The Observer 02-10-2022

Vol. 14, No. 18

Thursday Feb. 10, 2022

Opelika, Alabama

Covering Lee County, Alabama

An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.'

PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

Opelika’s “Recycled Teenagers”

Preparing for Biggest Performance Yet

See PERFOMANCE, page A3

73rd Auburn Chamber Annual Meeting Award Winners CONTRIBUTED BY THE AUBURN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Each year, the Auburn Chamber Annual Meeting is the largest gathering of the Auburn business community and an opportunity to celebrate the successes of the past year, applaud outstanding area businesses and look forward to the year ahead.

This year’s meeting, held at The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, featured remarks by the following: Elliott MacIsaac, 2021 chair of the Auburn Chamber; Rev. Msgr.

Michael Farmer, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church; Taylor Britton, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate; Anna Hovey, Auburn Chamber; and Mayor Ron Anders, сity of Auburn. The meeting was presented by Berkshire

Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate and sponsored

by Alabama Power, Carr, Riggs & Ingram, Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, Prewett Pest Control, SouthState Bank and The Hotel at Auburn University.

The awards presented at this year’s Annual Meeting are as follows: Eagle Awards - Eagle Awards are presented to businesses or individuals who have made broad contributions to the Auburn community. Recipients must be members of the Auburn Chamber and in business in Auburn for no less than five years.

Recipients have made an impact in our community through at least one of the following categories: Educational growth for employees and community, Job opportunities, Charitable contributions, Civic contributions or Aes-

thetic contribution via building and landscaping. The winners are as follows: Auburn Research and Technology Foundation East Alabama Health – Auburn Medical Pavilion Auburn Public Library Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County Hudson Family Foundation Office of Workforce Development, city of Auburn Auburn Chamber & Auburn-Opelika tourism Partnership Award - Andrew Hopkins of the Southeastern Raptor Center.

This award was created to recognize a business, person or project that has been an excellent partner in tourism or instrumental in developing or driving tourism in our area.

Young Business Person of the Year See AWARD, page A2

Governor Ivey Announces New Statewide Driver License System CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday announced the unveiling of a modernized driver license system that will provide significant improvements to both citizens and Driver License personnel across the state. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Driver License System, simply known as LEADS, will completely revitalize the current system, which has been in place for nearly two decades.

“This new system will consolidate multiple legacy systems into one integrated, modern system to further protect our citizens’ data and enhance customer service,” Ivey said. “I am proud of ALEA’s dedication to complete this crucial and extensive task to positively impact all citizens.”

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor added, “LEADS

CONTENTS OPINION.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 OPINION

SPORTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. . . . . A7

POLITICS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B9

RELIGION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A14

CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B11

COMICS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A16 COMICS

PUBLIC NOTICES. . . . . . . . . . . . B13

IVEY is a tangible example of ALEA’s continued focus on improving customer service, communication and technology to effectively achieve the agency's mission

of providing quality service for all. We are excited to join Governor Ivey in this announcement, and we would like to thank her and all See IVEY, page A2

A2 Feb. 10, 2022

2-1-1 Day on February 11 Celebrates Community Resource Number CONTRIBUTED BY UNITED WAY OF LEE COUNTY

Friday, Feb. 11, is National 211 Day. In honor of National 211 Day, United Way of Lee County encourages residents to spread the word about this vital service that helps millions of people across North America, and the thousands of people here in Lee, Russell and Chambers County each

year.

2-1-1 is your link to community resources.

Individuals in need of help can dial 2-1-1 to reach call centers 24 hours a day, with language translation available, so that anyone can speak with a real person at any time of day. So, what happens when someone makes a 2-1-1 call? When you make a free call to 2-1-1, the call is rout-

ed to the local 2-1-1 Center. The call is then answered by a trained information and referral specialist, who assesses your need(s), then searches a comprehensive database of relevant human service referrals.

The 2-1-1 specialist then explains how to access those services. Every day, people contact 211 to access free resources like disaster assistance; food pantries, health

were given referrals for needs such as utility assistance, prescription assistance, clothing and food pantries.

United Way of Lee County and United Way Worldwide have been long-standing supporters and the national leaders of the 2-1-1 movement in Partnership with the Alliance of Information and Referral Services.

As the largest private funder of the 2-1-1

care and insurance assistance; housing and utility payment assistance; employment services; veterans services; childcare programs, family services and more.

The 211 Coordinator of East Alabama commented that in Lee, Russell and Chambers counties 5,939 referrals to local agencies, were given to people who turned to 2-1-1 for help in 2021. Callers

Free Photo Voter IDs Still Available During License Offices Closures CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE SEC. OF STATE Gov. Kay Ivey recently announced that Driver License Offices statewide must be closed beginning Monday, April 18, 2022 with plans to reopen on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

During these license office closures,

AWARDS>>

FROM A1

Daniel Holland, Holland Homes This award was initiated in 1994 to recognize a young business person for his or her achievement early in business.

Norm Caldwell Excellence in Industry Award - Phillip Dunlap, City of Auburn Created in 2002, the Norm Caldwell Excellence in Industry Award recognizes and honors an invaluable leader in industry.

Teague Award (Volunteer of the Year) - Elliott MacIsaac, VCOM The Teague Award, created in 1991, is named for Sam Teague, past chair, a chamber diplomat, member of the board of directors and the ultimate volunteer.

This award serves as the chamber’s “Volunteer of the Year” award and is presented annually to an outstanding volunteer.

Diplomat of the Year

registered voters will still be able to obtain a free photo voter ID. Eligible Alabamians can receive a free photo voter ID by visiting their county Board of Registrars office or the Secretary of State’s Office. In addition, the Secretary of State’s Office visits each county at least once

annually to issue free photo IDs and register voters.

To receive a free Alabama photo voter ID card, applicants must complete the application and meet the following requirements: they must provide a photo ID document or a non-photo identity document containing

their full legal name and date of birth, they must be a registered voter in Alabama and they cannot have any valid form of photo ID that is acceptable at the polls.

If you have any questions, contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at 334-242-7210.

(Sponsored by AuburnBank) - Todd Phelan, Wilson Investment Group The Diplomats serve as the Auburn Chamber’s core group of volunteers and make everything we do possible.

Our volunteers are our hosts, our helpers and our representatives.

Spirit of Auburn Award - Johnny Kincey The Spirit of Auburn award was established in 2002 to honor individuals or groups for his or her special contribution to the community.

Ham Lifetime Impact Award - Nancy Davis, Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner Named in honor of Former Mayor Bill Ham, the Ham Lifetime Impact Award pays tribute to an individual for his or her broad personal and professional impact on the Auburn Community.

Chairman's Award Mayor Ron Anders The Chairman’s Award is the Auburn Chamber’s highest honor and is presented to an

individual based on his/ her outstanding achievement, leadership, loyalty and dedication to the Auburn community.

Best of Small Business Awards In late spring, after a community-wide vote, we announced the Best of Small Business in five different categories — emerging (operating less than five years), 1 to 10 employees, 11 to 50 employees, 51 to 100 employees and Retailer of the Year. The winners are as follows: Emerging: Mo’Bay Beignet Company 1 to 10 employees: Tanology of Auburn 11 to 50 employees: Hamilton’s on Magnolia 51 to 100 employees: The Hound Retailer of the Year: Charming Oaks Customer Service Crown— In 2021, the Auburn Chamber presented individuals with Customer Service Crowns, an award that honors the hard-working service professionals who make our lives happier and

easier. The winners are as follows: Richard Tomasello of Well Red The Team of Heidi Champagne and Sabrina Nasta of Two Maids & a Mop Auburn Young Professionals Awards— Presented this year

by River Bank & Trust, the Auburn Young Professionals program continues to engage and develop area young leaders. Three 2021 standout members were recently honored: Anthony Terling of Auburn-Opelika Tourism received the Serve Award Angela Moulton of River Bank & Trust received the Develop Award McClain Reeder of The Key Real Estate Company received the Connect Award The ceremonial gavel was passed from current chair Elliott MacIsaac of VCOM to Rusty Prewett of Allstate-Prewett Insurance Group. Congratulations to all the winners.

Sports Editor: Wil Crews Live Lee Editor: Hannah Lester Phone: 334.749.8003 editor@opelikaobserver.com Michelle@opelikaobserver.com

Publisher: Michelle Key

FROM A1

members of the Legislature for continuously supporting our agency and providing us with the necessary resources to complete such a monumental and historic project for the state of Alabama.”

In order to install the new system and new hardware, Driver License Offices statewide must close beginning Monday, April 18, with plans to reopen Tuesday, April 26. In addition to the new hardware, tremendous amounts of data received since 1970 will be converted into LEADS. While offices will be closed temporarily to the public and online services will not be available during the transition period, ALEA Examiners will continue to administer Class D and CDL Road Skills Tests.

County Offices will remain open but strictly for revenue and probate services.

Director of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety Colonel Jimmy Helms said, “ALEA’s Driver License Division has worked diligently at the direction of Chief Jonathan Archer to meticulously improve technology and processes at every level within the new system. LEADS will streamline and speed up the process, benefiting both customers and personnel.

We want everyone to recognize that when LEADS makes its debut in spring of 2022, it will not only bring about changes to the division, but all county offices that issue driver licenses will be affected as well.”

ALEA Driver License Division’s Chief Archer agreed with Colonel Helms and said, “The Agency and my team are absolutely devoted to ensuring all of

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CORRECTIONS The Observer will correct any errors, omissions or inaccuracies deemed to be substantive. Corrections may be requested by contacting the editor at (334) 749-8003.

our local and state partners are fully informed on the new system, as well as on the significant impacts the office closures will have on citizens statewide during the modernization and transition process. Beyond upgrading the capabilities of our infrastructure with state-of-the-art technology, LEADS allows us to more efficiently serve and interact with our customers. We have partnered with Fast Enterprises and have been preparing to successfully complete this launch for a number of years; however, we have established April 26 as the planned reopening date of all offices once we have successfully completed the transition.”

Once LEADS goes live, citizens will have access to a variety of new options and such enhanced services as allowing individuals to pre-apply for the Alabama Driver License and enter all necessary information prior to visiting a local office, reducing wait times exponentially. Once LEADS goes live, ALEA will offer expanded online services to include but not limited to: Ability to update their addresses Ability to pay and reinstate their licenses Ability to upload U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Medical Cards Ability to view Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Hazmat background checks Ability to issue duplicate licenses to eligible foreign nationals Ability to pre-apply for individuals who are requesting an Alabama License for the first time.

For further information on LEADS and project updates, please visit LEADS | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (alea.gov).

IVEY >>

Name: Address:

Rick Lanier, D. Mark Mitchell

network, United Ways continue to strengthen and support 2-1-1 as another way to build stronger communities and create opportunities for all through the power of information and referral.

To help us celebrate 211 day and bring awareness to the 211 service, we encourage everyone to tell at least two people you know about 211 this week.

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Return to: The Observer 223-A S. 8th St., Opelika, AL 36801 Please do not send cash through the mail.

A3 Feb 10, 2022

Machen McChesney Makes List of America's Best Tax & Accountin Firms 2022 by Forbes CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Machen McChesney, one of the region’s leading CPA and business advisory firms, announced that Forbes named Machen McChesney to its third annual list of America’s Best Tax and Accounting Firms 2022.

Forbes partnered with market research company Statista to create a list of the most recommended firms for tax and accounting services in the U.S. Of the 223 firms identified, 200 were recommended for

tax services, and 200 were recommended for accounting services.

Machen McChesney was recognized in both categories.

Between Aug. 3 and Sept. 13, 2021, Statista conducted broad surveys among tax and accounting professionals and its clients in the United States.

Peers were asked to indicate up to 10 tax / accounting firms they would recommend if their company could not take on a client for a specific assignment or question (regardless of the reason). Clients

were asked to name up to 10 tax/accounting firms they would recommend based on their professional experience during the last three years.

Statista carefully reviewed the participants’ responses as well as the final list of awarded companies. Recommendations for one’s own firm were excluded from the analysis.

The resulting top lists of “America’s Best Tax Firms 2022” and “America’s Best Accounting Firms 2022” are based on the number of recommendations re-

Rauch Speaks to Kiwanis Club

On Feb. 3, the guest speaker was Ali Rauch, president of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce. She came and gave us an update from the chamber.

Next week on Feb. 17 the speaker will be Zach Blatt who is the Opelika High School Baseball Coach.

ceived from participants (peers and clients). To be included in either one of the two top lists, a given company must receive a minimum number of recommendations from peers or clients for tax and/or accounting services.

Marty Williams, the firm’s managing partner, stated, “It is an honor to be chosen again as a Forbes top tax and accounting firm and we are grateful to be recognized alongside some of the best firms in the nation. This really helps to solidify the hard work, dedication,

and commitment of our entire team. It is exciting to know we were recognized by not only our clients but our peers as well.”

ABOUT MACHEN MCCHESNEY: Machen McChesney is a business advisory firm with a history of Returning Value to its individual and business clients through proactive accounting, audit and assurance, business tax and advisory, business valuation, family and elder care, individual tax planning and consulting and outsourced client accounting services.

From its headquarters in Auburn, Alabama, the firm is committed to Returning Value to its clients throughout Alabama and the United States. Machen McChesney is part of a family of services, including FocusPay Solutions (focuspaysolutions.com) and Wealth Management Services, and is a member of the BDO Alliance USA, a nationwide association of independently owned, high-quality local and regional accounting firms. Learn more at machenmcchesney. com.

PERFOMANCE >>

emotional activities, as well as access resources designated for the older adults in the community.

Through educational and exercise classes, trips, night time activities and more, the center regularly serves about 350 seniors in total.

“It’s more than just a community,” said member Bonnie Kinney. “It’s a family.”

Kinney is a part of the dance ensemble and is “partners” with Emma Wilson, an intern who has been with the Adult Activity Center since the turn of the year.

“A lot of these people move a lot better and faster than I do,” Wilson said.

Neither claim to be a great dancer, but are nonetheless excited about the performance.

“I am so excited and so surprised at what this group could do,” Kinney added. “I’m just encouraging people and telling them how good they are.”

To prepare for the halftime performance, White enlisted the help of Mandy Moore, owner and artistic director of Make Your Move Dance Studio in Opelika.

“It’s been the ultimate adventure,” Moore said.

“I was excited when Valarie called me and asked me to help.”

Moore has practiced with the group twice a week for over two months now, and her time there has exceeded expectations.

“I did not expect to have so many people interested, but then we had like 60 people sign up,” she said. “So that was so much fun, being able to learn from older people.

They are so inspirational and make it so fun when I come up here.”

White is grateful for Moore, Wilson and everyone involved for their assistance in helping turn this “dream” into a reality.

“Mandy has donated her time and talent to encourage and support our dream of performing,” White said. “I want others to see that age is just a number and that you can fun at any age and learn new skills. Our vision came to life; I am so proud of them!”

For more information on the Adult Activity Center: www.opelika-al. gov/391/Opelika-Sportsplex-Aquatics-Center.

FROM A1

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

Opelika’s “Recycled Teenagers” is ready to put its best foot forward. At halftime of the Auburn University Women’s basketball game against Georgia on Saturday, Feb. 20, members of the group will showcase a 3-anda-half-minute dance performance that has been in the works since December.

“One of our group said that we should perform at a local nursing home,” said Valeri White, senior adult program coordinator at Opelika Parks and Recreation. “So, I dreamed big and reached out to Auburn University.”

The Opelika Recycled Teenagers is a group of seniors over the age of 62 who meet regularly at the Charter Foundation Adult Activity Center inside of the Opelika SportsPlex. While there, seniors can participate in physical, social and

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

A4 Feb. 10, 2022

In Defense of Alabama

I

SEAN DIETRICH

have here an email from a man who shall remain anonymous.

He says: “Sean, you cannot be serious about moving to Birmingham, Alabama!

I’ve lost all respect for you. Anyone who would choose to live in Alabama is a total [beep], I would NEVER move to Alabama by choice.

“I worked in Alabama for 11 years, I’m originally from Brooklyn, and it [Alabama] is the most backwards state ... Those people are a bunch of small-minded [beeping beepers] and I’d never move back unless someone paid me a million bucks.”

Call my crazy, but I detect a slightly negative tone in the above letter.

Nevertheless, I won’t get into an argument with the author. Namely, because arguing on the Internet is dangerous busi-

ness. One grammer mistak can destroy yor entire argumint As it happens, I’ve visited Brooklyn. It was scary.

One night in Brownsville, Brooklyn, I was approached by a man with a knife who was going to rob me. Things were about to get ugly when a local priest finally showed up at the last moment. I didn’t stand a chance against the two of them.

