COTTONWOOD, Ala (WDNews) – Cottonwood Rescue will remain operational despite initial plans to close following a state audit revealing a substantial financial discrepancy. The department was scheduled to shut down at 4:00 p.m. on Friday after the county’s emergency medical services association withdrew its funding in response to the audit.
Rickey Stokes, President of Cottonwood Rescue, has faced scrutiny from the Houston County Commission since the audit’s findings were disclosed. To keep the EMS service running, Stokes announced he will resign on Friday afternoon. He plans to hand over the department’s keys to Beau Deatherage, the Fire Chief at Hodgesville Volunteer Fire Department, ensuring Cottonwood Rescue continues its essential services.
