Scam Calls Claiming to be City of Dothan Utilities Division asking for credit card info.

The Dothan Police Department recently received a call from the City of Dothan Utilities Division. Employees of utilities advised they have had several recent reports from customers, primarily business accounts, who say they have received a call from someone claiming to be with Dothan Utilities demanding a credit card number for payment.

The callers’ voice is described as an American, female, calling from a blocked phone number. The Dothan Police Department would like to confirm this is a scam and fortunately, everyone contacted thus far has refused to give such information. Calls requesting credit card information are not placed by the Utilities Division and anyone receiving this or similar calls should not share any information and disconnect immediately.

Irene has strengthened into a hurricane overnight while passing along the north coast of Puerto Rico

Irene has strengthened into a hurricane overnight while passing along

the north coast of Puerto Rico. As of 7 am ET this morning, Irene had

maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. Irene was moving to the west

northwest around 14 mph. On this motion, Irene is expected to move along

the north coast of Hispaniola over the next 36 hours.

 

After 36 hours, the forecast becomes increasingly complex. A trough of

low pressure across the Upper Mississippi River Valley is predicted to

swing through the Great Lakes weakening the large ridge of high pressure

currently located to the north of Irene. As the ridge weakens, Irene

will begin moving more northwestward and eventually turn more to the

north. Depending on how quickly this ridge weakens, will determine

whether Irene poses a threat to Florida or areas further up the

Southeast U.S. Coast.

 

One consequence of the current track is that Irene is now expected to

have much less land interaction with the mountainous terrain of

Hispaniola. As a result, Irene could strengthen into a strong hurricane

while moving near the Central and Western Bahamas.

 

Many of the computer models prefer an eventual track with Irene along or

just east of the Florida East Coast, placing our region on the weaker,

west side of the tropical system, thereby limiting the overall impact

for our eastern areas. However, a couple of other computer models still

indicate the possibility of Irene moving into the far Eastern Gulf of

Mexico. Given the uncertainty at longer ranges of the forecast, much of

the NWS Tallahassee Forecast Area remains inside the cone of uncertainty.

 

The National Weather Service in Tallahassee will continue to monitor the

progress of Irene closely today. Another update will likely be sent out

later today from our office to include the latest track information

provided by the National Hurricane Center and any potential impacts to

our region. As always, if you have any questions, please give our office

a call and ask to speak to one of our meteorologists... 850-942-8833.

 

Dothan Police Department made a felony arrest following the assault of an on duty officer.

On August 20, 2011 the Dothan Police Department made a felony arrest following the assault of an on duty officer. The call began as a car crash investigation in the 1200 block of South Park Avenue. Upon arrival, a night shift patrolman located an intoxicated male who according to witnesses had been inside one of the vehicles. The officer approached him to question him and determine if he had been a driver or passenger. The suspect immediately became combative and while resisting arrest, punched the officer in the face. The officer suffered two lacerations; the suspect was arrested and transported to the Dothan City Jail. The crash investigation is still ongoing and further charges may be pending.

·        Reynaldo Molina Ponce, Hispanic male, 29 years of age, of Sioux Street was arrested and charged with Second Degree Assault, Harassment to a Public Safety Officer, Resisting Arrest and Public Intoxication with a bonds totaling $ 101,300.

Headland Man arrested and charged with First Degree Kidnapping, First Degree Rape, Sexual Torture and First Degree Burglary

On August 20, 2011 the Dothan Police Department made an arrest on a multiple felony investigation which included charges of burglary, kidnapping, sexual torture and rape. Police say the investigation began following a 911 call received by the victim who made a bold escape from her captor, likely saving her life. The investigation revealed the suspect forced entry into the downtown home of the victim, an ex-girlfriend, on August 19, 2011. Due to the sensitive nature of this case, limited details are being released however police say the victim was bound and held captive for nearly twenty-one hours. Following the report, patrolmen began a massive man hunt for the suspect which ended a few hours later when the man was taken into custody.

