduct more frequent cross-checks of households receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid to ensure continued eligibility.
Under the proposed legislation, agencies would review information on a monthly and quarterly basis, including death records, incarceration status, and possible changes in residency identified through out-of-state Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) usage. Quarterly reviews would also examine income levels and disability status, among other eligibility factors.
Supporters of the bill say the added reviews are intended to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse in state-funded assistance programs.
“I don’t believe that there is a common feeling of whether we have that right balance or not as to whether we’re doing all that we can — and certainly not all that we should — to protect those funds,” said Greg Albritton.
Concerns were raised during committee discussion by Clyde Chambliss, who ultimately abstained from the final vote.
“There are times where we know that a person is never, ever going to get better except for a miracle,” Chambliss said. “Why do we want to put them through the ringer over and over again — and staff over and over again — when the answer is indefinitely the same?”
A fiscal note attached to the bill estimates implementation costs of approximately $16 million if the legislation is signed into law by Kay Ivey. The projected cost reflects an increased workload for eligibility determinations and removes the ability of the Alabama Department of Human Resources to grant categorical eligibility.
Linda Coleman-Madison voted against advancing the bill, citing concerns about administrative burden and effectiveness.
“The potential for more harm and not saving any money — putting departments through unnecessary hoops by having to administer this — this is not government efficiency,” she said.
The measure passed the committee on a party-line vote, with one abstention, and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Alabama could soon establish its own legally mandated minimum wage under a bill currently being considered by state lawmakers.
The proposed legislation would replace the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour with a state minimum wage set at $10 an hour.
According to the bill, certain businesses would be exempt from the increase. Small businesses employing 50 or fewer workers would not be required to comply with the new wage standard if the measure becomes law.
Supporters say the proposal would help workers keep pace with rising costs of living, while opponents have raised concerns about the potential impact on small businesses.
The bill remains under review in the Alabama Legislature and would require approval by both chambers before being sent to the governor for consideration.
Alabama’s early childhood education system is set to receive a major boost following the announcement of a $3.8 million federal grant awarded to the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE).
Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that ADECE has been awarded a Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDG B-5) from the federal Administration for Children and Families. The funding is aimed at strengthening and aligning early childhood education services across the state.
“Investing in our youngest Alabamians is one of the most important things we can do to strengthen our state’s future,” Ivey said. “This funding allows Alabama to continue building a strong, coordinated early childhood system that puts families first.”
ADECE Secretary Ami Brooks said the grant will help continue progress already being made statewide, focusing on long-term improvements and better coordination of services for children and families.
The latest round of PDG B-5 grants, announced in December, places an emphasis on system efficiency, parental choice and quality improvement across early childhood programs. ADECE officials say the funding will be used to:
Increase the supply, stability and professional skills of early childhood educators
Improve consistency and alignment across mixed-delivery programs
Expand family engagement initiatives
Develop stronger cross-agency data and analytical systems to guide policy, funding and service delivery
During her recent State of the State address, Gov. Ivey highlighted gains already made in Alabama’s early childhood education system, noting that continued investment is key to sustaining progress. Officials say this grant will further benefit children from birth through age five by expanding access to high-quality early care and learning opportunities.
The PDG B-5 program is a competitive federal grant designed to help states better coordinate and maximize existing federal, state and local funding while strengthening and expanding early childhood education systems.
