By Christina Faulkner

By Caitlyn Cummings

The Kiwanis Club of Ozark held its Annual Banquet on September 17 at Woodham’s Steakhouse, celebrating the induction of new members and officers, honoring outstanding achievements, and recognizing new board members. Alabama District of Kiwanis International Division 10 Lieutenant Governor Pam Alexander assisted with the ceremonies, adding a touch of significance to the occasion.

Staff Reports

Montgomery —  In a celebration of the 60th consecutive year of October Beef Month in Alabama, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has launched the “60 Savory Stops” promotion. This initiative showcases 60 former restaurant winners and finalists from contests like Alabama’s Best Steak, Bama’s Best Beef, and Bama’s Best Burgers, hosted by the ACA for over a decade.

By Christina Faulkner

After witnessing the devastation left by Hurricane Helene in northeastern Georgia and southern South Carolina, Dale County business owner Chris Gayne is taking action to help those in need. Gayne, who owns Dale County Diesel in Daleville, never expected to become a lifeline for hurricane victims when he set out for a training conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. But a detour on his way back home sparked a mission to help.

By Christina Faulkner

As part of Dale County’s bicentennial celebration, the Flowers Center for the Performing Arts will present a special play, Fixins to Tell: Reflection and Recollections of Dale County. Directed by Margie Benson, the production will be held on Thursday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. at the Flowers Center. The play, which explores significant moments from Dale County's 200-year history, will feature Ian Hudspeth portraying Joseph H. Adams, a pivotal figure in local history.

By Christian Peterman

The City of Ozark joined Ozark City Schools in their quest to encourage school attendance and eliminate chronic absenteeism with the signing of a proclamation declaring Attendance Awareness Month in the City of Ozark on Tuesday, September 17. Key school officials were in attendance to hear the proclamation read and witness its signing by Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship.

By Christina Faulkner

In a shocking turn of events, two daycare workers from Daleville were arrested on Thursday, September 12, following a report of child abuse that has sent ripples through the community. The Daleville Police Department apprehended 20-year-old Kailey Gilley of Daleville and 30-year-old Magan Koker of Enterprise after receiving a distress call from Medical Center Enterprise (MCE) regarding allegations of abuse. Both women now face serious charges of Aggravated Child Abuse.

By Christina Faulkner

The Farm City Committee gathered this past week for their annual breakfast at Hoppergrass Restaurant in Ozark on Wednesday, September 11, marking the start of preparations for this year's Farm City Celebration. Committee Chair Monica Carroll had several exciting announcements, signaling that this year promises to be memorable.

By Larry Wells

Dale County will celebrate its 200th anniversary on Sept. 26, paying tribute to the accomplishments, adventures and day-to-day struggles of the pioneers who founded the county named for Indian fighter Sam Dale in 1824.

By Christina Faulkner

In Ozark, some residents believe the city's Abandoned Vehicle ordinance (Article III, Sec. 9-33) is in need of a revision. Barbara Davis Jackson, a long-time resident, recently experienced what she considers an unfair application of the ordinance, prompting her to advocate for changes. Jackson argues that the current rules are particularly burdensome for low-income families and single-parent households in the city, who may not have the resources to comply with the strict timeframes for addressing vehicle issues.

By Caitlyn Cummings

Seawell McKee, of McKee and Associates in Montgomery, was the guest speaker at a joint meeting of the Ozark Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs on September 3 at the Hoppergrass Restaurant. McKee’s firm are the designers of the new field and stadium at Carroll High School.

By Larry Wells

The literary tradition of the South is a heritage and an enigma. Why has the South been so hospitable to writers and writing? Where and how did this nurturing take place?

From my own experience, I see now that the responsibility and the credit belong primarily to the women.

Submitted by County Extension Coordinator Melissa Voynich

The 29th Annual South Alabama Pro Rodeo Classic filled the Dale County AgPlex in Ozark last Friday and Saturday, August 30 and 31, showcasing amazing music, comedy, and cowboys.

The Rodeo Committee, chaired by Shelby Easterling, brought a magnificent event to town, improving on last year’s Rodeo experience with several innovative ideas and promotions.

Staff Reports

Montgomery—Dale County Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon has been elected to serve as a member of the 2024-2025 Legislative Committee of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama (ACCA), the statewide association representing Alabama’s 67 county governments.

By Caitlyn Cummings

At the August 20 meeting of the Ozark City Council, members of the Ozark-Dale County E911, Ozark Police Department, Ozark Fire Department, and Ozark EMS were commended for their quick response time to the near-drowning emergency of a five-year-old Ozark child. It was a mere sixteen minutes from the arrival of first responders on the scene to their arrival at Dale Medical Center. The child was later flown to UAB Children’s Hospital in Birmingham where he made a full recovery.

By Christina Faulkner

The Dale County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jason Leger, of Midland City, Sunday night after a disturbing call resulted in a standoff and a murder investigation.

According to Sheriff Mason Bynum, Ozark-Dale County E911 received a call reporting a suspicious circumstance at a residence on the 2300 block of South County Road 67 on Sunday, August 25, at approximately 6:24 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies encountered a highly agitated man standing in the doorway of the home, armed with a handgun.

By Caitlyn Cummings

Access to proper healthcare has always been vital to any community and the communities in Dale County are no different. There have been two hospitals in Dale County: Grace Hospital and Dale County Hospital (now Dale Medical Center). 

By Caitlyn Cummings

The Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ozark Economic Development Corporation hosted a beautiful welcome reception for Major General Clair A. Gill at the Holman House on August 12. The event was well attended by civic leaders, school officials, and business leaders. Food and a cash bar were provided by El Palacio. 

By Christina Faulkner

Kevin James Streeter, a 24-year-old resident of Ozark, was arrested Monday after a 16-hour manhunt for him and his accomplice, Kaelin Larell Magwood, 20, also of Ozark. The search followed a shooting that left two individuals receiving treatment for gunshot wounds on Sunday night.

According to the Ozark Police Department, Dale Medical Center reported the gunshot wounds, prompting a response from both the Ozark Police Department (OPD) and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office.

By Christina Faulkner

Joseph “Joe” Holman Adams Sr., long-time editor, publisher and publisher emeritus of The Southern Star newspaper in Ozark, passed away unexpectedly Friday, August 2, 2024, at his home on Broad Street. He was 91 years old.

By Christian Peterman

For Crews Barbershop, giving back is about  making a significant difference in the lives of students within the Ozark community. As the new school year begins, their dedication to giving back shines through as they provide free haircuts to young men during their Free Back-to-School Haircut event.

By Caitlyn Cummings

South African President Nelson Mandela is often quoted as saying, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Throughoutj the years, the students of Ozark have been fortunate to have had many educators who have dedicated their careers to furthering the pursuit of education for all students in Ozark. Emma P. Flowers and D.A. Smith were two educators who played a large role in laying the foundation for today’s Ozark City Schools.