Dale County Diesel driven to make a difference, powering hurricane relief efforts

By Christina Faulkner

After witnessing the devastation left by Hurricane Helene in northeastern Georgia and southern South Carolina, Dale County business owner Chris Gayne is taking action to help those in need. Gayne, who owns Dale County Diesel in Daleville, never expected to become a lifeline for hurricane victims when he set out for a training conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. But a detour on his way back home sparked a mission to help.

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Dale County highlights in Alabama’s 60 Savory Stops

Staff Reports

Montgomery —  In a celebration of the 60th consecutive year of October Beef Month in Alabama, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has launched the “60 Savory Stops” promotion. This initiative showcases 60 former restaurant winners and finalists from contests like Alabama’s Best Steak, Bama’s Best Beef, and Bama’s Best Burgers, hosted by the ACA for over a decade.

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Newton Police Chief earns elite certification in leadership program

By Christina Faulkner

Chief Frankey Peterman, Sr. of Newton has earned a prestigious certification after completing 240 hours of training in the Certified Law Enforcement Executive Program, according to Kaleb Littlejohn, Director of the Center for Best Practices in Law Enforcement at Jacksonville State University. This marks the highest level of achievement within the program, developed by the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police and supported by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission.

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Kiwanis Club celebrates outstanding achievements, new beginnings

By Caitlyn Cummings

The Kiwanis Club of Ozark held its Annual Banquet on September 17 at Woodham’s Steakhouse, celebrating the induction of new members and officers, honoring outstanding achievements, and recognizing new board members. Alabama District of Kiwanis International Division 10 Lieutenant Governor Pam Alexander assisted with the ceremonies, adding a touch of significance to the occasion.

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Ozark celebrates grand opening of new Taco Bell

By Christian Peterman

On September 30, the City of Ozark hosted an exciting ribbon-cutting event in collaboration with the Ozark Dale County Economic Development Corporation as it welcomed the new Taco Bell restaurant on Highway 231. The opening of this beloved national chain was attended by city officials and community members who were eager to witness the grand opening.

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Bowen behind bars

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark Police Department successfully concluded a nearly month-long investigation with the arrest of 23-year-old Kaleb Bowen of Ozark/Newton on the evening of Tuesday, October 1. The inevitable arrest came after a high-speed pursuit and a three-hour manhunt, according to Charles Ward, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for Ozark.

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Stitches, Rides, and Bites: Claybank Jamboree thrives at 54

By Caitlyn Cummings

A cloudy, breezy day met festival goers for the 54th Annual Claybank Jamboree. This year’s Jamboree, one of the largest since its inception, had around 172 vendors and featured a car show, quilt show, music at both the Farmers’ Market and the Amphitheater, and an art show. Farmer for a Day, a hit in its inaugural year, was also brought back for this year’s Claybank Jamboree.

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Dale County Diesel driven to make a difference, powering hurricane relief efforts

By Christina Faulkner

After witnessing the devastation left by Hurricane Helene in northeastern Georgia and southern South Carolina, Dale County business owner Chris Gayne has taken action to help those in need. Gayne, who owns Dale County Diesel in Daleville, didn’t set out to become a lifeline for hurricane victims when he embarked on a training conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. However, a detour on his way home sparked a mission that would lead him to spearhead an impressive relief effort.

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South Dale Middle School celebrates National Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School Award

By Christina Faulkner

South Dale Middle School has been awarded the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Lighthouse School Award, marking a significant milestone in the school's history. On this special day of recognition, the school celebrated the hard work and dedication that led to this achievement.

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From Clayhill to Ozark: The story of St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church

By Caitlyn Cummings

There are many churches in Ozark, however, one cannot ignore the history of the Black churches in the area and how they came to be where they are today. One of those churches, St. Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church has a storied history, including a preacher and members who knew that moving the church would save it.

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Dale County CERT seeks volunteers to strengthen community emergency response

Submitted by Willie Worsham,

Dale County EMA Director

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New records procedures, budget, roadwork, and raises at DC Commission

By Caitlyn Cummings 

The Dale County Commission recently approved a series of key decisions affecting public records requests, road projects, and employee benefits during its September 24 and October 8 meetings. The Commission also reviewed the county’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

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Ozark City Schools approves $21 million budget for 2024-2025

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark City Schools Board of Education recently passed a $21 million budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, marking a $738,449 increase over the previous year. The bulk of this budget, approximately $18 million, is dedicated to instructional services and materials, funded in part through the state's Foundation Program. This program covers teacher salaries, which are based on student enrollment figures from the previous year, making up 80% of the system’s total expenditures.