So I’m not going to attempt to change the author’s mind about Alabama, or remind him that most of my family lives here. But I wonder if he realizes how vibrant and unique the Twenty-Second State is.

For starters, Alabama is home to some pivotal American figures such as Rosa Parks, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, Helen Keller and James Spann.

Satchel Paige, Willie

Mays and Hank Aaron learned their trade here. So did Hank Williams Sr. The nation’s first Mardi Gras celebration took place in Mobile, a whopping 15 years before New Orleans was even filling its diapers.

The Saturn V rocket that put Neil and Buzz on moon was designed in Huntsville.

But alas, it has become trendy to trash-talk Alabama. You see a lot of famous people doing it on TV or in print. Still, what about Alabama’s positives?

Consider this. In addition to being the birthplace of the American Civil Rights movement, Alabama also features the third fastest growing Latino population of any U.S. state.

Meaning, not only is Alabama developing one of the country’s most beautifully diverse and international communities, but the taco trucks in Birmingham will strip the enamel from your teeth.

Something else you might not know. Approximately 70% of Alabama is covered in forest. Simply put, there is enough virginal woodland in this state to cover Rhode Island, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut.

To put it in perspective: Alaska is 48% forest; Cali-

fornia is 32%; Brooklyn is 60% parking meters.

And since we’re talking about the woods, Alabama is home to the world famous Tree That Owns Itself.

In 1935, a live oak in Eufaula, Alabama, was granted its freedom by the town mayor. Later the oak was uprooted by a tornado, but a new tree was replanted by the International Paper Company, whereupon the tree received a certificate of freedom, a deed to its property and a 30-year-fixed mortgage with a low APR. Alabama has one of the most biodiverse populations of snails — land snails, freshwater snails, sea snails, hors d’oeuvre snails, etc. Forty-three percent of all known snail species live in Alabama.

Meantime, over in Anniston, stands the world’s largest office chair, comprised of 10 metric tons of steel. Call now for our wedding venue rates.

Speaking of steel, Birmingham sits in a 100mile long anticlinal valley, one of the few places in the world bearing all three ingredients needed to produce iron and steel: coal, limestone and iron ore.

You want to know what Brooklyn produces? Adam Sandler.

The first 911 call ever dialed was placed in

Alabama in 1968, in Haleyville (pop. 4,100). One Friday, Speaker of the House Rankin Fite called the local police station and uttered those eloquent, gracefully spoken words for which history shall always remember him.

“Ah, hello?”

Windshield wipers were invented in Alabama. In the winter of 1903, Mary Anderson was forced to visit New York City against her will. There, she rode a streetcar. When the motorman stopped the vehicle to wipe snow from his windshield, Anderson’s first reaction was something to the tune of: “What’s all that white stuff?”

“Haven’t you ever seen snow?” the motorman said.

“I’m from Alabama,” she said.

Then, after a few minutes, Anderson came up with the idea for a mechanically operated automotive blade that, someday, technicians at Jiffy Lube would charge upwards of $63 to replace.

Dothan, Alabama, is the “Peanut Capital of the World”. Half of the peanuts in the United States are grown within a 100mile radius of Dothan.

This means that if there is a jar of JIF, Skippy, Peter Pan in your cabinet, you owe a Dothan farmer a

thank-you card.

Over in Magnolia Springs, Alabama, is the only U.S. Mail river-route.

My wife used to live in Magnolia Springs before we were married. Her mail was delivered via bass boat every day.

There are 191 boxes along the 31-nautical-mile Magnolia Star River Route. All mail receptacles are located on river docks. This means that river residents are often able to check their mailboxes without once releasing their beers.

Oh, I could go on about Alabama, but I’m running out of room. I could tell you how in Shelby County, Habitat for Humanity workers hold the world record for the fastest home construction (3 hours, 26 minutes and 34 seconds).

I could tell you how the only historically confirmed case of a meteorite colliding with a human being happened in Oak Grove, in 1954. I could tell you how in 1836 Alabama was the first state to declare Christmas as a legal holiday.

But you don’t want to hear these things because you hate it here. And you wouldn’t move back unless someone paid you a “million bucks.”

Well, I’ve never been so grateful not to be a millionaire.

The Wee Small Hours

WENDY HODGE

A

lexander McCall Smith wrote “At night we are all strangers, even to ourselves.” Tonight I am relearning the truth in that.

I have surely been lying in this bed for a dozen hours, but the clock on my phone tells me the truth — it’s only 1 a.m. Sheep have been counted, pages have been read, deep breathing has been practiced and soothing sounds have played from a noise machine in the corner, but sleep is nowhere in sight.

Storms have rolled in.

The room lights up with

the shadows cast by lightning, and the thunder rolls above. Normally these sounds are soothing ... I've always loved a good storm.

But not tonight. They’re just the punctuation to the ongoing monologue in my head. They are the reminders of who and what I miss.

With every rumble and boom, I picture my dogs Elvis and Darryl. They hate storms. Elvis, particularly, is terrified of weather he can hear but can’t hide from. Since the time we rescued him several years ago, he has been the poster dog for relaxation. He can literally sleep anywhere.

But when a storm begins, sometimes even a few hours before we humans can hear a thing, Elvis loses his chill and begins to pace. As the storm gets closer, he gets more frantic. He moves from room to room, unable to settle

anywhere even for a moment. He licks his lips, and his eyes dart around the room. Until the storm has passed, even if it’s all night long, Elvis barely blinks.

Elvis and Darryl don’t live with me anymore.

They are being taken care of by a dear lady who lost her own dog a while back and agreed to welcome my dogs into her home.

I couldn’t provide them with a fenced-in yard and constant companionship, but she could. And I am so grateful.

But, oh, I miss my sweet dogs. And tonight, with the storm wreaking havoc on the silence that night usually brings, I can picture my sweet Elvis pacing and fretting. Will he sleep at all? Will he know that he is safe and loved? I wish so much I could hold him right now and make everything better.

Elvis IS safe, though, and well protected. I cannot say the same for my son. And that is the real reason this night is lasting an eternity. My son is not happy, and he is not safe. He is in a place I cannot reach. All I can do is worry and hope and remember.

When Thomas was a baby, he fought sleep like a warrior raging battle against his mortal enemy.

Through feedings and rockings and walks in the stroller, his eyes stayed open. We tried everything — holding him all night, letting him cry all night and various combinations of the two — but my little boy was determined not to surrender. I have no idea how he survived on so little sleep. It nearly did me in.

He grew out of that to some degree, but as a

Over 500 Booths!

grade-schooler sleep was not his friend. Every night I lay on the floor next to his bed, reaching up to hold his hand until he could fall asleep. I would slip out, holding my breath, praying he’d have a restful night. He rarely did. He had nightmares, horrible visions of children who were hungry or cold — children who had none of the comforts he had. He would wake up crying, and I would return to my spot on the floor to hold his hand until he fell asleep again.

There came a time, seemingly overnight, when he became a typical teenager who could sleep until noon, through any noise or attempt to wake him. I was relieved. But, if I’m honest, I missed those hours with his hand engulfed in mine, knowing that he needed me — just

me — to bridge the gap from this world to sleep.

Years have passed, and my son is living his life under the weight of the choices he has made. They are strapped to him like a backpack full of bricks made of regret and pain and he is unable to lay that burden down. Those choices have led him to a dark place ... a place I cannot go.

Tonight I would give my soul to be able to reach out and hold his hand and pull him through what lies ahead. But I cannot. I can only lie here, under the weight of my own pack of sorrows and what ifs, and hope that this night is kind to him. May he wake up safe and whole. And may he, someday, reach out to me. And if he does, may I have the wisdom and strength to hold on tight enough to save us both.

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A5 Feb 10, 2022

Visit Pioneer Park for Second Saturday Events

Volunteers Needed for War Eagle Run Fest Feb. 20 CONTRIBUTED BY AO TOURISM

Pioneer Park in Loachapoka, located 5 miles west of Auburn, will be hosting its monthly Second Saturday event at 10 a.m. The event is open to the public and is free for all. Children can make handmade valentines.

Dr. Charles Mitchell will lead a winter garden walk and talk at 9 a.m. Visit the old 1800s village where the forge will be fired up. There will be chicken gumbo and King Cakes from the cookhouse.

The inaugural War Eagle Run Fest will be taking place in Auburn on Feb. 20.

The War Eagle Run Fest includes a half marathon, 5K and children's mile.

Participants of each race will have he opportunity to “fly down the field” by crossing the finish line on the 50-yard line of Pat Dye Field in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

“We are excited to be partnering with Fresh Junkie Racing to put on the inaugural War Eagle Run Fest in just a few weeks,” said Brooke Kastner, director of sales at Auburn-Opelika Tourism. “An event of this scale truly takes a village to execute. With more than 2,000 runners from across the country already registered, and that number growing daily, we are asking for help from the community to volunteer

and share the Southern hospitality that AuburnOpelika is known for with guests.”

Volunteers will be needed to staff the event at packet pickup, gear check, water stations and the finish line.

Anyone can volunteer individually by signing up through this link.

The dates vary starting on Feb. 19 at 9:15 a.m. and end on Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. The time and dates See VOLUNTEERS, page A6

Poarch. Partners in Alabama’s progress.

We share with our neighbors a common goal—the health, education and well-being of people statewide.

Poarch provides over 9,000 jobs to Alabamians, pays millions in state taxes each year, and makes charitable contributions reaching nearly $9 million annually.

The Poarch Band of Creek Indian’s creates opportunities for Alabamians.

Let’s grow Tomorrow Together.

LEARN MORE AT WINNINGFORALABAMA.COM.

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DON’T DELAY DO IT FOR YOURSELF DO IT FOR YOUR FAMILY For a referral or more information go to: www.alabama.gov/bandc scan the QR Code below, or contact the hotline: 1-877-252-3324

A6 Feb. 10, 2022

Bradley Robertson Joins Growing Three Sixty {real estate} Office in East Alabama and serving the local community. She hopes to use her gifts of communication and marketing to give back to East Alabama.

Robertson also writes a column for The Observer newspaper.

Her writing is inspired by her husband and children and her role as mother, wife and a friend to the community. She loves to run and cook, and always has a great book to read.

Robertson adores the beach and enjoys anything she can do to be outside.

“Family is everything,” Robertson said. “The most important part of my day is the ending.

I share a glass of wine

CONTRIBUTED BY THREE SIXTY Three Sixty {real estate} is pleased to welcome Bradley Robertson to our office in East Alabama.

Bradley Robertson loves to get to know her clients.

“Each situation is different,” Robertson said. “The reward is in making the process enjoyable and efficient for each individual client. Whether searching for that perfect home or a piece of land to build and escape, it’s all about the client’s specific goals and ambitions for life.”

An Auburn native, Robertson was born and raised in East Alabama and has played an integral part in the life of this community. She has worked in the Auburn area since she was a teenager. She later received her degree in Public Relations from Auburn University.

Today, she lives with her husband and three

ROBERTSON children on a farm north of Auburn, where they work together.

They ride tractors and four wheelers, pick blueberries in the summer and cool off with a swim in their

pond.

Robertson ran George’s Farmers Market with her husband for three years. It was here that she fell in love with entrepreneurship

with my husband and prepare a warm meal for my family. We are all back together again, under one roof, and we celebrate all that we have done as a family.”

“We look forward to seeing how Bradley grows in the profession," said Elizabeth Rose, broker. " She’s a welcome addition to our team.”

ABOUT THREE SIXTY Three Sixty is in the business of home.

We offer a family of services including real estate, property management, interior design and staging, vacation rentals and commercial real estate. While our disciplines are varied, our entire team operates from

VOLUNTEERS >>

FROM A5

available will depend on the volunteer station chosen. Additionally, The War Eagle Run Fest will make monetary donations to organizations with volunteer groups of 6

to 40 individuals. For more information and to register a volunteer group, please contact volunteer@freshjunkie. com.

For more information about the War Eagle Run Fest, visit aotoursim.com/ WarEagleRunFest or contact Emily Kathryn at

February 1 - March 31 MONDAY - FRIDAY • 8 A.M. - 7 P.M. 300 MLK Boulevard • Opelika • Do you have unpaid parking tickets?

• Do you have an outstanding FTA warrant?

• Are you on probation?

• Do you have a Time to Pay (TTP) case?

If so, you are eligible for the first ever Court Forgiveness Program. Only cases that have already been adjudicated by the court are eligible for forgiveness. This program does not include new drug, alcohol, firearm or domestic violence cases.

To participate: • Bring a photo ID • Payments: Cash, Visa or Mastercard • Payment plans available if approved by court.

• Community service or Ready To Work program in lieu of fines/costs if approved.

For more info, visit www.opelika-al.gov or call Opelika Municipal Court at 334-705-5196.

emily@freshjunkie.com.

ABOUT A-O TOURISM Auburn-Opelika Tourism is a non-profit service organization positively impacting our local economy and enhancing the quality of life in our community through tourism and travel.

COURT FORGIVENESS PROGRAM

the same set of core values, making Three Sixty the sought-after firm to work with in Auburn, Birmingham and Lake Martin, Alabama. Utilizing forward-thinking and creative processes, Three Sixty strives to make every experience unique and as smooth as possible by providing a consistent partner to maintain the integrity of projects as a whole.

As a respected and profitable company, we strive to make a positive impact on the communities that we serve.

To learn more about Three Sixty visit us online at www. concepttoclosing.com or call 334-887-3601.

E vents, Food, & SocietyNews

UPCOMING EVENTS VISIT A-O TOURISM FOR VALENTINE'S DAY EVENTS

Remembering A Soldier’s Love Letters For Valentine’s Day PHOTO BY ANN CIPPERLY

Ann Cipperly

Southern O

n Valentine’s Day, what better way to express love than with a homemade confection accompanied by a card or note with caring messages.

While Valentine cards are filled with sweet thoughts of love, they can’t compare to love letters, and probably none are more endearing than those written by soldiers serving our country.

A new book, “Letters of Love and War,” is filled with love letters written by an Opelika couple during World War II. Gregory Hugh Brown, who grew up in Opelika, discovered love letters

Hospitality

written between his parents, Mary Elizabeth and James Gordon Brown, when his father was serving in the Army during the last days of World War II. He assembled the memoirs in a book, “Letters of Love and War.” While the memoirs compose a major part of the book, Gregory also writes about the hardships of the “Great Generation,” taking the reader back to war years in 1944-45. His parents’ letters are a reminder of the horrors and risks soldiers took in fighting a horrendous enemy, as well as how much their hearts were torn missing

their loves ones.

“The letters also provide an amazing insight into how the war affected the lives of everyday American families during these most challenging times,” said Gregory.

“I have also included photographs of my parents, their relatives and friends and memorabilia from those times. The book has been a labor of love for over a year and has finally come to fruition.”

Gregory’s and his late brother Roger Brown’s father, owned a grocery store that moved to several locations over the years in downtown Opelika. At one

Homemade Valentine Chocolate Truffles or other chocolate desserts are perfect for Valentine’s Day. Prepare a luscious treat to accompany a Valentine card or note for your loved ones. Today’s column looks at a new book containing love letters written by an Opelika couple during World War II.

time, he also owned a restaurant downtown that served family style meals.

The Brown family lived on the south side of Opelika. Both Roger and Gregory attended the Miriam S. Brown School where they took art classes from Mrs. Sam Mason. Both brothers became famous artists.

While Gregory pursued a variety of art as he taught in three Alabama colleges, Roger’s passion was See CIPPERLY, page A11

Auburn Area Community Theatre Brings to Life Brand New NeverBefore Seen Comedy with FREE Event CONTRIBUTED BY AACT

Join Auburn Area Community Theatre (AACT) for a unique opportunity to see a brand new, never before seen play. This free event is a bonus show for the 2021-22 season.

“Little Time to Kill” will be performed as a staged reading for one night only. After the performance, the audience in encouraged to stay for dis-

cussion with the local playwright, Thomas Maple. A survey will also be available for feedback.

