DOTHAN, Ala. — Local emergency officials are urging the public to take precautions with any outdoor burning as dry weather continues to create dangerous fire conditions across Houston County.
According to the Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management Agency, the ongoing lack of rainfall has significantly increased the threat of wildfires. Even controlled activities like debris piles, leaf burning, and yard clearing can rapidly escalate and become difficult for firefighters to contain.
“In the interest of public safety, we are respectfully asking all residents and communities to use caution during any outdoor burning activities,” EMA Director Mark Powell said in the announcement. The agency hopes the temporary precautions will help prevent accidental fires that could damage property and threaten both residents and first responders.
City residents are reminded that local law regulates when and where outdoor burning is permitted. Those needing more information on Dothan’s burning ordinance can call 334-615-3500. People living in county areas outside the city limits are advised to contact their local Volunteer Fire Department prior to burning, ensuring responders are aware and ready to assist if conditions worsen.
EMA officials will continue monitoring weather patterns and fire hazards and say they will issue updates once conditions improve enough for normal burning practices to resume.
“We appreciate the community’s cooperation in helping keep our area safe,” Powell added.
BIRMINGHAM: On Tuesday evening our daughter, Emily, called me that Brantley, our grandson, was sick and throwing up. She said he was sleepy real quick. She asked him what day it was and he said Thursday.
In a few minutes she called again and said he was sick again and hurling. Emily called Children’s Hospital in Birmingham and advised them of what was going on. They told her to bring Brantley to Children’s Hospital.
Emily’s husband was on duty and they have a 2 year old. Her husband got off duty and his mother and sister took care of Tate. Then Emily, Brantley and myself took off to Birmingham leaving at 9:45 PM. We arrived at 12:15 AM in the emergency department of Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.
They took Brantley in doing different tests and scans. He has a shunt from several years ago because his spinal fluid on his brain does not drain properly. He was flown by Mark Reynolds and Survival Flight after Dr. Fred Pich diagnosed it several years ago. Since the original surgery the surgeons at Children’s have had to adjust it several times, all on the right side of the back of his head.
The doctors had told Emily they might have to put a stint on the left side and hadan appointment on December 8th. That appointment is still on.
After the tests and the shunt was working properly they determined he has a virus. They discharged him this afternoon and he is back at home now. He has felt pretty good but slept most all of the way home from Birmingham.
THANKS to Children’s Hospital. THANKS to all who posted and prayed for Brantley. He is 13, in the 7th grade at Cottonwood. His Uncle John and dad Mike have in deer hunting, his dad Mike and Step Dad Josh has him in fishing, and his Uncle Spencer has him in golf. He has been taking lessons from Ryan Benton, a golf pro. With the shunt he can not do contact sports. When Colton Trotter can ever slow down he is going to take Brantley bass fishing teaching him the proper way.
He stays active but as sick as he was. He threw up three times on the trip to Birmingham, it is scary. And we had rather be safe.
HENRY COUNTY – ABBEVILLE: 5:05 PM Henry County 911 Central Dispatch has dispatched fire units to 458 County Road 271 in Abbeville to reports of a structure fire. The reports to Henry County 911 Central Dispatched, flames visible.
Abbeville Fire and Rescue, Henry County Sheriff Department and unknown what other departments are responding.
Anyone with additional information or scene pictures TEXT RICKEY 334-790-1729.
With the federal government shutdown now resolved, Alabama is once again issuing food assistance payments. However, new changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are now in effect — and they could make it harder for many Alabamians to continue qualifying for help with groceries.
The updates were included in major federal legislation passed over the summer. Nationally, funding for SNAP is expected to drop by nearly $186 billion over the next decade, meaning eligibility will narrow and more people will be required to reapply.
During the shutdown, some states issued partial payments while others sent nothing for nearly two weeks, leaving families confused about when their food benefits would be restored. Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has instructed all states — including Alabama — to fully enforce the new SNAP rules beginning November 1.
Who Will Now Need to Work to Keep Benefits?
