Latest news with #Wiregrass
Yahoo
4 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
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thousands without power in Florida after tornado
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) — Thousands of residents are without power in the Wiregrass as severe thunderstorms pound southeast Alabama and northwest Florida. West Florida Electric Co-op: Approximately 2,867 customers are without power in Jackson County, Florida Approximately 1,438 customers are without power in Walton County, Florida Approximately 587 customers are without power in Washington County, Florida Alabama Power: Approximately 35 customers are without power around Headland, Newton, and Cowarts Dothan Utilities: Approximately one power outage has been reported in Dothan Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wiregrass native named Alabama veteran of the month
ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDHN) — One Wiregrass veteran has another honor to add to his resume, the latest coming from U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville. Enterprise native, Travis Parker, was named the Alabama Veteran of the Month for April. Parker was drafted during the Vietnam War, and though he did not go overseas, he found his role in the military as a medic. Once soldiers returned to the states, Parker served them and treated them for their wounds. Years later, Parker is still fighting for veterans in several ways. From Wiregrass Honor Flights, which flies our local veterans to the nation's capital to see war museums and memorials, to String 4 Heroes, Parker has his hand in many different outlets that seek to care for our veterans. All of his work earned him the honor of Senator Tuberville. Parker appreciates the recognition, but he says that veterans, especially Vietnam veterans, face many challenges back in the States. 'To me, the veteran suicide issue is the new version of Asian Orange. The Vietnam veterans have the biggest problem with that now,' Parker said. Next month, Parker will be helping out with a veteran suicide awareness workshop in Ozark. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Coffee Co. family mourns loss of Army veteran; ESCC athlete rehabilitates after crash
ENTERPRISE, Ala. (WDHN) — A Coffee County community is rallying around a Wiregrass athlete, and another family prepares to bury their loved one after a deadly March crash. The crash occurred on March 27, 2025, and involved Enterprise State baseball star, Gaines Harrell, and distinguished Army veteran, Rey Maldonado. 'I had just gotten home, and our coaches texted us that Gaines had been in a bad wreck,' ESCC teammate of Gaines Harrell, Hunter Williams said. 'I was very shocked and very worried. Officials say a vehicle driven by Maldonado crossed the lines and hit the truck of Harrell. Maldonado died at the scene. 'He will be greatly missed because he had a wonderful personality,' Enterprise Senior Center Coordinator, Angela Lane said. 'He was a good person who didn't mind helping.' Lane met Maldonado and his wife when they joined the Enterprise Senior Center five years ago. Lane says they dedicated time to going to events, helping others, and making sure everybody at the center felt included. 'He spoke English and Spanish,' Lane said. 'Him being here to bridge the gap between Spanish and English was a great thing because we want everybody to feel all-included.' Harrell was critically injured in the crash and was transported to a Florida hospital. Doctors say Harrell suffered two broken femurs, two shattered ankles, and a broken knee. After undergoing extensive surgeries last week, he had to be put in a medically induced coma. He came out of the coma last weekend. 'Sunday morning, he sent us a Snapchat of him lying in the bed,' Williams said. 'He's doing better.' Now, Gaines is receiving physical therapy at Encompass Health in Dothan, where they are working on his core and upper body. This is so that Gaines can transfer from a bed to a chair or vehicle because he will not be able to put weight on his legs for about three months. Harrell, for the Weevils, was the second-best batter on the team and was coming off a spectacular performance before the crash happened. He notched five hits and an RBI in a doubleheader against Coastal Alabama, which earned him an ACCC Player of the Week honor. Now he is on the long road to recovery, but he will have a community behind him on that journey. 'It's really awesome to see a community come together and really support,' Classmate of Gaines, Shelby Dewberry said. Community members have set up a GoFundMe, scheduled a fried shrimp fundraiser, and sold almost 600 bracelets to help Gaines. People still have until Sunday to purchase a bracelet, and the shrimp fundraiser will be held on April 19 at 11:00 a.m. 'It's green and has Gaines' jersey number, and then it also has a bible verse that was in his caption,' Dewberry said. 'So we put that on there.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Yahoo
The Sincere Tyson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser is underway in the Wiregrass
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) -A Wiregrass mother is hosting a scholarship fundraiser, in honor of her son, Sincere Tyson, who was murdered in 2021. Sincere's mother, Lerwanna McClinden, is raising awareness about the 'Sincere Tyson CEO Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser,' which is an event to help raise money for a scholarship foundation, in honor of her son. Lerwanna's goal is to keep her son's memory alive, by helping encourage and motivate others to accomplish their wants and needs. She said the money is not only for people who attend school, but it is for anyone who needs it. Sincere was shot in his sleep at the Abbey Oakes Apartments after his niece's birthday party on October 9th, 2021. The fundraiser is happening March 29th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Master's Touch Creations, where there will be a provided dinner, door prizes and adult beverages. The dress code is white, and the entry fee for the event is $20 a person. Anyone who cannot attend and is looking to donate can give money to Lerwanna's Cash App, at $NanNan11, or her Zelle at Lerwanna McClinden. Anyone interested in applying can directly contact Lerwanna. Click here for more information on the fundraiser. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
