We can never thank our First Responders enough for all they do. Robert Byrd and staff invite First Responders to stop by on Friday and grab a BBQ lunch compliments of Sunset. Just bring your badge or ID to Sunset Memorial Park between 10:30-2 July 10!
We appreciate you!
HOUSTON COUNTY: On June 30th Houston County Sheriff Department lost part of the main glue that has held the Sheriff Department together.
After about 37 years of wearing a badge and gun, serving with various agencies in the wiregrass, Houston County Sheriff Major Bill Rafferty has officially retired.
When retired Alabama Senator Harri Anne Smith served as Mayor of Slocomb, Bill Rafferty was who she hired as Police Chief in Slocomb.
Having rising in rank with Houston County Sheriff Department, Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza made a wise choice in placing Bill Rafferty as the financial comptroller of the department. During Sheriff Valenza’s term, Major Bill Rafferty has managed the funds of the department that allowed the department to purchase items the Houston County Commission refused to purchase. You would be surprised how many vehicles the Sheriff Department has purchased that the commission refused to.
Many times during the tenure of Major Bill Rafferty would say NO, when deputies came to him wanting to purchase items. Major Rafferty would not let deputies purchase three pair of pants and would only allow two pair of pants. Yes, not major purchases but little purchases eats up the money slowly.
Not sure Major Rafferty did what he said. He was going to Gordon on the river bridge and slinging that cell phone over the bridge, returning to the office, paying the Sheriff for the phone and having his wife pick him up. Not sure the phone went swimming but after 37 years of being glued to the phone, I feel his pain and desire to get rid of it.
Major Rafferty wants to spend time with his wife and grandchildren, fish, be involved more with his church, and enjoy life.
THANK YOU MAJOR RAFFERTY for having the financial stability of the Sheriff Department with you and Sheriff Donald Valenza. THANK YOU for your years of dedicated service in law enforcement.
ELBA – COFFEE COUNTY: 2:54 PM A family outing is possibly now a family tragedy.
Search crews from Enterprise Rescue, ELBA Volunteer Fire, Elba Police, Coffee County Sheriff Department responded to a father and son missing. The location is in Elba on the road that goes to Troy where the water is. Reports are the son got into trouble while in the water and the father went to save his son. Both went under and neither has been seen since.
While earch crews hope and pray for the best in finding them safe, the worse is feared.
The emergency crews have mutual aid responded Opp Rescue which is a water search crew to assist.
PRAY for this family, that the father and son would be found safe. Also pray for the emergency crews involved.
DOTHAN: Reports of shots fired at Wiregrass Commons Mall.
No reports of any injuries. Multiple agencies and officers on the scene.
Dothan Police Major Will Glover on the scene. Dothan Police Chief Will Benny on the scene electronically.
Dothan Fire and EMS on stand by. But at this time, 6:50 PM, no reports of anyone injured. Reports are some cars were struck in parking lot.
Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza is on the scene.
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HOUSTON COUNTY: Regular Commission Meeeting held this past Monday, June 22, 2026. Item Number 3 was the issue of a new roof to be placed on the Sanitation Building at Houston County Farm Center. The roof is of the Sanitation Department, which is the building Houston County Commission just renovated which now needs a new roof.
HOUSTON COUNTY: The polls close at 7:00 PM. The race we are concerntrating on is District 2 Houston County Commissioner. All other races are statewide races. (more…)