The Southern Star

01/10/2026

A Gilland Christmas tradition brings joy and connection to VBAS

By Christina Faulkner, Associate Editor A Gilland Christmas tradition continues to bring joy, connection, and a sense of belonging to students at Vivian B. Adams School, where the annual Christmas Party remains one of the most anticipated days of the year. Sponsored by the Gilland family and Gilland...

01/10/2026

Ozark honors Charles Veneziano with ACE award; council approves civic center beverage bid with conditions

By Christina Faulkner Ozark City Council opened its December meeting by recognizing longtime resident and community volunteer Charles Veneziano as the city’s 2025 Outstanding ACE Volunteer, an honor presented through the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) program. Holle Smith, who serves as O...

01/09/2026

Beef prices offer bright spot for Dale County livestock producers

By Christina Faulkner For many in Dale County’s agricultural community, few segments of production have seen as much sustained strength in recent years as beef cattle. After record-high prices through much of 2025, industry analysts say 2026 is shaping up to continue that trend, offering a rare bi...

01/09/2026

New for YOU in 2026 with Extension

Submitted by County Extension Director Melissa Voynich We have been hard at work surveying the county about needs and wants for our programs this year, and the Dale County team is excited to showcase our plans to help you and your family each month with interesting programs and helpful certification...

01/09/2026

Maduro captured by U.S. forces, brought to U.S. to face charges

By Christina Faulkner U.S. military forces carried out a pre-dawn operation in Caracas on January 3, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and transporting them to the United States to face federal criminal charges, according to U.S. officials and international n...

01/08/2026

The Southern Star is on newsstands and available online for digital subscribers. We provide all your hometown news, serving Ozark and Dale County since 1867. Inside this week’s edition, readers can discover what’s new for 2026 with the Dale County Extension Office, including upcoming programs, workshops, certifications, and community events planned throughout the year. Readers can also learn about local students recognized for Fall 2025 academic honors at Wallace Community College–Dothan and Jacksonville State University, and read all about a new workforce development scholarship opportunity available to Dale County high school seniors pursuing trade or certification programs. This week’s paper also helps readers prepare for the upcoming tax season with important information from the IRS on changes, deductions, and steps to take now before filing begins. Additionally, explore the perspectives of community voices through a range of opinion columns that offer insight and reflection on local issues.

01/03/2026

City of Ozark honors employees for service and dedication

By Christina Faulkner The City of Ozark recognized the dedication and service of its employees during the annual Christmas and Employee Incentive Luncheon held last month, honoring local heroes who serve the community across multiple departments. During the luncheon, employees of the year were recog...

01/03/2026

Dine, Dance & Donate to benefit Vivian B. Adams School

By Christina Faulkner With information provided by Susan Owens, Vivian B. Adams School Resource Coordinator The community is invited to attend Dine, Dance & Donate, a festive evening benefiting Vivian B. Adams School, on January 15, 2026, at the Ozark Civic Center. The event will be held from 5:30 t...

01/03/2026

Liberty Learning Super Citizens honor local heroes

By Ashley Storey, OCS Director of Communications and Public Relations Second- and third-grade students at Lisenby Primary School and Mixon Intermediate School recently celebrated the completion of the Liberty Learning Super Citizen Program with a special event honoring six school and community membe...

01/02/2026

Food Safety updates to start the New Year

Submitted by County Extension Director Melissa Voynich The Alabama Extension Food Safety and Quality team is excited to launch the new Alabama Cottage Food Law online course. This self-paced course is open to anyone who is interested or planning to produce food for sale to the public from their home...

01/02/2026

Wreath makers invited to participate in Festival of Wreaths silent auction

By Christina Faulkner, with information provided by Susan Owens, VBAS Resource Coordinator The community’s creative talents are being invited to take center stage as organizers announce an open call for entries for the Festival of Wreaths, a featured component of the upcoming Dine, Dance & Donate ...

01/02/2026

Crop Growing Contest shows benefits of moderation, marketing

By Mary Wilson Finding the right combination of crop management applications and marketing strategies that result in a profitable season is an annual quandary for Alabama farmers. For the past two years, it has been a question that researchers from Alabama Extension at Auburn University have tried t...