Latest news with #WDHN
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Two Wiregrass students appointed to U.S. Military Academies
Dothan, Ala. (WDHN) — Two standout Wiregrass students are among the 21 Alabamians appointed to U.S. service academies for the Class of 2029, according to a recent announcement from U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville. Aiden Harkey, a graduate of Slocomb High School, has accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Harkey says his experience at Boys State — where he met a former cadet from West Point, and a Wiregrass native — inspired him to apply. He plans to study chemical engineering and hopes to return to his community after his service to give back and support future generations. 'After my four years at the academy I hope to come back and serve my community, potientally doing aviation at Ft. Novosel and after my service hopefully come back and support my community that has supported me throughout,' Harkey explains. Cammi Tillery, a graduate of Enterprise High School, has earned a scholarship to attend the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. Tillery, who comes from a strong military-based family, plans to pursue a career in military intelligence and is committed to serving on active duty after completing her training. ' I come from a military family both my parents are Army retired, my oldest brother is Army, and my second oldest [brother] is a marine; so its just something you're born into,' says Tillery, adding that she is very excited to serve her country. West Point is widely recognized as one of the premier leadership institutions in the world. Graduating from the academy is a major stepping stone for those pursuing careers in military service and leadership, opening doors to specialized training, advanced education, and impactful roles within the U.S. military and beyond. In a press release, Senator Tuberville praised the appointees for their discipline, dedication, and patriotism. 'It was an honor to nominate these Alabamians for an appointment, and I have no doubt they'll continue to make our state and country proud,' Tuberville said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local church stays open despite being named on the UMC closure list
HARTFORD, Ala (WDHN) — Sardis Church in Hartford will keep its doors open despite being named by the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church as a church that will be closing. Church leaders say there are no signs of slowing down as they are currently in the Dominican Republic doing mission work. 'We don't know exactly what came out in the news, but they may remove the name of Sardis Methodist Church off their roll, and that's fine, but I'm here to tell you that Sardis church is alive and well,' Pastor Tom Chestnut said. Nationally, within the United Methodist Church, congregations have been disaffiliating from the conference primarily due to differing views on human sexuality, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights and other issues. Church leaders say there is no ill will towards the conference, though. 'We just had major theological disagreements from the way we interpret God's word,' Pastor Tom Chestnut said. 'We asked to leave and we had built our own buildings and we're surviving well as we have grown,' Charles Hales said. For the churches that are closing, declining attendance was one of the reasons; however, Sardis leaders say that this also does not apply to them, as they believe their church is thriving. 'We average about 150 people on a Sunday, and every Wednesday we have 100 children and 20 adults we feed, and another reason is funding, well, we are tithers. We run three buses, run air for 100 people every Wednesday night, and now 11 of us are helping Dominicans with their camp,' Pastor Chestnut said. But for churches that will be affected, despite the reasoning, church leaders are lifting them in prayer. 'A church is family, and when they are closing their doors it's like losing a lot of family It's been a haven of refuge, so I pray they have peace and god will lead them to a new place,' Chestnut said. The church worships every Sunday at 10 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dothan Housing Authority Offers Free Summer Camps
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) –Dothan Housing Authority partners with The Harbor Church to offer free summer camps for low-income residents who have children. And there is one that is on the horizon, at Jamison Village Apartments on North Lena Street- Camp Horizon. 'It's called Camp Horizon. We have partner with our great partners, The Harbor here in Dothan…' Said, camp leader Samiyah Craddock. Craddock added how they provide free breakfast and lunch for the kids. She shared how Camp Horizon was cut off from Dothan Summer Feeding Program, and no longer receive food for the summer campers. Despite of losing food benefits from the feeding program, the Dothan Housing Authority with The Harbor Church find ways to provide free meals for the youth. The children will not have to worry about not being normal kids enjoying themselves at a summer camp. They will experience an authentic summer camp, like going to field trips for free, doing fun activities, learning activities, and bible devotions. 