Latest news with #WDHN
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Enterprise Vet says saving elderly neighbor from house fire was instinct: ‘I'm not a hero'
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — After receiving a key to the city of Enterprise three years ago, more awards have come in for an Army veteran, who received a Carnegie Medal for saving his neighbor in a burning house in 2022. 'I'd never expected to receive anything remotely close to a national award. I just thought it was the right thing to do, I never expected it to reach this point,' said Marvin Pinckney Pinckney sprang into action to save his elderly neighbor, Mary Griffin, and her caretaker, Angie Byrd. After returning from a motorcycle ride, Pinckney noticed smoke coming from the Griffins' home on Bellwood Road, so he instructed his wife to call 911. While waiting, he decided to go to his neighbor's house to inform them that the house is on fire and that they need to get out. Enterprise vet honored with national award for saving neighbor from burning home 'When I entered the house, they were like What's going on? Where? In the garage, and what made them think it was on fire, the lights went out, and the alarm started blaring, and my only thoughts were to get us out of that situation,' said Pinckney That's when Pinckney was able to lift Griffin, who was strapped into a wheelchair, to push her through a window along with her caretaker with the help of Pinckney's wife and other neighbors before fire and rescue showed up to fight the blaze. While Pinckney did put his own life at risk, he says it was a no-brainer to leap into action, especially after serving in the military for 30 years. 'We are expected to put our lives on the line for our fellow man, and just being a decent person, knowing they were elderly. I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing they perished,' said Pinckney. Pinckney says Griffin was beyond thankful for saving her life and always showed her appreciation. He often went to visit her after the fire, took her some oatmeal cookies because that's what she liked, and every time they sat with her, it was a big kiss and a thank you. He says he wants to thank the city of Enterprise and the Carnegie Foundation for this honor. 'I'm not a hero, just someone who wanted to help the fellow man,' said Pinckney. The Carnegie Medal, awarded by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, is given to citizens who demonstrate bravery while saving another. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dothan child battling life-threatening liver disease finally makes transplant list
DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN)—After months of battling a rare and deadly liver disease, Noah Hallford and his family received some great news this week. 'We found out yesterday morning that he was approved for a split transplant here at the children's hospital, which is big because they haven't been doing that…and then at the same time, we found out we were approved for transplant in Pittsburgh,' Noah's mom, Shelby, said. Ever since he was born, Noah has been suffering from biliary atresia, which occurs when the liver's bile ducts are blocked or absent, resulting in Noah having to undergo numerous tests and surgeries. Community coming together for Wiregrass baby needing a new liver This recent news does not guarantee that Noah will receive a liver, but it does place him on the coveted transplant list. Initially, the Children's of Alabama hospital, located in Birmingham, lacked the necessary surgeons needed to perform a split liver transplant, where one half of a dead patient's liver would be given to Noah. Forcing the Hallfords to make the trip to Pittsburgh to see if they could be approved for a living donor. But now that the Alabama hospital can offer split donors, it's a massive weight off the shoulders of a family that is already weathering numerous storms. 'Pittsburgh is the best place for liver transplants in general,' Shelby said. 'But I will say, with our situation and our five-year-old and having to be away from her so much, the possibility of being able to do it here is amazing.' While this is a massive accomplishment for the family, the Hallfords sadly found themselves back in the hospital a little over a week before receiving the news. Doctors discovered that Noah had multiple esophageal varices, which are enlarged and swollen veins in the lower part of the esophagus, and can lead to severe bleeding in the throat. But throughout the entire process, which included more tests and shots, the family says that Noah has continued to be a trooper. 'I'm in awe of his strength, Shelby said. 'He's a baby, he doesn't really know what all is going on…It's like nothing ever happened; he's happy and he's playing.' The Hallfords admitted that this entire process has undoubtedly taken its toll on the family, but luckily, they haven't gone through it alone. From the multiple fundraisers to help them financially, to friends and family offering to take their daughter out for fun activities while they stay in the hospital with Noah, the family says they could not have done any of this without the support of their community. 'Like I said, it's overwhelming, and we are so appreciative of everything. We couldn't make it without our Wiregrass family.' The family says Noah will undergo further testing to treat the esophageal varices, and if everything goes as planned, they expect Noah to be back home within the next couple of weeks. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
