The Southern Star’s sister papers, The Calais Advertiser and Machias Valley News Observer, were recognized this past weekend at the Maine Press Association Annual State Conference held at the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel and Event Center in Bar Harbor, Maine, on October 22. The Calais Advertiser was presented with 24 awards for its exceptional journalism work, and Machias Valley News Observer received 18 awards, for a total of 42 awards combined between the two Washington County publications.  

By Christina Faulkner

Colonel Whitney B. Gardner was the keynote speaker at the quarterly Association of the United States Army meeting held at the Daleville Cultural and Convention Center Thursday, October 27. Highlighting Fort Rucker Command General Major General Michael McCurry’s priority of developing strong relationships with the communities surrounding Fort Rucker, Gardner began by recognizing the powerful force of the local AUSA Chapter.

The G.W. Long Rebels held off St. Lukes 19-16 in the first round of the 2022 AHSAA Class 2A Football Playoffs Friday, November 4. With the win, the Rebels advance to the second round of the playoffs and will travel to Notasulga, Alabama, to take on the Class 2A number 3 ranked Reeltown Rebels Friday, November 11.

By Christina Faulkner

As the church bells rang, a hush came over the crowd gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the First Ozark United Methodist Church’s Kingsley Christian Learning Center on Sunday, October 30. City leaders, church members, and construction team leaders gathered under cloudy skies to heft the first symbolic shovels of dirt with CLC Director Britney Johnson at a site located behind FUMC at the corner of N. East Street and St. James Place.

By Christina Faulkner

By Christina Faulkner

Darnell Johnson is an institution at the Ozark Dale County Library, having worked there for almost 22 years. On Tuesday, November 8, one month before his 22nd year anniversary, the Ozark community had the opportunity to say goodbye and wish Johnson well in his retirement. The library celebrated with a retirement cake and hors d’oeuvres.

“It’s time. It’s just time,” Johnson said of his decision to retire.

By Christopher Mobley

Teachers and staff at Ozark City Schools have always been known to strive for the opportunity to connect with their students while improving their learning skills. Former Lisenby B Primary educator and principal Dawn Zinn will now be playing a bigger role in the way our children learn with her latest promotion.

By Christina Faulkner

Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon declared the week of November 18 – 24 as Farm-City Week in Dale County at the Dale County Commission meeting held last week on November 8.

By Christina Faulkner

By Christina Faulkner

T-Mobile is planning the expected opening of its Ozark location just ahead of the holidays. The new store in Ozark is expected to open Monday, November 28 and will be located on Highway 231 in front of Grocery Outlet. Ozark is among five Alabama communities in which T-Mobile chose to expand its retail footprint. Attalla, Bay Minette, Greenville, and Moulton have recently seen new T-Mobile retail locations open as well.