·        Kenneth Earl Morris, black male, 46 years of age, of Headland, Alabama was arrested and charged with First Degree Kidnapping, First Degree Rape, Sexual Torture and First Degree Burglary and is being held with no bond.

UPDATE: Dothan Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Taco Bell, 1087 Ross Clark Circle

 UPDATE: Aug 24,2011


Dothan Police has submitted a security camera video of the armed robbery 
                              
 CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

On August 21, 2011 the Dothan Police Department responded to an armed robbery at Taco Bell, 1087 Ross Clark Circle at 8:55p.m. Upon arrival, police learned a black male wearing black clothing and a black ski mask entered the store with a hand gun and demanded money. The suspect was given U.S. Currency after which he fled, running from the rear of the business.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case or identity of the suspect to call the Dothan Police Department or CrimeStoppers 334-793-7000.

Investigators are working to obtain video of the robbery but say it may be tomorrow before it is fully downloaded. We will post an update when the surveillance is ready.

Tropical Storm Irene a U.S. Landfall Threat

Tropical Storm Irene roared into life last night, transitioning from a tropical wave to a 50 mph tropical storm in just a few short hours. Irene is getting organized quickly, and has the potential to become a hurricane by Monday morning. All interests in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, the Bahamas, and South Florida should prepare for the arrival of this dangerous storm. An Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft in the storm found the strongest winds near 18°N latitude to the north of Irene's center at 8am this morning. After passing through the center, the plane returned to the area of strongest winds two hours later, and found that flight level winds at 5,000 feet had increased by about 5 - 8 mph. However, the pressure in the latest center fix taken at 10am EDT remained the same as two hours previously, 1007 mb, and the plane noted that Irene's center was not circular, signs that the storm still has some work to do before serious intensification can begin. Visible satellite loops and radar out of Martinique show the storm has rapidly organized this morning, with well-developed spiral bands forming and a large area of intense thunderstorms to the north of the center. Irene has shrugged off the dry air that was bothering it yesterday, and wind shear has fallen to the low range, 5 - 10 knots, as analyzed by the University of Wisconsin CIMSS group. Torrential rains and strong gusty winds are affecting the northern Lesser Antilles this morning. A wind gust of 41 mph was recorded at St. Eustatius at 8am local time.


Figure 1. Morning satellite image of Irene.

Track forecast for Irene
The computer models are in agreement that Irene will pass just south of Puerto Rico tonight, then hit the south coast of Hispaniola in the Dominican Republic or Haiti on Monday afternoon. Irene should then emerge into the channel between Haiti and Cuba on Tuesday afternoon, when the storm will have 12 or so hours over water before having to contend with Cuba. A trough of low pressure is expected to move across the Eastern U.S. on Wednesday and Thursday, turning Irene to the northwest and north by Thursday. The timing and strength of this trough varies considerably from model to model, and will be critical in determining where and when Irene will turn to the north. Irene's strength will also matter--a stronger Irene is more likely to turn northward earlier. The most likely path for Irene is a track just east of the Florida Peninsula and into Georgia, South Carolina, or North Carolina by next weekend, but a landfall near Miami then directly up the Florida Peninsula is also a reasonable solution--like Tropical Storm Fay of 2008 did. Fay formed just off the coast of Puerto Rico, and was never quite able to get organized enough to become a hurricane, due to passage over Hispaniola and Cuba. Fay topped out as a strong tropical storm with 70 mph winds, and did over $500 million in damage in the U.S., mostly due to flooding rains in Florida that accumulated to over 25 inches in a few areas. Fay also dumped heavy rains on Hispaniola, triggering flooding that claimed eight lives.


Figure 2. Track of Tropical Storm Fay of 2008.

Intensity forecast for Irene
Irene is embedded in a large envelope of moisture now, and wind shear will remain low, 5 - 10 knots, for the next five days. With water temperatures very warm, 28 - 30°C, these conditions should allow for intensification except when land is interfering. Irene's current appearance on satellite loops gives me the impression of a storm that is not fooling around, and I expect Irene will be a hurricane before hitting Hispaniola on Monday. Passage over Hispaniola will not destroy Irene, since it is a fairly large storm. Once the storm finishes with Hispaniola, it will have to deal with Cuba, which will keep Irene from intensifying significantly. Once Irene pops off the coast of Cuba Wednesday or Thursday into the Florida Straits, Irene will likely be a tropical storm. If the storm then has at least a day over water before hitting land, it will likely become a hurricane again, and could become a major hurricane if it ends up missing South Florida and moving over the warm waters on either side of the Florida Peninsula.

