(Editor’s note: The following article was reprinted from www.auburntigers.com)

CARY, N.C. – After receiving an invitation to training camp last week, sophomore pitcher Joseph Gonzalez earned a roster spot on the 2022 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.

Gonzalez is one of 26 of the premier non-draft eligible college players to make the final roster and will represent the United States at Honkbalweek Haarlem in the Netherlands from July 9–15.

By Christina Faulkner

The United States Supreme Court overturned the almost 50-year-old controversial Roe Vs. Wade decision in a conservative majority decision on Thursday, June 23. The 5-4 vote sends oversight of abortion law back to the individual states.

Attorney General Steve Marshall released a statement Friday afternoon announcing that the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama had lifted the injunction against Alabama’s Human Life Protection Act.  

By Christopher Mobley

The Ozark City Board of Education has named their new Career Technical Director for Carroll High School. 

Carroll High School’s new Career Technical Director will be Mrs. Casey Campbell Moore. Moore will be replacing Dr. Warren Weeks, who served as the  Career Technical Center’s director since August 2020.

By Christina Faulkner

Dale County mayors are not pleased with the county’s distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds directed at assisting Emergency Medical Service providers throughout the county. Electing Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship to represent them at the Dale County Commission meeting held on Tuesday, June 14, the Dale County Mayor’s Association attempted to make their voice heard once again.

Special to The Southern Star

The Wiregrass Aviation Support Program was the recipient of a refurbished OH-58 helicopter, courtesy of Arista Aviation Services on June 2. Arista Chief Operating Officer, Rob Dodson joined Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson and Dothan Police Chief Will Benny as the newest addition to the program was unveiled and Dodson relinquished ownership to WASP law enforcement officers.

By Tom Dreilinger

By Christina Faulkner

After evaluating over 34,000 nominations the Department of Defense Commission’s recommendation for the renaming of nine military installations named after confederate leaders was released last month on May 24. Fort Rucker was among the nine military installations to be renamed. 

Fort Rucker was named for Colonel Edmund Rucker, a brigade commander in the Confederate army and later given the honorary title of general. 

By Christopher Mobley

“Where families have come for comfort and closure since 1929.” That tagline perfectly explains the longevity and connection to the community that Holman Funeral Home has always built their business on. When current owners, Ted Smith, Bill Sullivan and Ann Sullivan, purchased Holman Funeral Home in October of 2021, they aimed to keep the same principles and community bond. It is this dedication that has led to Holman Funeral Home winning the Ozark Chamber of Commerce’s June Business of the Month award.

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark-Dale County E-911 responded to reports of a helicopter crash in the vicinity of the 4000 block of County Road 108 early Monday afternoon, June 6. According to a press release from Fort Rucker officials, an AH-64 Apache helicopter experienced an aviation incident shortly before 2 p.m. 

The Apache crashed into the trees along the side of County Road 108 sustaining visible damage to the exterior of the craft.

By Jim Hughes, Fort Rucker Public Affairs

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The daughter of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence chief of staff earned the honor of representing a nearby community when she became Miss Ozark at the city’s pageant April 30.

Greta “GiGi” Gardner, daughter of Col. Whitney B. and Melissa Gardner, said she is thrilled and proud to represent the city in which she’s lived for the past year.

By Christopher Mobley

Carroll High School Girls’ Soccer Coach Kirke Adams was awarded with Dothan Eagle’s Super 12 Coach of the Year recently. 

Kirke Adams has been with the Carroll High Girls’ Soccer team since their first game together in 2003. This past season makes over 20 seasons during which Coach Adams has been with them every step of the way. Even after a successful winning season, Adams says that the award comes as a pleasant surprise. 

By Christina Faulkner

By Christopher Mobley

Ozark is a city that has seen a lot of development and growth in the past couple of years. This means more business, more opportunity, and more real estate. This growth and opportunity are the main things that brings businesses like Bivins Realty Group back home, ready to satisfy the housing needs of those looking to move or upgrade their homes.

By Brandon Faulkner

The G.W. Long Rebels won their 17th State Championship on May 19. Long’s 17th title is the most state championship titles by any high school in Alabama. UMS-Wright and Sweet Water are tied for the second most State Championship titles in Alabama with ten each.

By Christopher Mobley

On Thursday morning, the children of Ozark were in for a treat as they got story time and the chance to see the ins and outs of how emergency vehicles work. This was a recipe for an exciting time during Ozark-Dale County Library’s Touch a Truck event. 

An additional $5 million awarded by the Alabama Legislature for dual enrollment opportunities at Alabama’s community colleges will continue to increase the number of students who benefit from college classes while still in high school. In many cases, high school students are graduating with their associate degree either before or shortly after earning their high school diploma.

Mike Durant for Alabama US Senate Website

Over the past few months, I’ve been writing about Special Operation Forces (SOF) entrepreneurs. It has been an awesome journey. I’ve been met with new ideas that challenge the way I think, and the impossibility of staying on a publishing timeline, all the while attempting to grow my brand in a crowded space. Helping others and promoting their businesses is the least that I can do, I owe my community for letting me stay as long as I have.    

By Christopher Mobley

Onlookers were shocked as a cloud of black smoke from a burning vehicle surrounded the local Walmart parking lot on Wednesday, May 11. 

“The fire seemed to start at the back of the vehicle,” said Shayne Glenn, auto enthusiast and experienced mechanic. “It could’ve been a fuel leak, or something electrical. It’s hard to tell when it happens so suddenly.”

By Christopher Mobley

Having too many stray animals roaming the community can not only be a bit of a burden on neighbors, but also a potentially dangerous one, for both humans and stray pets. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 6.3 million companion pets enter animal shelters nationwide every year. A lot of these animals are unfortunately abandoned. 

Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon into the late-night hours, Monday, May 16. According to Dale County EMA Director, Willie Worsham, the primary threats are damaging wind gusts, hail, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall. 

By Christopher Mobley

“It’s amazing, there are so many people here, there’s so many things that you can do, so many wonderful things you can eat, it is just a fantastic day.”

There’s no better way than that quote to describe the way everybody in attendance felt at this year’s Aware Fair on The Square here in Ozark. Food vendors, great entertainment, and organizations of the area on a wonderful day kept the large crowd happy, full and ready to enjoy the festivities all afternoon!

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark City Schools Superintendent Reeivice Girtman met with community members at the Holman House during the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee & Conversation Wednesday, May 4. Girtman provided a year-in-review and the system’s future plans. 

Girtman briefly spoke about the decisions he and the school board made in regards to COVID over the past year saying, “I think we made the right decisions based on the information we had available at that time.”