Alabama's last state-run residential centers for the disabled, closes

MONTGOMERY, Al.

W.D. Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa

The last resident left the W.D. Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, closing the facility for good, the Alabama Department of Mental Health announced.

Plans to close the facility, which housed had been in operation since 1923 and housed about 150 people, were announced in March. The state has been moving mentally disabled people out of institutions and into community-based centers like group homes for several years, as have other states around the country. Partlow was the last of Alabama's state-run residential centers for the disabled.

The department originally hoped to have the closure completed by September, but that was delayed first to the end of November -- when about 36 people still lived there -- and then again. One resident's family went to court to keep the center open, but a judge dismissed the lawsuit.

Partlow employees protested the closure, as did some officials in Tuscaloosa who said it could overburden local health services. But advocates for the disabled cheered the move.

"This is a great day for people with intellectual disabilities because it makes the statement loud and clear that we are people with ability and we want to be integrated into society rather than segregated into an institution," Jeff Ridgeway, president of People First of Alabama, said in a statement.

Theft suspect spotted by alert neighbor in Auburn

Auburn, Al.
A theft suspect is behind bars after being spotted by an alert resident in the Grove Hill community Wednesday morning.

Sandra Y. Bragg

Sandra Y. Bragg, 33, of Auburn was arrested at approximately 9:38 a.m. and charged with unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle and third-degree theft of property.

Bragg was spotted by the Grove Hill resident at a neighbor’s home when the resident approached Bragg and asked if she needed help. Bragg said she was looking for someone before returning to the Honda Passport she was driving and left, said Auburn Police Division Capt. Tom Stofer.

The resident then called police, who stopped Bragg in the area. Police discovered several electronic items, including GPS units and a laptop computer, inside Bragg’s Honda that were later determined to have been stolen from vehicles on Pinkston Court and McKinley Avenue.

Stofer said police are in the process of identifying the owners of the stolen property, and other charges against Bragg may be forthcoming.

Bragg was transported to the Lee County Detention Facility

Domestic Violence suspect makes things worse for himself

Joseph Michael Westmoreland, white male, 33 years of age, of South St. Andrews Street was arrested and charged with Third Degree Escape, Third Degree Domestic Violence, Giving False Name to Law Enforcement and Third Degree Theft of Property with bond being established later today. 
 

Early this morning the Dothan Police Department responded to a call for service regarding domestic violence at a residence in the 500 block of South Saint Andrews Street. During the course of an on scene investigation, police took a male into custody for domestic violence. The investigation was hindered by the suspects’ refusal to give his information, providing false identity instead. While police were attempting to identify the man, he escaped from police and fled on foot. Police searched the immediate area but were unable to locate the suspect however they were able to secure identity on the man, Joseph Westmoreland. Police worked diligently through the morning following leads on possible locations for Westmoreland. Efforts of patrolmen paid off hours after the initial escape when the suspect was located and arrested, allowing police to close this case.  

Dothan Police need your help

Dothan, Al.

On December 26, 2011 the Dothan Police Department responded to a robbery at Subway, 2336 Ross Clark Circle just before 9:00 p.m. Upon arrival, the clerk told police he was in the back cleaning when two suspects entered the store, each armed with a handgun. The clerk received minor injuries during the robbery when one suspect struck him in the head while demanding money. The suspects took the surveillance video and telephone then fled through the side door on foot after receiving an undisclosed amount of U.S. Currency. The suspects were described as a black male and a white male, both wearing blue bandanas over their faces, all black clothing and black gloves. The black male was further described as being approximately 6’2 tall weighing 160 pounds, twenty to thirty years of age. The white make was further described as being approximately 5’8 tall weighing 140 pounds, twenty to thirty years of age with short dirty blonde hair and a fair complexion. 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.

Parking lot shooter arrested

Dothan, Al.
Brandon Dixon, black male, 21 years of age, of Dixie Drive was arrested and charged with Second Degree Assault with a $5,000 bond.
 

On December 24, 2011 the Dothan Police Department responded to a firearm assault involving one suspect identified as Brandon Dixon. Police say the incident occurred at the Play Boi Palace, 507 N. Cherry Street, however police were not notified until the victim had gone to the hospital and been treated for a gunshot wound to his right foot. The victim identified the suspect to police and stated they had words in the parking lot. Shortly after, the victim heard someone say “He’s got a gun” and saw Dixon approaching him. The victim said he began running but tripped. When he did, Dixon stood over him and fired three to five rounds striking him once in the upper part of his right foot. Investigators say the suspect was arrested December 26, 2011 after turning himself in.