By Christopher Mobley

Loud pipes, hot rods, and a whole lot of chrome brought out the community this past Saturday for the Alabama Auto Enthusiasts’ “Dairy Queen Cruise in Fundraiser.”

Located at the local Dairy Queen, spectators and fellow enthusiasts of all ages came together to enjoy cool cars on a cool night. From classic cars, to fresh off the lot; from American muscle, to smart cars; there was something for everyone to enjoy. A great opportunity for locals to not only enjoy the cars, but also come together and interact with their fellow neighbors. 

(Editors Note: Story reprinted from www.AuburnTigers.com)

AUBURN, Ala. – With a ferocious pass rush and precision coverage, Auburn kept No. 3 Alabama out of the end zone until the final minute before falling 24-22 in quadruple overtime Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the Iron Bowl.

Bryce Young's two-point pass to John Metchie accounted for the winning points after Auburn went first and threw an incompletion in the fourth overtime. 

By Christina Faulkner

Ozark City Schools will remove the mask mandate put into effect at the beginning of this school year. Students may return to school after the Thanksgiving holiday without the requirement of masks in the classroom on Monday, November 29. School officials say the decision came after careful consideration and discussions with local physicians as well as other health officials.

While the mandate has been lifted, school officials are still encouraging the use of masks by students and staff. 

By Christina Faulkner

More than 150 students gathered in the Harry N. Mixon School gymnasium to celebrate their accomplishments and honor local heroes on Wednesday, November 10. Students in the 3rd grade at Mixon completed a 10-week civics, character, financial literacy, and social studies program that began with a visit from Libby Liberty in August. 

The Ozark Dale County Library Board of Trustees and Staff were excited to announce the opening of their new location for March 2022. In preparation for the move, the library will close for an extended period beginning December 30 through their tentative opening date of March 1, 2022. During that time the library will not be offering any services. The planned closing is in addition to the library’s regularly scheduled holiday closings which are outlined below. 

Submitted by Bill Sullivan

(Editor’s Note: Story reprinted from www.AuburnTigers.com)

AUBURN, Ala. – No. 16 Auburn scored touchdowns on its first four drives to build a 25-point lead but Mississippi State answered with six consecutive touchdown drives to beat the Tigers 43-34 Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark City Police Department swore in two new reserve officers Friday, November 5. Reserve Officers Travis E. Ogburn and James Andrew Lemons were sworn in Friday morning after completing their training under Sergeant Jerome Nile. 

Mayor Mark Blankenship extended his thanks to Ogburn and Lemons, telling them he looked forward to working with them. 

Ozark City Schools is planning to share holiday fun and festivities during its 7th Annual Ozark City Schools Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar on Friday, December 3. The annual event will last all day in the Carroll High School practice gym with vendor and raffle proceeds supporting the school system’s At-Risk students and their educational and personal needs. 

After adhering to the 2020 CDC guidelines, the school system was unable to host the event last year; however, this year they are excited by the opportunity to support their students through this event. 

Ozark City and Dale County Schools are seeing the effects of distance learning after a release from Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama last month indicated low proficiency scores during the 2020-2021 school year for some schools in the two school districts. The schools with the lowest proficiency scores were D.A. Smith Middle School in Ozark at 7.08% of students reaching proficiency in math and only 10.39% of students at Mixon obtaining proficiency.

Jim Preuitt, a legendary House member, State Senator, and Probate Judge of Talladega County passed away in September at age 86. Jim was one of my best legislative buddies. We came to the legislature together in 1982 and became fast friends. We became seat mates in the House, and we were inseparable during our entire first four-year term (1982 -1986).

Carroll and Tallasee exchanged touchdowns in a wild contest in the regular season. Tallassee scored to escape with a 45-35 win.

Keyshawn Cole ran for a touchdown and passed for 4 more to lead Carroll.

Cole threw touchdown passes of 12

yards to Jason Macintosh, 27 yards to Takoda Mcloud, 61 yards to Payton Plott, and 66 yards to Jordan Killings. The Killings touchdown cut the Tallassee lead to 6 with 1:43 left in the game. Carroll finished the regular season 4-6 and will travel for a playoff game this week at Central Clay County.

I have not known when or if I would sell the Southern Star. But nearly a year after having had a disabling stroke it became time for me to consider selling the Southern Star.  The Southern Star owned by Joe H Adams to Pierre Little of Calais, Maine came about on October 29th. 

Looking back on my tenure I became editor on the last issue of August 1957 and publisher in 1969 to settle a tax debt against The Southern Star.