About the play: Doug Garner can’t wait to leave dull Anniton, Alabama, for a big city where he can make a name for himself as a playwright. To accomplish this, he cobbles together a tiny troupe of quirky novice actors to perform in the world premiere of his

ill-conceived murder mystery “Death’s Dinner Party.” Joining Doug’s cast is Sarah Payne, a bold Anniton newcomer who is the life complication that Doug never knew that he needed. Doug’s overly optimistic prediction for his play’s success does come true — but for a frustrating reason that he could never have predicted. Among the See COMEDY, page A10

VIDEO GAMES • COMICS • POSTERS ART • ANTIQUES • COINS VINTAGE JEWELRY • TOYS POKEMON • MTG • SPORTS CARDS

221 9th St, Opelika • 334.741.0808

A8 Feb. 10, 2022

Mural Going Up at Museum of East Alabama

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Located in the heart of Opelika’s downtown historic district at 121 South th Street, on the old Clement hotel site, the Museum of East Alabama first opened its doors in August 1989. Adjacent to the Lee County Courthouse square, the museum now houses over 5,000 artifacts including both 19th, and 20th century local, state and general history items. With over 2,000 visitors yearly since its opening, hundred of visitors receive a look and education about the East Alabama area, Opelika, and Alabama history. Chris Johnson is the artist painting the mural at the museum.

A9 Feb 10, 2022

Creekline Trails of Opelika Begins Work With Cleanup Event CONTRIBUTED BY CREEKLINE TRAILS OF OPELIKA

Creekline Trails of Opelika begins the much-anticipated start of trail building with a Kick-Off and Cleanup event on Feb. 19, from 1 to 5 pm.

The new trailhead, located near the corner of Waverly Parkway and Highway 280, will be the first official trail for the Creekline organization.

The new trail is a collaboration with the Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) and Creekline in order to begin the build a community trail along Pepperell Branch.

"We are proud to announce the start of building a new trail this month," said Mike Akins, Creekline acting coordinator.

"This project begins after much planning,

meeting, coordinating and preparing. We owe a great deal to the vision of Shealy and Rocky Langley, the many supporters and friends of Creekline, and the hard work of the Creekline Trails Advisory Committee.

We are so fortunate to have the strong support of several local organizations especially the City which has given See CREEKLINE, page A11

A10 Feb. 10, 2022

Making the Grade: Savanh Thai Kitchen

A

lthough it doesn’t seem possible, this is my 52nd restaurant review, which I’ve written for The Observer. The old adage is certainly true: “Time really flies when you’re having fun.” I love writing this column, and I really appreciate the feedback I’ve received from my readers; thank you so much for making this retired English teacher’s day. Also, please email me if you have a restaurant you’d like for me to review, because if I run out of restaurants, I won’t have a column.

If someone had told me two years ago that I would one day write a column in a weekly newspaper, I would have laughed in disbelief.

After all, two years ago, I was still teaching 6th grade language arts in LaGrange, Georgia.

PHOTOS BY MIKE WALLACE

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

The truth is, I really fell into writing this column. In January of 2021, I wrote about a restaurant, which Mike and I had really liked in, “What’s Happening in Auburn/Opelika” on Facebook. The post, to my astonishment, received over 400 reactions.

Then a woman, whom I didn’t know, sent the post to Michelle Key, the owner and publisher of The Observer. Key contacted me, and suddenly, I was writing, “Making the Grade,” which I really enjoy.

I think I’ve found the key to a happy retirement: Find things you love to do; otherwise, boredom, depression and 100 extra pounds may be the result. Besides writing this column, I, along with my husband Mike, am a Standardized Patient for the Harrison School of Pharmacy at Auburn University. Also, I take two classes with Osher Life Long Learning Institute (OLLI) at Auburn. Last, as I’ve previously mentioned, I take piano lessons from my sweet friend Lynda, and I’m involved with my church, Central Baptist of Opelika.

But back to my 52nd review. Recently, Mike

and I met our friends Jack and William at the Savanh Thai Kitchen at 1750 Opelika Road, Suite B, in Auburn.

Mike and I had never eaten Thai food before, so we were looking forward to trying it.

When we entered the restaurant, I was really impressed by the very attractive interior. I admired the light, airy, modern décor.

Karsyn, our waitress, was a complete delight, being sweet, patient and helpful. We asked her what “Pad” meant on the menu. She said it meant, “Stir fried.” Also, I loved that diners are asked which spice level they prefer, 0 to 5. 0 is not spicy at all, and 5 means, “How much water can you drink?”

Being a wimp who doesn’t enjoy spicy food (If my lips burn, I’m not enjoying myself.), I found the spice rating very comforting. I wish all restaurants had that rating system.

For our appetizer, Mike and I chose the shrimp rolls. Jack ordered the gulf blue crab rangoon, and William selected the beef jerky street food. All of them were quite good.

For our entrees, Mike and I both chose the teriyaki chicken and fried rice (spice level 0). Jack ordered the house-fried rice with beef (spice level 1). Last, William selected the crunchy

COMEDY >>

FROM A7

tourists who flock to Anniton to see the surprise hit play is a successful producer who offers Doug the big break that he was looking for; however, the timing couldn’t be worse — and in the theatre, timing is everything. “‘Little Time to Kill’ is my first attempt at writing a feature-length play script. I’ll be thrilled to hear it read on stage in my town’s community theatre,” Maple said.

This funny, play within a play, murder mystery is a great op-

chicken with fried rice (spice level 1).

All of our entrees were very delicious.

Also, our meals were presented in such an attractive manner. In Alabamian, that means that the food looked really pretty. I loved that my fried rice was shaped like a mini volcano. The portions were enormous; in fact, Jack and William had enough for another meal and ordered to go boxes; therefore, the restaurant is very economical for diners; however, Mike and I didn’t leave enough to box up, surprise, surprise.

Dining at the Savanh Thai Kitchen was terrific in every way. We will DEFINITELY be back there soon.

Besides our delectable dishes, the restaurant also offers diners many other choices, some of which include: crab fried rice, pineapple fried rice, pad cashew, pad ginger and Thai chargrilled platter.

The restaurant’s des-

serts sounded tempting; choices included: mango sticky rice, tempura ice cream (deep fried ice cream, a Southerner’s dream!), fried banana ice cream and sliced fried banana. Again, when my stubborn A1C drops below 7.0, I’d love to give one of them a try.

Savanh Thai Kitchen is closed on Mondays.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; is closed from 3 to 5 p.m.; is open from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Savanh Thai Kitchen makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher.

Remember, “Pooh-sized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!

Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner.

Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in the Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@ gmail.com

portunity to be a part of art in the making.

Come give your feedback and be a part of the experience of this yet to be published work.

This one night only performance will take place at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center on 222 East Drake Ave., Auburn, Alabama, on Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. This is a FREE event so it will not be ticketed, seats will be filled on a first come basis until capacity is reached.

ABOUT AUBURN AREA COMMUNITY THEATRE Auburn Area Community Theatre is a non-profit orga-

nization that exists to serve the Auburn/ Opelika Community. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for education and participation in the world of theatre and present a quality, entertaining, and thought-provoking theatre experience.

AACT is actively soliciting new members who have an interest in helping the growth of community theatre. AACT members and the community-at-large are encouraged to participate.

For more information, please visit www.auburnact.org.

A11 Feb 10, 2022

CIPPERLY

>>

FROM A7

painting. His works are showcased in major galleries across the globe and were featured on covers of national magazines.

Gregory is also an author. “Letters of Love and War” is his second book. His first book, “Fields of Clover,” is about his grandfather and the ancestors that came before him.

When Gregory’s father was serving in World War II, his older brother Roger was three years old.

The book not only contains letters about his parents love for each other but also about Roger, their relatives and friends.

Here is a passage from a letter by Gregory’s father to his mother. “Sweet, you said for me not worry about you and Roger. Well I don’t worry about you all,

CREEKLINE >>

FROM A9

us an incredible opportunity to work with the OIDA to begin this exciting project."

Creekline invites you, your family or your volunteer group to experience our trail firsthand by participating in the Kick-off and Cleanup event. All skills and ages are welcome as we clear out litter and

but I think of you every day and pray that God will take care of me and you all, and someday real soon we will be back together for the rest of our lives in a peaceful world that all good Americans love.

“Hitler ran his bluff on lots of countries, but he went too far when he tried Uncle Sam. We have many good soldiers that don’t mind fighting it out, and I think Hitler found that out too.

He was doing fine until he stirred up the wrong man, Uncle Sam, he stirred up a peaceful Fighting Nation. They don’t mind fighting. They have something to fight for good old America and their loved ones, sweethearts and darling wives like mine, which I love with all my heart. I hope and pray that God will see my way through this war and bring me back to you, darling.”

debris in preparation for a more formal trail.

Bags, vests and grabbers, will be available, thanks to Keep Opelika Beautiful, but it is suggested that one brings their own gloves (long sleeves, pants and good shoes or boots are also recommended).

Those interested in volunteering, should contact Creekline at creeklineopelika@ gmail.com or sign up

If the Browns’ story has inspired you, then you may consider giving or sending a card or note to loved ones. A chocolate confection would be nice to accompany a card given in person.

Whether it is homemade chocolate truffles, cookies, brownies, chocolate dipped strawberries or cake, it will be a sweet token of affection.

Along with your family, don’t forget to share your cards and homemade treats with an elderly neighbor, shut-in or someone in a nursing home who would appreciate being remembered.

Let children or grandchildren help with making cards and preparing a special treat for them to learn at an early age the joy of sharing with others.

For those interested in Gregory’s “Letters of Love and War,” copies are available at Amazon.

online at: wwwbit.ly/ creeklinevol Volunteers should park at the future location of the trailhead located at the junction of Waverly Parkway and Hwy 280.

Creekline Trails of Opelika is continuously working to provide outdoor recreation, alternative transportation and watershed protection for the residents of Opelika.

A12 Feb. 10, 2022

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> VALENTINE CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES Truffles can be rolled in cocoa or finely chopped nuts or dipped in melted chocolate for a coating. ½ cup whipping cream 4 Tbsp. butter 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (can use dark chocolate chips or bitter sweet) 1 tsp. vanilla Cocoa powder Extra chocolate and cream for dipping truffles, optional In a saucepan over medium heat, simmer cream and butter.

Remove from heat; whisk in 12 oz. chocolate until smooth; add vanilla. Pour into a bowl. Either refrigerate a couple of hours or freeze about 20 to 30 minutes until firm enough to handle.

Sprinkle cocoa powder over cookie sheet lined with foil or waxed paper.

With melon scoop or spoon, drop chocolate mounds onto cocoa. If chocolate becomes too soft to handle, chill or freeze until almost firm. At this point, you can roll in cocoa and serve, refrigerate or freeze.

If you desire to dip truffles into melted chocolate, place in refrigerator or freezer until ready to dip.

Coating Truffles with Melted Chocolate You can simply melt chocolate and dip truffles for a hard coating, which will have a dull finish when dry. If you prefer a smooth, shiny coating, melt ½ cup chocolate chips with 3 Tbsp. whipping cream in a saucepan or microwave. Dip truffles into melted chocolate and place on platter lined with foil or waxed paper. Place in refrigerator to set.

To drizzle white chocolate on truffles, melt a small amount in the microwave and place in a plastic bag.

Cut a tiny amount off one corner and drizzle over truffles.

Truffles will keep fresh in refrigerator two weeks or they can be frozen. Let truffles set at room temperature a few minutes before serving.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE Nancy Smith 8 oz. dark sweet or semi-sweet chocolate 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 ½ cups sugar 5 eggs, beaten until foamy Ganache 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate 1 cup heavy cream For the truffle cake, melt chocolate and stir until smooth; remove from heat and cool 1 – 2 minutes.

Add butter, bit by

bit; beat with wire whisk until smooth.

Add sugar, beating 1 minute with whisk.

Add eggs and beat until well mixed.

Butter an 8-inch round cake pan and line with parchment.

Pour in batter and set pan into a slightly larger pan about 1-inch deep with ½-inch water.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1½ hours.

Cool 1 hour. Cake will fall. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. Invert onto cake plate and spread ganache.

To make ganache, boil chocolate and cream together, stirring to blend. Refrigerate until spreadable. Frost tops and sides of cake. Makes 12 to 16 servings.

Ann Mayberry’s Six-Layer Cake with Boiled Chocolate Frosting Hattie Lett Cake Layers: 2 cups sugar 1 cup Crisco 4 eggs 2 cups Swans Down cake flour 1 cup self-rising flour 1 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla In mixer bowl, cream sugar and Crisco. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one.

Combine flours and add flour alternately with milk; stir in vanilla.

Pour into 3 greased cake pans. Bake at 350 about 30 minutes or until tests done. When cool, layers may be cut in half to make 6 thin layers. Frost with Boiled Chocolate Frosting.

Boiled Chocolate Frosting: 2 cups sugar 3 Tbsp. cocoa 1/3 cup milk 1 stick margarine 1 tsp. vanilla In a heavy saucepan, mix sugar and cocoa. Slowly add milk, stirring to prevent lumps. Add margarine and cook on low heat until melted.

Turn to higher heat. When mixture boils (bubbling in center of pan), begin timing for 1 minute.

Take off heat. Add vanilla and beat.

FUDGE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tsp. baking powder ½ salt 1 cup sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup butter or margarine, softened 2 eggs 2 Tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with

aluminum foil shiny side up. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; set aside.

Cream sugars and butter. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla until well combined.

Stir in flour mixture just until blended.

Add chocolate chips.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased foil lined baking sheet. Bake 12 to 14 minutes.

Cool on wire rack completely before peeling foil from cookies. Makes about 4 dozen.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED STRAWBERRIES 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate chips 3 Tbsp. heavy cream 12 long-stemmed strawberries Extra chocolate for drizzling, optional Place the chocolate and cream together in a bowl over simmering water until just melted. Stir and remove from the heat. Dip each strawberry in the chocolate and place on foil or waxed paper to set. To set quicker, place in refrigerator.

To decorate, melt semi-sweet or white chocolate in microwave and place in a plastic bag. Cut the end of one corner and drizzle over dipped strawberries.

CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CUPCAKES WITH POWDERED SUGAR AND STRAWBERRIES Lindsey Beno 1¾ cups extra-dark chocolate 1/2 cup butter 5 eggs 1/2 cup sugar 1 pinch salt 2 Tbsp. flour Powdered sugar Chopped strawberries Melt butter and chocolate together on stove. In a separate bowl, mix eggs, sugar and salt.

Mix butter-chocolate and egg mixture together. Slowly add flour through a sifter while continuously mixing.

Pour mixture about 3/4 full into cups in a muffin tin.

Bake in 350-degree oven for 15 minutes (keep an eye on it, these are extremely easy to over-cook).

When cooked, place on a tray and add powdered sugar onto the cupcakes through a sifter. Add chopped strawberries to top.

CHOCOLATE TOFFEE BROWNIE BITES WITH CHOCOLATE GLAZE Amanda Wunderlich

Brownies: ½ cup unsalted butter 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped ½ cup flour 1/8 tsp. baking powder Pinch of salt 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 ½ tsp. vanilla ¼ tsp. almond extract Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray two 12- cup mini muffin pans with nonstick spray.

In a double boiler (or in the microwave on power level 30%) melt the chocolate and butter. Transfer to a medium bowl and cool until tepid.

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl.

Stir in sugar, eggs, vanilla and almond extracts into the chocolate butter mixture. Add the flour mixture.

Spoon the batter into the muffin tins, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake 14-16 minutes, until set but still soft in the center. Let brownies cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert them onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Chocolate Glaze: 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped ½ cup plus 1 Tbsp. heavy cream 1 Tbsp. light corn syrup 1/3 cup toffee bits In a double boiler, stir together the chocolate, cream and corn syrup until chocolate is melted.

Remove from heat and stir in toffee bits.

Pour the chocolate glaze over the inverted brownie bites, covering the tops and sides.

Refrigerate until the glaze sets, about 10 minutes. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FILLING 2 cups boiling water 1 cup cocoa 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda ½ tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 1 cup butter or margarine, softened 2 ½ cups sugar 4 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, add boiling water to cocoa.

Cool. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In mixer bowl, beat butter with sugar until light and fluffy, adding eggs one at a time.

Add vanilla. Alternately, beat in flour and cocoa mixture, beginning and end-

ing with flour. Pour batter into 3 greased cake pans. Bake for 25 minutes or until cakes test done.

Cool.

White Chocolate Filling: 4 bars (2 oz. each) white chocolate (I use Baker’s) 2 cups whipping cream, divided In top of double boiler, melt white chocolate with ¼ cup heavy cream.

Stir until smooth.

Remove from heat and pour into a mixer bowl, adding remaining heavy cream.

Chill until cold. Beat mixture at high speed until stiff. Spread between cake layers.

Frost with Creamy Chocolate Frosting.

Creamy Chocolate Frosting: 12 oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate chips ½ cup half and half (or milk) ½ cup butter or margarine 1 box confectioners’ sugar In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips with half and half and butter. Remove from heat, gradually add sugar; beat until smooth. Frost cake.

