By Jonathan Reisman

Gina McCarthy is the first White House National Climate Advisor under President Biden. Before that, she was the EPA administrator under President Obama, where she trail blazed the practice of using an e-mail alias to avoid transparency and pesky freedom of information requests from deplorable non-believers and “deniers”

By Christina Faulkner

Newton Volunteer Fire Department responded to a house fire on Brackin Mill Road in Newton early Tuesday morning around 3 a.m. Unfortunately for the property owner, the structure was a complete loss; however, no occupants were in the building at the time of the fire, resulting in no loss of life or injury.

Volunteer Newton firefighter, Charles Zeigler, speaking on behalf of Fire Chief Edward Snow, said the call came in at 2:52 a.m. after a passerby saw the blaze. Upon arrival, the structure was completely engulfed in flames.

By Brandon Faulkner

Jordan Smith led the number five ranked Purple Cats to a 34-18 win over number three, G.W. Long, in a Class 2A, Region 2 showdown Friday night. Ariton improved to 2-0 in Class 2A, Region 2, and 3-1 overall, while the Rebels fell to 1-1 in Class 2A, Region 2, and 3-1 overall. The Purple Cats are 5-1 against the Rebels in their last six meetings.

Ariton jumped to a 6-0 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first quarter off a 59-yard touchdown run by Ian Senn. Long blocked the PAT kick.

Special to The Southern Star

Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD) held a grand reopening ceremony for the newly remodeled Phillip J. Hamm Library on the Wallace Campus in Dothan on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Chancellor Jimmy Baker was in attendance for the event, which celebrated the $1.8 million renovation project and demonstrated WCCD’s commitment to excellence by meeting the educational resources needs of today’s students, faculty, and community.

By Christina Faulkner

The City of Ozark is on a mission to promote its downtown and the events held there. Pursuing this effort, the City Council, the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Ozark Dale County Economic Development Corporation came together to apply for grants and other funding to pay for two back-to-back billboards promoting Ozark. The billboards are situated on Andrews Avenue, coming from Fort Rucker. 

By Christina Faulkner

Fuqua Bankston Funeral Home hosted its 5th Annual 9-11 First Responders Appreciation Day on Friday, September 9. Over 300 first responders, municipal workers, and veterans attended the annual event where fallen first responders from Dale County were recognized during a brief program, and lunch was shared.

Special to The Southern Star

Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD) has awarded the 2022 Coach Johnny Oppert Scholarship to Governors baseball player Jackson Glover. The scholarship is named in honor of Coach Johnny Oppert, the first head coach of the Gov’s baseball program, and Wallace basketball coach and athletic director. The scholarship is given to a baseball student who exemplifies the qualities of outstanding character and athletic excellence for which Coach Oppert is known.

By Christina Faulkner

The Ann Rudd Art Museum in downtown Ozark is hosting a Lifetime Show of local artist Tim Richardson’s work. The Lifetime Show highlights Richardson’s work using a variety of mediums, from the polyurethane Tyrannosaurus Rex skull displayed in the front window of the gallery to the most recent acrylics Richardson has painted in the last three years.

Statement from Dale County Sheriff's Office

Yesterday, Dale County Sheriff’s Office received a call for assistance from Tallahassee PD yesterday in reference to an online undercover operation involving electronic solicitation of children.  TPD informed us that they were communicating with an individual in Ozark who was soliciting sexual contact from children from an undercover officer. Based on this information we executed a search warrant on the suspect's residence in Ozark. As a result of that search warrant and interviewing other individuals additional evidence was uncovered that led us to charge Jeremy Morris with Rape 1st, Sexual Abuse 1st of a Child Under 12 (2counts) and Sodomy 1st (2 counts). Morris is currently in the Dale County Jail awaiting his 1st appearance. We do anticipate additional charges once forensic analysis are completed on the suspect’s electronic devices. We were assisted by Tallahassee Police Department, Ozark Police Department, SBI and the Dale County District Attorney’s Office. 

Chief Deputy Mason Bynum

Submitted by Heather Cohen

Mayor Blankenship was joined Thursday, September 22, 2022, by Pastor Leonard T. Evans and members of First Missionary Baptist Church. Blankenship read and presented a proclamation celebrating the 150th anniversary of their church to members of the church. 

Read the proclamation below: 

Proclamation

First Missionary Baptist Church 150th Anniversary

By Christina Faulkner