Harvey hits Belize
Tropical Storm Harvey made landfall at 2pm EDT on Saturday near Dangriga Town, Belize, as a tropical storm with 60 mph winds. Harvey continues to dump very heavy rains on southern Mexico, but dissipation is expected tonight as the storm pushes inland. Harvey was a small storm, and the strongest winds were confined to a short stretch of coast near where the center came ashore. Winds at Belize City, Belize on Saturday topped out at 15 mph.


Figure 3. Radar image of Harvey taken at 11:30am EDT on Saturday, August 20, 2011, a few hours before landfall in Belize. A small closed eye is visible just south of the offshore islands of Belize. Image credit: Belize National Meteorological Service.

Invest 98L northwest of the Cape Verde Islands
A tropical wave few hundred miles northwest of the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of Africa, Invest 98L, has become disorganized and lost most of its heavy thunderstorms. The disturbance is moving over colder waters and encountering drier air, and NHC is giving 98L only a 10% chance of developing into a tropical depression by Tuesday. The latest set of model runs keep 98L well out to sea away from any land areas over the next five days.

Home Invasion with shooting death in Dale County

Submitted by viewer
Reports state around 4AM Curtis Patrick Of Webb Al was intoxicated and went into a home of a person who supposed to owed him money, Patrick was being very disorderly and loud when he entered the home , but the problem was he entered the wrong home, where the home owner Michael Alan Crawford shot and killed Patrick who was reported dead when Dale County Sheriff and Dale County Coroners office arrived. 

Cornelius Antwon Benton has been captured, arrested and charged with CAPITAL MURDER after 3 yr man hunt

On November 13, 2008 the Dothan Police Department responded to a shooting at 1021 Blackshear Street just after 2:00 p.m. The victim, Chris Woods was transported to a local hospital where he died shortly after arrival.  

 Following the homicide investigation, Dothan Police signed warrants against Tawuan Townes who was quickly arrested and Cornelius Antwon Benton who has been on the run and remained at large since 2008.

On August 6, 2011Dothan Police cancelled the long standing BOLO for Cornelius Antwon Benton following his capture in Okaloosa County, Florida. 

Limited details of the capture are being released until members of the victims’ family are briefed however the Dothan Police Department would like to thank Crestview Police Department for their assistance in the capture as well as the U.S. Marshal Gulf Coast Regional Task Force and many, many other agencies that have assisted in various missions conducted since 2008 in an effort to apprehend Benton.  

·        Cornelius Antwon Benton, black male, 26 years of age, has been captured, arrested and charged with CAPITAL MURDER. Extradition from Florida to Alabama may occur as early as August 8, 2011.

NEW UPDATE : Dead Body Found in car : ARREST HAS BEEN MADE

 UPDATE:

On August 17, 2011 an autopsy confirmed the victim was killed by a single gunshot wound. The victim was positively identified as Milton Bernard Jones 29 years old of Dothan, Alabama. The Investigative Division has now made an arrest in this case. Investigators have worked tirelessly on this case following numerous leads which led them to the original crime scene and ultimately to the suspect. Limited details will be released about the evidence and statements which led police to the crime scene until the case is taken to court however police say crime scene technicians processed the interior and exterior property of 803 LaGrand Drive collecting multiple pieces of evidence believed to be left behind during the homicide. Investigators say 48 year old Gregory Leon Lawton of Shannondoah Drive has been charged with Capital Murder. The Investigative Division says the case will remain open as they continue to develop more information on the case.

·        Gregory Leon Lawton, black male, 48 years of age, of Shannondoah Drive was arrested and charged with Capital Murder with no bond.