Store cake in refrigerator. Can be made a day ahead.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE PECAN CLUSTERS 6 oz. pkg. semisweet chocolate chips 2/3 cup marshmallow crème 1 2/3 cups sugar ½ cup evaporated milk 3 Tbsp. butter 2 cups toasted pecans or other nuts Place chocolate chips and marshmallow crème in a bowl; set aside. In a saucepan, combine sugar, milk and butter; boil for two minutes. Pour mixture over chocolate and marshmallow crème.

Add pecans. Drop by tablespoons onto foil or waxed paper.

CAPPUCCINO BROWNIES Brownies: 2 Tbsp. instant coffee powder 1 tsp. boiling water 8 oz. fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped 3/4 cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces 1½ cups sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 4 large eggs 1 cup flour ½ tsp. salt 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional Cream Cheese Frosting: 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1½ cups sifted confectioners’ sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. cinnamon Mocha Glaze: 1 Tbsp. plus 1 ½ tsp. instant coffee powder 1 Tbsp. boiling water 6 oz. fine-quality bittersweet chocolate 2 Tbsp. (1/4 stick) unsalted butter 1/2 cup heavy cream For the brownies, dissolve coffee powder in the boiling water in a small cup. Melt chocolate and butter with dissolved coffee in a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth.

Cool to lukewarm.

Stir in sugar and vanilla. Stir in eggs 1 at a time. Add flour and salt and stir just until combined. Stir in walnuts. Pour into a greased and floured 9x13-inch baking pan; smooth the top of the batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 22 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.

Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and beat until smooth. Spread evenly over brownies and chill for 1 hour or until firm.

For glaze, dissolve coffee powder in boiling water in a small cup. Melt chocolate and butter with dissolved coffee and cream in a metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, stirring until smooth.

Cool to room temperature. Spread carefully over frosting layer.

Chill, covered, for 3 hours or longer. Cut into bars. Makes two dozen.

GIGI’S CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE 2 sticks butter, room temperature 3 cups sugar 6 eggs, room temperature 3 Tbsp. cocoa 3 cups cake flour, sifted ½ pint whipping cream Do not preheat oven. Mix butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating one minute between each egg. Combine cocoa and flour, stirring until blended. Alternately add whipping cream and flour in portions to the butter-sugar mixture.

Pour batter into a lightly greased and floured tube or Bundt pan and place in a cold oven. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tests done. Batter can also be baked in 2 large loaf pans or 4 smaller loaf pans. Baking time will be shorter; test for doneness. Freezes well.

A13 Feb 10, 2022

A14 Feb. 10, 2022

BRUCE GREEN Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika

T

his is the last part of a three-part series from Philippians 3:7-11 on what it means to know Christ.

We’ve discussed how knowing Christ means 1) we find our central identity and status in Him, 2) understanding the power of His resurrection and 3) proclaiming, rehearsing and displaying His redemptive suffering in our lives.

But how do we do that last one?

Is it simply through sitting in comfortable assemblies, eating the bread and drinking

Knowing Christ Part 3 grape juice as we remember Jesus’ crucifixion? That certainly has its place, and we must be careful not to underestimate the impact of the church as a proclaiming community on such occasions. But there’s more to our witness of the suffering of Christ than that. Paul spoke of “always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body” (2 Corinthians 4:11).

Have you ever entertained the thought that our suffering (the legitimate kind as opposed to the drama some engage in) is the suffering of Christ — that Jesus Himself suffers through us and with us? Didn’t Jesus say in Matthew 25 that when the homeless or the hungry are overlooked — it is being done to Him? Is that just a nice little rhetorical device He was employing, and it has no basis in reality — or is there possibly some larger truth there about the suffering of Christ? And what about when

Jesus told Saul in Acts 9 that he was persecuting Him? Or what about when Peter speaks of participating “in the sufferings of Christ” (4:13)? What if Christ actually suffers through and with His people?

Would that change our minds about how we think about it?

Might that not make us more likely to want to participate in His sufferings and become like Him in His death? Hmm ...

A football team lost their most important game of the season. Afterward, their coach told them not to waste the experience. What did he mean? Simply that while they couldn’t change the fact that they had lost, they could learn from it and benefit from it in the future. His concern was that they wouldn’t handle losing in a productive way.

How well do we as disciples handle suffering? Here are three questions to help us gauge where we are: Do we live in absolute hand-wringing fear and panic that something might possibly

happen to us one day? (It will.)

When suffering enters our life, do we act as if it has never happened to anyone else (it has) and that the world is about to come to an end? (It isn't.)

When and if we get through our painful episode, is our only concern to get as far away from our experience of suffering as possible?

This is what I call a Teflon approach to suffering — we don’t want any of it to stick with us. If that’s our approach, we’ve wasted our experience. And while it is true that at a base, physical level we are (healthily) hardwired to avoid pain, we’re also programed to eat and drink, and yet we learn how do those things discerningly, proportionally and to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). That’s all I’m after here. There has to be a healthier way for disciples to view their suffering.

Instead of the Teflon approach, there is the childbirth

ABOUT BRUCE GREEN model (John 16:21). Women accept the suffering of childbirth because they understand it leads to something profoundly glorious. In the same way, suffering and death are steps in the disciples’ path of glory. That was true for Jesus, so it is true for His followers. Part of our problem is that we compartmentalize them — we look at suffering and death and fail to see them as part of the bigger picture of glory.

That’s why Paul ends with the resurrection in v. 11. In suffering, death and resurrection, he’s embracing God’s model as witnessed through Jesus.

Knowing Jesus then is a profound thing. It is not a part-time venture, it is not something that rounds out our life, or a box we check off.

It is for disciples only. This passage challenges us to treat it that way.

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-grace-withbruce-green.com

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: atasteofgracewithbrucegreen.com.

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BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked. — Psalm 97:10

CHURCH DIRECTORY APOSTOLIC HOLINESS Emmanuel Temple of Deliverance Inc. 28 Sanford Ave., Opelika 334-745-0210 God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672 True Deliverance Holiness Church 936 N. Donahue Dr., Auburn 334-502-4700

BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528 Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538 Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506 Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd.,

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THE CHURCH OF CHRIST AT CUNNINGHAM DRIVE 2660 CUNNINGHAM DR., OPELIKA SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 9:30 A.M. SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. / 5 P.M. WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 6:30 P.M.

Valley 334-710-2117 Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487 Green Chapel Missionary Baptist 390 Lee Road 106, Auburn (334) 749-4184 High Hope Baptist Church 227 Lee Road 673 334-524-8750 Lakeview Baptist Church 1600 E. Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-7094 Pepperell Baptist 2702 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-745-3108 Providence Baptist Church 2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika 334-745-4608 Union Grove Baptist Church 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika 334-749-0461 CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church of Christ at Cunningham 2660 Cunningham Dr., Opelika 10th Street Church Of Christ 500 N. 10th St., Opelika 334-745-5181 Church Of Christ 2215 Marvyn Pkwy., Opelika 334-742-9721 Southside Church Of Christ 405 Carver Ave., Opelika 334-745-6015 COMMUNITY OUTREACH Good Sheperd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054 METHODIST Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn

334-826-8800 Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755 NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148 Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949 St. Ellis Full Gospel Church 5267 US Hwy 80W, Opelika 334-298-4319 PRESBYTERIAN Trinity Presbyterian Church 1010 India Road, Opelika 334-745-4889 SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Opelika Outreach S.D.A. Church P.O. Box 386, Opelika 334-749-3151

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A15 Feb 10, 2022

Why I Have Read the Same Devotional Book for 60 Years

WALTER ALBRITTON

I

held it in my hands and wondered why I have kept reading this little book for the past 60 years. It is not a classic like Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, or Augustine’s Confessions or The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis. The first two of those were published in the 17th Century while the third was first published two centuries earlier.

My Utmost for His Highest is less than one hundred years old, first published in the United States in 1935. The book was not created by the author, Oswald Chambers, who died in 1917 at the age of

43. It is a collection of lectures and talks by Chambers compiled by his wife after his death. First published in 1927 in England, it has become the best-selling devotional book of all time.

I first began reading this book of 365 daily devotions when I was about 30. The original edition was not an easy read, but still helpful and inspiring. Over the years I continued reading the book in several revised editions. The edition I have been using for the past 25 years is a revision by James Reimann. Reimann had been blessed by reading the devotional book for several years but felt a revision would be helpful to readers because of language changes.

He calls it an updated edition in today’s language.

Reimann’s pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, had recommended My Utmost for His Highest to him. In the revision’s

Foreword, Stanley echoed what I had been saying for 40 years, that with the exception of the Bible, “no book has had as profound an effect on my life as My Utmost for His Highest.” I agree wholeheartedly with Stanley that Chambers’ book is valuable because he underlines this essential truth for followers of Christ: “The most important aspect of the Christian life is our personal relationship with Christ.” I am certain that my walk with Christ has been immeasurably enhanced by my continuing exposure to this book. God has used the book to change the way I think about myself, about Christ, about others and about the mission in life to which God has called all people.

If pressed to explain what I mean, I would offer one or two inspiring examples from what I have been

learning and relearning in January. Chambers observes that God does not speak to us through our ears, but in the language we know best — our circumstances.

He writes, “Every time circumstances press in on you, say ‘Speak, Lord’ (as Samuel did), and make time to listen ... As we listen, our ears become more sensitive, and like Jesus, we will hear God all the time.”

And Chambers adds, if we get in the habit of saying ‘Speak, Lord,’ “our life will become a romance."

Chambers constantly challenges his readers to make a “reckless abandon to God.” Until we abandon ourselves to God, “God cannot deliver me while my interest is merely in my own character. Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered and separated by God for one purpose — to proclaim the gospel of God.”

Two weeks after the death of my wife, Dean, I began reading My Utmost once again.

The reading for Jan. 1, 2021, explains the book’s title. Referring to Paul’s bold expectation for his own life (Philippians 1:20), Chambers says, “It’s as if Paul were saying, ‘My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest — my best for His glory.’ To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point.” He goes on to say that God brings each of us to a crisis, a crossroads in our lives where we have to decide — for or against.

I was indeed embroiled in a crisis brought on by the death of my wife. It was a great crossroad in my life. And Chambers was speaking to me when

he wrote, “If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably.” On that day God led me to write in the margin of the book, “Jesus, tonight I surrender my will to you absolutely and irrevocably. Please give me the grace to stay surrendered and to overcome my sorrow with your joy. Amen.”

It was that surrender that helped me make it through the past year, 2021. And on Jan. 1 of this year, I prayed that prayer again. I surrendered again. Absolutely and irrevocably? I pray so. That’s why I keep reading this book — daily asking God for the grace to yield my life as completely to Jesus as possible. I am not there yet but Chambers is helping me continue to move in that direction.

He has inspired me to say, with him, “I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Jesus and Him alone.”

OBITUARIES MARION C. GOLDEN A funeral service for Marion C. Golden, of Opelika, was held Tuesday, Feb 8, 2022, at 1 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Burial followed in Garden Hill Cemetery.

The Rev. Jackie Prickett is officiated. Mrs. Golden, who died Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at home, was born Nov. 8, 1939, in Union Springs, Alabama.

Marion was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She spent her life providing care for others as a home and health aide.

She is proceeded in death by her husband Edward Golden, parents Miles Owen and Margaret Phelps, and grandson Austin Hodges.

She is survived by daughters: Pam Ferrebee, Teresa Hodges, and Pamala Golden-Kilgore; sons: Mark Ferrebee, Bryan (Sharon) Ferrebee, Robert (Heather) Ferrebee, and Sam Golden; sister, Jewel Phelps; brother, David (Janice) Phelps, 24 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren, along with a host of family and friends.

Jeffcoat – Trant Funeral Home directed.

––––––– LARRY C. MOTLEY Mr. Larry C. Motley, 80, of Opelika went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022. He passed away at EAMC surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral services were held on Friday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home in Opelika, followed by a graveside service at Garden Hills Cemetery. Services were officiated by Pastors Mark Jenkins and Ryan Willis of Restoration Church in Auburn.

Larry is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Motley, and parents Horace and Edna Motley. At the age of 58, Mr. Motley married

the love of his life, Betty, and instantly became a father, grandfather, greatgrandfather and recently a great-great grandfather.

He is survived by five children, Terri (Randy) Workman, Kim (Dennis) Roberts, Angie (Robby) Jones, Michael (Dianne) Moncus, and Michelle Price; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; his three siblings, Linda Motley, Joel (Dinah) Motley, and Glenda (Gerald) Gooden; his nephews Jonathan (Jessica) Bedwell, Matthew (Lindsey) Motley, and Michael (Lauren) Motley; three great-nephews Andrew Bedwell, Graham Motley, and Myles Motley; two great-nieces Katherine Bedwell and Eleanor Motley; an honorary nephew Anderson Willis, and an honorary niece Sophia Jenkins.

Larry was born in Henry County, Alabama on Jan. 25, 1942. He was a graduate of Opelika High School in the class of 1960. He was a member of Restoration Church of Auburn, Alabama. His faith in God, his family, and his friends were the most important things in his life. He worked in children’s ministry, was known for his help with catering church events, and was always willing to serve in any way he may have been needed. He volunteered for several years with the Life Savers and Sidewalk Sunday School ministry in Opelika, and co-founded with this wife Betty, a Backpack Sunday ministry to provide school supplies for children in need. Larry loved Auburn Football and shared this love with his nephews. He was known for his tender spirit, encouraging words, his desire to serve, his love of children, and his loving smile. He lived his life for God and set a wonderful example for his family and friends.

Flowers will be accepted, or in lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted for the Backpack Sunday ministry through Restoration.

––––––– WILLIAM WAYNE DANIEL William Wayne Daniel was born on Oct.15, 1933, and went to his heavenly home on Jan. 31, 2022.

The Celebration of Life for William Wayne Daniel will be held at Jeffcoat-Trant Chapel on Feb. 5, 2022 at 2 p.m. with Reverend Johnny Coker officiating.

Visitation will be at the funeral home one hour prior. Wayne was preceded in death by his father Jeff and mother, Mary, his beloved wife, Mary, his two sisters, Margaret Robertson Osment, and Mildred Garner (Butch), and a dear son in law, Dr. Daniel Stubler. Survivors include his brother, Jerry (Chellis) Daniel, his three daughters Judy (Bill) Blackmon, Denise (Rick) McClinton and Amy Stubler and their families. Grandchildren Will (Melanie) Blackmon, Laura (Rob) Yeargain, Thomas (Elle) McClinton and Jacob McClinton, brotherin-law, Butch Garner, Nephews Barry (Shannon) Garner, Darren (Christy) Garner, Randy (Darlene) Robertson and a host of great grandchildren.

Wayne owned and operated Daniel Motor Company, a wrecker service and salvage yard for many years with the help of his chosen devoted son, Roger Allen. He also loved spending time at his beautiful farm in Beauregard tending to cows, building lakes and fishing, riding on the tractor and enjoying working in the garden. He enjoyed target practice, skeet shooting and calling up wild turkeys.

Wayne was a deacon at Northside Baptist Church during his early to mid-adult life where he influenced many “Northside kids” who are grown adults now. He loved his church family and was very faithful in attendance. He loved playing Rook with his friends and enjoyed all kinds of board games and dominoes. Wayne just loved being around people and inviting them into “Wayne’s World” Most recently, Wayne kept the staff at Azalea Place and Camelia Place on their toes and told all of the caregivers they were his favorite.

In Lieu of flowers you may donate to the Northside Baptist Building Fund or the charity of your choice.

––––––– ANNIE JO COUCH

29, 2022. Mrs. Couch was born in Fort Payne, Alabama to Lewis and Catharine Blevins Sept. 12, 1929. She enjoyed painting and lived most of her life in Dadeville and Opelika.

Mrs. Couch is preceded in death by her daughter Charlotte Curry. She is survived by her husband Jerome Couch; children: Marla Birchfield (Kim), Jimmy Light (Lisa); grandchildren: Dustin Carlisle (Kristen), Tara Harrison (Jason), Steven Curry (Jennifer), Michael Murphy, Crystal Curry, sister: Reba Turner; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Oak Park and Dr. Abrams. A graveside service was held Tuesday, Feb.1, 2022 at Garden Hills Cemetery with Jim Allen and Doug Hicks officiating.

Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

Annie Jo Couch, 92 of Opelika, passed away Jan.

–––––––

Pre-Need Services Available Call 334-749-8700 for an appointment.

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ELIZABETH GULLAGE MEADOWS Visitation for Elizabeth Gullage Meadows, 94, will take place on Thursday, Feb. 10 from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. at the Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow immediately at Garden Hill Cemetery at 10:30 a.m., with Dr. Tripp Martin officiating.

