Alabama upsets Georgia, 27-24, to capture 30th SEC Championship

ATLANTA - The No. 8/8/8 Alabama football team secured a 27-24 upset win over No. 1/1/1 Georgia Saturday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the win, the Crimson Tide (12-1) secured the program's 30th Southeastern Conference Championship and the ninth under head coach Nick Saban.

Quarterback Jalen Milroe was named the game's Most Valuable Player after leading the team to its 11th consecutive victory. Milroe finished the contest with 221 total yards including 192 through the air on 13-of-23 passing and a pair of touchdowns.

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Ozark City Schools announces Phase I of improvements to historic Matthews Stadium

By Christina Faulkner

At a regularly scheduled Ozark City Schools Board of Education meeting, the OCS Board approved a project bid to begin renovations at Matthews Stadium. The renovations include new LED lighting, an improved sound system, and larger and more advanced scoreboard and video board. 

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Daleville Police Department spreads holiday cheer with Inaugural Angel Tree program

By Christina Faulkner

The Daleville Police Department is bringing warmth and joy to the community this holiday season with its inaugural Angel Tree program. Inspired by a deep commitment to serve and protect, the DPD has initiated this heartwarming endeavor to make a difference in the lives of families facing financial challenges during the festive season.

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Alabama Sports Hall of Fame honors Randy Kennedy with the 2024 Mel Allen Media Award

Staff Reports

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Board of Directors of the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce that Randy Kennedy will be recognized as the 2024 Mel Allen Media Award recipient at the 56th Annual Induction Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

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Local Business benefits from state incentives policy, receives final payout at city council meeting

By Christina Faulkner

In a testament to the symbiotic relationship between local businesses and economic development initiatives, Loose Brick Coffee Co. recently marked a significant milestone by receiving its final payout of a tax rebate. The payout was part of a strategic plan formulated under the state's Incentives Policy, aimed at fostering economic growth in Alabama municipalities and counties.

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Recognizing excellence in Alabama's EMS system: Ozark's Elaine Culp receives prestigious Lifetime Service Award

By Christina Faulkner

In the heart of Alabama's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, individuals go above and beyond, making invaluable contributions that often go unnoticed. However, a recent event highlighted and celebrated these unsung heroes, with Ozark's Deputy Director of EMS, Elaine Culp, receiving the esteemed Lifetime Service Award.

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Daleville's Christmas Parade shines through rainy setback for a festive night of joy and community spirit

By Travis Parker

Daleville, AL - Mother Nature may have brought rain to the Wiregrass, causing a delay, but it didn't dampen the holiday spirit in Daleville. On Friday, December 8, the Daleville Area Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted a vibrant Christmas Parade along with a heartwarming Tree Lighting Ceremony that brought the community together in the true spirit of the season.

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Annual Ozark Parade boasts over 100 entries; delights spectators

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark Kiwanis Club and the City of Ozark hosted the annual Ozark Christmas Parade and tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, December 5. With over 100 entries this year’s parade was the largest Christmas parade Ozark has ever seen. Spectators, most especially the young, were delighted with the floats, characters, candy, and joy of Christmas shared through the evening!

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Planning a big Extension year in 2024

Submitted by County Extension Coordinator Melissa Voynich

Ozark, Al. – December 18, 2023 – Dale County Extension staff completed their planning for the 2024 calendar year after several months of surveying and discussion with community members and regional agents.

A diverse and lengthy list of offerings is always available on http://aces.edu through the calendar function, as well as through their local Facebook page and newsletter.

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Two Wiregrass communities voted among seven of the most welcoming towns in Alabama

Staff Reports

Ozark and Enterprise were two of the seven small towns in Alabama voted as the most welcoming small towns in Alabama according to an article by Marc Beckstead and published on WorldAtlas.com. Below is a reprint of Beckstead’s article.

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RC&D grant for power stretchers boosts Ozark EMS emergency services

By Christina Faulkner

In a significant step towards enhancing emergency medical services in Ozark, the city recently secured a Resource Conservation and Development grant from Wiregrass RC&D amounting to $74,040. The grant will be instrumental in replacing outdated manual stretcher systems with cutting-edge power stretchers, providing a safer and more efficient transportation system for both patients and emergency personnel.

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Sounds of the Season: Dale County's Annual Christmas Concert unites community in musical celebration

By Christina Faulkner

The Christmas spirit resounded through Dale County and the City of Ozark as the community gathered for the much-anticipated annual event, Sounds of the Season at the Ozark Civic Center on Tuesday, December 12. This collaborative Christmas concert, a culmination of musical and dance talents, showcased the creativity and dedication of Dale County students and choirs from six schools and two organizations.

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Ozark City Schools Board of Education celebrates achievements and addresses safety concerns

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark City Schools Board of Education convened for their final meeting of the year at Carroll High School's cafeteria on Thursday, December 14, for an evening filled with recognition and updates on various achievements within the school system.

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Shining a light on homelessness in Ozark and Dale County

By Christina Faulkner

As the Christmas season filled many homes with warmth and joy, approximately half a million individuals across the U.S. confronted the holidays without shelter. This diverse face of homelessness includes families with children, veterans, the elderly, and those battling mental health disorders and addictions.

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Community mourns tragic loss: Ozark Police Captain’s parents perish in house fire

Staff Reports

In a devastating turn of events, Captain Glenn Peters, the Bureau Chief of Police Services at the Ozark Department of Public Safety Police Department, is grappling with the heartbreaking loss of both his parents, Junior Glenn Peters and Mary Peters, in an early Thursday morning house fire. The tragedy unfolded at 171 Dale County Road 229, prompting an urgent response from multiple fire departments and first responders dispatched by Ozark-Dale County 911 at 3:07 a.m.

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The promise of a tribute: Ariton's bus terminal advances toward transformation

By Christina Faulkner

The Dale County Commission took a significant step forward in preserving local history by approving an IAC (Investing in Alabama Counties) review for the renovation and restoration of the old Greyhound bus terminal in Ariton. The potential funding source for this project could come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, as suggested by County Commission Chairman Steve McKinnon. However, he recommended a thorough review by the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s IAC Program for verification.

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Chalkerhaus Adventure Co: Daleville's newest outdoor haven and family legacy

By Travis Parker

As Daleville Mayor Jayme Stayton prefaced his welcome to the attendees at the Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for the new Chalkerhaus Adventure Company, the Chalker family has been a part of the history of Daleville for a long time. Stayton discussed the exclusive availability of numerous items in the store that cannot be found anywhere else in the Wiregrass area. During the Facebook Live Stream, he urged viewers to visit and experience it firsthand.

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Ozark Airport Blackwell Field manager honored with prestigious FAA award

By Christina Faulkner

Each year, the Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region Airports Division recognizes outstanding achievements in airports and their managers, highlighting their commitment to enhancing airport safety and overall excellence in aviation. This year, Ozark Airport Blackwell Field Manager Denise Ellis received the esteemed title of General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year for the Southeast Regional Airports Division.

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