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Two Daleville daycare workers face additional charges in child abuse investigation

By Christina Faulkner

Two former daycare workers from Happy Hearts Christian Academy, a daycare facility with locations in Daleville and Hartford, have been arrested on additional charges related to a disturbing investigation into aggravated child abuse and torture. Kailey Gilley, 20, of Daleville, and Magan Koker, 30, of Enterprise, were taken into custody on October 10 after the Daleville Police Department uncovered further evidence against them.

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Deserters, the Home Guard, and a ‘Hole That Can’t be Filled’

By Caitlyn Cummings

Most old regions have one or two old legends; mostly ghost stories told to scare children or intrigue outsiders, and Dale County is no different. Dale County’s popular legend tells of a man, a Methodist minister, named William “Bill” Sketoe. The setting of the legend is a cold December day in 1864 north of Newton, Alabama. 

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Volunteer opportunities abound in Ozark as Veterans Day approaches

By Travis Parker 

The Ozark Military Affairs Committee had their bi-monthly scheduled session in the Holman House where several volunteer opportunities and community events happening in Ozark were discussed, Local veteran organizations are seeking assistance from volunteers to support veterans and other important community activities:

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Carter Lumber acquires Townsend Building Supply, expanding into Florida and Alabama

PRESS RELEASE

Kent, OH, October 21, 2024 – Carter Lumber, one of the nation’s largest building materials suppliers, announced today the acquisition of Townsend Building Supply, a building materials dealer with six locations in Southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. This acquisition continues Carter Lumber’s plans for growth in the South and positions the company for further expansion in these two states.

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MMVFD honors three retiring 31-year veterans; celebrates decades of volunteer service

By Christina Faulkner

The Marley Mill Volunteer Fire Department (MMVFD) celebrated its annual Volunteer Firefighter Appreciation Dinner on Saturday, October 19, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. This year's event held special significance as the department recognized three retiring firefighters: Fire Chief Jim Ezell, Assistant Chief Johnny Uzzell, and Captain Bruce Bowden, who was not in attendance, as well as a fourth firefighter who has dedicated 31 years of service but will continue to serve Johnny Bowman.

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Rockets, Cookies, and Cows—4-H Champs & high fives for our sponsors

Submitted by Melissa Voynich,

County Extension Coordinator

Our office recently celebrated National 4-H Week and Alabama Extension Week with special Facebook posts dedicated to our amazing students and staff.

If you are not in schools right now, you might not realize that we send teachers out each month to conduct research-based activities and lessons across the county in our fourth through sixth grades.

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October’s Alabama Beef Month Celebration

Submitted by Melissa Voynich

County Extension Coordinator

October has been a celebration of Alabama Beef Month, as Cattlemen and Cattlewomen did additional programming like volunteering at Claybank, reading to local elementary schools, and hosting a beef bundle raffle to benefit youth cattle programs.

Let’s get to know some of the local representatives of Alabama Beef Month.

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FOAA honors MG Lou Hennies’ legacy

By Travis Parker

The Friends of Army Aviation (FOAA) honored the organization’s Chairman of the Board, Major General (Ret.) Lou Hennies, on his 89th birthday with a surprise party that celebrated not only his milestone age but also his exceptional leadership and contribution to the organization. General Hennies, who has been instrumental in the growth and success of FOAA, has been especially credited for the impeccable safety record maintained under his watch, a remarkable feat considering the age and history of the aircraft they fly.

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Ozark citizens celebrate 28th Annual Make a Difference Day

By Caitlyn Cummings

What started as a suggestion to a Sunday school class has become an annual celebration of community spirit. Make a Difference Day started in 1996 when Chuck and Pat Auman, along with twenty-two members of the John Wesley Sunday School class at the First United Methodist Church of Ozark, participated in their first service project–landscaping the Ozark-Dale County Library and indexing and filing library cards. 

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Six arrested in Operation ‘Creepin it Real’

By Christina Faulkner

Six individuals were arrested in a child exploitation operation, aptly named Creepin' it Real this past week on Thursday, October 24, and Friday, October 25 conducted by the Dale County Sheriff's Office, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's State Bureau of Investigations Region B, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The operation was designed to target individuals using the internet to contact and solicit minors for sexual acts.

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