Good morning, Dothan.

Chad and Anna Wells are opening their new pumpkin patch at Wells Farms this fall to bring local families a fun day out and a chance to learn about where food comes from — they will operate on weekends in October with hours on Fridays and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wiregrass United Way and Ozark Farmer's Market are hosting Dinner Downtown with a menu of salad, brisket, baked beans, rolls — and dessert; tickets are available at FUMC and Ozark City Hall.

Last Wednesday, CornDodgers Farm in Headland opened its gates free for teachers, parents and children with special needs—buses started arriving around 9:15 a.m. and kids enjoyed tractor rides, mazes, bike riding and visits with the animals while families facing challenges felt uplifted by the event.

The House of Ruth, a domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center, opened in Dothan yesterday to offer essential support to victims—marking an important milestone in local service efforts.

Its opening reflects continuing commitment to help those in need.

Maurice Vertren Martinestz, a beloved local man known for his love of fishing and Alabama Football, died on October 5 at age 63 in Dothan — leaving behind his wife Marilyn, daughter Essie, and granddaughter Na’Kaiyah.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday, October 10 at Sunset Funeral Home — with friends welcomed one hour before the service.

Dothan Beacon of Hope will host Haunted Mansion's Graveyard soon — featuring a trunk-or-treat, a sensory room, food, games, a bounce house and haunted house — and local families are invited to join the fall festivities.

For the first time, locals are invited to nominate Dothan’s favorite businesses — restaurants, shops, services, and healthcare providers — during the nomination period from Oct.6 to Oct.23.

Voting will run from Oct.27 to Nov.19 and winners will be announced the week of Nov.24.

Clay Dempsey shared that the Dothan Civic Center will host local productions and stand-up comedy tours soon — providing details on how to purchase tickets.

The Price is Right Live will be hosted by a celebrity on Friday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m.—bringing classic games like The Big Wheel, Plinko, Cliffhangers, and the Showcase to the Dothan Civic Center for contestants to win appliances, vacations, electronics, and a car—with pre-sale and regular tickets available soon.

The Wiregrass Museum of Art and Visit Dothan have announced that local artist Erica Bey will be featured in the Fall Create Dothan art exhibition series, which starts in July and runs through November 7 during Visit Dothan’s operating hours.

Bey’s detailed wildlife watercolor paintings capture the spirit of local animals—highlighting the region’s natural beauty.

A partnership among local law enforcement and mental health services is training officers using real-life stories to learn how to handle stressful calls safely—Capt. James Ivey said the method helps them respond better to people in crisis.

The training will help officers manage calls calmly—improving response to events in our community.

On Oct. 6, three newcomers joined returning members on Dothan’s city commission—marking a leadership change that brings fresh perspectives to local government.

A new law has raised Alabama’s medical age of consent to 16—minors must now have parental consent for most health services unless they are emancipated or have graduated high school.

The law, which took effect Oct. 1, also requires written parental permission for school counseling and allows exceptions for urgent care such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, or substance abuse treatment.

Champions of Hope 2025

8 a.m. — The Plant — $ — Celebrate resilience and community support at this annual event for cancer survivors and their families.

Alabama Horror Festival

10 AM-5 PM — Dothan City Civic Center — Admission details not provided — Celebrate all things spooky at this community horror festival.

VMware vSphere 8.0 Skill Up Training Class

5-day training — Wallace Community College — $2400 — Elevate your virtualization skills with in-depth VMware vSphere 8.0 training.

Halloween Latin Night

6:30-9 p.m. — Taj Indian & Greek Restaurant — Special cocktails available — Celebrate Halloween with Latin dance and a costume contest.

Vincent Mason Live Performance

7-8:30 p.m. — National Peanut Festival — Tickets starting at $80 — Vincent Mason brings an unforgettable musical experience to Dothan.

Shenandoah Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — National Peanut Festival — Tickets from $65 — Experience the unforgettable sounds of Shenandoah live in Dothan.