HOUSTON COUNTY: This week in Houston County, before the Honorable Butch Binford, Circuit Judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit, the trial of Benjamin Adam Nowell is underway.
Nowell was arrested on July 7, 2022 in Houston County and charged with the murder of 29 year old Brittany Phillips. The mother of three children.
Benjamin Adam Nowell is charged with Capital Murder. Which, if convicted, could be sentenced to death or life with the possibility of parole.
Nowell is accused with chasing down 29 year old Brittany Phillips in the vehicle, then blocking her in and shooting her in the head while she was inside her vehicle. Brittany Phillips was carrying someone home when Nowell chased her down according to the allegations. Nowell had a history of stalking Phillips.
Houston County Sheriff Deputies, which were assisted by Jackson County Florida Sheriff K-9 Tracking, was the subject of a major manhunt following the murder. He was apprehended the same day as the murder and has been in Houston County Jail since July 7, 2022. The Houston County Sheriff Case Investigator was Joshua Harper.
Since Brittany Phillips July 2022 death, and she was the mother of three children, the children’s father, Brian Phillips, passed away. They were divorced at the time of her death but has left children without either parent.
According to court records some 69 people have been issued subpoenas for this trial.
HOUSTON COUNTY: Several weeks ago Houston County Commission Chairman and the members of the Houston County Commission approved the 2025 – 2026 operating budget.
The Houston County Sheriff Department took a major budget cut as did the Houston County Road and Bridge Department. Houston County spent more than they took in during the 2024 – 2025 budget operating year.
At the time of the passing of the budget a detailed budget for each department was not available. That budget has now been posted on line.
IF PROBLEM WITH LINK BELOW GO TO: www.houstoncountyal.gov then click DEPARTMENTS, then click ADMINISTRATION, then BUDGETS AND FINANCIAL. There you will find the current budget andpast years operating budget. The below links are like government, they may or may not work!!!
At aprox. 4:20 Dothan 911 Dispatched Dothan Fire, Police, and EMS to a Structure Fire on Montrose Court. Original reports of smoke and flames visible from the stove. Units are rolling to the scene.
Updated At 4:30 pm Fire units arriving on scene advised no smoke or flames visible will be investigating. After a quick but thorough investigation the small stove fire was contained before arrival of fire units.
DOTHAN – HOUSTON COUNTY: 6:00 PM The municipal elections in Alabama have just been completed. The year 2025 will bring statewide elections, county elections, and elections for United States Senators and United States Representatives. This is a partison election in these offices with the primary in May of 2025 and general election in November 2025.
Tonight at 6:00 PM, in a packed room at WRC, Incumbent D-2 Houston County Commissioner Tracy Adams announced his bid for re-election in 2025.
D-2 Commissioner Tracy Adams states that he has proven: Accessibility, Unwavering Committment, Strong Work Ethic, Effective Communication Skills, Proven Results Driven Commissioner, Willingness to hear my constiuents and leading with a purpose.
Asking for election to a second term, Incumbent Tracy Adams states in District 2 that Houston County has re-paved 23 miles of roadway in his three years in office, secured funding for re-paving 21.5 miles of roadway next year. Bt the end of 2025 the total roads re-paved to 44.5 miles during Incumbent Tracy Adams first four years in office. Adams has submitted 450 work orders for issues he has seen or citizens have contacted him about. Adams has attended 90% of the municipal council meetings in District 2 along with fire and EMS association meetings. Adams supported and approved of the Lodging Taxto invest in our recreation parks for kids; Supported 11.90% pay raises for Houston County employees which Adams said was much deserved. Adams states that he is prioritizing a future jail expansion to address public safety concerns. Adams worked for a supported the re-construction of the Houston County Farm Center. Adams worked in the major clean-up efforts in Cottonwood after the tornado; supporting efforts for future biking and pedestrian trails connecting downtown Dothan to Cowarts; added $ 6 million into inastructure to bring careers to Houston County.
Tonights announcement was open by D-2 Incumbent Tracy Adams Pastor, Rev. Ricky Plummer of Bethel Baptist Church. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mr. Brian Riviere, Principal at Dothan High School. Then Tracy Adams was introduced by Mr Mike Schmitz.
HOUSTON COUNTY – REHOBETH: 03:13 AM Houston County 911 dispatched a structure fire, 7410 S. U.S. 231, Golf Club America also known as Olympia Spa. The reports to Houston County 911 smoke detectors going off everywhere and smoke everywhere.
Houston County 911 dispatched Houston County Sheriff Deputies, Rehobeth Fire – Rescue, Taylor Volunteer Fire, Hodgesville Volunteer Fire, Southern Junction Volunteer Fire, Madrid Volunteer Fire.
On arrival of Houston County Sheriff Lt. Reichert he reported smoke visible from the office hallway, no flames visible.
The combination paid/volunteer units worked in lock step. The first arriving Rehobeth Fire – Rescue went to the rear of the structure, incoming Taylor Fire connected to water supply. Rehobeth Fire – Rescue has a ladder truck that quickly set up fro rooftop access and view. Houston County Sheriff Deputies evaciated the hotel rooms adjoining the main structure.
Rehobeth Operations Manager Todd Phillips assumed scene command. The source of the smoke was identified as coming from the kitchen. There was water on the fire in the kitchen and under control. The combined fireman checked the overhead for any fire extensions before giving the go ahead for customers to return to their rooms. ( 4:01 AM ).
4:04 AM A secondary search of overhead has not revealed any extensions to the fire. Ventilation is in progress.
4:25 AM The fireman are working to clear smoke and wrap things up. All under control and no major damage.
UPDATED @ 4:40 AM
The smoke ventilation has shown a change and smoke cleared. Taylor Volunteer Fire has been released from the scene and returning to service.
REHOBETH FIRE – RESCUE/SLOCOMB FIRE – RESCUE – VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS
Rehobeth Mayor Kimberly Trotter and the men and women of the Town of Rehobeth have worked and put together a terrific paid staff of men and women for Rehobeth Fire – Rescue. The teams are combined EMS and Fire trained. They work with the volunteer fire departments and have mutual aid agreements with Taylor, Southern Junction, Madrid and Hodgesville as well as Geneva County Departments such as Malvern Volunteer Fire and Slocomb Fire – Rescue.
Slocomb Mayor Rob Hinson and Slocomb City Council have a department same as Rehobeth Fire – Recue as full time EMS and Fire units on duty. The combined paid/volunteer work and train together and the system works great.
This morning’s response was outstanding and the operation and management was outstanding.
Join Tracy Adams – Houston County Commissioner District 2, for his Re-Election Campaign Kick-off, Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., at WRC (2461 E. Burdeshaw Street)!
