Norman “Rusty” Preston Burgess passed away at home on Wednesday evening April 1, 2026.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Bluff Springs Baptist Church with Brother Jerry Nelson & Brother James Bell officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery with Glover Funeral Home of Dothan directing. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 p.m., prior to the service. Bluff Springs Baptist Church is where he and his wife have been members for many years.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bluff Springs Baptist Church, or your charity of choice.
Rusty was born June 1, 1939, to the late Norman Ray & Flora (Smith) Burgess, and was raised in Ashford. His favorite hobby was fishing, and he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. During his early career, he was a truck driver for GFA Motor Lines, Summerford Truck Line, and Watkins Motor Lines. Rusty proudly served as the former mayor of the city of Ashford. He was an integral part of the operations of Burgess Transportation for many years.
Rusty was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Flora Burgess; a daughter, Rhonda Gail Burgess; a grandson, Jeremy Frank Danner; two sisters, Peggy Layton (GW) and Johnelle Rhodes (Jimmy); and a brother, Jimmy Ray Burgess.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Thelma; a son, Rodney (Kim); a daughter, Lori (Jeff) Danner; a granddaughter, Haley (Howard) Walker; two great-grandsons, Grayson and Henry Walker; his sister-in-law, Lynn Burgess; and many loved nieces and nephews.
Serving as pallbearers will be Benji Burgess, Jeff Burgess, Mason Glover, Brooks Glover, Theron Hood, and Cliff Godwin.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his Bluff Springs Baptist Church Sunday School Class.
Glover Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. (334) 699-3888.
Please sign the guestbook online at www.gloverfuneral.com
Mystic Du Mayhem is having a gun raffle for Jenny Godwin. Jenny was diagnosed with Leukemia last week. We want to help her in anyway possible. We are raffling off a Benelli Nova 12ga shotgun. All proceeds will go to support her in anyway possible. Click the link below to buy your tickets.
DOTHAN: 04:09 AM Dothan 911 dispatched a structure fire at 704 Walnut Street in Dothan. The person reporting to Dothan 911 reported it was a structure near this location and the porch was on fire. Multiple Dothan Fire Engine Companies, Pilcher Ambulance and Dothan Police Patrol responding.
04:15 AM First Dothan Fire Engine Compay arrived and reported a single story , residential structure. The engine company reported fire heavily involved. This is a working fire with an offensive attack.
Dothan Fireman had difficulty making entry due to burglar bars on the windows. Dothan Fire Truck 1 ( Central ) finally made entry.
04:29 AM Dothan Fire Prevention Officer on the scene. Dothan Fire Deputy Chief Pete Webb rolling to the fire. Dothan Fire Chefi David Hasty is on the scene electronically.
04:30 AM A verbal “all clear’, meaning no one inside, from a bystander on the scene.
04:31 AM Fire knock down. Fire still inside in a room on right front of residence. House is boarded up which has made difficult fore fireman entry inside the residence.
04:32 AM Dothan Fire Deputy Chief Pete Webb on the scene.
04:33 AM A dog removed from the residence by Truck 1 crew.. Condition unknown.
04:35 AM Dothan Fire Truck 1 had made entry inside the residence and searched the residence. They have a primary all clear.
04:36 AM Dothan Fire has been on the scene for 20 minutes and doing a roll call of all fireman on the scene making sure all fireman accounted for and safe.
04::37 AM All fireman accounted for and all safe.
04:38 AM Dothan Fire continues to get all fire extinguised. Time for me to go back to bed.
04:58 AM Dothan Utilities on the scene. Fire under control.
MONTGOMERY: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, age 81, is in the hospital in Montgomery.
On Tuesday night, Governor Kay Ivey spokesperson Gina Maiola released the following statement:
“For the last three weeks, Governor Kay Ivey has experienced some discomfort in her left side. After monitoring the pain and recently feeling slightly short-of-breath, she made the decision to be seen again by her primary care physician earlier today. After he recommended she be evaluated by a surgeon at Baptist Medical Center South, it was determined there was some fluid pushing against her lung.
“While it was not emergent, Governor Ivey wanted to get the procedure done as soon as possible so she can quickly get back to 100% to wrap up the 2026 Regular Session. This afternoon, the governor successfully underwent a minor procedure at Baptist South to remove that fluid. Out of an abundance of caution, she will be monitored at Baptist South in the coming days.
“We are in touch with Governor Ivey, and she says she is determined to make a very speedy and full recovery.”
Two Men Arrested for Drug Trafficking After Months-Long Investigation
(DOTHAN, Ala.) On March 30, 2026, the Narcotics Division executed multiple search warrants related to a months-long investigation into the trafficking of synthetic opioids in the City of Dothan. Investigators located addresses connected to the suspects, Roland Whitfield (22) of Dothan and Dewayne Chambers (53) of Dothan, that were used to distribute illegal narcotics.
During the search warrants, investigators seized an electronic money counter, $9,166 in cash, items used to package narcotics for sale, two firearms, approximately 11,000 fentanyl pills already pressed, and approximately 129 grams of fentanyl powder. Investigators estimate the street value to be close to $250,000. As a result of the investigation and searches, Roland Craig Whitfield (22) of Dothan and Dewayne Brown Chambers (53) of Dothan were each charged with Drug Trafficking-Fentanyl. Both are being held in the Houston County Jail.
The Dothan Police Department has identified an increase in fentanyl and fentanyl-laced narcotics within the community and initiated targeted investigations to identify the source of distribution. As a result of these efforts, a significant quantity of fentanyl has been removed from circulation and will not reach the streets of Dothan.
While this outcome represents an important step in protecting public safety, we recognize that the threat posed by fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics remains ongoing. The Dothan Police Department remains fully committed to identifying those responsible for distributing illegal drugs, making arrests, and working closely with prosecutors to hold offenders accountable.
Our efforts will continue with a focus on disrupting the supply of dangerous substances and safeguarding the health and well-being of our community.
We are open on the Corner of South State Hwy 109 and Hwy 605 Today – Sunday. We open at 10 am until I sale out each day. Come see us today. Hope you have a very Blessed Day
We are open on the Corner of South State Hwy 109 and Hwy 605 Today – Sunday. We open at 10 am until I sale out each day. Come see us today. Hope you have a very Blessed Day