By Christina Faulkner

Fort Rucker’s First Annual Winter Fest was nothing less than spectacular, from the beautiful sunset that started off the evening to the polka music played by the Sonnenschein Express Band that set the mood for the German style winter festival. The festival was coupled with the post’s traditional tree lighting ceremony held at the festival fields on Friday, December 3 and included the season’s Trees for Troops event.

Wallace Community College-Dothan’s (WCCD) Director of Adult Education and The Next Step Youth Program Barbara Steger was recently awarded the Champion Award from the Alabama Adult Education Director’s Association (AEDA). The AEDA Champion Award recognizes the adult education director selected by his/her peers for speaking or acting on behalf of the Adult Education program.

By Christina Faulkner

The Ozark Dale County Library introduced their new Children’s Librarian at the Annual Employee Christmas Party held Monday, December 6. Debbie Self, a South Florida native, was announced at the new Children’s Librarian by Library Director, Karen Speck. 

Self and her husband have resided in Dale County for over 20 years, raising their two children in the area.  Both children graduated from Dale County High School.

By Christopher Mobley

An officer of the Ozark Police Department has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. Officer Roscoe Eudon Tidwell, 38, was arrested on December 9, following a domestic disturbance call to an Andrews Avenue address at 4:45AM. 

By: Christina Faulkner

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) State Bureau of Investigation’s (SBI) Special Victims Unit with the help of the Ozark Police Department and the Dale County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on an Ozark residence near Campground Road in the early morning hours of Friday, December 10. The search warrant pertained to a child exploitation investigation being conducted by SBI’s SVU. 

By Christopher Mobley

On Wednesday, December 8, Wallace Community College in Dothan, AL held a ceremony honoring Dr. Imogene Mathison Mixson, and celebrating the renaming of their writing center after the educator. 

By: Christopher Mobley

A Level Plains man, who is considered possibly armed and dangerous, is still on the run from the Level Plains police. The fleeing suspect, Dylan Lamar Pritchard, is currently wanted on suspicion of theft, drug possession, and other charges. 

Pritchard is described as a white male with long black hair, approximately 5’ 8”. He also has tattoos on both arms,  and was last reported to be wearing tan pants and shirtless with a handcuff on his right wrist. 

By Michelle Tims

High school students from Covington, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties gathered in Ozark last week for the 2021 Power of Youth Leadership Forum, an event designed to enhance their leadership and networking skills through mentoring by local business leaders.

Alabama Power Community Relations Manager David Norwood kicked off the event by telling the 150 students about their value for helping shape the future success of the region.

By Christopher Mobley

An Ozark couple, previously arrested for human trafficking and other sex crimes, have now been turned over to federal custody following their indictment by a federal grand jury. 

Contributors include Marlee Moore, Debra Davis and Mary Wilson

The Alabama Farmers Federation celebrated its 100th anniversary during the group’s annual meeting Dec. 5 and 6 in Montgomery with awards presentations and a salute to a century of serving farmers. Over 1,200 farmers gathered in the Capitol City at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center. The event also celebrated the 75th anniversary of Alfa Insurance, founded by the Federation in 1946.