By Christina Faulkner

During the latest Ozark City Schools Board of Education meeting in September, a significant appointment was made as Marci Williams was chosen as the new principal for Carroll High School. Dr. Alan Miller, Assistant Superintendent of Ozark City Schools, was present to extend his congratulations to Williams on her well-deserved promotion.

By David Speck

The Carroll Eagles hosted the number 3 team in the state for Division 5A, the Charles Henderson Trojans. The game didn’t start out the way the Eagles would have liked it to, but their never give up attitude wasn’t going to be denied.

The Trojans received the opening kickoff and scored a touchdown in the first minute of the game. Just seven minutes later they scored again, putting the Eagles at a 14-0 disadvantage.

By Felicia Farnsworth

Randy Thorne, 62, fell victim to a heinous murder somewhere in the late hours of Sunday, September 10 or the early hours of Monday, September 11, 2023, when he reportedly succumbed to a shotgun wound while sleeping in his bed in Banks, Alabama. 

By Christina Faulkner

Franklin County, Florida - A boating excursion on the Apalachicola River turned into a devastating tragedy Saturday, September 9, resulting in the loss of one life and critical injuries to another. The incident occurred along the East River Cut-off of the Apalachicola River, when two Ozark residents, William Hardwick, 61, and Gary Tibbetts, 64, were enjoying a leisurely day on the water.

Press Release - The Alabama Commission on Higher Education today approved an instructional role change for Troy University that will allow the University to offer additional doctoral degrees, a move that paves the way for TROY’s continued maturation as a research institution.

TROY applied in June for a change in instructional role, and following a recommendation of approval by ACHE staff, commissioners voted unanimously to grant the change.

By Leslie Herlick, Fort Novosel Public Affairs

Walls usually separate people, but in this case, it was a wall that brought Fort Novosel Soldier volunteers and the local community together. The US Army Warrant Officer Career College (USAWOCC) Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS), Class 23-23 and Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) came together on a hot Ozark morning to help the city of Ozark, Alabama build a retaining wall at the historic Holman House on August 26th to help with accessibility and modernization of the grounds.

By Christina Faulkner

John Cawley, the Dale County Coroner, recently addressed the Ozark Kiwanis Club and shared a stark and concerning assessment of the county's growing drug problem, specifically highlighting the dangerous prevalence of Fentanyl.

By Christina Faulkner

The Carroll High School Eagles soared to victory in a thrilling intercounty showdown against the Dale County Warriors on Friday night, securing a decisive 62-30 win. This 5A school took on the 4A Warriors and showcased their dominance on the field.

The game kicked off with intense energy as the Eagles' Keyshawn Cole set the tone with a 32-yard touchdown, igniting the scoreboard. The Warriors swiftly responded when Dallas Hedstrom connected with Junior Smith for a 28-yard touchdown pass.

By Christina Faulkner

In a recent decision that marks a significant organizational change, the Ozark City Council appointed Ozzie Maianeto as the Director of Leisure Services. This decision, made at the end of the August 15 City Council meeting, aims to streamline the leadership of the department under a single lead individual.

Submitted by County Extension Coordinator Melissa Voynich

Ozark, Al. – August 10, 2023 – Prepare to be entertained as the South Alabama Pro Rodeo Classic 2023 will arrive to Ozark on September 8 and 9.

Presenting sponsors are Hagler Heating and Cooling, Ozark Collision Center, and State Farm - Jenna Mack.

Gates open at 5 P.M. each night, where activities for the whole family to enjoy will start with Mutton Bustin at 6:30 P.M. Rodeo events begin at 7:30 P.M. both nights.

By Christina Faulkner

A new era of innovation and promise has dawned upon Ozark as the city welcomes Thirium, an emerging powerhouse in the unmanned aviation sector. Thirium's commitment to pioneering unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has garnered the attention and support of local officials, paving the way for an exciting chapter in Ozark's economic landscape.

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark City Council took significant steps in their recent session as they greenlit a public hearing for a rezoning proposal and approved incentives for a proposed project, while also addressing various municipal matters and plans for the future.

By Christina Faulkner

By Travis Parker

LTC (US Army Ret.) John “Doc” Holladay, President of Friends of Army Aviation (FoAA), gave an overview and history of the FoAA at the AUSA General Membership Breakfast on Thursday, August 10 at the Ozark Civic Center.

By Travis Parker

According to Commanding General, USAACE and Fort Novosel Major General Mike McCurry, it is harder for a soldier to be awarded the Soldier’s Medal than it is for the soldier to achieve the rank of General. On Monday, August 7, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Nigel P. Huebscher accomplished this rare feat when he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal in a ceremony on Ft. Novosel for his primary part in the saving of two lives last fall. This is the highest honor that a soldier can receive for a non-combat action.

By Christina Faulkner

In a bid to guide uncertain high school students towards promising career paths, a dynamic mentorship program was conceived through the vision of Mayor Mark Blankenship and launched just three weeks ago by the City of Ozark. The inception of this transformative initiative has already begun to shape the aspirations of young minds.

By Christina Faulkner 

In a testament to the enduring spirit of community empowerment, Brenda Overton, Vice President of Pea River Broadband, addressed the Ozark Rotary Club with an update on the company's groundbreaking Broadband expansion initiative. Building upon the rich history of Pea River’s cooperative electric company that has been serving families in a three-county service area for 85 years, Overton shared insights into how the new Broadband venture is set to revolutionize connectivity in the local area.

By Travis Parker

By J.D. Devine

This year, as students all across Alabama return to school, parents should be aware of new literacy guidelines and retention requirements set to take effect for the 2023-2024 school year.

The Alabama Literacy Act of 2019 requires schools to implement more stringent literacy requirements for students. One component of the law that has some parents concerned is the requirement that all schools in the state retain third-grade students who fail to read at grade level by the end of the school year. 

By Christina Faulkner

The Dale County Commission reviewed and approved Chief Probate Clerk Keisha W. Johnson’s position with the Dale County Probate Office on Tuesday, July 25. Johnson recently completed the Basic Law for Probate Judges Course administered by the Alabama Law Institute and the Alabama Probate Judges Association, and was awarded her Certificate of Completion by Michael Hill, Senior Attorney, Alabama Law Institute, and Honorable Greg Cain, President, Alabama Probate Judges Association.

By J.D. Devine

Alabama lawmakers worked last week on drawing a new map that redefines its congressional districts. State lawmakers were sent scrambling after a federal court order, which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court mandated the Alabama Legislature to redraw its congressional districts so “minority voters do not have less of an opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and to elect representatives of their choice” in at least two Alabama districts. 

By J.D. Devine

On July 19, Ozark City Schools (OCS) announced that Deidra Thomas would become Mixon Intermediate School’s new assistant principal. Her appointment comes after Leigh Lawrence McGee (“McGee”) was recently named the principal of the school. This comes as every school within OCS has new principals and/or assistant principals.