Dothan Currents
WTVY Photo Album - Share Your Digital Phots & Videos
WTVY Online Poll
Is Your Electric Bill On a Budget Plan?

Yes
No


WTVY Enews - Get daily email news updates.
Stay informed on the go!  news4oncall.com
Online Extra
Money Matters
Email your questions and comments.
Wiregrass Most Wanted
View the 'Most Wanted' in the Wiregrass.
Sex Offenders
  • Alabama

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • 4 Your Health
    Stay up to date with all recent 4 Your Health stories.
    Amber Alerts
    Stay up to date with recent Amber Alerts.
    Arson May Be Reason for Alleged Local Hate Crimes Save Email Print
    Posted: 4:38 PM May 14, 2008
    Last Updated: 7:22 PM May 14, 2008
    Reporter: Vanessa Araiza
    Email Address: vanessa@wtvy.com

    A | A | A

    A Wiregrass family feels their lifestyle is making them a target for arsonists.

    Wednesday morning, a second attempt was made to burn their home down.

    The family says they are in fear for their lives and for their unborn child.

    Lewis and her partner are expecting a baby in about eight weeks, but if that isn't enough to worry about, they're afraid their home will be set on fire for a third time.

    "Around April 28th we had a house fire on one end of the trailer, which was arson; and, two weeks and two days to the date we had arson committed at the end of the trailer," Lewis recalls.

    Lewis lives in Grimes with her girlfriend and 17-year-old daughter.

    She believes the acts are a hate crime because of her chosen lifestyle. "We had threatening phone calls; I think it’s a hate crime because [we’re] a gay couple," she adds.

    Lewis says what's even worse about the second fire is not only is it a reoccurrence, but it was set right in her daughter’s room.

    "By the time I got to my daughter’s bedroom, it was completely full of smoke, I couldn't see her,” Lewis says. “I had to feel for her and I found her and I grabbed her and pulled her out of bed and we got out."

    Now, Lewis and her family feel officials aren't taking the case seriously.

    However, local authorities say they are following the necessary steps with this situation.

    Harvey Mathis, with the Dale County Sheriff's Office said, "If we move in haste we could compromise a case; a lot of times, it’s not as fast as people want it to happen, but we have to operate within the constitutional rounds given to us."

    Lewis and her family hope something will be done soon, so they no longer have to live in fear.

    They do have a suspect in mind and will soon be questioning the possible culprit.

    More Stories
    Possible Pilot Program for Credit Card Collection

    Jail Needs More Money for HIV Inmates

    County Vehicles May Face Speed Limit Changes

    Sheriff Office Asks for Increase in Jail’s Pharmacy Account

    Enterprise Residential and Economic Development

    Opp Industrial Park Continues Growth

    Ponce de Leon High School Principal Back to the Classroom

    Our Family for Families First Awards Grants

    Post Your Comments
    First Name:
    Location:
    Enter Comments: characters left
    Email (optional):
    Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
    WTVY News On Demand
    AP Video
    Live @ Lunch with Angie Casey
    Troy Cosmetic Surgery