UPDATE:

On August 16, 2011 the Dothan Police Department responded to a 911 call which was received at 9:23 a.m. in regards to a medical emergency at the intersection of Leila Drive and Alexander Drive. Upon arrival, the first officer on scene quickly realized the victim was deceased and requested additional officers as he began securing the area, and vehicle, a silver Pontiac Grand Prix as a possible crime scene. Criminal Investigators responded and following the preliminary investigation stated the victim appeared to have been shot but transported the vehicle and body to a forensic lab for processing and confirmation.

Investigators have now officially changed the call from a medical emergency to a homicide. Police say the victim was killed by a single gunshot wound. The identity of the victim will not been released until all appropriate family notifications are made.

This homicide investigation is in the earliest stages and police are asking anyone with information about the case or identity of the suspect to call the Dothan Police Department or CrimeStoppers 334-793-7000. Based on evidence found at the crime scene, police believe the homicide likely occurred at another location after which the vehicle and body were moved. We urge the public to call with any detail they may have in regards to suspicious behavior of persons or similar vehicles (Silver Pontiac Grand Prix) at this or any other location over the past forty-eight hours.

PREVIOUSE
 At 9:23 am Dothan Police and Dothan Fire responded to a vehicle with a black make found dead on Leila Drive/Alexander Drive. It appears that the person is dead from gunshot wound. At this time Law Enforcement does not know if this is a suicide death or a murder.

Update:
We have multiple officers on scene at the intersection of Leila and Alexander Drive. A dead body has been found in a vehicle in that location. It appears to be a gunshot, however that has NOT been confirmed yet. If confirmed it is UNKNOWN if it is a homicide or suicide. CID has just arrived and will be working to determine this.

Dothan Police Needs your Help- Alabama Title Loans Robbery

At approximately 2:20 p.m. on August 13, 2011 the Dothan Police Department responded to a robbery at Alabama Title Loans (1020 Montgomery Highway). Upon arrival, police learned an employee was leaving the business with a bank bag tucked under her arm when the suspect approached her, pulled the bag from her, pushed her, then fled on foot. Police are asking anyone with information about the case or identity of the suspect described as a black male to call the Dothan Police Department or CrimeStoppers 334-793-7000.

Alabama Medical Marjuana Coalition meets at Blue Springs State Park

August 13 2011, AMMJC found their way to Blue Springs State Park in Clio, Alabama for our District #7 Picnic. What a beautiful place with a great family atmosphere. If you get the chance to go check it out do it, and go swimming in the crystal clear spring pools. (68 degrees years round!) Even in the dead of winter. The locals told us it looks like a steaming cauldron when winter time rolls around.

Honestly, DJ and I got wet up to the knees but that was it, THAT WATER IS COLD! The kids didn’t mind a bit though. They went swimming and had a blast. One of the State Park Officials Mark Jernigan told the children; “You can’t walk in, you have to jump in. If you walk in you can’t make yourself get in.” He was right! Brrrr!
We met an awful lot of new faces and got to finally meet some people personally that have supported us AMMJC from the start. We thank you all for coming out and supporting the patients of Alabama. From the bottom of my heart I say; We couldn’t do this without you guys. AMMJC is only as strong as the people we have on the ground and that force is getting stronger every day. Please continue to send friend suggestions to our Alabama Mmjc profile! Continue adding your friends, family, elected officials and persons you know supports this case to our facebook group page. In this beginning phase of the organization we need everyone who supports medical marijuana to be aware of AMMJC and lend their support in areas where they can.



As many of you know, Alabama Medical Marijuana Coalition has been in negotiations with Representative K.L Brown virtually since we started. He came out to our last picnic in Jacksonville; he talked to patients and members of the AMMJC staff and was very optimistic about the future of medical marijuana in Alabama.