Mrs. Meadows died peacefully at home in Auburn on Friday, Feb. 4.

She was the wife of the late H. B. Meadows, and the mother of the late Michael Meadows.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law Mary Meadows, her granddaughters Lynn Meadows Boris (Sean) and Julie Meadows (Jonathan), and her great grandchildren Beatrice, Lucy and Frankie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to: Rescue K911 P.O.Box 862 Auburn, AL, 36831.

A16 Feb. 10, 2022

COMICS

“Life is worth living as long as there’s a laugh in it.” ― Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

S

INSIDE B1 - B8: • AUBURN UNIVERSITY • COMMUNITY SPORTS • LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS • OPELIKA/AUBURN SCHOOLS • SUSSC

S

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS OPELIKA: FEB. 22 AT 4:30 P.M. LEE COUNTY: MAR. 8 AT 6 P.M. AUBURN: MAR. 8 AT 6 P.M.

Area Basketball Rundown:

Playoff Edition

AISA State & AHSAA Area Tournaments Underway

ON THE MARK D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS Competes in State Meet

T

he Alabama High School Athletic Association held the Indoor Track and Field Championship last weekend in the Crossplex in Birmingham. Scottsboro won the boys 6A and Northridge earned the 6A girls champipnship.

The following is a list of the OHS student-athletes, events, place and time or score: GIRLS *60 Meter Dash 8.04 - Amiya Brown - 8th 8.61 - Haley Sanders - 16th *400 Meter Dash 1:01.23 - Indiana Holloway -10th *1600 Meter Run 5:29.74 - Breckin Gould - 7th *3200 Meter Run 12:01.80 - Breckin Gould - 5th *60 Meter Hurdles 9.91 SB - Niya Walton - 10th *High Jump 4-10 - De’leah Huntly - 6th *Long Jump 14-11.25 - Morgan Watts - 10th *Triple Jump 35-9 - Niya Walton - 3rd 34-10 - Morgan Watts - 5th *Shot Put 30-9.5 - Cherdi Daniels - 7th BOYS *1600 Meter Run 4:44.32 - Charles Brewer - 11th *60 Meter Hurdles

8.86 - Tykell Thomas - 7th 9.11 - JaClarence Perry - 10th *High Jump 5-10 - Davian Jones - 8th *Long Jump 20-0 - Davian Jones - 9th *Triple Jump 43-7.75 - Davian Jones - 2nd 41-10.75 - Kaden Cooper - 4th *Pole Vault 12-0 - Benjamin “Ben” Royal - 8th *Shot Put 44-8 - Mikeil Heard - 6th 43-3.5 - Marquavian Johnson - 8th BASKETBALL The Opelika girls’ and boys’ basketball teams played games against next year’s 7A area — Smiths Station, Central and Auburn — last week.

The Lady Bulldogs beat Smiths Station 61-23, behind 13 points from Haley Sanders and 12 points from Ashanti Thomas. Central downed OHS 75-63 in the second game of the week. Despite the loss, Thomas scored 18 points, Sanders 17 points and Erica Mathews added 15 points.

In the final game of the week, AHS beat OHS, 53-44. Sanders scored 16 points; Mathews and Thomas added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The Lady Bulldog Basketball team (14-12) handled the Valley Rams See SPORTS, page B2

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

High school basketball season is nearing its conclusion and a number of local teams are competing for silverware.

Opelika, Beauregard, Auburn and Smiths Station were all in action this week competing for their respective AHSAA area titles; Lee-Scott and

Glenwood are poised to make runs at the AISA Class 3A state title later this week in Montgomery.

The following is a breakdown on each team, including snippets on the regular season and how they can each respectively attain championship status.

AHSAA Opelika Boys: In head coach Wesley Button’s first full year in charge,

Opelika finished the regular season 6-15, 1-5 in the area. Despite finishing with an unglamorous record, Button’s team picked up marquee wins against rival Auburn (8576 on Feb. 3) and Area 04 No. 2 seed Eufaula (who finished the season 27-3 overall). After losing both regular season matchups, the Bulldogs fell to Valley in the first round of the area tournament on Monday to

conclude their season.

Opelika Girls: In head coach Blake Smalley’s first season in charge, the Bulldogs finished second in Area 04 with a regular-season record of 13-12, 4-2 in the area.

The girls completed a season sweep of local rival Smiths Station and split the season series with Central of Phenix City. Opelika traveled to Eufaula to See BASRETBALL, page B2

Southview Primary Teacher Awarded for Winning AEA’s Be A Champion and Read Decorating Contest CONTRIBUTED BY AEA

The Alabama Education Association is pleased to announce Samantha Knowles, a

second-grade teacher at Southview Primary, is the district 9 winner of the 2021 Be A Champion and Read Decorating Contest. As the winner, Knowles

receives $200 that can be used in her classroom.

“I am very passionate about reading and igniting the fire in my kids,” Knowles said.

“Every morning my students saw me painting Aubie and Big AL for the bulletin board and as I worked on the See TEACHER, page B2

Photo L-R: Izaak Standridge, AEA UniServ director; Dr. Mary Salmon, Southview Primary principal; Dr. Susan Williams Brown, AEA president; Samantha Knowles, winner and 2nd grade teacher; Lola White, Opelika Education Association president

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B2 Feb. 10, 2022

Southern Christian Close Out Season On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the Southern Christian Patriots traveled to Clay County to play the First Assembly Christian School Lions. The boys’ middle school team came into the contest 17-2, led by its explosive point guard Parks Myers who is averaging 14 points per game, and power forward Jagger Scott who is averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds per game. In the 41-35 victory over the Lions, Myers and Scott did not disappoint.

Myers finished with 16 points; Jagger had 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Jedd Scott also added eight boards. In the junior varsity contest, freshman Cole Johnson led the Patriots to a 48-40 victory, scoring 20 points in regulation.

Jedd added seven points and Myers added 10.

BASKETBALL >> FROM B1 play No. 3 seed Valley in the area tournament on Monday and won 6018. The Bulldogs played Eufaula for the area title on Tuesday but results were not available at press time.

Beauregard Boys: The Hornets didn’t have the season they imagined having, finishing 2-23 and without a single area win on the campaign.

Beauregard traveled to Pike Road to take on the No. 1 area seed Patriots on Monday and saw its season come to an end with an 82-49 loss, completing Pike Road's three-game sweep of the Hornets this season.

TEACHER >> FROM B1 decorations they would ask to see what I added, and through that they got really excited about the contest.”

Knowles plans to buy new books for her classroom library with the $200, and her students will be able to pick the books purchased for the classroom.

AEA President Dr. Susan Williams Brown said, “AEA is dedicated to promoting a love of reading for all Alabama students, and our Be A Champion and Read Contest is a terrific way to motivate students to read. I congratulate Samantha Knowles for winning the decorating contest and

Jagger was limited on the offensive end, scoring just six points, but came up big in the paint grabbing a whopping 16 rebounds. Jayden Mckee kepth the Lion’s offense at bay with six steals.

On Feb. 3, the Patriots hosted the ACSC powerhouse Evangel Lightning at Covington Rec Center in Opelika. The middle school boys had fought to victory over the Lightning when visiting their gym in Montevallo, and the Lightning are not used to losing.

“This was the most exciting basketball game I ever coached,” said Southern Christian Head Coach Jason Scott.

“Evangel is a big school and always a tough competitor. We knew we were in for a fight after we beat them at their place.”

The two teams battled it out until the score was tied at 35 with little time

on the clock. Myers took a potential game-winning shot for the Patriots when he was fouled as the buzzer went off.

Myers, and 84% free throw shooter on the season, was presumably the man for the job.

However, after Myers released the first free throw … clank … he missed. The crowd was silenced as he lined up for his second attempt to win the game on the free throw line. In what seemed like slow motion the ball nicked the back of the rim, rolled around for what seemed like ages and fell to the ground. The game headed to overtime. The two teams regroup for one final period of play — or so they thought. The two teams could separate from one another after one overtime, as the score remained tied 4242. In the second overtime, Evangel missed a

Beauregard Girls: The Beauregard girls’ team completed its regular season with a 6-20 overall record (2-4 in the area). The No. 3 team in the area, the Hornets faced off against No. 2 Brewbaker Tech on Monday, and after losing their two regular-season meeting by a combined 50 points, lost 60-30 to close out the 2022 season. . Auburn Boys: The Auburn High Tigers finished the regular season 17-10 overall and 2-2 in the area. Splitting the season series with area opponents Central and Smiths Station was good enough for No. 2 in the area. The Tigers were in action Wednesday against Central but results were not available at press

time. In the instance the Tigers win, they will go on to face Smiths Station on Thursday in a matchup to decide the post-season area champion.

Auburn Girls: Finishing first in the area, the Auburn High girls completed the season with a 17-6 record. The Tigers swept both Opelika and Smiths Station and split the season series with area foe Central Phenix City. Auburn will play the winner of Smiths Station and Central on Thursday for the shot at winning the area tournament.

Smiths Station Boys: The Panthers finished the regular season 19-8 (3-1), good enough for first in the area. Smiths completed the season sweep

engaging her students in reading, because we know reading is the foundation of all learning. I am excited Ms. Knowles is going to use the prize money to buy books for her students.”

AEA’s Be A Champion and Read decorating contest ran in conjunction with the Be A Champion and Read student reading contest. To qualify to win the decorating contest, educators across Alabama submitted photos of decorated bulletin boards, walls or doors that promoted the Be A Champion and Read Contest in their school. One winner was selected from each in-service center district.

SPORTS >> FROM B1 60-18 in the first game of the Area Tournament.

Offensively, Opelika was led by Haley Sanders 18-points. Ashanti Thomas and Keke Williams scored 9-points apiece and Tyra Smith added 7-points.

OHS played at Eufaula in the finals of the Area tournament but results were not available at press time.

The winner of the Area host the the Sub Regional game, the loser plays on the road.

The OHS boys’ basketball team (6-15) lost to Smiths Station (83-78) and Central (76-62), but ended the week beating rival Auburn 85-76.

Offensively against SSHS, Bulldog Isaiah Knight scored a season-high 31 points and Tay Hardnett added 16 points and

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

would-be game-winning shot, and the two teams entered a third overtime tied at 48. Finally, the Patriots earn some early separation thanks to steals by Myers and Jedd. The Lightning couldn’t recover and the Patriots escaped with a long-fought 56-50 win.

Leading the scorers for the Patriots was Myers, who had 19 points and seven steals on the night.

Jedd added 11 points, while Jack Eagan had nine points. Jagger again owned the paint, pulling down 17 rebounds, blocking four shots and scoring 13 points.

As if the excitement wasn’t high enough, then came the junior varsity game.

“I knew we were in for a tough game with their JV,” Jason said. "We were a little tired from the overtime game, but

that’s not why we lost.

We lost because they are just better than us, period. They are very talented group of older guys, and we are still pretty young, mostly 14-yearolds on this team.

Cole Johnson led the way for the Patriots in defeat. He finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Mckee had two three critical three pointers late to keep Southern Christian in the game, but the Patriots fell 3558. The junior varsity would play Evangel again on Saturday in the ACSC junior varsity tournament.

The Patriots traveled to Samford University in Homewood, Alabama, for the tournament, facing an uphill battle having already lost to first-round opponent Evangel. Jason said he had hoped the Lightning

would be looking past his team.

“It’s hard to beat a team twice but it’s really tough to beat them three times in a season,” said. “he That’s what we were counting on.Their starting five was older and bigger than us, I knew that coming in, so I decided because we are pretty fast that we had to try and run with them.”

The Patriots put up a good fight but could not match the Lightning for the entire game. Evangel was able to break the press of Southern Christian several times and when the Lightning got ahead, they did not look back. In the end the Patriots lost 34-50 and the season came to an end. The middle school team finished with an impressive 19-2 record; the JV record finished at 5-15.

of Opelika and Central, and split the season series against Auburn.

With a first-round bye, the Panthers await the winner of the Auburn and Central game, and will compete for the postseason area title on Thursday night.

Smiths Station Girls: The Panthers finished the regular season 10-13 (0-4 in the area) in head coach Kelvin Roberts’ first season. The Panthers faced Central on Tuesday in the area tournament and saw the season come to an end with a 77-30 loss.

AISA Lee-Scott Boys: Coach William Johnson improved on his squad’s sub-.500 record from 2020-21 to finish the

2021-22 regular season 18-6, winning the regular season area title for the first time in seven years.

The Warriors will face off against Bessemer (712) in the Sweet 16 of the AISA Class 3A state tournament on Thursday; the two teams did not meet in the regular season. With the championship game being held on Feb. 14, Lee-Scott will need three wins in total to claim the silverware.

Lee-Scott Girls: The Lee-Scott girls’ basketball team improved from 2-6 last season to 9-4 this year under head coach Corye Ivatt. Next up is a Sweet 16 state tournament matchup against No. 1 seed Tuscaloosa Academy on Feb. 10.

Lee-Scott defeated Tuscaloosa in November of last year.

Glenwood Boys: Under head coach Dusty Purdue, the Gators finished the season No. 2 in the region and 17-7 overall. Glenwood has a matchup against Tuscaloosa Academy on Thursday (the two teams did not meet this season), with a win pushing it to the Elite 8 of the state tournament on Feb. 12.

Glenwood Girls: Purdue also coached the girls this year and led Glenwood to the No. 1 seed in the region and a 19-5 record. The Gators will face off against Monroe on Thursday to advance to the Elite 8 of the state tournament.

recorded seven assists.

Hardnett led the Dogs against the Red Devils, scoring 21 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out seven assists. Three other players scored double digits: Brenton Williams (14 points), Knight and Landon Lee (13 points apiece).

Two Bulldogs combined for 54 points against AHS in the win. Grady Bynum scored 33 points and pulled down eight rebounds while teammate Hardnett scored 21 points.

NOTE-Girls play in Area tonight ( Monday ), boys Tuesday...I will send results after game, so we will have this week!!

WRESTLING The Opelika wrestling team has eight grapplers participating in the AHSAA Super Sectionals, Friday (Feb. 11), with the goal of qualifying for the AHSAA

state meet.

The following are the eight wrestlers and their weight class: Derrick Hoyett (120 pounds), Brayden Wilson (126 pounds), Tyrese Pitts (132 pounds), Logan Sheridan (138 pounds), Brady Campbell (145 pounds), Landon Willis (152 pounds), Jack Pritchard (195 pounds) and Kyle Epperson (220 pounds).

SPRING SPORTS BEGIN As spring sports begin this season, I will give you the schedule for the following week.

February 14: Girls’ tennis vs Columbus at WJ Calhoun Tennis Center at 3 p.m.

February 15: Girls’ and boys’ soccer at Brookstone (Columbus), 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

February 16: Girls’ JV soccer at Millbrook against Stanhope Elmore, 5:30 p.m.

February 17: Boys’ JV baseball versus Beauregard at OHS Bulldog Park, 4:30 p.m.; girls’ soccer and boys’ soccer at Alex City versus Benjamin Russell starting at 5 and 6:30 p.m.; varsity baseball at OHS versus Beauregard starting at 6:30 p.m.

February 18: Softball at Alex City in the Central Alabama Classic starts at 7 p.m.

February 19: Varsity baseball at Bulldog Park against Stanhope Elmore at 11 a.m. and Pike Road at 4 p.m.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 910-1310, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Youth baseball state director.

B3 Feb. 10, 2022

2aUSA Offers Scholarship Opportunity PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

CONTRIBUTED BY SUSCC

The Southern Union State Community College Foundation recently received a gift from 2aUSA to establish Advanced Manufacturing Scholarships.

This gift will provide scholarships for students enrolled in Southern Union’s Advanced Manufacturing programs of study and will dramatically broaden the ability of the college to meet the workforce needs of the area.

“We are so honored that 2aUSA has chosen to invest in our students by establishing these scholarships,” said SUSCC President Todd Shackett .

2aUSA is a high precision aluminum die casting processor specializing in aluminum materials for the automobile industry.

Located in Auburn, its parent company is a spin-off of a global private Italian group in the textile business with plants in Europe, Americas and Asia.

The scholarship will provide qualified

SUSCC Cuts Ribbon on New Administration Building

Pictured in front of the state of the art machinery at 2AUSA are Vincenzo Ilotte (far left), who along with his father, Carlo, owns2aSPA in Italy and 2aUSA in the United States; Southern Union president Todd Shackett; Dr. Darin Baldwin, Dean of Technical Education and Workforce Development at SUSCC, and Larry DiChiara, Human Resources Manager, 2aUSA

students with supervised work-based learning experiences on the job as well as classroom instruction.