'For the parents who can't afford to go the local camps…We have created together and collaborated to create a camp for them to enjoy as well.' added Craddock. Camp Horizon goal is to help the children socialize with one another and not just sit at home on electronic devices. And the goal has already been fulfilled. Campers and staff share the same like in one fun game… 'What is called…The octopus-yeah, the octopus game.' Said camper, Serena Ashby. Summer Program Director of The Harbor Church-Davis Bolton said, 'every time I see the kids they be like–when are we playing the octopus tag? when are we playing the octopus tag? That's a fun game for us…' Not only the goal has been fulfilled in sharing the same like in fun games between campers and staff, but the staffs bond with the campers has made an impact on one child's life. 'I am glad that I came back, and I will definitely come back here.' Said, camper Marlise Eldrich. Camp Horizon have teenagers who volunteer to watch the youth for the summer break. Teen Camp Horizon staff Amaya Springfield stated, 'when I started last year I was like, well I do wanna come back this year-cause I love the kids… I love helping out, working with them, and like towards the end of the summer, they become more like a family…' Another teen camp staff, Brooke Baker made a powerful point on why it's impactful for her volunteer at Camp Horizon. 'It's very impactful to me because, where I live is very different from all these kids live…And it's kind of important for everyone to see that-don't take what you have for granted.' Added, Baker. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Jackson County deputies arrested wanted sex offender
JACKSON, Fl. (WDHN) – The Jackson County Sheriff's office arrested a wanted sex offender out of Holmes County. When deputies got the call, they found Randall Brett Morris' location, but he then began to flee on foot. Deputies called their K9 tracking unit to find Morris, and they were successful. According to the Jackson County Sheriff Office's Facebook post, Sheriff Edenfield thanked the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for responding with drones, and the Graceville Police Department for help with the search. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump says he will reverse Fort Novosel name change
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration would reverse the 2023 name changes to several military bases, including Fort Novosel. 'For a little breaking news, we are also going to be restoring the names to Fort Pickett, Fort Hood, Fort Gordon, Fort Rucker, Fort Polk, Fort A.P. Hill, and Fort Robert E. Lee,' Trump said while speaking at Fort Bragg. Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), Fort Bragg, and seven other Army bases around the southern U.S. underwent name changes in 2023. The movement to rename the Army bases under the Biden administration stemmed from concerns that U.S. military institutions should not be named for a Confederate leader who fought against the United States and was committed to slavery. Controversial name could come back to Fort Novosel Fort Novosel, the home of Army Aviation and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, was originally named for General Edmund W. Rucker, a Confederate officer during the Civil War. Rucker served under Nathan Bedford Forrest, a slave trader and early leader of the Ku Klux Klan. After the Civil War, Rucker became a wealthy industrial magnate in Birmingham. He died in 1924. The southeast Alabama installation currently bears the name of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Novosel Sr., an aviator with direct ties to Army Aviation and Enterprise who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He later earned the Medal of Honor after saving 29 soldiers during a medevac mission in Vietnam. The administration has already started the renaming process with Fort Benning and Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg, named initially after Confederate Army officer Braxton Bragg, was renamed to Fort Liberty in 2023. In early 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the installation to be renamed Fort Bragg, this time in honor of Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, an Army paratrooper who served during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Rucker family wants the home of Army Aviation to stay Fort Novosel: 'He is a hero' After Secretary Hegseth ordered the renaming of Fort Bragg, WDHN spoke with Col. Rucker's cousin, K. Denise Rucker Krepp, who openly believes the installation should have never bore the name of her cousin, who fought against the United States. 'I believe that military installations should be named in honor of those who fought or fought for the United States, and my cousin, Colonel Edmund Rucker, did not do that. He took up arms against the United States,' said Krepp in February. According to the Military Times, the 2023 effort to rename the nine Army bases cost the government around $39 million. The costly changes were due in part to the removal and changes to signs, displays, monuments and paraphernalia. This is a breaking story. Stay with WDHN for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