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Enterprise businessman has eyes set on Alabama governorship
ENTERPRISE, Ala (WDHN) — An Enterprise businessman has thrown his hat in the ring for the highest office in the state. Chad Chig Martin is running for Alabama governor on the democratic ticket. This is Martin's second time running. His first was in 2022. 'I just feel like I have the business experience to do this, and I see a changing of the guard with Governor Ivey leaving here in the state, and I think I can offer a more energetic and positive direction,' Martin said. Currently, Martin is the owner of Honeysuckle Hemp in Dothan and has experience in aerospace and real estate. Leaning on his experience to focus on economic development for the state if he gets a chance to become governor. 'We've got areas that have been overlooked for years, and people are suffering in those areas. I want to put infrastructure in those areas, and some other things I want are to make sure every child has affordable health care,' Martin said. He says he also wants to restore 'community pride' in public schools as well as crack the code on a contentious legislative issue. 'We need to step up and get a lottery, it's not a moral compass thing, it's the fact 46 out of 50 states have it, and we are building schools in other states with that money,' he said. If Martin can get through the primary, he could face political heavyweight Senator Tommy Tuberville, who has previously expressed opposition to the lottery. Tuberville announced his gubernatorial run this week. The football coach-turned-politician said he would work to improve education and bring manufacturing to the Yellowhammer State, while attempting to stop illegal immigration. Sen. Tommy Tuberville running for governor of Alabama It would be an uphill battle for Martin, who says his first step is getting past the primary, which he claims is controlled by the black belt region — he would have to garner over 70,000 votes. 'I'm trying to reach out to Black voters, work with community leaders, and let them know they have a seat at the table,' said Martin. Martin says his campaign this year is off to a better start than last time, as he has a campaign manager this time, more funding, and he will soon participate in some debates around the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Family of Troy man killed in hit-and-run searching for answers
TROY, Ala. (WDHN) — Family members of Wiley Noble Morse, an avid walker, are searching for answers after they found out he was killed in a hit-and-run over the weekend. 'Shocked and devastated is what I can say because the mother was just with him hours previously before that, and she just broke down crying when we told her, and for the whole family, it's just a sense of loss,' said Jason Buchanan, the victim's brother-in-law. Morse, along with his dog known as 'Punk Munk' was walking to his friend's house along Highway 231 near Troy Sunday night, and then tragedy struck when troopers say a car that failed to stop hit Morse, yet the driver kept going. 'If the guy had stopped, the other guy probably wouldn't have hit him,' Buchanan said. Moments later, he was hit again by a different car driven by a 25-year-old from Pansey in Houston County. The family says they have yet to hear anything from law enforcement about the first vehicle description or identity of the driver. 'We just want justice if what happened was true, and he did get hit, and the guy did leave,' He said. 'We just want justice because how can someone do something and then just leave an injured person sitting there, it's just sad and I hope the person is found.' Buchanan said his brother-in-law walked everywhere. He was a kind person who didn't have much, as he faced life struggles. However, he said you wouldn't have ever known. 'He was fun, he would make you laugh, he talked so fast and sounded like Boomhauer off King of the Hill, he talked that fast and you can hardly understand him,' His brother-in-law said laughing. 'If you were in trouble, he would give you the shirt off his back.' The family has just started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral expenses since he did not have insurance. 'With the generosity of the public, if we could go ahead and fill in that last gap to give him a proper burial, that way the family will have closure, and we can work on the next chapter of life,' He added. If you have any information about the hit-and-run, you are asked to contact ALEA, at (334) 983-4587. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Four arrested in Dothan armed robbery
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Four, including a juvenile, have been arrested after an armed robbery on Memorial Day. On Monday, Dothan Police responded to the 2900 block of Saint Peter Street on reports of a robbery. Police say the victim was sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle when a man got into the passenger's side of the car, pulled a gun, and demanded the money from the victim. According to Dothan Police, three other suspects came out of a nearby house, all with guns, and assisted in the robbery. After the robbery, the suspect fled into a home, but the house was quickly surrounded by responding officers, police said in a release. Three of the suspects have been identified as 19-year-old Malachi Ray, of Columbia, 18-year-old Dallas Porter, and Camron Jackson. The fourth suspect, a juvenile under 18, has not been publicly identified. All suspects have been charged with robbery in the first degree, and the juvenile has been charged as an adult. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
