Gonzalez Earns Roster Spot on USA Baseball Collegiate National Team

(Editor’s note: The following article was reprinted from www.auburntigers.com)

CARY, N.C. – After receiving an invitation to training camp last week, sophomore pitcher Joseph Gonzalez earned a roster spot on the 2022 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Gonzalez is one of 26 of the premier non-draft eligible college players to make the final roster and will represent the United States at Honkbalweek Haarlem in the Netherlands from July 9–15.

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Carroll High Alumni Becomes Band Director at Stillman College

By Christopher Mobley

Throughout the years, Carroll High School’s marching band has always been a program that exemplifies hard work, talent, and dedication to their craft whenever they play. Now, a former student and band member will get to pass along the same principles he learned while at Carroll High school while leading a college-level band. 

Robert Baxter III, who grew up in Ozark, has become the new Band Director at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL. 

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A County Divided – Citizens Request Commission to Revisit EMS Funding Distribution

By Christina Faulkner

Concerned Citizens of Ozark president, Gene Lynn of Ozark, and former Newton mayor, Bill Pruitt, representing South Dale EMS, plead their cases before the County Commission on Tuesday, June 28. With the resolution for American Rescue Plan Act funding for EMS transport on the agenda, the two men with differing messages asked the commission to take the time to revisit the distribution of ARPA funding for EMS providers in the county.

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Holley Honored by Troy University

MONTGOMERY -- Troy University’s Board of Trustees has honored a pillar and dedicated advocate of the Wiregrass region, State Sen. Jimmy Holley (R-Elba).

Holley, who retires from the Alabama Senate in November with nearly a half-century of service in the Legislature, has represented Coffee, Dale, Pike and Covington counties in the Senate for six terms and served from 1974 – 1994 in the State House of Representatives.

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Ozark’s Longest Practicing Physician Retires

By Christina Faulkner

Dr. Taylor Caffey, Ozark’s longest practicing physician retired this past month. A family physician, Caffey has been practicing medicine in Ozark for 58 years and turns 90 years old later this month. A retirement party was held in his honor at the Flowers Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, June 30. 

Caffey who has four children, 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren says his primary motivation for retiring is spending time with his four great grandchildren of whom he has only met one. 

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Ft. Rucker Meteorologist Gives Weather Lesson to Kids

By Christopher Mobley

The children that attend All Of God’s Children Learning Center in Ozark got a nice addition to their summer list of summertime activities with the help of a few special guests. 

Air Force Meteorologist Alli Barnett Buchanan and her family visited the learning center to teach the children about the weather, the science behind it, signs of inclement weather, and safety tips. All this information was kept fun and fresh with experiments and games that the children truly enjoyed. 

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Ozark Police and Fire Departments Team Up for Guns & Hoses

By Christopher Mobley

The Ozark Police and Fire Departments teamed up to help the community through a noble cause this past Friday, July 8. For the p ast year Alabama has seen what many would call one of the most critical shortages of blood supply in the past decade. This shortage is something that is definitely felt by hospitals in the area. Seeing the chance to use their influence, these two departments came together with LifeSouth to bring in more donations to help during the shortage. 

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Ozark Boys and Girls Club to Send Four Students to PMLA

Submitted by Haley Hales Ingram, Program Director, Boys & Girls Club

Four members of the Ozark Boys and Girls Club will attend the Mystic Aquarium’s Peer Mentor Leadership Academy in Mystic, Connecticut in August. Students Evie Ragan-Scott, Ashely Woodham, Dylan Floyd, and Keeton Gardner will represent the B&G Club’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program. Students will leave Ozark August 1 and return August 5.

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Time to Save with the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

By Christina Faulkner

This weekend is the annual Alabama Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. With an almost 9% national inflation rate, the 17th annual sales tax holiday is an opportunity every parent should take advantage of.

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Local Author, Ministry to Be Featured in National TV Show

Special to The Southern Star

Author/editor of the book “My Struggle, His Glory,” Boyd Deal of Ariton will receive statewide and national exposure with a feature on Simply Southern TV. 

The show will premiere locally on Sunday, July 17, at 10:30 a.m. on WTVY-TV 4 in Dothan and will be rebroadcast on national cable network RFD-TV the following Wednesday at 3 p.m. Central time.

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Renovations Coming to ESCC Baseball, Softball Facilities

The baseball and softball fields at Enterprise State Community College are receiving some upgrades for future players and fans to enjoy.

The $1.25 million project, which began in July, will include the installation of new bleachers, press boxes, backstops and netting for both sports. A new, code-compliant concession stand with restrooms will also be constructed in the complex, and irrigation and landscaping will be added to the area. The project is expected to be completed by mid-October.

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Two Cases of Monkeypox in AL

By Christina Faulkner

While COVID Cases are largely under control, two cases of monkeypox have been diagnosed in Alabama. The first case, diagnosed last week, was discovered in Southwest Alabama in Mobile County. The second case was identified in Northeast Alabama in Jefferson County. Both cases were reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Bureau of Clinical Laboratories (BCL). BCL is part of the Laboratory Response Network (LBN) that responds to public health emergencies.

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Dale County Engineer Retires; Assistant Resigns

By Christina Faulkner

After informing Dale County Engineer Derek Brewer of their intent not to renew his contract in a majority vote on April 12, the Dale County Commission voted to place Brewer on administrative leave and set a due process hearing for Tuesday, June 19. However, that hearing did not occur after Brewer chose to retire from his position instead. 

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Improvements Ongoing at Holman House

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark Heritage Association, the organization in charge of operating and maintaining the Holman House located on Broad Street, has been hard at work these past weeks completing projects to improve the exterior appearance of the historic home and preparing for additional workspace in the basement located below the 1912 house.

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Hyundai Subsidiary Found to Have Used Child Labor at Alabama Factory

By Christopher Mobley

A subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co has used child labor, in some cases workers as young as 12,  at a plant that supplies parts for the carmaker's assembly line in nearby Montgomery, Alabama. The news was first reported by the news agency, Reuters. 

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Humble Beginnings at Ozark Community Pool

July 22-23 Alabama Parks and Recreation State Swim Meet in Opelika, AL

 

Submitted by Geri Weisler, Aquatics Director, Ozark Leisure Services

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Fort Rucker and AACE Changes Command

By Christina Faulkner

Fort Rucker and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s Commanding General, Major General David J. Francis, relinquished his command to incoming Brigadier General Michael C. McCurry during a change of command ceremony held on Howze Field on Thursday, July 21.

During the change of command, Lieutenant General Theodore D. Martin, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth commander, passed the unit colors from the outgoing to the incoming leader.

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