Students will also have the opportunity for potential employment with 2aUSA upon successful completion and graduation from the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program.

For consideration for the program, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA to be accepted and

maintain a 2.75 GPA throughout course of the program. While simultaneously enrolled in courses at SU related to their declared area of study, participants are expected to work a minimum of 20 hours per week at a rate of $15 per hour.

Students interested in applying should contact Eric Sewell at esewell@ suscc.edu or visit the SUSCC website, suscc.edu, to obtain an

application.

The Southern Union Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was established to support and foster the educational and service programs and activities of SUSCC. The Foundation increases educational access for students through financial support and enables the college to initiate innovative projects to enhance the quality of education.

Opelika Girls Soccer Opens Season With Blowout Win

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

With fall sports firmly in the rear-view mirror and the imminent AHSAA basketball tournament signifies the conclusion of winter sports; soccer season has officially arrived in Opelika and — according to women’s head coach Jaclyn Button — the OHS Bulldogs are poised to make an impact in their final season at the 6A level.

The hometown Dawgs backed their coach's claims in their first match of the season, taking down Stanhope Elmore on the road by a tally of 10-0 Monday evening.

“A good 10-0,” Button said. “It was a fun one for us, a good season opener.

Everybody got playing time. Our goalie got to get out of goal second half and come play a

little forward for us. It was fun.”

The season-opening victory encouraged Button in her belief that the red and black has the capacity to run the table within the area and beyond.

“The sky's the limit for us,” Button said. “I really think we have a strong core team that’s returning from last year so we can really push it this year."

Button’s optimism stems from both her roster’s experience playing together as well as pressure added by the looming jump to a 7A classification.

“We have girls that have worked together for a long time and kind of know each other’s style of play,” Button said. “This is our last year in 6A, next year we’re moving up to 7A, so I think we can win our area in 6A and take it really far.”

As the Dawgs continue their journey throughout 2022, the group will look to seniors Phoebe Darcey and Fatima Santamaria to provide veteran leadership in the face of adversity.

“I’ve got two true seniors this year,” Button said. “Phoebe Darcey is our goal keeper, so she’s definitely a vocal leader out of the back.

Another one of our defenders — Fatima Santamaria — is another senior for us. So they’re kind of both more defensive.”

Vocal leadership from the squad’s seniors will be paired with the skillset provided by a large junior class.

“We also have a lot of juniors throughout the midfield that are returners that provide strength on the field,” Button said.

“Good support and communication.”

Button believes her squad’s balance in age will prove fruitful as the season carries on.

“I think a lot of that strength comes from our junior-class majority,” Button said. “With plug-ins from some seniors, sophomores and freshmen.”

Contrasting from year’s past, the Dawgs will present a 4-5-1 formation to their opponents in hopes to transition towards a heavy-attack, offense-focused unit.

“We’re trying to stay in the attack this year,” Button said. “In years past, we’ve kind of hung back and felt teams out.

We said ‘let’s be the attacking team, let’s be the offensive team that puts pressure.’”

As the head coach looks forward with anticipation to the season at hand, she expressed her appreciation for the support received within the Opelika Community.

“We have a lot of good support,” Button

said. “We don’t have a middle school team, but those middle schoolers pull into our JV team so we do have that middle school parent support and — of course — the Opelika High School varsity support.”

The Dawgs will be back in action on Tuesday, Feb. 15 when the group plays host to the Brookstone High School Cougars of Columbus, Georgia.

Kickoff between the foes is set for 6:30 p.m. CST

SU TECHNICAL DIVISION

HOUSE OPEN THURSDAY, FEB. 17 4:30-7:00PM |

Join us in the Center for Integrated Manufacturing to explore program offerings, get scholarship information and learn about FAME - our newest work-based learning program.

PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Our programs prepare students for high-wage, high-demand technical careers in just 5 semesters.

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS: • Machine Shop Technology • Automotive Technology • Air Conditioning & Refrigeration • Mechatronics • Additive Machine Repair • Engineering & Design • Plastics Engineering Technology • Welding

FAME Students earn a wage while attending college and gain priceless work experience with a sponsoring company.

Employers and instructors will be available to provide more info.

• Cosmetology The Center for Integrated Manufacturing is located at 301 Lake Condy Road in Opelika. Look for the 2-story building with roll up doors. For more information call 334-745-6437 ext. 5490.

Technical Division

Photo from last season's OHS girls' soccer game against Smiths Station.

suscc.edu

B4 Feb. 10, 2022

Opelika Closes Regular Season Against Rivals

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER The Opelika boys' and girls' basketball teams closed out the regular season with game against local foes Smiths Station, Central and Auburn. The girls (14-12) defeated Valley in the first round of the area 04 tournament. The results of the second round game were not available at press time. The boys' season ended with a 59-51 defeat at the hands of Valley on Monday.

B5 Feb. 10, 2022

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Making Available $250,000 to Schools Statewide with the Be Healthy School Grant Program CONTRIBUTED BY BCBS OF ALABAMA In our ongoing commitment to help prevent childhood obesity, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is proud to continue its Be Healthy School Grant Program.

For the 2022-2023 school year, Blue Cross will make available $250,000 and award grants up to $10,000 to 25 schools

across the state that enroll students in grades K through eighth. Since 2012, Blue Cross has awarded more than $2.3 million in 227 Be Healthy School Grants statewide impacting over 119,000 students.

“We continue to see firsthand excellent results in schools across our state that are benefitting from the Be Healthy

School Grant Program,” said Tim King, community relations manager, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. “We are proud to make this investment in Alabama’s children in an ongoing effort to help them lead the healthiest lives possible, now and long-term.”

The grants are for the implementation of school-based health and

wellness programs that emphasize increased exercise and nutrition education involvement during the school year.

Applications can now be completed on the Blue Cross website at AlabamaBlue.com/ schoolgrant. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 8, 2022. Each selected school will receive a grant of up to $10,000,

and schools will be further recognized with a Blue Cross Be Healthy School banner.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has insured Alabamians for over 85 years. Blue Cross offers coverage plans to corporations, individuals and the senior market.

For more information

about Blue Cross, visit AlabamaBlue.com.

Connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube and follow us on Twitter for more up-to-date information.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

OHS Baseball Ready for 2022

BY HARRISON TARR FOR THE OBSERVER

As the weather grows steadily warmer in Opelika, it is nearly time to break out the bleacher chairs, grab a pack of peanuts or sunflower seeds and head to the ballpark for OHS Bulldog baseball.

After a lack-luster showing in 2021, Opelika head coach Zachary Blatt eagerly awaits first pitch of his squad’s season as he believes the 2022 campaign could prove to be a special opportunity for the hometown Dawgs.

In Blatt’s opinion, improvement from last year’s campaign stems from retaining a large portion of the group he was able to coach in the past.

“Most importantly, we return a lot of experience,” Blatt said. “We return every single inning pitched from last season which doesn’t happen very often.

From an experience standpoint, I feel really good about our pitching staff.”

The five-man rotation is constructed by seniors Jackson Harris, Brantley Davis, JT McArdle, Kydylan Ligon and Luke Murray.

“We’ll have five guys that will throw,” Blatt said. “So they’ll kind of

split it up in the first few games of the weekend and that first of the week.”

These seniors’ past experience will likely play a key role in their continued development as the season progresses.

“They probably logged the most innings of everybody last year,” Blatt said.

“They’re all seniors so — again — talking about that experience. I think that’s going to play a huge part for us.”

Player retention is not limited to the Dawgs’ pitching rotation; this year’s roster nearly mirrors that of the last.

“Defensively, our lineup is really similar to what it was last year,” Blatt said.

“I expect our guys to be a lot more mature and — if we stay healthy — we have a good chance to compete and be a solid baseball team.”

While it may be largely the same group of athletes from the 2021 campaign, Blatt believes that individual maturity will prove as a competitive edge for the red and black.

“From a baseball maturity standpoint, just understanding the game and learning more,” Blatt said. “Last year, was their first year logging a lot of innings on the

mound so just controlling the running game and understanding in-game situations.”

In the eyes of their head coach, the squad’s maturity will serve as a medium of self-awareness and increased baseball IQ. “I think those guys — this year — have a better understanding of the game,” Blatt said. “And they have a better understanding of who they are and what kind of identity they have.”

According to Blatt, establishing a team-identity in the early part of the season should come through taking on challenging opponents before area play commences.

“We have a ton of good teams on the schedule, as usual,” Blatt said. “So we’ll definitely get tested early.”

The skipper is aware that understanding where his squad stands early on will be critical as this is likely the Dawgs’ best chance at a deep run in quite some time.

“I don’t want them to put pressure on themselves, but I do want them to understand what kind of an opportunity we have,” Blatt said. “We have a chance to be a good ball club if we stay

the course.”

As in any sport, the keys to success lie within the fundamentals.

“In all honesty, I think number one is stay healthy and play fundamental baseball,” Blatt said. “I think if we take care of area play and get to the playoffs we’ll see what happens…but I think this group has the chance to do as much as they want to do.”

With what he believes to be a special group on his hands, it is little surprise that Blatt is excited to get fans out to support the club; he is appreciative to operate within the Opelika community.

“Obviously just the community support getting ready to kick it off,” Blatt said. “Thankful to be in Opelika. It’s a big enough city but small enough to have that hometown feel. I’m appreciative to have the opportunity to be here with these guys.”

The Dawgs will open their season on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Opelika High School when the squad plays host to Stanhope Elmore and Pike Road in an opening weekend doubleheader. First pitch of the weekend is set for 11 a.m. CST. PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Opelika baseball held its "Umpire Scrimmage" on Feb. 5 with the Bulldogs, Handley High School and Central Phenix City playing in exhibition games.

'1/a.ssle hee Va.cat:on..Whj Not Ca.II Us. www.mytravelatmidtown.com

334 749 0877 3051 Frederick Road, Suite 7, Opelika -

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B6 Feb. 10, 2022

Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

Beauregard High School had a signing ceremony on National Signing Day last Wednesday for studentathletes Zander Baird (left) and Lexi Raiford (right). Both signed to Point University in West Point, Georgia.

Baird will be a punter for the football team and Raiford will join the golf team. Beauregard head football coach Justin Jones is pictured top left.

Refund Anticipation Loans are now available. Schedule an appointment for a free evaluation.

1 The Refund Advance is an optional tax-refund related loan provided by MetaBank®, N.A., Member FDIC (it is not the actual tax refund) at participating locations.

Program availability and loan amounts may vary based on state and software provider. The amount of the loan and applicable interest will be deducted from tax refunds and reduce the amount that is paid directly to the taxpayer. Fees for other optional products or product features may apply. Tax returns may be fi led electronically without applying for this loan. Loans off ered in amounts of $250 (where available), $500, $1,000, 25%, 50%, or 75% of your expected tax refund from $250 - $6,000. Loans in the amounts of $250, $500, and $1,000 have an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 0.00%. Loans in the amounts of 25%, 50% or 75% of your expected tax refund have an APR of 36.0% with a minimum loan of $1,250. For example, $2,500 loan representing 50% of expected refund borrowed over 29 day term, total amount payable in a single payment is $2,571.51 including interest. Availability is subject to satisfaction of identity verifi cation, eligibility criteria, and underwriting standards.

2 Certain Refund Advance Loans are available at no cost to taxpayers, however other options include a consumer fee.

RA21-BAN-014

334-744-7509 Dustin Farley-Nelms/Owner 207 N. 3rd Street, Opelika

Member of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce

B7 Feb. 10, 2022

Twenty Aviation Students Land Careers Through Auburn University Partnership With Delta Air Lines Twenty aviation students recently received job offers through a partnership between Auburn University and Delta Air Lines.

The students are part of Delta Propel, a highly selective program which provides participants a Qualified Job Offer, or QJO, detailing a defined career path, allowing Auburn students to participate in an accelerated timeline to become a Delta pilot. This group of 20 nearly doubled the amount of those who have received job offers through the program since it began.

For Blake Adkins, a professional flight major who grew up near Delta’s headquarters in Atlanta, the opportunity solidified his decision to attend Auburn.

“Growing up, it was always my dream to be a Delta pilot,” Adkins said.

“When Auburn began the partnership with Delta, I was in high school. I knew coming to Auburn

would give me the best opportunity to see my dream come true.”

Auburn is one of only 14 universities, and the only one in the Southeastern Conference, that partners with Delta to secure career placements for students through the Propel program.

“We’re proud to partner with outstanding universities like Auburn around the country to give aspiring pilots a clear and defined path to a Delta flight deck,” said Patrick Burns, Delta’s vice president of flight operations and system chief pilot. “We’re looking forward to welcoming even more Tigers to our Delta family as we continue to bring the world’s best aviators to the world’s best airline.”

In addition to the qualified job offer, Propel students receive leadership development and personal mentoring from active Delta pilots.

“The College of Liberal Arts’ commitment to student

excellence includes preparing our students for success during and after their time at Auburn,” said Ana FrancoWatkins, interim dean.

“The partnership between Auburn and Delta is proof of the work being done at Auburn to ensure bright futures for our students.”

Auburn Aviation, one of the longest continually running aviation education programs in the country, provides the latest training in the classroom and in the cockpit.

Adkins credits this training with making him a competitive candidate for the Propel program and a previous internship placement with Delta.

“The leadership opportunities and amazing professors in the Department of Aviation helped prepare me to take this next step,” Adkins said.

“Our partnership with Delta is a game-changer for Auburn Aviation,” said James Witte, department chair. “In addition to providing career opportunities for our

Green Jr. Tabbed SEC Player of the Week CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

For the first time of his Auburn career, sophomore guard Wendell Green Jr. (Detroit, Mich.) was tabbed SEC Player of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday.

Green Jr. led No. 1-ranked Auburn to another 2-0 week in SEC play with series sweeps over rival Alabama (W, 100-81) on Feb. 1 and Georgia (W, 74-72) on Feb. 5. It marked the first time to sweep both

schools since the 1966-67 season.

For the week, he averaged a team-leading 21.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game against the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs combined.

Green Jr. also shot 38.2 percent from the field and went 11-for-12 from the charity stripe. The Tigers are off to their second best start in program history at 22-1 overall and currently on a nation-leading 19-game win streak.

In back-to-back SEC games, Green Jr. reached double figures before

halftime. He scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half of play at UGA including the game winner as Auburn survived the upset bid in Athens, Georgia. It marked his 17th game in double digits this season. Green Jr. also played a season-high 36 minutes versus the Bulldogs.

Against the Crimson Tide, he registered a season-high 23 points — his 12th career 20-point outing and second of the season. Green Jr. also added eight rebounds and six assists.

Lee, Groth Earn SEC Weekly Honors CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Freshmen Sunisa Lee and Sophia Groth of the No. 7 Auburn gymnastics team were honored by the Southeastern Conference for their performances this past weekend. Lee was named Gymnast of the Week, while Groth secured Freshman of the Week.

The pair helped Auburn reach a program record-tying score at LSU, scoring a 197.750 on the road. In addition, Lee and Groth were also a part of the team’s season bests on beam (49.550) and on vault (49.475). Those scores came in tied for second and tied for third, respectively, in program history.

Lee put together an outstanding performance in the all-around, winning her second-straight title in the category with a 39.825. That score broke the Auburn allaround record and is tied for the highest score in the country so far this season.

Highlighting Lee’s meet at LSU was her perfect score on bars.

The St. Paul, Minnesota, product took first in the event with a 10.0, earning the first 10.0 of her career and the first for an Auburn gymnast since 2004.

Lee tied her career high on beam with a 9.975 to win the event.

She also set career highs on vault and floor, coming in a tie for second on floor with a 9.95 and a tie for third on vault

with a 9.9.

Groth picked up her second Freshman of the Week honor this season after setting career scores in all three events competed at LSU. The West Des Moines, Iowa, native had a huge performance on beam, scoring a career-best 9.95 to finish second on the day.

She opened her afternoon with a career score on vault, earning a tie for third with a 9.9. She added a career high on floor as well with another 9.9.

Auburn hosts another top 10 match up this Friday, hosting No. 9 Missouri in Auburn Arena. The two Tiger teams will face off at 8 p.m. CT and the meet will be televised on SEC Network.

students, the resources Delta and The Delta Air Lines Foundation have provided ensure that our students receive a worldclass aviation education.”

Auburn and Delta have a longstanding relationship that has served students for many years. In 2018 Delta Air Lines, The Delta Air Lines Foundation and the Jacobson Family Foundation granted $6.2 million to support multiple programs at Auburn.

