High Speed Chase on Highway 231 ends in deadly shooting

A high speed chase came to a deadly end for one suspect in Ozark on Highway 231 this evening, May 2. 

While Sheriff Wally Olson was unable to release any details of the incident, it is known that officer involved shooting occurred as the chase came to a close shortly after 5 p.m. this evening in the vicinity of the intersection of Deese Rd. and Highway 231. 

The Dale County Coroner was on scene to retrieve the body of the unidentified suspect. Olson advised the Sheriif's Office has handed the case over to the Alabama Law Enforcement State Bureau of Investigations.

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Severe Weather Expected Friday

The Wiregrass area will once again experience the threat of severe weather. Willie Worsham, Dale County EMA Director, released a statement advising of the possibility of a more organized threat of strong to severe storms on Friday, May 6. 

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Dale County Relay for Life Hosts Celebration of Hope

By Christina Faulkner

The Dale County Relay for Life hosted Celebration of Hope, Saturday, April 23, at the Ozark Amphitheater between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. The event offered live music, line dancing, games for adults and children, and a Kids’ Corner complete with free popcorn, candy, face painting, and a bouncy house. At the opening of the event, 300 butterflies were released. 

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Wiregrass Blues Fest Rocks AgPlex During First Visit to Ozark

By Christopher Mobley

“It's gonna be a good feeling because I'm gonna deliver like throwing a touchdown! All of them are gonna stand up and cheer! That's what's gonna happen!”

That quote by blues singer, Johnny Rawls of the Mississippi Soul Blues Band, sums up the electric feeling the scene of this year’s Wiregrass Blues Fest brought. Ozark’s Ag Plex was the perfect venue for the crowd that was eager for a show, and the artists who were even more eager to put on a crowd-pleasing show.

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Ozark City Schools Celebrate Teacher of the Year Recipients

By Christopher Mobley

Learning and the education of our children was once again celebrated in Ozark as Ozark City Schools honored two teachers whose hard work and dedication earned them Alabama District 2 Teacher of The Year Awards. 

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High Speed Chase Ends in Death of Ozark Man

By Christina Faulkner

Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating an officer-involved shooting after a high-speed chase had a deadly end for one Ozark man on Monday, May 2. According to press releases from the Dale County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and ALEA, Samuel Ed Farnam, 44, of Ozark was fatally injured after officers discharged their weapons in order to apprehend the armed suspect. 

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PeoplesSouth Bank Wins Ozark Business of The Month

By Christopher Mobley

In a world where setting up a bank account is as easy as downloading an app from an online bank and setting up your direct deposit, some people still appreciate having good homegrown customer service. This is where PeoplesSouth Bank of Ozark shines, and definitely what earns the business honors of the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business of The Month. 

“It’s awesome,” said Rachel Barefield, Branch Manager at People’s Bank in Ozark. “I was definitely surprised, but at the same time very appreciative.”

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OCS Superintendent Gives Update at Coffee & Conversation

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark City Schools Superintendent Reeivice Girtman met with community members at the Holman House during the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee & Conversation Wednesday, May 4. Girtman provided a year-in-review and the system’s future plans. 

Girtman briefly spoke about the decisions he and the school board made in regards to COVID over the past year saying, “I think we made the right decisions based on the information we had available at that time.”

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DCSO Shows Appreciation for New Aircraft Maintenance Platforms

By Christina Faulkner

The Dale County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit presented a plaque to Riley Wicker expressing their appreciation of his contribution to the DCSO Aviation Support Program.  DCSO aviation unit volunteer pilot, Tim McDonald presented the plaque to Wicker who was accompanied by his son, Hayden Wicker.

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Ozark Hosts Aware Fair on the Square

By Christopher Mobley

“It’s amazing, there are so many people here, there’s so many things that you can do, so many wonderful things you can eat, it is just a fantastic day.”

There’s no better way than that quote to describe the way everybody in attendance felt at this year’s Aware Fair on The Square here in Ozark. Food vendors, great entertainment, and organizations of the area on a wonderful day kept the large crowd happy, full and ready to enjoy the festivities all afternoon!

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DCHS And Mixon Intermediate Selected As 2021 CLAS Schools of Distinction; Mixon District 2 2021 CLAS Banner School

Special to The Southern Star

Montgomery, Ala – May 9, 2022:  CLAS recognized thirty Schools of Distinction across the eight State School Board Districts and announced the 2021 CLAS Banner Schools on Monday, May 9, 2022, during an awards luncheon in Prattville, Alabama. Selected as District 2 CLAS Schools of Distinction were Dale County High School, Dale County Schools System and Harry N. Mixon Intermediate School, Ozark City School System. Harry N. Mixon Intermediate School was also named as the 2021 CLAS Banner School for District 2. 

