Frank O. Deese: the man who gave Dale County a map and a Bear Bryant story

By Caitlyn Cummings

If you ask many Ozarkians today about Judge Frank O. Deese, they can usually tell you one fact about him. He was the judge who performed that marriage ceremony for Paul “Bear” Bryant and his wife, Mary Harmon Black. Some Ozarkians can even tell you a lesser-known fact about him. He compiled and published the first complete map of Dale County in 1907. 

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Dale County Commission approves expenditures for jail and courthouse repairs

By Caitlyn Cummings

At its most recent meeting on November 26, the Dale County Commission approved several expenditures to improve the Dale County Jail and Courthouse and upgrade the Dale County Sheriff's Training Facility. 

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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. The following write-ups were delivered during the Farm City Banquet. Welcome to December!

Rhonda Hayes, ALFA agent, received the Ag Supporter Award presented by the Kiwanis Club.

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Ozark City Schools to host 10th Annual Holiday Bazaar

Staff Reports

Ozark City Schools is marking a milestone in community engagement and support with the 10th Annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar. This cherished event will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Carroll High School Practice and New Gym. Open to the public, the bazaar combines festive shopping with a meaningful cause: proceeds from vendor sales and raffles directly support at-risk students by addressing their educational and personal needs.

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Choppers Ol’ School BBQ hosts Thanksgiving Food Giveaway in Daleville

By Travis Parker

This Thanksgiving season, Choppers Ol’ School BBQ in Daleville has once again demonstrated its commitment to community and generosity. Known for its mouthwatering smoked meats and classic southern sides, the locally cherished barbecue restaurant once again held a Thanksgiving food giveaway, ensuring that no family in the area went without a hearty meal during the holiday.

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Ozark City Council awards Civic Center alcohol sales bid

By Caitlyn Cummings

At the December 3 meeting of the Ozark City Council, the council approved a bid for a vendor to sell alcohol at designated events at the Ozark Civic Center in 2025. Harlow’s, Inc., owned by Jason Harlow, won the bid. Harlow is the husband of Councilwoman Leah Harlow, raising concerns from Councilman Winston Jackson about Alabama’s Ethics Laws and public perception regarding the awarding of the bid to her husband’s company.

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Holiday Kitchens Blunders

Submitted by Melissa Voynich, Dale County Extension Coordinator

Information provided by the Alabama Extension Food Safety Team

It is safe to say that on more than one occasion, we might have a holiday kitchen blunder.  Do not fret! Just follow these tips to save the day.  Love, the Alabama Extension Food Safety Team

Too Much Salt?

Soups and Stews - Add cut raw potatoes and discard them once they have cooked.

OR Add a teaspoon of cider vinegar.

Too Sweet or Salty?

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Jessica Moore highlights new teen center’s opportunities

By Caitlyn Cummings

Ozark Boys and Girls Club (OBGC) Director Jessica Moore was the featured speaker at the December 3 meeting of the Ozark Kiwanis Club, where she highlighted the advantages of the new teen center that the OBGC will be opening soon.

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Farm-City Committee Celebrates Award Winners

Submitted by Melissa Voynich, County Extension Coordinator

As we wrap up our announcements of winners at the Farm-City Banquet 2024, we want to thank our community partners who helped make all of this wonderful recognition happen. We are lucky to have you all here to support the partnership between agriculture and business here in Dale County.

County Awards moving to State Level from Local Schools

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Midland City and Newton spark holiday cheer with annual Christmas festivities

By Caitlyn Cummings

Christmas festivities were the week's highlight for Midland City and Newton as they held their annual Christmas parades and tree lightings. 

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Clayhatchee holds inaugural Christmas in the Park

By Caitlyn Cummings

Christmas fun was had by all as the town of Clayhatchee hosted its first Christmas in the Park celebration on December 14.

Over the past year, the Clayhatchee Volunteer Fire Department has partnered with KDL Towing to host events in the park aimed at drawing people to the small community. Christmas in the Park was one of those events.

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Sheila Waller sworn in as Dale County Revenue Commissioner

By Caitlyn Cummings

Shelia Waller was sworn into office as the new Dale County Revenue Commissioner on December 10 by Probate Judge Sharon Michalic. She was appointed to the position by Governor Kay Ivey following former Revenue Commissioner Eleanor Outlaw’s retirement at the end of October.

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Tuberville honors Claudia Wigglesworth of Daleville as December “Veteran of the Month”

Staff Reports

Washington – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) released a video honoring U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Claudia Wigglesworth of Daleville as the December “Veteran of the Month.”

“We often think of the holiday season as a time for giving. For Lieutenant Colonel Claudia Wigglesworth of Daleville, she exhibits this spirit of generosity all year long,” said Tuberville.

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Area schools hold 8th annual Sounds of the Season concert

By Caitlyn Cummings

In keeping with a local Christmas tradition, a group of schools hosted the 8th Annual Sounds of the Season concert on December 12 at the Ozark Civic Center. Participating schools included Lisenby Primary School, Mixon Intermediate School, D.A. Smith Middle School, Carroll High School, Ariton High School, Dale County High School, and Elevations School of Dance.

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Ozark City Schools earns 'B' on State Report Card, eyes higher marks in 2025

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark City Schools received an 83%, an overall B, on their State Report Card. This score is nearly identical to the one they earned in 2023.

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Ozark Christmas Parade lights up the season with floats, music, and community spirit

By Caitlyn Cummings

The Ozark Christmas Parade, held on December 16, provided fun for the entire family as hundreds lined the streets of Ozark to watch the event. The Kiwanis Club reported that approximately 95 floats participated in the parade this year.

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High-speed chase leads to crash involving Dale County deputies

By Christina Faulkner

A high-speed chase Tuesday night, Dec. 17, ended in a crash involving two Dale County Sheriff’s deputies near Walmart in Ozark, leaving one deputy with minor injuries and a suspect in custody.

The incident began when Marion Williams failed to yield to a traffic stop on Highway 231 North while traveling southbound toward Ozark. Observing him traveling at a high rate of speed, a deputy attempted a traffic stop, but Williams accelerated, prompting a pursuit.

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The Holman House to host new museum honoring the legacy of local newspaper

By Caitlyn Cummings

On December 17, the Ozark City Council authorized Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship and the Ozark Heritage Foundation to establish a museum in the Holman House to honor the legacy of The Southern Star and the Adams family.

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Ozark Boys and Girls Club Teen Center ribbon cut, opening valuable

By Caitlyn Cummings and Christina Faulkner

A dream turned into reality for Jessica Moore, Executive Director of the Ozark Boys & Girls Club (BGC), as the club officially cut the ribbon on its highly anticipated Teen Center on December 17. Located on Andrews Avenue in the building that once housed the Ozark Board of Education offices, the Teen Center represents a significant step in the club’s commitment to the community’s youth, expanding its offerings to include teens aged 14 to 18.

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