HENRY COUNTY, AL.: Henry County Sheriff Eric Blankenship is calling for new laws to close loopholes after a block party along Pine Street in Abbeville got out of control over the weekend and deputies couldn’t enforce city ordinances.
“I just want the message to be stern that we’re going to have zero tolerance for it moving forward because we want to keep everybody safe,” Blankenship said.
A birthday party drew hundreds of people to the block party. Blankenship said some of them became unruly, and gunfire rang out.
“There’s multiple laws being broken by doing so, not to include blocking of the roadways and loud music,” Blankenship said.
A similar incident happened outside of town about three years ago, leading county officials to pass a law regulating profit gatherings. That law does not apply inside Abbeville, and deputies could not enforce ordinances such as those against loud music and reckless behavior.
Blankenship said he hopes to work with local representatives on legislation that would allow deputies to enforce city ordinances, helping the two agencies work together to keep the community safe.
Blankenship said he has been talking to Abbeville Police Chief Marlos Walker about working to toughen laws and their enforcement.
Blankenship is also discussing possible fixes with state lawmakers as the next legislative session approaches in a few months.
ALABAMA: Former Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione died Tuesday. Franchione coached the Tide for only two seasons but led them to the Independence Bowl in 2001 and had a 10-win season in 2002.
DOTHAN. — Wiregrass residents may be in for another soggy weekend as forecasters monitor a developing system in the Gulf with a high chance of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm.
The National Hurricane Center says showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure in the southwestern Gulf are showing signs of organization. The system has a 90% chance of developing over the next 48 hours and is expected to move toward the northern Gulf Coast later this week.
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency says a tropical depression will likely form within the next couple of days, with the system potentially making landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast between late Friday and Saturday.
For the Wiregrass and southeast Alabama, the main concern at this point appears to be rainfall, with rain chances increasing Friday into the weekend. Forecasts are still uncertain, and the exact track and strength of the system could change.
After recent wet weather, it could be another weekend where umbrellas and rain boots get plenty of use across the Wiregrass.
Stay weather aware and watch for updates as the system develops.
DOTHAN: The Dothan Police Department is asking for the public’s help locating a runaway 12-year-old boy.
According to DPD, Ke’Mani Griffin, 12, was last seen on Monday, Oct. 5, near the 1100 block of Normandale Drive in Dothan.
Police say he was last seen wearing a black shirt over gray pants. Griffin is 5-foot-3 and approximately 100 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, according to DPD.
It is unknown where Griffin may be heading, but police say he may be accompanied by another male juvenile.
Anyone with information regarding Griffin’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Dothan Police Department at (334) 793-0215 or (334) 615-3632.
DOTHAN — The Dothan Police Department is inviting members of the community to join local police officers for coffee, conversation and connection during Coffee with a Cop on Wednesday, October 7.
The event will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. at Dakota Coffee, located at 4440 West Main Street, Suite 6, in Dothan.
Coffee With a Cop provides an opportunity for community members to meet and talk with Dothan police officers in a relaxed, casual setting. Guests are encouraged to ask questions, discuss concerns and get to know the officers who serve their community.
The goal is simple: build trust, strengthen relationships and bring police officers and the community together — one cup of coffee at a time.
Residents are encouraged to stop by, grab a cup of coffee and take a few minutes to connect with the men and women of the Dothan Police Department.
ASHFORD: The Ashford Fall Bash was huge fun for local families, with a cake walk, live music, corn eating contest, and more! The rain held off and the good folks of the Wiregrass supported Ashford for a successful day in downtown Ashford.
