The Pea River Land Use Project: a Great Depression “Bear Farm”

By Caitlyn Cummings

The 1930s were not an easy decade to live in Dale County. The Great Depression was in full swing. The economy was at a standstill. The two banks in town, the Bank of Ozark and the Planters and Merchants Bank had failed, rendering the thousands of Dale County citizens who had funds in those banks destitute, as Henry B. Steagall hadn’t created the Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation (FDIC) yet. 

Read More

Ozark school welcomes facility dog

By Jane C. Bloodworth,

SMS Media Manager

We’ve all heard of “Service Dogs,” but did you know there are dogs that are specially trained to work in schools? D. A. Smith Middle School is proud to introduce Fancy Pants, SMS’ very own Facility Dog!

Read More

Halloween homicide horror haunts police hunt for suspect

By Christina Faulkner

A Halloween homicide has resulted in a manhunt for an Ozark man. The Ozark Police Department, working in collaboration with the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, reported an active investigation of a homicide that occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. Thursday, October 31.

Read More

Dale County welcomes new mental health officers to address crisis needs

By Christina Faulkner

On Wednesday, October 30, Dale County Sheriff Mason Bynum swore in 15 Mental Health Officers from six local law enforcement agencies during a ceremony at the Dale County Courthouse. This initiative aims to enhance the county's response to mental health crises, providing vital support during challenging times.

Read More

Dale 200 Committee celebrates local artists and authors

By Caitlyn Cummings

The Dale 200 Committee hosted a gala at the Holman House on November 10 called Creative Expressions and Recollections celebrating the local authors and artists that submitted entries to the contests that were held earlier in the year. The audience was filled with family and friends of the presenters who came to watch the winners enlighten the audience about their pieces of art or read their essays and poetry.

Read More

Murder suspect surrenders

By Christina Faulkner

Murder suspect, Marcus Slater of Ozark, surrendered Friday, November 12 to Ozark Police officers. According to a Deputy Chief Michael Bryan, Slater, accompanied by his attorney, voluntarily turned himself in at the Ozark Police Department where he was processed before being transported to the Dale County Jail later that evening.

Read More

Welfare check in Midland City uncovers murder; suspect quickly apprehended

By Christina Faulkner

A welfare check in Midland City on Sunday morning led to a murder investigation, ending with the arrest of a recently released convict, who authorities say is responsible for the brutal killing. James Albert Johnson Jr., a 29-year-old former inmate recently released from the Florida Department of Corrections, now faces murder charges after evidence linked him to the crime.

Read More

Donald Trump wins historic Presidential election

By Caitlyn Cummings

Former President Donald Trump dominated over Vice-President Kamala Harris in a historic election, securing the 47th presidency. 74,648,247 Americans voted for Trump while Harris garnered just 70,914,980 votes. This resulted in Trump securing 312 electoral votes while Harris only earned 226. Trump won both the popular vote and the electoral vote, securing 50.5% of American votes, while Harris managed to secure just 47.9%. 

Read More

Dale County Farm-City Tour highlights critical connection between farmers and urban communities

By Christina Faulkner

The Dale County Farm-City Committee, local government officials, and community members embarked on a Farm-City Tour of Ozark, showcasing how agriculture, industry, and urban development intertwine to benefit the county’s economy and residents on Monday, November 18. Departing from the historic Holman House, the tour highlighted places vital to uniting farmers and urban consumers, emphasizing that one cannot thrive without the other.

Read More

Family of disabled Vet beaten to death in Alabama jail hires civil rights attorneys

Attorneys say authorities have blood on their hands after housing 72-year-old who required the use of a motorized wheelchair, walked with a cane and needed constant oxygen with violent criminals

 

Press Release

Read More

A symbol of military history and community pride returns to Ozark

By Travis Parker

Ozark, Alabama, a city with deep ties to the military and a proud history of honoring its veterans, has welcomed back a significant piece of its past—the M60 Patton tank. This symbol of American military strength returns to the city thanks to a dedicated effort to celebrate Ozark’s military heritage and recognize its connection to the 131st Armored Tank Battalion.

Read More

Farm-City Committee celebrates award winners

Submitted by Melissa Voynich, 

County Extension Coordinator

Ozark – It is the season of Farm-City celebration, and the Southern Star will be featuring the Farm-City award winners across several weeks of publication. The following write-ups were delivered during the Farm City Banquet. Happy Farm-City Week!

Farm of Distinction

Read More

Dunham’s Sports® announces Grand Opening in Ozark Friday, November 22

Press Release

Ozark - Dunham’s Sports® is excited to announce the official Grand Opening of its Ozark store on Friday, November 22.  Dunham’s would like to invite residents of Ozark and the surrounding communities to our Grand Opening weekend.  The new store, located at 1177 Andrews Avenue near the Tractor Supply store will bring up to 40 new full-time and part-time jobs to the community.   Store hours are Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

Read More

Celebrating Brotherhood at Bethel Baptist Church: A Unique Fellowship

By Christian Peterman

On Tuesday, November 19, Bethel Baptist Church in Newton, Alabama, hosted a distinctive gathering as part of their weekly men’s fellowship. This event was particularly special because it included local law enforcement officers from Dale County, who serve and protect the community regularly. This blend of spiritual and physical service highlighted the importance of holistic growth and community support.

Read More

Farm-City Committee Celebrates Award Winners

Submitted by Melissa Voynich, County Extension Coordinator

It is the season of Farm-City celebration, and the Southern Star is featuring our award winners across several weeks of publication. Part One was printed last week.

The following write-ups were delivered during the Farm City Banquet. Happy Thanksgiving!

Jacob and Aisling Walding were honored as the Young and Beginning Farmers of the Year, an award presented by ALFA in recognition of their dedication to agriculture.

Read More

Spectracare COO highlights advancements in mental healthcare

By Caitlyn Cummings

Susie Kingry, the Chief Operating Officer of SpectraCare Health Systems, was the guest speaker at the Ozark Rotary Club’s weekly meeting on Tuesday, November 12. Kingry highlighted the significant progress made in improving access to mental healthcare in the Wiregrass region and discussed the initiatives SpectraCare has implemented to address the growing need for quality mental health services.

Read More

ONEeagle Foundation director Charlotte Smith illustrates to the Ozark Rotary Club how Ozark Needs Everyone

By Caitlyn Cummings

Charlotte Smith, retired Lisenby principal and current director of the new ONEeagle Foundation, was the featured speaker at the Ozark Rotary Club meeting on November 19.

Ozark needs everyone. As the old saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and everyone is a stakeholder in the future generations of Ozark. The ONEeagle Foundation seeks to uphold the vision and priorities of Ozark City Schools through partnerships, service to the community, and enrichment of the educational experience of students and staff. 

Read More

Annual Rotary Charity Auction a roaring success in raising money for local charities

By Caitlyn Cummings

The Ozark Rotary Club held its annual charity auction at the Ozark Warehouse on November 21. The well-attended event earned over $40,000 to support various local charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Ozark, Mary Hill Family Service Center, and Vivian B. Adams School. The event was sponsored by many local businesses, including Pea River Electric Cooperative, Ozark Health and Fitness,  All In Credit Union, Ozark Pediatric Clinic, Wiregrass Construction, Dale Medical Center, Circle Insurance, and Commerical Bank. 

Read More