The gift funded the construction of the Delta Air Lines Aviation Education Building, which serves as the home to the Department of Aviation, and also funded the purchase of an aircraft simulator and created endowed faculty professorships in the Department of Aviation.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

BY BRANDON ETHEREDGE

outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none.

Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements

that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.

Topgolf Live Stadium Tour Set to Tee Off at Jordan-Hare Stadium CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Jordan-Hare Stadium will be home to the Topgolf Live Stadium Tour on April 21 through 24, Auburn Athletics announced on Monday.

Topgolf Live brings an immersive golf experience to some of the country's most iconic venues. Players enjoy a one-of-a-kind opportunity to tee it up inside fan-favorite stadiums, hitting golf balls at on-field targets placed between 60 and 140 yards from the tee box.

Toptracer technology accurately traces the flight path of golf balls, instantly scoring every shot in an interactive, in-stadium game, designed for all skill levels.

Tickets went on sale beginning Wednesday, Feb. 9 at www.topgolflive.com/. Tee times are reserved in onehour increments with six players to a bay.

With the initial on sale date, only full bay reservations will be made available.

Food and drinks are available on-site.

Spectator tickets are also

available for $10. Prices start at $80 for player tickets and $40 for students. Any single ticket inventory will go on sale in mid to late March, if available.

War Eagle Experience premium tickets, which are available starting at $175, include a private entrance and access to the Harbert Recruiting Center, a locker room tour and photo opportunities, access to the Tiger Walk Club which includes a private bar and food, a See TOPGOLF, page B8

Neville Arena: Auburn Trustees Approve Arena Name Change, Basketball Facility Improvements CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

The competition venue for Auburn men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics and volleyball will be known as Neville Arena in recognition of the single largest gift in Auburn Athletics history, Auburn University’s Board of Trustees approved Friday.

A dedication marking the official name change from Auburn Arena to Neville Arena will take place March 4 at the venue, with an on-court recognition March 5 during men’s basketball’s regular season finale vs. South

Carolina.

Neville Arena, opened in 2010 with a seating capacity of 9,121, will be named after Bill and Connie Neville, members of the Pat Dye Society, Tigers Unlimited’s highest level of giving.

“We wanted to do something special for men’s basketball because it’s become such another amazing Auburn experience,” Bill said.

“The fact that we can benefit so many student-athletes, students and members of the Auburn family was our primary inspiration. We’re honored that Auburn would consider us.”

“It’s a remarkable time for Auburn Basketball,” Connie said. “Coach Pearl has built a wonderful program, bringing excitement and enjoyment to the arena. We are very humbled to be able to make this gift.”

Bill serves on the Tigers Unlimited Foundation Board.

The Neville’s previous philanthropic support resulted in the naming of the Bill and Connie Neville Lobby in the east elevator lobby at Jordan-Hare Stadium in honor of the Eufaula, Alabama, natives.

Bill’s father and See AREBA, page B8

B8 Feb. 10, 2022

Wake Up To February Happenings

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1.

I

love winter but during these cold winter months, it seems a little bit hard for us to wake up our children. Well, one thing that might pleasantly wake up your children today is that it is National Pizza Day. On this cold winter day, this is definitely something to wake up and plan with your children. You can make or buy a pizza. Too, sharing a pizza can be a good math lesson for fractions and sharing in cutting a pizza in halves to share, or fourths to share even more.

I lived in Mobile and Baldwin County for 30 years and Mardi Gras each February is a

celebration that families and children look forward to and thoroughly enjoy. We have the delicious King’s cakes; moon pies, which even now I like to share with my Lee County friends; colorful beads; and parades, which set a joyful festive celebration.

Safely celebrating a Mardi Gras parade in the preschool classroom is a delight, as well as a neighborhood parade with bicycles, tricycles and wagons.

The intergenerational parades with both young and old is so much fun too. A little history: the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, with

ARENA >>

television news and automation, broadband deployment and sports analytics.

Connie earned her bachelor’s in education from New York University and a master’s in education from Columbia University. The Nevilles live on St. Croix, where Connie supports a number of charitable causes after teaching in New York, New Jersey and

FROM B7 grandparents graduated from Auburn University. Bill earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University in mathematics, computer science and mathematical sciences, and his MBA from Columbia University.

He founded several technology firms on St. Croix focusing on

French explorers Pierre Le moyne D’Iberville and Sieur de bienville who landed near what is New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mobile, Alabama, holds the oldest annual Carnival celebration in the United States, started

by Frenchman Nicholas Langlois in the year 1703 when Mobile was the capital of Louisiana (Wikipedia).

This week on Saturday, Feb. 12, we remember the birthday of our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln, known as “Honest Abe”.

Sharing his life and his morals is something that intrigues children year after year. They learn from the story of Honest Abe walking many miles as a young man to return correct change to a customer.

Take some family time and sit down with your children and explain why it is so important to be honest. This can be explained according to their age and what they can understand.

Valentine’s Day lovingly comes strolling in next Monday, Feb. 14.

Why not give your child a Valentine’s Love note?

Maybe as time permits, why not you and your child make valentines to give to their friends.

Children’s creations are memory makers. Playing

Valentine’s post office at home or school is a fun exchange. This is a way children can make friends!

As a teacher and mom, I would like to share some tips that might help you and your child wake up easier. I know that most moms will be truthful in agreeing with me that struggling to wake your children on school mornings can be a challenge. I know that some families may not have any problems with their children getting up on time. But waking my son to get up and to get going was stressful. I turned to fellow moms and educators to get some advice.

We did a lot of trial and error to avoid arguments and stress as we headed out the door for school each morning.

This Classroom Observer article will give some helpful tips that I hope will help families in waking up their children for school. Instead of frowns on your child’s face, I hope these tips will put a good morning smile on your children’s faces.

Make sure your child is healthy and that there is no hidden illness that is making them sleepy.

Sometimes seasonal allergies can make a child drowsy or lethargic.

Is your child getting

enough sleep? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine provides the following guidelines for these ages: Preschoolers: 3 to 5 years old - 10 to 13 hours (including naps).

Grade-schoolers: 6 to 12 years old - 9 to 12 hours .

Teens: 13 to 18 years 8 to 10 hours.

Maintaining a consistent bedtime and wakeup time for your children facilitates a smooth and easier morning schedule.

Establish a consistent morning routine by planning and preparing the night before, like packing backpacks, preparing lunches, setting out school clothes, shoes, etc. Children love to get positive reinforcement when they do things well.

Putting a chart graph up reflecting the daily chores such as washing face, brushing teeth, combing hair, getting dressed, packing lunch, grabbing a backpack and rewarding your child with a star or happy face is a good morning motivator. Too, it provides internal morning structure and responsibility when the children can see what needs to be done.

Opening up curtains or blinds to let the sunshine in about 10 to 15 minutes before they get up provides a natural wake-up

time for your children to meet the morning.

Wake-up lights slowly emit light like a sunrise.

These are so good to use during the winter months when it is still dark.

Use sound to wake up your children by setting an alarm clock, radio alarm clock or phone alarm clock. Too, set a music alarm with your child’s favorite songs to pleasantly awaken your child.

Make wake-up time pleasant and fun. A family pet is a good alarm clock. Pets can nudge, snuggle and playfully wake your child. Starting a delicious-smelling breakfast that is your child’s favorite is a wonderful way to gently wake up your child.

Siblings can play the game to see who gets dressed the quickest. If you have an only child the parent can compete with their child or even encourage your child to beat their best times.

I hope these few suggestions make your mornings more pleasant. Our children grow up so quickly and we want them to have “happy memories” of their mornings at home. Make early morning wake-ups a happy memory for your children.

Beth Pinyerd Classroom Observer

Florida, and working in interior design.

Their past philanthropic support of Auburn University includes membership in the 1856 Society and support of the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business, along with the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. “With their transformational gift, Bill and Connie Neville are investing in the future of

Auburn Athletics and Auburn University,” said Director of Athletics Allen Greene.

“Motivated by their love of Auburn, Bill and Connie’s philanthropy will directly benefit Auburn student-athletes for generations.

“We thank the Board of Trustees for approving the recommendation to acknowledge the Neville’s profound generosity, as well as approving facilities projects that will further elevate all of the Auburn programs that call Neville Arena home.”

In addition to the naming of Neville Arena, the Board of Trustees also passed Phase I approval to initiate a project creating an additional basketball practice facility at the arena.

Trustees passed a resolution to construct the new practice gym and renovate existing team support spaces to alleviate overscheduling of the existing practice gym, which is shared by men’s and women’s basketball,

and volleyball, as well as visiting teams. It will permit Auburn’s men’s and women’s programs to conduct practices at advantageous times and bring their facilities to Southeastern Conference competitive standards.

“Bill knew how much his father loved Auburn and he’s dedicated much of his life to honoring his father,” said Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl.

“That’s how I look at this gift. I will always work hard to try to continue to bring championships to Neville Arena.

“This is a commitment to all four of the programs that call Neville Arena home.

The fact that our guys will truly have a place they can call home 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the way they train, is very significant and will contribute to our ability to sustain success.”

Trustees also voted to grant Phase 3 final approval, the funding component, to the women’s basketball

renovation project. The board voted on Sept.

10, 2021, to initiate the 4,000-square-foot project, then approved architect selection of the Goodwyn Mills Cawood firm on Nov. 12, 2021.

The renovated women’s basketball locker room and team spaces will facilitate improved student-athlete recovery and development, and more competitive recruiting. The project, estimated to cost $3 million, will be financed by Athletics Department funds.

“The approval of our women’s basketball locker room renovation shows the continued commitment of Auburn University to helping us rebuild our program,” said women’s basketball coach Johnnie Harris.

“Facilities have become a critical part of the recruiting process but is also important to building a team’s brand and culture. We are incredibly thankful for the message that our administration is sending towards our growth and future.”

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games, photo opportunities and plenty of food and beverage offerings creating a unique, oneof-a-kind Topgolf Live experience.

The 2022 lineup follows Topgolf Live tour stops that have previously taken place at venues including Soldier Field, National's Park, Chase Field, Oracle Park, Dodger Stadium and many more.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

Special safety protocols will be implemented throughout Jordan-Hare Stadium to ensure Topgolf Live offers a healthy and safe environment for players and event staff, including: • Disinfecting golf clubs, tables and hitting bays between tee times • Washing golf balls after play and before re-use • Placing hand sanitizers throughout the venue.

FROM B7 limited-edition Topgolf Live hat provided by Black Clover, a complimentary Topgolf Lifetime Membership and $10 off discount card.

Topgolf Live, which has been executed at over 20 stadium venues to date, also features a festival area with family-friendly

L ee County & A labama Politics

B9

Nov. 24, 2021

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022

Inside the Statehouse The 2022 World Games Will Showcase Alabama

A

STEVE FLOWERS

CONTRIBUTED BY SSFR

Feb. 2022 Smiths Station Fire & Rescue "SSFR" will suspend ambulance transport operations indefinitely.

This reduction in services is the direct result of a severe staffing and funding shortage that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are extremely

disappointed that it has become necessary to suspend our emergency transport capabilities, we started our ambulance service to fill a need and save lives and we have saved many lives," said Joe Walden, SSFR fire chief. " However, unfortunately without additional funding and staff we are unable to continue operations at this time. It is our sincere hope to restart as soon as possible."

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a nationwide shortage of Paramedic’s and EMT's," said Daniel Sexton, SSFR deputy chief. " As with every industry the staffing problems have only gotten worse since the See SSFR, page B10

Dr. Chris Roberts to Serve As Auburn’s 21st President

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN UNIVERSITY

llow me to deviate from politics to discuss an important event for our state.

The World Games 2022 will place Birmingham and the entire state of Alabama squarely in the global spotlight.

Believe it or not, this once-in-alifetime event is only a few months away with approximately 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries and up to 500,000 visitors expected to flood Birmingham for one of the world’s largest athletic competitions.

Folks, there are many questions about the World Games 2022.

Is it the biggest sports party in state history? Is it a way to reconnect humanity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? Is it a chance for sports fans to witness history? Is it a showcase for Birmingham that can elevate and enhance the city’s and state’s image?

This is Birmingham’s gold medal moment. It is a moment to show the world that the story of Birmingham and the entire state of Alabama is the story of perseverance and triumph. It is a moment we will remember with pride for the rest of our lives.

So, what is The World Games which is happening July 7-17 in Birmingham? The easy answer is it is “the new generation of global sport competition,” organized with the support of the International Olympic Committee. These are the fastest growing sports in the world and several of them compete on the Summer Olympic platform, also. So, we will have a lot of the Olympians that competed in Tokyo last summer competing again here.

Elite athletes from all over the

world will converge in Birmingham to participate in 34 sporting competitions at over 25 venues around the metro area.

It is also so much more. The schedule includes mainstream sports that many Alabamians have heard of, like flag football presented by the NFL, softball, lacrosse, bowling, waterski jumping and wakeboarding and sumo wrestling.

Fans will also enjoy emerging sports like parkour, sport climbing, drone racing and canopy piloting.

There are multiple disciplines of dance sports, as well as many different types of martial arts, including Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu.

Don’t forget about sports that most Alabamians have never encountered, such as floorball, korfball, beach handball and tug of war.

The sports program also includes wheelchair rugby, making The World Games 2022 making the first multi-sport international competition to include an adaptive sport as part of the regular sports program.

Alabama is filled with sports fans, and The World Games truly has something for anyone and everyone to enjoy.

As more and more people in Alabama and beyond learn about The World Games, organizers face another question: What impact will The World Games have on Birmingham and the state of Alabama? Alabama will welcome the world to the biggest athletic event in the Southeastern United States since the Atlanta Olympics in 1986.

Our renowned southern hospitality will be on full display. Visitors from around the world will be exposed to Birmingham’s vibrant food scene. They will see a city and state no longer defined by the brutal black-and-white images from the 1960s, but a place that has grown and matured.

The Opening Ceremonies promise to showcase Birmingham on the global stage. That is why local, state and national leaders have come together to support the World Games 2022. The business community in Alabama, especially Birmingham, are fully See FLOWERS, page B10

Smiths Station to Suspend Ambulance Transport Services

The Auburn University Board of Trustees voted to confirm Auburn’s 21st President Dr. Chris Roberts on Friday.

Roberts has served as the Dean of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering since 2012 but began as an assistant professor at Auburn in 1994.

“As you know, this campus has been extremely busy with its search for Auburn’s 21st President,” said Trustee Wayne Smith. “We have mentioned several times during the process that selecting a President is one of the most important decisions any See ROBERTS, page B11

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B10 Feb. 10, 2022

Pilot Mike Durant Plans a Smooth Landing Into U.S. Senate

GREG MARKLEY

O

n Oct. 3, 1993, I was in Hohenfels, Germany. We were in the “maneuver box” playing a war game.

A crony of mine said: “This place is muddy, freezing, wet, full of snow and dark practically all day. That must be why they call it Hell.” A few minutes later, I plugged in a small black-and-white TV that we illegally took to the field. (You know how bold and headstrong journalists are.)

On TV were scenes of Operation Gothic Serpent, to capture a Somali warlord. Video showed heavy fighting

SSFR >> FROM B9 COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we have struggled to find enough personnel to staff our ambulance on a 24/7 basis for a number of months.

"Another major issue for us has been funding.

In addition to skyrocketing inflation affecting fuel, maintenance and the medical supplies that are needed and required to operate an ambulance, we have been unable to offer basic employment benefits to our Paramedic’s and EMT’s such insurance, retirement and competitive salaries. This lack of basic benefits and below average salaries along with the fact that private ambulance agencies neighboring counties are offering as much as $10,000 signing bonuses has made it tough retain and/or attract new employees from the finite number of EMT’s and Paramedics that are available in our area.” He continued.

While the federal government has sent billions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds to hospitals, cities, counties and states very little of this money has filtered down to Fire & EMS. SSFR

FLOWERS >> FROM B9 engaged.

Folks, remember, this is the first time the event has been held in the United States in more than 40 years, and Birmingham is the perfect place to bring the world back to America.

Birmingham’s story is

and a U.S. helicopter down as bodies of soldiers were dragged on streets. An American pilot appeared on TV, with a face full of scrapes and abrasions.

His name: Michael Durant, a warrant officer who would endure a Hell that would make Hohenfels seem like Disneyworld.

Almost 30 years later, Durant finds himself in a close three-way contest for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator in Alabama. He was never enticed to be a politician, despite many people wishing he were a candidate due to his courage, business acumen and patriotism.

So what propelled him into politics?

