The Southern Star

05/31/2025

Ozark Public Safety Director granted leave to run for mayor

By Christina Faulkner Ozark Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Charles Ward was granted a leave of absence by the Ozark City Council during its meeting last Tuesday after announcing his intention to run for mayor. Ward will challenge incumbent Mayor Mark Blankenship, who is seeking reelec...

05/31/2025

Daleville Memorial Day Ceremony emphasizes sacrifice, service, and remembrance

By Travis Parker Under blue skies, remembrance poppies in lapels, and waving flags, Daleville came together this Memorial Day to do what this sacred holiday demands: to pause, remember, and honor the men and women who gave their lives in military service to the United States. Veterans, active duty s...

05/30/2025

VBAS artists shine at 2025 Capitol Showcase: Art and advocacy meet at Alabama State Capitol

Submitted by Susan Owens The historic halls of the Alabama State Capitol are filled with color, creativity, and powerful personal stories during the 2025 Capitol Showcase Art Exhibition. Over 20 talented artists from Vivian B. Adams School (VBAS) were selected to display their work in the prestigiou...

05/30/2025

Brigadier General Cole honors fallen heroes with stories of sacrifice and courage

By Travis Parker On the Thursday before Memorial Day, Brigadier General Kenneth Cole captivated the audience with a heartfelt tribute to America’s fallen heroes. He traced this solemn tradition back to its roots as Decoration Day—a time when families would come together to pay respects to those ...

05/30/2025

Charting Ozark’s course forward: A closer look at the mayoral role

By Christina Faulkner With two candidates now officially in the race for Mayor of Ozark and the election just three months away on August 26, understanding what to expect from the city’s next mayor is essential to casting an informed vote. Incumbent Mayor Mark Blankenship is seeking a second term,...

05/29/2025

The Southern Star is on newsstands and available online for digital subscribers. We share all the hometown news. Learn about the fundamental job tasks of the Ozark mayor and what to look for in a mayoral candidate. Find out how you can help welcome home seven local veterans! Read how one local organization is helping displaced veterans from the CSM Bennie G. Adkins Veterans Home after the fire. Check out this week's Letters to the Editor to see what’s on readers’ minds. Congratulate Wallace Community College students for making the President’s and Dean’s Lists! All this and so much more in this week’s issue of The Southern Star! Do you have a story to share or want to submit an article? Email [email protected]. Show your support for hometown news, locally reported with an ad showcasing your business, services, and products. Contact us at [email protected] or (334) 908-3032.

05/24/2025

New President of WCCD named

Staff Reports On Wednesday, May 14, during its monthly meeting, the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board of Trustees approved Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker’s recommendation to appoint current Gadsden State Community College president Dr. Kathy Murphy as President of Wallace Community College ...

05/24/2025

Ozark departments face budget overages as council weighs essential needs
https://ow.ly/RgFM50VXmJe

05/23/2025

Ozark-Dale County Library marks 80 years of connection and curiosity

By Caitlyn Cummings This year, the Ozark-Dale County Library celebrates an incredible milestone—80 years of service to the people of Ozark and Dale County. For eight decades, the library has stood as more than just a place to check out books. It has been a sanctuary of learning, a spark for imagin...

05/23/2025

New Dale County Baptist Director Rev. John Granger reflects on six decades of ministry

By Travis Parker For almost sixty years, Rev. John Granger has been on a journey he never set out to take. Starting in pastoral ministry and moving into regional Baptist missions, his path has been filled with surprising chances, steadfast faith, and a strong dedication to helping communities both t...

05/23/2025

I’m so excited for Raptors: An animal experience like you have never seen before!

Submitted by County Extension Coordinator Melissa Voynich After the graduation weeks and final days of school have passed, what are you doing to continue your learning in fun ways? We have LOTS of answers for you! Our Camplify! summer experience for ages 9-18 is open for registration for two weeks o...