Representative Brown recommended no changes to the legislation that we presented to him, which is Americans for Safe Access’ State Model Legislation. We had made some changes to their original before we presented it to Rep. Brown, but that was mainly just adding some conditions for which a doctor could recommend medical marijuana, among those were Lupus, Tourette’s syndrome, PSTD and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s & Colitis).
We had looked at a lot of legislation before deciding what to go with. The laws are different in many ways, but there are, basically, two types of medical marijuana laws and legislation.
First, there are the laws that are so liberal that they are almost impossible to enforce. The amounts of marijuana allowed and the regulations they recommend make it impossible to regulate, and is just seen as a backdoor to general legalization.
Second, there are the laws that appear that someone is just trying to get something, anything, passed. Laws that would be impossible for a patient to follow, and would probably end up with the same problem we have now, which is patients going to jail.
Then there was the ASA legislation. It was in the middle. It was more liberal towards patients and the protection of their rights, but at the same time, it is easy to regulate.

This is our plan for the legislation.
Now is the time to push!!!
Now we have a sponsor and we have a plan for the legislation. Part of that plan is to get the bill out of the gate early.
Representative Brown and AMMJC want to pre-file our bill just as soon as we can talk to the health department. That way we should be able to get an early committee hearing and ensure that we have time to get the bill all the way through the legislature.
That means that we need to start now. With this plan, we will not have the luxury of waiting for the session to start.
Over the weekend, we are going to be putting together a plan to launch our legislative effort with a “Write your legislator campaign.” We will put together a sample letter that you can use as a guide to write your own letter, copy-paste-send, or for you to use along with your reasons for supporting medical marijuana. We will have this information out by Monday.
We need every legislator in the state to get at least a half dozen letters next week. That can only happen if you do your part and encourage others to do theirs. We can do this; we can change the law and the lives of patients in Alabama.

vehicular accident driver of the truck involved trying to make an escape by swimming across White Oak Creek

BY PENNY CARTER

 

A vehicular accident that occurred on Saturday, August 13, had the driver of the truck involved trying to make an escape by swimming across White Oak Creek not far from the bridge on Highway 95.

 

Around 4:50 p.m. Saturday, an unsuspecting female driver was hit as she passed Midlake Bait and Tackle and Holly Drive on Highway 95 just inside the Henry County line across the creek from Barbour County.

 

Mrs. Helen Copeland, the driver of the Toyota Camry that was involved, was transported by Abbeville Rescue to Medical Center Barbour in Eufaula for treatment of injuries sustained during the accident.

 

It was believed at the time that alcohol may have played a role in the accident and the attempted escape of the driver.

 

As soon as the vehicles came to a stop from the collision, the driver of the truck, Marion Porterfield Jr., jumped out and ran down Holly Drive, trying to escape from witnesses that engaged in a foot pursuit of the suspect. They  were soon joined by Henry County Sheriff's Deputies on a Yamaha Rhino in the hunt for the driver of the truck. Porterfield  jumped into White Oak Creek in an attempt to evade capture, but was soon picked up by Alabama Marine Police that responded to the scene to lend assistance.  The suspect was transported to Medical Center Barbour for treatment.

 

Henry County Sheriff Deputy Culpepper confirmed that the suspect had been caught by the Marine Police within minutes of entering the water.

 

Henry County EMA Director Paul Brown was on site along with Henry County Sheriff's Deputies, Screamer Volunteer Fire Department, Abbeville Rescue, and Alabama State Troopers.

 

Residents of the area, Howard and Juanita Money, both agreed that the section of the road from White Oak bridge to the entrance of Sunset Acres, located on Highway 95, is a very dangerous area.

 

“This isn't the first accident that's happened on this curve,” Mr. Money commented.  “Cars go flying through here going well above the speed limit, crossing the center line at times.

Alabama AG praises ruling on health care mandate

Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has praised a federal appeals court ruling that struck down the requirement in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul package that virtually all Americans must have health insurance.
A three judge panel in Atlanta in its ruling Friday sided with Alabama and 25 other states in striking down the so-called individual mandate in the health care law.
Strange says the 11th Circuit ruling helps protect the system of "federalism and limited government" created by the framers of the U.S. Constitution.
Strange called the effort to block the individual mandate "a monumental case."
The decision was written by Chief Judge Joel Dubina and Circuit Judge Frank Hull. The decision found that the individual mandate exceeds the power of Congress.