By Adam Kamerer

Chili fans gathered in downtown Ozark last Saturday for the first annual Red Hot Chili Cookoff, for food, fun, and music. The event was sponsored by the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Benchmark Wine & Beer Garden, LilliMaggs Butts and Beverages, and Live at Harlow’s.

By Adam Kamerer

An assessment team from Alabama Communities of Excellence visited Ozark last Thursday and Friday.

By Adam Kamerer

The Ozark City Council approved a pay raise for the city’s police and fire departments at their February 15th meeting.

Under the new plan, police and fire will have their own pay scales uniquely suited to their advancement structures. Up until now, police and fire have used the same 15-step pay scale as other city employees. Police will have a 12-step pay scale, while the fire department will use a 14-step pay scale.

By Christina Faulkner

The recent pandemic has affected everyone. Volunteer Fire Departments and EMS especially have been hit hard in the last two years. COVID interrupted the fundraising efforts of every nonprofit or community organization across the nation. Usually holding three to four BBQ fundraisers throughout the year, the Marley Mill Volunteer Fire Department (MMVFD) has not held a BBQ fundraiser since March 2020. However, that is about to change. 

By Adam Kamerer

Ozark Police Department arrested a man last Thursday morning for setting fire to a home on Broad Street in Ozark.

According to a press release, a witness reported a man, later identified as 31-year-old Douglas Anthony Davis, breaking a window on a home in the 200 block of Broad Street about 5:48 a. m. on March 3. When officers arrived, Davis became combative and attempted to flee inside the residence. Officers apprehended Davis and noticed smoke coming from inside the residence.

By Adam Kamerer

Two Ozark parks are getting some much-needed attention.

Work began Friday at Oben Everett Park to grade a play area in preparation for new playground equipment being installed this week. Trees were also removed. “These upgrades have been long overdue, and the outcome will be an almost brand-new park at Oben Everett when they are finished,” says Geri Wieseler, Aquatics Director for Ozark Leisure Services.

[BREAKING] Drive-by shooting in front of the local MacDonald's. Multiple victims confirmed.

More details will be in this week's issue out of newsstands tomorrow. The Southern Star can report a shooting that occurred between 5 and 5:30 this evening resulted in multiple individuals being transported by ambulance to area hospitals. It is unclear at this time the extent of injuries. Ozark Police Department has released a statement saying the area surrounding McDonald's is now safe. A suspect is now in police custody and was apprehended on Noah Circle and Martin Luther King Blvd.

Ozark Police Department has released more information about the drive-by shooting that occurred yesterday, March 15. At approximately 5:20 p. m., police were dispatched to the intersection of Highway 231 and Andrews Avenue in reference to a male subject that had been shot.

Ozark Police and Dale County Sheriff deputies arrived on the scene and discovered five male victims had been shot. Three were transported to Dale Medical Center for treatment and were released while two were transported to Southeast Health and are listed in critical condition.

In a back-and-forth game, Sahara Moreno headed the ball in on a cross from Emmy Ganey with 12 minutes left to give the Lady Eagles the 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.  Carroll opened the scoring on a Moreno goal assisted by Ganey midway in the first half.  Northside Methodist answered quickly on a goal by Sydney Freeman to tie the game. The game stayed tied until the late Moreno goal.   Ashlyn Yarbrough had 9 saves in goal for Carroll.

By Adam Kamerer

Bullying has always been an issue in schools, but today’s educators are tasked with addressing bullying through new mediums, such as Snapchat group chats and curated Instagram accounts, an issue with which Carroll High School administrators recently dealt.

Friday: A line of strong to severe storms will move through the area today, beginning in southeast Alabama and northwest Florida late this morning and continuing eastward through the area this afternoon and evening. Damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes (possibly a strong tornado) are the main threats.

By Adam Kamerer

Ozark Community Tennis and Pickleball has launched a spring tennis clinic for homeschoolers. The clinic is held Thursdays between March 10 and April 14 at the tennis courts at Steagall Park.

Elizabeth Wyse, co-owner, says the new clinic has been very popular. “We have 22 registered students,” Wyse says. “We actually had to close it at 22 and push some towards our pickleball clinic.” This is the first homeschooler clinic that Ozark Community Tennis has hosted.

By Christina Faulkner

After 15 years serving Dale County in the Sheriff’s Office, Chief Deputy Mason Bynum has announced his bid for Sheriff. As Sheriff Wally Olson plans his retirement, Bynum, an Ozark native, hopes to use his education, experience, extensive training, and relationships in the community to further the department’s goal of a safe community for all of Dale County. 

By Adam Kamerer

At the March 15 Ozark City Council meeting, Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship informed the city council that the city has begun the process of using eminent domain to acquire a piece of property near the corner of North Union Avenue and East Avenue, on which the city wants to build a permanent farmer’s market building.

Editor’s Note: Reprinted from RollTide.com

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Alabama baseball paired a late rally with standout pitching to secure a 6-2 win on Sunday afternoon at Dudy Noble Field. The victory moves the Crimson Tide to 14-11 overall and 2-4 in Southeastern Conference play.

By Adam Kamerer

“Stormin’” Norman Horton, best known for the towing and recovery business he operated in the Wiregrass for many years, is running for Jimmy Holley’s District 31 seat in the Alabama State Senate. Holley has held the seat for 24 years but has decided not to seek re-election.