By Christina Faulkner

Ozark Police have jailed a man who traveled two hours to violate a minor early Wednesday morning, April 24. The Montgomery man is now charged with multiple sex crimes.

Ozvaldo Jiminez’Hernandez, 24, of Montgomery, faces five counts each for Sodomy 2nd and Traveling to Meet a Minor for Sex Acts, four counts for Rape 2nd, three counts for Enticing a Child into a Vehicle, and one count each for Production of Child Porn and Electronic Solicitation of a Child.

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark proudly joins the ranks as the fifth and final city in Alabama to host the esteemed Smithsonian’s traveling exhibit, Crossroads: Change in Rural America. The city marked this significant occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 23, followed by an engaging opening reception held at the Rudd Art Center on Saturday, April 27.

By Christina Faulkner

By Travis Parker

April witnessed a flurry of activity at Ft. Novosel, with several notable events leaving a mark on the military base. From joint cooperation efforts to significant construction projects and emergency preparedness drills, the month was abuzz with activity.

Submission by Dale County Extension Coordinator Melissa Voynich

Dale County Extension and 4-H want to congratulate our youth on a great school year. As we wrap up an enjoyable time together, our team had the privilege to select a small group of students for the 4-H Regional Round-Up competition held at Luverne High School on Saturday, April 27.

Dale County had a successful day in Luverne, and we are pleased to announce the following placements:

1st Place Junior Persuasive Speak Up Alabama – Ariel Cosme

By Christina Faulkner

Newton - Little Miss Newton 2024, Sydney Grace Dixon, alongside the City of Newton and the 2024 Newton queens, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Love of Literacy Little Free Library (Charter #182320) on Thursday, May 9. This initiative marks a significant step in promoting literacy and fostering community engagement within Newton.

By Christina Faulkner

The Level Plains City Council, alongside Mayor Ronnie Thompson, recently demonstrated their unwavering support for the Level Plains Police Department (LPPD) as the police department vetted their fleet of vehicles and made a significant gesture to aid neighboring police departments.

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark City Schools Board of Education is excited to announce the commencement of Phase 2 improvements at Carroll High School after receiving bids and approving them. With Phase 1 enhancements already underway, which encompass lights, sound, and a new scoreboard, additional improvements targeting the concession area, press box, football field resurfacing, and track renovation are set to begin in the near future.

By Christina Faulkner

Montgomery - Alabama's legislative session ended on May 10 with a surprising twist as heavily debated gaming bills failed to make it through the state Senate.

The drama unfolded after the House voted in favor of the Conference Committee Report on the ongoing gaming bills on April 30. House Bill 151 and House Bill 152 garnered significant support, passing with votes of 72-29 and 70-29 respectively. Representatives Steve Clouse and Marcus Paramore were among those who supported the bills.

By Christina Faulkner

The G.W. Long FFA held its annual banquet earlier this month, celebrating a year of remarkable achievements and recognizing the contributions of its members. With a history of success at both the district and state levels, the chapter continued its tradition of excellence, earning several top awards this year.

By Christina Faulkner

LaShundra Latrese Straw made history at Daleville High School by graduating with her college degree before even walking the stage to receive her high school diploma. Straw graduated from Enterprise State Community College on May 9 and received her high school diploma on May 17. Her remarkable achievements are a testament to her dedication and hard work, culminating in her being named valedictorian of her senior class.

By Christina Faulkner

It’s a rare and extraordinary feat when cousins from different schools achieve the coveted title of valedictorian in the same year. Jesse D. Dyson from Northside Methodist Academy and Andrew Fletcher Dyson, Jr. from Long High School have accomplished just that, making waves in their respective communities with their outstanding academic achievements.