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.”

By Christina Faulkner

Special Agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) are investigating an officer-involved shooting after a high-speed chase had a deadly end for one Ozark man on Monday, May 2. According to press releases from the Dale County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and ALEA, Samuel Ed Farnam, 44, of Ozark was fatally injured after officers discharged their weapons in order to apprehend the armed suspect. 

By Christopher Mobley

“It's gonna be a good feeling because I'm gonna deliver like throwing a touchdown! All of them are gonna stand up and cheer! That's what's gonna happen!”

That quote by blues singer, Johnny Rawls of the Mississippi Soul Blues Band, sums up the electric feeling the scene of this year’s Wiregrass Blues Fest brought. Ozark’s Ag Plex was the perfect venue for the crowd that was eager for a show, and the artists who were even more eager to put on a crowd-pleasing show.

Submitted by Caitlyn Cummings

A high speed chase came to a deadly end for one suspect in Ozark on Highway 231 this evening, May 2. 

While Sheriff Wally Olson was unable to release any details of the incident, it is known that officer involved shooting occurred as the chase came to a close shortly after 5 p.m. this evening in the vicinity of the intersection of Deese Rd. and Highway 231. 

The Dale County Coroner was on scene to retrieve the body of the unidentified suspect. Olson advised the Sheriif's Office has handed the case over to the Alabama Law Enforcement State Bureau of Investigations.

By Christina Faulkner

The Boys and Girls Club of Ozark -Southeast Alabama hosted the 25th Steak and Burger Dinner and Auction at the Ozark Civic Center on Thursday, April 14. While this is the nonprofit organization’s 27th year in operation in Ozark, the annual event celebrated its 25th year after the pandemic kept donors from gathering to support the B&GC in 2020 and 2021. 

Jessica Moore told the gathered audience the world has learned lessons through the global pandemic that paused most fundraising efforts for nonprofits. 

By Christopher Mobley

The people of Ozark spent this past sunny Saturday enjoying outdoor activities and all for a good cause! The Hounds Hunting with Heart fundraiser was sponsored and presented by the Heart of Dixie Coon Hunters Association, with all of the proceeds from the event donated to Vivian B. Adams School. 

According to a press release from the White House, President Joe Biden is expected to visit Lockheed Martin’s Pike County plant Tuesday, May 3. 

Special to The Southern Star

Special to The Southern Star

The Ozark Heritage Association honored OHA Board member, John Runkle for his years of dedicated service to the restoration and maintenance of the Holman House. OHA hosted a dinner marking the 9th year since the Association was organized and to recognized key individuals in the accomplishment of its goals on Tuesday, April 12. 

By Adam Kamerer

Ozark Fire and Rescue responded to an unusual and tricky fire on Monday, April 11.

A little after 3 p.m., bystanders reported smoke rising from buildings off of West Reynolds Street. Arriving quickly on the scene, firefighters weren’t quite sure what they were dealing with. Initial concerns were that a fire had broken out in either Live at Harlow’s! or at Fannie’s Restaurant, but firefighters checked out both buildings top to bottom and confirmed there was no active fire in either location.

By Adam Kamerer

The Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Ozark-Southeast Alabama has selected Lanorion “L. A.” Hicks as their 2022 Youth of the Year honoree. 

Hicks started working with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club about a year ago, because one of his siblings attends the program. “I really love working with kids. I want to be a person for them that I didn’t have growing up,” says Hicks.

By Adam Kamerer

Supporters packed into the Pinckard Lunch Box for a meet and greet with Adam Enfinger on Saturday, April 9. Enfinger is launching a campaign to run for Dale County Commissioner, District Three.

Enfinger’s campaign provided free hot dogs and cookies to attendees. Enfinger was joined by his wife and children. The Pinckard Pageant Queens made an appearance, and the event opened with the national anthem sung by Junior Miss Newton Corrine Wallace.

By Adam Kamerer

Thousands of people gathered in downtown Ozark for the 16th Annual Crawdad and Music Festival on April 2.

Although the weather threatened to rain at times, clouds and the occasional stray sprinkle didn’t keep the crowds away. “I think we had the largest crowd ever at an event on the square,” says Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship. “I think we have a few things to tweak, but we were really pleased.”

By Adam Kamerer

Stanley Smith, a Sacred Harp songster from Ozark, has been selected as an honoree of the Celebration of Alabama Arts, to be held in Montgomery at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival on May 18. Smith will be awarded the Alabama Folk Heritage Award for his contributions to Sacred Harp singing.