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

AUBURN, Ala. – No. 1 Auburn unfurled a banner for its legendary former coach, agreed to a new contract with its legendary current coach and extended the nation's longest active win streak to 17, defeating Oklahoma 86-68 Saturday at Auburn Arena in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

"Great atmosphere in Auburn Arena," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. "This Challenge matters. We got better tonight."

By Christopher Mobley

The suspect in an Ozark shooting that left one man critically wounded has been arrested in southeast Barbour County, and is currently being held in the Dale County Jail. 

Isaiah McGuire is a suspect in a shooting that occurred on Chancey Drive in Ozark on December 17 that left one victim in critical condition. McGuire was apprehended in Barbour County after being stopped for a traffic infraction. 

By Adam Kamerer

When Bill and Rita Eggers moved to Ozark from Mesa, Arizona, they purchased the contents of their new home along with the house itself, but they didn’t realize the treasure trove the previous owner had left behind. “We’ve still got buildings to go through,” says Bill Eggers. “We found all sorts of things. Old books, tools, maps, train sets. If there was one of something, we found more.”

By Christopher Mobley

More after school activities and learning opportunities are here for the children of Ozark with the opening of a new free after school program in the city. 

The All of God’s Children after-school program was founded by Shanika Reeves, officially opening its doors to the public on January 5, 2022. Reeves has over 15 years of experience working with children and families in different programs, including being the Youth Director at Saint Paul AME church in Ozark. 

By Adam Kamerer

The old National Guard Armory on U.S. Highway 231 in Ozark is being torn down and a new career center for Dale County Schools is being built in its place.

“We originally planned on using the old armory building,” says Dale County Schools Superintendent Ben Baker. That plan didn’t work out -- storm damage condemned the building a few years ago. It was more cost-effective to demolish the building and build a new structure than to try to repair the damage to the aging building, according to Baker.

Progress continues on the new Wiregrass RC&D mural. "We're going for a coloring book look on this one. Bright colors," says muralist Wes Hardin. "The theme of this mural is all about 'Community'."

By Adam Kamerer

The Dale County Council of Arts and Humanities donated new watercolor kits to Carroll High School’s art program last week.

Pam Nolin, art instructor, received the donation at the Council’s February 7 meeting. The donation, consisting of $750 worth of professional watercolor paints and watercolor paper, was funded through a local community grant from Walmart.

By Christina Faulkner

Two of Fort Rucker’s own were presented with the Purple Heart at the Army Aviation Museum in a ceremony held Monday, February 14. Sergeant First Class Carlos Porres, Jr. and Staff Sergeant Deanna Lucchessi both sustained injuries during a January 8, 2020 Iranian ballistic missile attach on Ayr al-Assad Air Base in Iraq. General Paul E. Funk, II presented the award to the two American heroes. 

By: Christina Faulkner

DOTHAN - A two-vehicle crash that occurred in Houston County Wednesday night, February 16, has claimed the life of a Dale County woman. Teresa A. Melvin, 57, of Newville was the passenger in a 2018 Hyundai Elantra driven by Andrew J. Cooley, 21, of Midland City, when the vehicle in which she was traveling struck the rear of a 2003 Ford Mustang driven by Donald T. Glenn, 41, of Dothan. 

By Adam Kamerer

Less than a quarter mile from the downtown square in Ozark, an illegal dump site has been growing for years. On Hull Avenue, a little-used city road behind Vicker’s Signs, huge piles of tires, roofing materials, broken furniture, and tree trimming debris line the roadway, some of it spilling into the gully behind the road.

By Adam Kamerer

At their February 15th meeting, the Ozark City Council voted to approve $40,000 for new consoles for the E-911 dispatch center.

Ozark recently purchased Motorola P25 two-way radios for its police and fire departments, which spurred the decision to purchase the new consoles. The Dale County Sheriff’s Department also uses Motorola P25 radios. “It will be better for the city and the county to be on the same system,” says Frankie Wilson, chairman of the E-911 board.

Wallace Community College-Dothan will hold a walk-in COVID-19 Vaccine and Booster Clinic on Monday, February 28, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the Wallace Campus in Dothan. The clinic will be located in Cunningham Hall and is open to the public.

The clinic will offer the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in partnership with the Houston County Department of Public Health. Attendees are asked to bring their vaccination cards and photo identification.