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Severe Weather Predicted Today May 16

Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon into the late-night hours, Monday, May 16. According to Dale County EMA Director, Willie Worsham, the primary threats are damaging wind gusts, hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall. 

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DiFilippo’s Pizza Hosts Dine & Donate

By Christopher Mobley

It is always a good thing when a community can come together to help students and student athletes. This was the exact thought behind the Dine & Donate at DiFilippo’s Pizza on Wednesday, May 4. 

The local pizzeria is often the host of many similar events which allow the chance for students to come into the business and lend a helping hand while interacting with locals. Owners, Jason and Megan DiFilippo, are more than willing to give student athletes that chance. 

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Ozark Animal Shelter Looking for Good Homes for Pets in Need

By Christopher Mobley

Having too many stray animals roaming the community can not only be a bit of a burden on neighbors, but also a potentially dangerous one, for both humans and stray pets. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 6.3 million companion pets enter animal shelters nationwide every year. A lot of these animals are unfortunately abandoned. 

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New Equipment Installation Complete at Oben Everett Park

By Christopher Mobley

A long-standing landmark of Ozark has received the final additions to its recent makeover, as the installation of new playground equipment and other additions were completed at Oben Everett Park. 

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Vehicle Blaze in Walmart Parking Lot

By Christopher Mobley

Onlookers were shocked as a cloud of black smoke from a burning vehicle surrounded the local Walmart parking lot on Wednesday, May 11. 

“The fire seemed to start at the back of the vehicle,” said Shayne Glenn, auto enthusiast and experienced mechanic. “It could’ve been a fuel leak, or something electrical. It’s hard to tell when it happens so suddenly.”

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National Association of RC&D Councils Opens New Office in Ozark

Special to The Southern Star

The National Association of Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils held the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new office located within the Wiregrass RC&D Council office in Ozark on Friday, May 13. The office officially opened on April 22 in its new location. 

The Wiregrass RC&D Council office has been in its current location for 30 years and dedicates itself to the development and funding of projects for many different organizations and nonprofits in the community. 

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Letter to the Editor - Mike Durant for Alabama US Senate - Night Stalkers Don't Quit

Mike Durant for Alabama US Senate Website

Over the past few months, I’ve been writing about Special Operation Forces (SOF) entrepreneurs. It has been an awesome journey. I’ve been met with new ideas that challenge the way I think, and the impossibility of staying on a publishing timeline, all the while attempting to grow my brand in a crowded space. Helping others and promoting their businesses is the least that I can do, I owe my community for letting me stay as long as I have.    

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Massage Therapy of Ozark Celebrates Ribbon Cutting

By Christopher Mobley

In a world where the stress of day-to-day life can get to some, especially with everything going on today, one thing that everyone needs is simple relaxation and relief. This is where Massage Therapy of Ozark hopes to come in, bringing relaxation and joy to the people of Ozark. 

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Dual Enrollment Opportunities Increase Number of High School Students Attending Alabama’s Community Colleges

An additional $5 million awarded by the Alabama Legislature for dual enrollment opportunities at Alabama’s community colleges will continue to increase the number of students who benefit from college classes while still in high school. In many cases, high school students are graduating with their associate degree either before or shortly after earning their high school diploma.

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ALEA Announces Lifesaving Awards, Certificates of Recognition

MONTGOMERY -- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor is pleased to announce the recipients of the Agency’s Lifesaving Award and Certificate of Recognition for outstanding professionalism and skills displayed through heroic acts that saved the life of another as well as preserving public safety, while simultaneously upholding ALEA’s proud tradition of selfless service.

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Ozark Dale County Library Holds Touch a Truck and Story Time

By Christopher Mobley

On Thursday morning, the children of Ozark were in for a treat as they got story time and the chance to see the ins and outs of how emergency vehicles work. This was a recipe for an exciting time during Ozark-Dale County Library’s Touch a Truck event. 

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OPD Has a New Tool to Fight Drugs

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark Police Department announced the induction of their newest member to the force with a press conference held outside the Ozark Municipal Building on Thursday, May 12. Kala, a Belgian Malinois, recently joined the force as a narcotics detection canine also trained on tracking. She is partnered with handler, Corporal Dustin Folks. 

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