Pierre Little, publisher of the Machias Valley News Observer and The Calais Advertiser this week announced he has purchased a newspaper located in Ozark, Alabama, The Southern Star, the state’s oldest family newspaper.

The Southern Star has been in the Adams family for 154 years, initially begun by Joe Adams’s great grandfather in 1867, when the county seat was located in the town of Newton. When the county seat moved 10 miles away to Ozark, The Southern Star moved, too.

Carroll and Tallasee exchanged touchdowns in a wild contest in the regular season. Tallassee scored to escape with a 45-35 win.

Keyshawn Cole ran for a touchdown and passed for 4 more to lead Carroll.

Cole threw touchdown passes of 12

yards to Jason Macintosh, 27 yards to Takoda Mcloud, 61 yards to Payton Plott, and 66 yards to Jordan Killings. The Killings touchdown cut the Tallassee lead to 6 with 1:43 left in the game. Carroll finished the regular season 4-6 and will travel for a playoff game this week at Central Clay County.

Jim Preuitt, a legendary House member, State Senator, and Probate Judge of Talladega County passed away in September at age 86. Jim was one of my best legislative buddies. We came to the legislature together in 1982 and became fast friends. We became seat mates in the House, and we were inseparable during our entire first four-year term (1982 -1986).

Ozark City and Dale County Schools are seeing the effects of distance learning after a release from Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama last month indicated low proficiency scores during the 2020-2021 school year for some schools in the two school districts. The schools with the lowest proficiency scores were D.A. Smith Middle School in Ozark at 7.08% of students reaching proficiency in math and only 10.39% of students at Mixon obtaining proficiency.

Ozark City Schools is planning to share holiday fun and festivities during its 7th Annual Ozark City Schools Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar on Friday, December 3. The annual event will last all day in the Carroll High School practice gym with vendor and raffle proceeds supporting the school system’s At-Risk students and their educational and personal needs. 

After adhering to the 2020 CDC guidelines, the school system was unable to host the event last year; however, this year they are excited by the opportunity to support their students through this event. 

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark City Police Department swore in two new reserve officers Friday, November 5. Reserve Officers Travis E. Ogburn and James Andrew Lemons were sworn in Friday morning after completing their training under Sergeant Jerome Nile. 

Mayor Mark Blankenship extended his thanks to Ogburn and Lemons, telling them he looked forward to working with them. 

(Editor’s Note: Story reprinted from www.AuburnTigers.com)

AUBURN, Ala. – No. 16 Auburn scored touchdowns on its first four drives to build a 25-point lead but Mississippi State answered with six consecutive touchdown drives to beat the Tigers 43-34 Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Submitted by Bill Sullivan

The Ozark Dale County Library Board of Trustees and Staff were excited to announce the opening of their new location for March 2022. In preparation for the move, the library will close for an extended period beginning December 30 through their tentative opening date of March 1, 2022. During that time the library will not be offering any services. The planned closing is in addition to the library’s regularly scheduled holiday closings which are outlined below. 

By Christina Faulkner

More than 150 students gathered in the Harry N. Mixon School gymnasium to celebrate their accomplishments and honor local heroes on Wednesday, November 10. Students in the 3rd grade at Mixon completed a 10-week civics, character, financial literacy, and social studies program that began with a visit from Libby Liberty in August. 

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark City Schools will remove the mask mandate put into effect at the beginning of this school year. Students may return to school after the Thanksgiving holiday without the requirement of masks in the classroom on Monday, November 29. School officials say the decision came after careful consideration and discussions with local physicians as well as other health officials.

While the mandate has been lifted, school officials are still encouraging the use of masks by students and staff.