Merritt Carothers, a current Taylor City Councilman and lifelong public servant, has officially announced his candidacy for Mayor of Taylor. With the city experiencing rapid growth,
Carothers is stepping forward to offer steady, experienced leadership focused on guiding Taylor into its next chapter while preserving the values that make it home.
“Taylor is growing quickly, and we need leadership that understands both where we come from and where we’re going,” said Carothers. “I’ve dedicated my life to serving this country and this community, and I’m ready to take that service to the next level.”
Carothers served 20 years in the Alabama Army National Guard and spent 36 years as a defense contractor at Fort Rucker, now Fort Novosel. He co-owns Burks Trading Company, a family farm founded in 1932, with his brother Robins.
In addition to his professional service, Carothers is a committed family man. He and his wife Paula have been married for 33 years and have two adult children, Zachary and Lizzie Carothers. Their growing family includes newborn grandson Jack Walter and daughter Katherine and son-in-law Cole Agouridis.
His campaign will focus on smart, responsible growth; improving infrastructure; supporting families and businesses; and preserving Taylor’s small-town character and sense of community.
“This is about protecting what makes Taylor feel like home while making thoughtful decisions
that prepare us for the future,” Carothers added. “I’m ready to get to work.”
On May 27, 2025, just after 5:00 pm, Dothan Police Communications Center received a call from a local hospital of a juvenile under the age of 12 being treated for a suspected gunshot wound in the lower body. As officers were responding to the hospital, it was reported the gunfire occurred on Kristie Road in Dothan. Officers responded to the area of Kristie Road to attempt to locate the crime scene. After an investigation, investigators were able to locate and charge Octavenious Romarrio Thomas (36) of Dothan with Assault 1st degree, Attempted Assault 1st Degree, and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle. Thomas was placed in the Houston County Jail with bonds totaling $450,000.
The investigation found that two adult males were involved in a verbal altercation on Kristie Road. One of the males was Octavenious Thomas. The verbal altercation became physical and, as the male and the juvenile were in their vehicle leaving the scene, Thomas and another individual began shooting at the vehicle. The juvenile, who was not involved in the altercations, was struck twice, once in the lower body and a graze wound to the lower body. The juvenile was treated at a local hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. Thomas was apprehended soon after the call was received and charged with the shooting. More arrests are possible.
This kind of indiscriminate violence will not be tolerated in the City of Dothan. Dangerous actions like these will have serious consequences. We are committed to working with the Houston/Henry County District Attorney’s Office to help prosecute individuals involved in violent crimes to the maximum extent allowed by law. We want to thank the members of the community who provided information during the investigation.
It is with great resolve that I am announcing my candidacy for the Dothan City Board of Education, District 5 seat.
I am a mom of four children who all proudly attend Dothan City Schools. My interest in the success of this system is personal, and I will work tirelessly to ensure Dothan City Schools serves and protects every single student while respecting, honoring, and retaining our professional educators.
Dothan City Schools is losing students and experienced teachers in unacceptable numbers. We must stop the hemorrhaging. Teachers must be treated as the high-level professionals they are, the Code of Conduct for Students must be executed in a consistent manner, and we must restore funding, staff, and enrollment capacity to P.A.S.S. Academy.
Our board’s top priority should be to always act in the best interest of students and educators. Sadly, current Dothan City Schools’ administration and a majority of board members have abandoned these values in favor of personal, political, and individual business interests. This has led to wasting money that is critical to the safe and effective operation of our schools.
I intend to stop this.
Dothan City Schools belong to you, the Dothan taxpayer. Because of this, public documents should be easily accessible to the public. I will work to make all executed vendor contracts, check registers- including payee names, and public bids, available online for inspection. I will demand transparency and accountability from our board and administrators.
District 5 has been fortunate to have a strong and caring advocate for the last 8 years in Amy Bonds. Amy has led our district with class and kindness through controversial issues, and I personally want to thank her for that. She will be a tough act for the next representative to follow. I will continue her legacy by voting with integrity while always prioritizing what is best for children and educators.
With humility, I am asking for your support and vote on August 5. Let’s get to work!
Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced Tuesday he’s running for governor of Alabama, launching a campaign website and setting his sights on the 2026 race to succeed term-limited Gov. Kay Ivey.
He entered politics as a Trump-aligned outsider, earning the president’s backing and sticking around in the Senate to remain a “sledgehammer” for the president — until now.
The move comes after previous darling for the governor’s seat Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth dropped out of the race.
Tuberville is the current favorite among Alabama’s Republican voters, but he’s faced questions of whether or not he truly is an Alabama resident, some media investigations pointing toward a home in Florida.
