These are news article links and comments that were listed on our website, prior to the November 2024 election. For newer links on this topic visit our website: https://www.dalecodemocrats.com
Focus on Ozark & Dale County:
WDHN: “Cutting-edge” training coming to Wallace Community College with state grant
Comment: "Wallace Community College has been awarded a Workforce Development grant to develop a new information technology training platform for students."
"According to WCCD, Cyber Range will replicate real-world IT environments and offer students an immersive training experience in cybersecurity, cyber defense, and network management. The program will utilize simulations and hands-on experience."
"This program will help students prepare for careers as Cybersecurity Specialists, Software Developers, Computer Systems Analysts, Information Security Analysts, Database Administrators, and more."
Troy University: TROY, Ozark City Schools partnership seeks to produce next generation of educators
Comment: "Troy University and the Ozark City Schools have signed an agreement aimed at helping to provide the school system’s next generation of teachers."
"The Accelerate Dual Enrollment agreement will enable Ozark City Schools students who express an interest in pursuing a career in education to begin to gain experience and college credit toward an education degree at Troy University."
" 'This agreement means that Ozark City Schools are going to help develop the next generation of teachers for our system,' said Reeivice Girtman, the system’s superintendent. 'We are committed to trying to provide opportunities to our students and that is what this agreement is all about. We are trying to grow our own teachers. We want the next generation of teachers in Ozark City Schools to come from this initiative.' "
WTVY: Boys & Girls Club of Ozark partners with Ozark City Schools for new teen center
WTVY: Governor chooses Ozark superintendent for Alabama’s new free public boarding school
Comment: "Reeivice Girtman, Superintendent of Ozark City Schools Systems, was chosen by Governor Ivey to represent District 1 on the ASHS’s Board of Trustees."
"The school, which aims to address the healthcare shortage felt in rural hospitals across the state, is a boarding school that will house around 400 students and immerse them into the healthcare field, from the classroom to the operating room. It will be located in Demopolis, Alabama."
Dale County Judge suspended after state investigation | WDHN - wdhn.com
WDHN: Former Daleville officer pleads guilty to beating man in cell after arrest, attorneys say
WDHN: Dale Co. Comm’r surprises with big budget increase for local library
https://www.wdhn.com/news/dale-co-commr-surprises-with-big-budget-increase-for-local-library/
Comment: I don't know if a yearly budget increase of $5000 can be considered a big increase, but I'm sure that it is appreciated by the part-time staff, especially since they have had to make additional efforts to comply with new Alabama library policy (see related article and comments below.) Please note that Commissioner Adam Enfinger voted against the library funding increase, consistent with previous policy complaints he has had with the library.
WDHN: Ozark Library announces temporary closure to remove books, complying with new state policy
Comment: (UPDATE) Ozark-Dale Library is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, August 20th, after being closed for about a month. It's a sad state of affairs when a public library has to close to insure compliance with a vague and somewhat arbitrary policy enacted to respond to politically motivated hysteria and fears. The potential loss of $45,000 in state funding means that the Ozark-Dale library can't dare risk offending the powers that be, perhaps even if it is over a single misplaced book. Never mind the huge effort of volunteer staff to insure compliance. Never mind the loss of a valuable community resource while this effort is taking place.
Note: It is our understanding that the library's meeting room will continue to be available to those who have rented it. Therefore, Dale County Democrats will continue to meet there on the second Monday of each month, at 7 PM.
WDHN: Ozark unveils second baby box in the Wiregrass
https://www.wdhn.com/news/local-news/ozark-unveils-second-baby-box-in-the-wiregrass/
Comment: "Safe havens offer mothers a way to surrender their newborns anonymously for adoption, and, advocates say to avoid hurting, abandoning or even killing them." With abortion prohibition in place in Alabama, at least this alternative is provided for those who are unable to raise a child.
New trucking company hub coming to Dale Co., state commits almost two hundred thousand in funds
Ozark Boys & Girls Club teaching future entrepreneurs
Ozark-Dale County Library makes definition decision
https://www.wtvy.com/2024/06/13/ozark-dale-county-library-makes-definition-decision/?outputType=amp
WDHN: Ozark Judge tells father, ‘apologize or go to jail,’ in addition to a 200$ ticket for going 28 in a 25
https://www.wdhn.com/news/viral-exposure-ozark-judge-threatens-slammer-for-swearing/
Comment: According to offender (father), the traffic officer told him that his radar was broken but he still wrote him a $200 ticket for going 3 miles over the speed limit. How did he possibly know? I might have been tempted to swear at the officer too. As an older white man, I wonder if the judge would have threatened me with jail time too. Of course, the father happened to be black.
Alabama Political Reporter: Ozark resident intends to sue mayor for "violating First Amendment rights"
AL.com: Alabama book challenges an expensive ‘nightmare’: Librarians
https://www.al.com/news/2024/04/alabama-book-challenges-an-expensive-nightmare-librarians.html
Comment: Includes reference to Ozark Dale County Library
WTVY: Friends of Army Aviation keep Vietnam War helicopters flying high
https://www.wtvy.com/2024/06/28/friends-army-aviation-keep-vietnam-war-helicopters-flying-high/
Comment: "Friends of Army Aviation offers flights to the families of graduating Fort Novosel students every first and second Thursday of the month. "
Dothan Eagle: Fort Novosel breaks ground on $100 million barracks complex
Comment: Another example of the significant economic impact of Fort Novosel.
WTVY: Judge tosses charges brought by Ozark mayor
https://www.wtvy.com/2024/02/17/judge-tosses-charges-brought-by-ozark-mayor/
Ozark mayor files harassment charges in ongoing citizen feud
https://www.alreporter.com/2024/01/05/ozark-mayor-files-harassment-charges-in-ongoing-citizen-feud/
Wallace-Dothan, Dale Medical Center partnering for new Wiregrass Center for Rural Healthcare Opportunities
WTVY: Daleville Public Library establishes Free Little Libraries in Dale County
United States Army: The U.S. Army Warrant Officer Museum opens in Ozark, Alabama
https://www.army.mil/article/274002/the_u_s_army_warrant_officer_museum_opens_in_ozark_alabama
New museum in Ariton to honor Big Mama Thorton and other blues singers
https://www.wtvy.com/2024/03/13/new-museum-ariton-honor-big-mama-thornton-other-blues-singers/
Remembering The Blues Legend Behind Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin’s Greatest Hits - American Songwriter
Comment: Story about Ariton's Big Mama Thorton. "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame plans to induct Thornton on October 19, 2024."
Ozark library board disagrees on book review process
https://www.alreporter.com/2024/01/18/ozark-library-board-disagrees-on-book-review-process/
Fight over LGBTQ books in Ozark library divides Alabama community: ‘An abomination to God’