Staff Reports

The Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) has recognized three outstanding local school administrators from District 2 for their leadership and dedication with prestigious awards. Each year, AASSP honors a High School and Middle School Principal of the Year and a High School and Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year. This year, two exceptional leaders within Dale County Schools and one from Ozark City Schools have been named recipients.

• High School Principal of the Year: Matt Humphrey, Dale County High School

By Christina Faulkner

In a solemn ceremony held at Fuqua Bankston, Dale County came together to honor the bravery of first responders and remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001. Sgt. Justin Davis, of the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, led the event with an invocation and heartfelt presentation, highlighting the enduring significance of 9/11 and the lessons it continues to teach.

By Caitlyn Cummings

Cemeteries are important to any community because they are vital reminders of our past and those lived before us. Because of a history of slavery and racism, especially in the American South and in Black communities, cemeteries are vital because a headstone can sometimes be the only record that a person existed. Cemeteries connect our past to our present. 

By Christina Faulkner

A Midland City man has been arrested following an investigation by the Ozark Police Department that uncovered charges of rape and sodomy involving a minor.

Joe Buck Newsome, 48, was taken into custody on Sunday, September 1, and faces charges including one count of 1st Degree Rape, two counts of 2nd Degree Rape, two counts of 2nd Degree Sodomy, and one count of 1st Degree Sodomy.

Newsome was booked into the Dale County Jail early Monday, September 2, at 1:23 a.m. and remains in custody on a $180,000 bond.

By Felicia Farnsworth

Patriot Day, observed annually on September 11, is a day of remembrance and reflection in the United States. It was established to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This solemn day also pays tribute to the courage of the first responders, the resilience of the survivors, and the unity of a nation in the face of an unprecedented tragedy.

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark City Schools and Troy University signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will enhance educational opportunities for local high school students last week on Tuesday, August 27. This agreement introduces an Accelerated Dual Enrollment Program aimed at supporting students who wish to pursue a degree in education while still in high school.

By Caitlyn Cummings

At a meeting of the Dale County Commission on August 28, the commission approved the County Transportation plan for FY 2024-25. The County Transportation plan, developed by the county engineer, outlines the roads that the Road and Bridges Department intends to work on during the year, the type of work anticipated, estimated costs, and the sources of funding for each project. The commission is required by law to approve the transportation plan every year in August.

By Larry Wells

The Southern Star is proud to present this guest editorial by author Larry Wells in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of Dale County.

The area of South Alabama where I grew up is known as "the Wiregrass," so called because of native species of hardy plant. I cannot remember anyone pointing out this wiregrass to me when I was growing up. Yet I heard wiregrass mentioned so often that, for me, it took on mystic overtones of a determination to endure, a South Alabama toughness unbowed under an unrelenting sun.

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark Police Department proudly welcomed three newly certified officers to its ranks on Thursday, August 15. Officers Juan Alvarez, Dylan Griffin, and Dylan Green returned to the department after successfully graduating from the Wiregrass Law Enforcement Academy in Dothan. The graduation ceremony, held at The Forum in Dothan, marked a significant milestone in their journey in law enforcement.

By Christina Faulkner

Midland City Police arrested Mary Jackson, 25, of Dothan, and charged her with murder after a deadly shooting that took place at a Midland City apartment complex in the early morning hours of Friday, August 23.  

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark Boys and Girls Club (BGC) recently signed an agreement with the Ozark City Schools (OCS) to transform the former OCS Central Office building, located in front of D.A. Smith Middle School, into a new facility for a planned teen program.

By Caitlyn Cummings

In an 85-page complaint filed in the Alabama Court of the Judiciary by the Judicial Inquiry Commission, District Judge Stuart Smith was charged with failing to carry out his duties as a judge, delaying the issuing of rulings and orders, dismissing juvenile cases without appointing a guardian to represent the children during the case, and failing to file mandatory six-month reports with the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts (AOC). 

By Caitlyn Cummings

With the technological advances that have been made, kids today will never know the struggle of waiting all day to hear your favorite song on the radio so you could record it or only being able to listen to certain stations between certain hours because that was the only time the government allowed the station to transmit. They’ll also never know how cosmopolitan and modern your town felt when they were allowed to build their very own radio station.

By Caitlyn Cummings

Glamor, talent, poise, and excitement filled the Flowers Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, July 24 as four young women competed for the title of Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Dale County. Competing for the title were Jamya Thornton, Rayna Hicks, Ella Smith, and Sarah Cruz. 

By Caitlyn Cummings

Vivian B. Adams School is a one-of-a-kind school that provides specialized care and services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The school serves people of all ages from birth to adult to provide them with opportunities to thrive.

By Travis Parker

After two years of command, Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry II turned over the leadership position of the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) and Fort Novosel to Major General Clair A. Gill in front of a packed audience on the parade field of the post.

By Caitlyn Cummings

Various civic leaders and citizens gathered at the Ozark Municipal Building on Thursday, July 25 for the one-year review of the City of Ozark’s Strategic Plan. This review highlighted improvements made in the city over the past year in areas such as housing, infrastructure, healthcare, community appearance, education, and business development.

By Christina Faulkner

The Racetrack Community in Ozark, Alabama, stands as a testament to a forgotten legacy marred by broken promises and displacement. This neighborhood, rooted in history, began as Ozark's first park in 1893, with the establishment of the Ozark Racetrack. Over time, it became home to a close-knit community of black landowners whose vibrant lives were abruptly disrupted by the city's actions in the late 20th century.

By Christina Faulkner

Daleville – The Daleville Police Department has arrested Ricky McCray for the murder of his estranged wife, Stephanie McCray, in a shocking incident that occurred at McDonald's on July 13.

At approximately 10:54 p.m., Daleville Police Officers responded to a call at McDonald's regarding a female who had been shot. Upon arrival, officers found Stephanie McCray inside her vehicle, unresponsive. Officers initiated CPR until EMS arrived, then secured the scene and began interviewing McDonald's employees.

By Caitlyn Cummings

The Ozark City Council voted unanimously to approve a budget of just over $36 million for the City of Ozark for Fiscal Year 24-25. The vote came after the council attended a special budget meeting hosted by City Clerk and Chief Financial Officer Chris Peters who gave an informative presentation.

The story of one Israeli hostage and his 3-year-old granddaughter

By Anav Silverman Peretz, Special to The Southern Star

Updated July 22, 2024 at 11:13 a.m.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting with my family at McDonalds, on the way back home to our home in the Negev desert after a visit with our in-laws in Raanana. Our kids were munching on French fries, while my husband went to get our order. I watched Israelis, young and old, sitting together in the American fast food chain, quite popular in Israel. 

Staff Reports

Donald K. Hallford of Ozark was recently re-appointed as the Resident Director for Dale County on the Board of Directors of the Choctawhatchee, Pea and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority (CPYRWMA) for a four-year term. The Oath of Office was administered to Mr. Hallford on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at a ceremony held in the Dale County Courthouse. He has served on the Board since September 2007 when he was initially appointed by the Dale County Soil & Water Conservation District.