The City of Dothan Municipal Court is offering an Amnesty Court to help individuals resolve eligible outstanding municipal warrants without fear of arrest.
Amnesty Court is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, and applies only to cases within the City of Dothan’s Municipal Court.
Those interested must call ahead to verify eligibility and be placed on the Amnesty Court docket.
Call to verify eligibility: 334-615-4150
Deadline to call: Friday, March 6, 2026
Amnesty Court date: Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Court officials stress that individuals must call before the deadline to qualify. This opportunity allows eligible participants to address outstanding warrants and move forward.
The Mayor of Ozark will host a meeting Friday morning to continue discussions on addressing homelessness in the city.
Mayor Charles Ward is scheduled to convene the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Friday, January 16. The meeting follows an initial gathering held Tuesday, January 13, where community members and local organizations came together to share information about existing resources and services available to individuals experiencing homelessness.
During Tuesday’s meeting, participants discussed current efforts underway in the community and explored ways agencies and organizations could better collaborate to address homelessness in Ozark.
Friday’s meeting is expected to build on those discussions and continue exploring potential solutions.
Ward was elected mayor in August 2025. Prior to taking office, he served as Ozark’s director of public safety.
COFFEE COUNTY: Coffee County Sheriff Scott Byrd has announced his bid for re-election as Sheriff for Coffee County. This is his first term and he is asking the registered voters for a chance to continue serving the citizens and guests of Coffee County.
Sheriff Scott Byrd takes pride in the team built within Coffee County Sheriff Department. During these four years they have had great retention in the Deputies who have served. That retention allows the men and women in uniform to know the county, the citizens of the county. The citizens who are peaceful and lawabiding and those who are not law abiding. The retention has also allowed the Coffee County Sheriff Department to be proactive in crime prevention. With the visibility, you often times can not quantify the crimes you have prevented, just the ones that were not prevented. But visibility deters crime.
With the help of the Coffee County Commission, the Coffee County Sheriff Department has maintained their fleet of vehicles, been able to add onto the Administrative Offices of the Sheriff Department. Working with 911, the county 911 center is now located next to the Sheriff Department in New Brockton. The center handles all 911 services for law enforcement and fire in Coffee County, except Enterprise Police, Enterprise Fire and Enterprise Rescue.
Sheriff Scott Byrd, working with Coffee County Coroner Arnold Woodham, moved the Coroner’s Office into the Coffee County Sheriff Department. For the first time ever in Coffee County there is a business office which families can come to for any paperwork needs or to meet with the Coroner. The Sheriff Administrative Staff assists the Coroner with paperwork and needs families might have.
Sheriff Byrd said the next four years will present some significant needs such as addressing the Coffee County Jail.
Sheriff Scott Byrd said the highlight of his life has been the opportunity to serve the citizens of Coffee County and the guests of Coffee County. He asks everyone for their vote.
DOTHAN: 1:43 PM Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire on North Bell Street near Chickasaw Street. Reports to Dothan 911 flames and smoke visible. Dothan 911 reported that the residence was believed to be abandoned.
Dothan Fire Engine 10 ( West Main ) reported smoke visible in sky from Montgomery Highway and North Park Avenue.
Dothan Fire Battalion Chief Lee was first on the scene and reported a working structure fire, smoke and flames visible.
As Dothan Fire Engines arrived it was announced a defensive fire only and no other structures are in danger. The utility connection did not appear to be connected. There was fear a wall would fall and Dothan Fireman were pulled avay from the collapse zone.
Dothan Fire Chief David Hasty is on the scene.
Defensive mode is to put fire out from outside, DO NOT ENTER structure and keep fire contained to the one residence.
The Dothan Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing man who was last seen in Dothan last summer.
According to police, 42-year-old David K. Jones has been reported missing and his case remains active. Jones was last seen on July 17, 2025, near the 200 block of South Saint Andrews Street in Dothan.
Jones is described as a Black male standing approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall, weighing around 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time he was last seen, Jones was reportedly wearing a dark-colored shirt and dark-colored pants.
Police say Jones is homeless but may have ties to Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, which could be relevant to the investigation.
The Dothan Police Department is urging anyone who may have information regarding Jones’ whereabouts to come forward. Tips can be made by contacting the Dothan Police Department at (334) 793-0215 or (334) 615-3632. Authorities say all information will be handled appropriately.
This is an active investigation.
Stay with RSN for updates as more information becomes available.
Mark Saliba and Brandon Shoupe shared their visions for 2026 and the years ahead during a visit to the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, highlighting ongoing development projects while acknowledging key challenges facing the community.
For the City of Dothan, Saliba pointed to momentum on several major initiatives. Construction is underway on a new community center at the Wiregrass Public Safety Center, while the long-anticipated Wiregrass Innovation Center is nearing completion.
“It’s great when you have the ideas, but it’s even greater when you see them come to fruition,” Saliba said. “All of these projects point to growth—smart growth—that enhances quality of life for everyone in our community.”
At the county level, Shoupe emphasized investments in recreation funded through the lodging tax, noting improvements already visible in communities like Rehobeth.
“In today’s world, we have to be a place where people want to live,” Shoupe said. “Education and healthcare matter, but so do quality-of-life amenities and recreational opportunities. The decisions we make now set the stage for future generations.”
Despite progress, both leaders acknowledged pressing concerns. Chief among them for Houston County is persistent overcrowding at the Houston County Jail, which Shoupe said is operating well beyond capacity.
“On an average day, we’re about 100 inmates over capacity,” he said. “Expansion is no longer optional. If we don’t act, a judge will eventually mandate it—and the cost would be far greater.”
Saliba also stressed the importance of neighborhood revitalization as Dothan continues to grow.
“We cannot allow parts of our community to deteriorate,” he said. “Building value in every neighborhood has to be a priority if we want sustainable growth for the future.”
Local leaders say collaboration between city, county, and community partners will be essential as Dothan and Houston County work to balance growth, infrastructure needs, and quality of life in the years ahead.