A major change involves work requirements for what the government calls able-bodied adults without dependents. These individuals must now:
✔ Work at least 80 hours per month, or ✔ Be enrolled in higher education, or ✔ Participate in an approved job-training program
Without proof of one of these activities, benefits are limited to just three months within a three-year period.
This requirement now applies to adults ages 18–64. For Alabama residents, that is a significant expansion from the previous age limit of 54.
Exemptions have also been tightened:
Parents of Teens- Exempt only if teen is underage of 14. Veterans, Homeless, and young adults leaving foster care- Must meet work requirements.
One new exemption does apply to Tribal members and Native individuals as outlined in federal law.
According to Alabama’s Department of Human Resources, the state is currently updating its systems and notifying households whose benefits could be cut if they do not meet the new standards.
Changes for Immigrants in Alabama
New federal rules also narrow SNAP access for some lawful non-citizens in Alabama.
Eligible immigrant groups include:
U.S. citizens and nationals
Cuban and Haitian entrants
Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens
Green Card holders must continue a five-year wait unless they are under 18 or connected to U.S. military service.
Some non-citizens — including refugees and those granted asylum — will lose benefits under the new policy, according to state memos circulating nationwide
States Will Pay the Price for Errors
Starting in fiscal year 2028, any state with an administrative SNAP error rate over 6% will face federal funding cuts. Alabama’s most recent error rate was above the new threshold, which could create future financial strain on the state’s budget.
Because the shutdown disrupted normal processing, experts warn that some of Alabama’s November cases may be counted as “errors,” making it harder to reach compliance.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that roughly 300,000 people nationwide – including thousands in Alabama – could see reductions or removal from the SNAP program as states tighten their rolls.
What Alabama SNAP Households Should Do Now
Watch your mail: DHR will send notices if you must reapply or prove work hours
Report changes quickly: New jobs, address changes, or education enrollment must be documented
Seek help early: Community food banks and churches expect increased demand during the transition
DOTHAN, Ala. — After nearly two years of heartbreak and waiting, a major development has finally been made in the murder case of Patrick Parrish. His mother, Rebecca Parrish, says she is beginning to feel a small sense of relief after one of the men accused in her son’s brutal death admitted guilt in court.
This past week, Richard Bishop Jr. entered a guilty plea to charges of murder and abuse of a corpse. As a result, he received a life sentence with the possibility of parole.
“For us, it brings a bit of closure knowing his sentencing is done,” Parrish shared. “It was incredibly difficult sitting in the courtroom with him, but we’ve been waiting for this case to move forward and to finally see an outcome.”
Despite the progress, Parrish expressed that she still wishes Bishop Jr. would never be allowed the chance at parole.
Parrish says that just one day before entering the plea, Bishop Jr. attempted to negotiate what she described as an unacceptable deal.
“He tried to make some plea the day before, and we wouldn’t agree to it,” she explained. “We thought we were going to have to go to trial and face a jury, but we’re thankful we didn’t — he likely would have ended up with this same sentence anyway.”
Bishop Jr. and his girlfriend, Courtney Ingram, were arrested in connection to Patrick’s death during the summer of 2024. In May of that year, police discovered Patrick’s body beneath his home on the 1300 block of Coe Dairy Road during a welfare check.
Investigators determined that Bishop Jr. struck Patrick in the head three times with a wrench after claiming Patrick had made inappropriate sexual advances toward Ingram at a party.
Inside the courtroom this week, Bishop Jr. offered an apology — but Parrish said she did not feel it was genuine.
“He turned around and said he was sorry, that it was an accident,” she recalled. “It’s not an accident when you beat my son to death and then dispose of his body the way he did.”
Patrick leaves behind a family who describes him as quiet and independent, but always willing to help others.
“There will always be a hole in our lives,” Parrish said. “It’s not right for a child to go before a parent.”
As for Ingram, she is expected to face a jury early next year.
“She should get the same as he got,” Parrish stated.
Parrish expressed gratitude to prosecutors, law enforcement, and Angel House for supporting her family throughout the past year and a half.
