Four Ballfields at the Lake Are Getting Synthetic Turf
De Armanville, AL · October 7, 2026
Curators at the Berman are pulling seldom-seen artifacts out of the vaults at noon today. Before that lifts your afternoon, grab a light jacket for the crisp morning commute.
The Lead
Youth sports schedules across the valley are about to look a lot less weather-dependent. The Oxford City Council approved a $2.9 million contract with Gameday Athletic Surfaces to convert four ballfields at the Oxford Softball Complex at Oxford Lake into all-weather synthetic turf.
Just down Highway 78, Oxford Lake serves as the weekend athletic home for hundreds of local families and regional tournaments. Spring storms regularly saturate the existing dirt diamonds, leaving maintenance crews scrambling with rakes and drying agents while games face weekend-long rainouts. Replacing the natural surfaces with modern artificial turf will keep regional tourneys on schedule, eliminate dust bowls during dry spells, and reduce seasonal upkeep costs.
Ground crews will begin mobilization and base grading at the complex later this month, aiming to roll out the new playing surface well ahead of opening day.
Local Pulse
Engineers Advance Friendship Road Bridge Expansion Project Roads Surveyors are finalizing right-of-way plans to widen the corridor and replace the aging bridge without halting morning commutes.
Army Depot Leases Land for Graphite Facility Business A new preliminary agreement dedicates ninety-seven acres at the depot toward domestic mineral processing, expanding regional industrial manufacturing.
Today's Outlook
- High 82°F · Low 56°F — Clear
- Grab a light jacket for the morning chill before clear skies warm your afternoon.
What's On Around Town
Today
Collection Conversations Berman Museum Classroom (840 Museum Dr), Anniston, Noon · Free Behind-the-scenes discussion featuring rare historical artifacts not currently on public display.
Lego League Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County (108 E 10th St), Anniston, 4:00 PM · Free Hands-on building challenges for school-age creators to engineer custom projects.
Trivia Night Buffalo Wild Wings (501 S Quintard Ave), Oxford, 6:30 PM Midweek pub trivia with friends and full kitchen service.
Tomorrow
Fall Fidget Frenzy Oxford Civic Center (401 McCullars Ln), Oxford, 5:00–8:00 PM · Free
BlackHawk in Concert Oxford Performing Arts Center (100 Choccolocco St), Oxford, 7:00 PM · Paid
Friday
SkyTrail Festival Sunset Social Longleaf Event Center (920 Museum Dr), Anniston, 5:30–7:00 PM · $25
An Evening with Amy Grant Oxford Performing Arts Center (100 Choccolocco St), Oxford, 7:30 PM · Paid
Spotlight & Story
- Theresa Shaddix
- After fifteen years living abroad in Southeast Asia, this Oxford native returned home to share creative technique across the valley. Wheeling her loaded 'art on a cart' into classrooms at De Armanville Elementary, she unpacks clay, sketchpads, and paint for hundreds of students weekly.
De Armanville Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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