“The way the Afghanistan withdrawal ended really upset me,” Durant said. “We should have stood our ground there and at least kept a small presence. It is a frustrating thing to see — I have a military intelligence background and know that when you get a strategic presence

you don’t throw it all away.”

I told him frankly that I knew he would have a visceral reaction to hear that perhaps thousands of American embassy workers and allies of the U.S. were stranded or even murdered because they were identified with the Americans. “Yes, seeing that disaster on TV made me more emotional than I thought, seeing our soldiers giving heart and soul into Afghanistan and having it end that way.”

The Battle of Mogadishu, part of the 1993 Somalia operation, was a failure.

Reinforcements were desperately called for but came too late. The Clinton administration and the United Nations were too indecisive or slow-acting to get more airpower so foot soldiers were either killed or as in Durant’s case, captured.

A native of Berlin, NH, Durant served as an enlisted soldier and attended the Defense Language Institute and worked in military

Board Chairman Felton Atkinson said, “It’s very frustrating to watch the news or read the newspaper and see how literally millions of dollars are being allocated by the government to all kinds of projects that are not directly covid related, while front line first responders — the ones answering 911 calls- are struggling to survive financially”.

SSFR is working closely with EAMC ETS (the other ambulance service in Lee County) to minimize the impact this reduction in ambulance transport service will cause. ETS has been incredibly supportive and will do everything possible to help our community. SSFR will also continue to hold a ALS non-transport license in order to offer as much lifesaving services to citizens as possible.

Make no mistake this reduction in emergency ambulance transport service is a devastating blow to our community and all involved. We have witnessed first-hand how the quick response from our ambulance has not only improved the outcome of patients with a medical emergency, but we have seen lives saved by our ambulance. Everyone at

SSFR wants to help people, we want to save lives and protect property, but we must have resources to do so.

Smiths Station Fire & Rescue hopes to develop and submit a plan to the Lee County Commission very soon that will help achieve the additional funding that is needed.

We encourage concerned citizens to contact their elected officials and ask them to support our community and to help bring back ambulance transport service, expand our fire protection and rescue services.

ABOUT SSFR Smiths Station Fire & Rescue was founded by concerned citizens in 1966. SSFR covers approximately 72 square miles, 35,000 citizens and answers over 2,000 emergency calls each year both inside and outside the city limits of Smiths Station.

As the greater Smiths Station area continues to grow at a paid pace, we expect to continue to see rapid growth in calls for emergency assistance.

Citizens wishing to voice support for SSFR and emergency ambulance transport in the Smiths Station area can contact their elected officials.

America’s story — built on hard work, perseverance and teamwork.

“I believe Birmingham and the entire state of Alabama is going to show up in a big way on the global stage,” said Nick Sellers, chairman of the World Games 2022.

The World Games 2022 gives Birmingham

and Alabama a true chance to shine.

See you next week.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at: www. steveflowers.us.

intelligence. Later, he completed helicopter flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Eventually, as a warrant officer he participated in Operations Prime Chance (Persian Gulf), Just Cause (Panama) Desert Storm (Kuwait Liberation) and Gothic Servant (Somalia).

Durant retired from the Army in 2001 and within a few years established a business called Pinnacle Solutions that today has approximately 600 employees. He enjoys Huntsville and loves Alabama.

He supports former President Trump, as Katie Britt does, as well. But Congressman Mo Brooks is the only candidate for the U.S. Senate in this contest who Trump has officially endorsed.

Saying he gets along with people, invariably, Durant added that he “would stand my ground on values, but find ways to move legislation forward.” He declared that his philosophy is not

only "America First" but "Alabama First."

He recognizes that on complex bills, such as in the “Farm Bill” or the Defense Authorization Act, compromise shows it may be possible.

“In the Senate, I would help curtail these ridiculous mandates and regulations,” Durant said. “The paperwork we have related to financial oversight is absurd.

Pinnacle offers seminars to military personnel on helicopter maneuvering and Combat Search and Rescue operations. The military is our ‘life blood,’ we are always competing for government contracts.”

He is unhappy about the way the media has traded accuracy for speed, “get it fast and get it first. They don’t tell the truth. You need to check in different sources to get the real story.” Durant did cleverly use his military intelligence background to get “secret” messages out in an interview with Britain’s Guardian

newspaper, while in captivity in Somalia.

For my interview, I met Durant at Montgomery’s Renaissance Hotel.

When he told me how good his life is after his harrowing experiences in Somalia in 1993, I saw his Alabama decades as sort of a “renaissance.” I know that word normally applies to a rebirth in the arts, music and literature. The only way he could possibly be uprooted would be if he is reactivated into the Army and is assigned to Hohenfels, Germany.

That would be Hell.

Trust me.

Facebook: Mike Durant for Senate Web: www.mikedurant.com/ Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has Masters’ in education and history. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer for 12 years. gm.markley@ charter.net

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Ed Packard Calls on Alabama Legislature to Secure Electronic Voting Machines CONTRIBUTED BY ED PACKARD Sunday, Ed Packard, Republican Party candidate for Secretary of State, announced his support for Senate Bill 46, legislation introduced by Senator Clyde Chambliss, State Senator representing Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore and Tallapoosa Counties.

The bill would prohibit the connection of electronic voting machines to the Internet or cell phone networks.

Packard explained that under current law, there is no prohibition on electronic voting machines having the capability to connect to the Internet or cell phone networks.

“The Alabama Electronic Voting Committee voted several years ago to adopt a policy of not approving for use in Alabama any electronic voting machine that incorporated devices used to connect to the Internet — whether through the use of Wi-Fi, ethernet cards or cell phone networks. However, despite the vote by that committee, state law does not prohibit the use of these technologies in our voting machines.”

Packard was the Secretary of State’s representative on the Electronic Voting Committee when this decision was made to prohibit the use of devices that contained this technology.

Packard continued, saying, "We need a strong statement by the Alabama Legislature prohibiting the use of these technologies in our electronic voting devices. And that statement can, and should be, made by the Alabama Legislature through the adoption of a state law that

prohibits the use of these devices in the voting machines.

Voting machines collect and tabulate the votes that reflect the public’s will in our elections. Therefore, our voting machines should be as secure as possible. Incorporating into state election law a prohibition on remote connectivity to and from our voting devices will help further secure our voting machines.”

“Such action is a vital part of our efforts to ensure that Alabamians can have confidence in our election system,” Packard confirmed.

“Manipulation of vote totals can occur only if voting machines are vulnerable to hacking. However, for hacking to take place, someone, or some group of people, must have the knowledge of how to program our voting devices and they must have access to our voting machines, either through remote connectivity through the Internet by wired or wireless technologies or by having physical access to the voting machines while they are in storage.”

“County election officials, including Probate Judges and Sheriffs, do a great job of physically securing our voting machines and preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing them. And while the prior action of the members of the Alabama Electronic Voting Committee is appreciated, a legal ban on technologies utilized for remote connectivity that is part of the Code of Alabama is much more preferable.”

AL.com reported on Feb. 6, 2022, that a fellow candidate for Secretary of State claimed Alabama’s voting machines cannot

be connected to the Internet. However, the electronic voting devices currently in use in Alabama can be connected to the Internet if the manufacturer of the voting devices installs Wi-Fi or ethernet equipment in the voting machines, or if the manufacturer installs the device necessary to connect to cell phone networks.

“All that is stopping the manufacturer from installing any of these voting devices is a policy decision by the Alabama Electronic Voting Committee,” Packard explained.

“While I do not have any reason to believe that the Committee would rescind that policy, it could, at any time. Incorporating the ban on these connectivity devices into state law will make the ban stronger and would require action of the Alabama Legislature to rescind. Such a move would make any rescission of the policy much harder to achieve.”

Senate Bill 46 has already been approved by the Alabama Senate. It is now awaiting action in the Alabama House of Representatives.

“Aside from providing final passage of this important bill, I would recommend that the House amend the bill to include other types of technology that are used for remote connectivity, such as Bluetooth and near field communications,” Packard said in conclusion. “We need to close the door on all of these technologies and similar technologies, whether known to us now or in the future, so that Alabamians can have confidence in our electronic voting machines.”

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ROBERTS >> FROM B9 university board of trustees can make.

“I’m excited today to share that we have completed our search.”

The search included over 60 original candidates which were narrowed down to 15 candidates, Smith said.

Five were then invited to meet with the search committee.

“Following those sessions, the board invited three of those individuals to campus, of the three invited, Dr. Chris Roberts accepted the invitation and met with the various stakeholder groups around the state,” Smith said. “Dr. Roberts met with students, along with faculty, staff, administrators and more sharing his vision and answering questions from members of the Auburn family.

"Dr. Robert’s visit to campus was an unequivocal success. Personally, I could not have been more pleased.”

Roberts will begin his term on May 16, 2022.

“As a member of the board since 2004, this is my third presidential search and I have to say this one has been the smoothest and a very wellrun search,” said Sarah Newton, who chaired the Presidential Advisory Search Committee. “… I have known Dr. Chris Roberts for over 18 years. Dr. Roberts’ passionate commitment to students, to faculty, to staff and to alumni and his success in research and fundraising are impressive. But the most impressive thing is that he loves Auburn and it makes him a natural choice for presidential consideration.”

The search began following Auburn President Jay Gogue’s request that the board look for a new president in June 2021.

“I think it’s important for you guys to begin to think about a search for a new president,” Gogue said at that board of trustees meeting. “I’ve been back a couple of years and

I just think it’s probably time.”

Gogue served as Auburn’s president for a total of over 11 years, plus a period of about six months as interim president. He served as both the 18th president at Auburn and the 20th.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to be named the next president of Auburn University,” Roberts said in a university press release. “Having called Auburn home for the past 28 years, I feel privileged to lead this distinguished university as we pursue even greater levels of impact and excellence.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, Auburn University Board of Trustees and community for entrusting me with this responsibility. I look forward to working with the Auburn Family to build upon our strong foundation as we advance towards our goals and aspirations for the future.”

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PUBLIC NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO.: CV-2022-900005 HATTIE HENDERSON HALL Plaintiff, V. A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County, Alabama, to wit:Approximately Thirteen (13) acres near Lee Road 121, and More particularly described as Lee County tax parcel #43-17-08-340-000-006.000, & Unknown heirs or assigns of: William Henderson, Etta Robinson, Roena Beasey, Edith Darby, Pearlie Edwards, Sallie Wilson, Nellie Reid, and Abraham Henderson. Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise of reasonable diligence.

You are hereby notified that on the 7th day of January 2022, a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, regarding the following described real property: A Parcel of Land Lying in Lee County, Alabama, to wit: approximately thirteen (13) acres near Lee Road 121, and more particularly described as Lee County tax parcel #43-17-08-34-0000-006.000.

All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereon, are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.

Done this the 12th day of January 2022.

Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika, Alabama 36801 Telephone Number: 334-749-6999 Fax: 334-203-1875 ben@benparrlaw.com Legal Run 1/20/2022, 1/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF LEE PROBATE COURT CASE NO.: 2021-647 LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of MARK MCGUIRE, deceased, having been granted to KAREN MCGUIRE on the 6th day of January 2022, by the Honorable Judge Bill English, Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Dated this the 6th day of January, 2022 /s/Alyssa L. Hawkins. Esq Jones, Hawkins, & Associates, LLC 320 N Hull St Montgomery.AL 36104 334-676-2133 Legal Run 01/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF STELLA M. PATTERSON, Deceased CASE NO. 2021-627 NOTICE TO FILE CLAIMS TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary, having been granted to George L. Patterson, as Executor of the Estate of Stella M. Patterson, deceased, on the 14th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be George L. Patterson Executor of the Estate of Stella M. Patterson, deceased Legal Run 01/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF RUBY KNIGHT WOOTEN, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE

COUNTY CASE NO. 2022-014 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of RUBY KNIGHT WOOTEN are hereby granted to William Lee Wooten, Jr. on the 12th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

William Lee Wooten, Jr. Legal Run 01/27/2022, 02/03/2022 & 02/10/2022 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF SAMUEL AARON MASSINGILL, DECEASED TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Delilah Marshall. as Executrix of the Estate of Samuel Aaron Massingill. deceased, on the 6th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by la\\’ or the same be barred.

Delilah Marshall. Executrix Of the Estate of Samuel Aaron Massingill, Deceased Ma1Tell J. McNeal. Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika. AL 36803 334-745-7033 LEGAL RUN 01/27/22, 02/3/22& 02/10/22 ------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OPELIKA CITY COUNCIL March 15, 2022, 7:00 P.M. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with §23-4-2, Code of Alabama, 1975, that the City Council of the City of Opelika will conduct a Public Hearing during the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, to receive the benefit of public input concerning a proposal to vacate a public alley lying between South 10th Street and the CSX Railroad right-of-way in Block 47 of Totten’s Official Real Estate Map of the City of Opelika of 1930, which is of record in Plat Book 2 at Page 9 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. All persons interested in the proposed vacation are invited to appear at the public hearing and express their views.

Written statements or objections may be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the time of the hearing.

The alley proposed to be vacated is more particularly described as follows: Commencing at the Northwest Corner of the Northeast Quarter of Section 18, Township 19 North, Range 27 East in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama; thence S89°56’E, 489.9 feet to a point on the southwesterly right of way line of South 10th Street and the True Point of Beginning of the Alley herein described; thence, leaving said right of way, S26°09’W, 627.9 feet to the northeasterly right of way line of a railroad right of way; thence N39°29’W, along said right of way line, 17.56 feet; thence, leaving said right of way line, N26°09’E, 627.7 feet to the southwesterly right of way line of the aforementioned South 10th Street; thence, along said right of way line, S40°05’00”E, 17.48 feet to the True Point of Beginning.

Said parcel lying within Block 47, Grant Lands, as shown on Totten’s Official Real Estate Map of Opelika, Alabama, as recorded in Plat Book 2, Pages 9 & 10, in the office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, and containing 0.2306 Acre, more or less.

A copy of the Petition to Vacate and the proposed resolution approving the vacation will be available upon request at the office of the City Clerk, 2nd Floor of City Hall, 204 South 7th Street, Opelika, Alabama.

Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Contact Person, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a

disability.

DATED this the 3rd day of February, 2022. /s/Russell A. Jones RUSSELL A. JONES, CITY CLERK Legal Run 02/03/2022, 2/10/22, 2/17/22 & 2/24/22 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF LOUIE WINSTON HAYES JR. Deceased Case No.: 2021-720 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that Letters Testamentary of the Estate of Louie Winston Hayes Jr. are hereby been granted to Lydia Jane Johnston on the 31st day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given to all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

LYDIA JANE JOHNSTON Legal Run 02/03/2022, 02/10/22 & 02/17/22 ------------Notice of Appointment Estate of Roy Jerrell Riddle, Deceased Court of Probate Lee County Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 25th day of January, 2022, by the Jon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness our hands, and dates this the 25th day of January, 2022.

Marsha D. Riddle Legal Run 02/03/2022, 02/10/2022, 02/17/2022 ------------IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF LILLIAN D. HARRELSON, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Case No: 2022-032 Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 28th day of January, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

WILBER R. HARRELSON, JR. Personal Representative D. Carter Weeks Samford & Denson, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 LEGAL RUN 02/03/22, 02/10/22 & 02/17/22 ------------IN RE: THE ESTATE OF OTIS H. LYNN, SR., Deceased.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE No. 2022-029 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 31st day of January, 2022, by Hon. Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

DARLENE LYNN ARMSTRONG Co-Executrix DENISE LYNN JACKSON Co-Executrix Legal Run 02/3/2022, 02/10/2022 & 02/17/2022 ------------Notice of auction of abandoned vehicles. BEST 4 LESS will be auctioning off The below mentioned vehicles on MARCH 11, 2022. This Auction will be held at 2509 LAFAYETTE PARKWAY, OPELIKA, ALABAMA, 36801 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any questions in regards to either of the vehicles please give call at 334-705-0000.

3FAHP071X9R220150 – 2009 FORD FUSION JNKCV54E14M800823 – 2003 INFINITI G35 1FALP4440TF106999 – 1996

LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS

FOR SALE 5 pc full size BR suite - $500 Electric Lift Recliner - $400 w/ remote. heat/massage Drop/leaf table & chair - $300 Resound Hearing Aid - $300 Love Seat - $75 Call 334 363-2814

FORD MUSTANG Legal Run 02/10/2022 & -2/17/2022 ------------Notice of Appointment Estate of CLARENCE PERRY, Deceased Court of Probate Lee County Letters of Administration of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 3rd day of February, 2022, by the Jon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Witness my hands, and seal this the 3rd day of February, 2022.

CRAWFORD S. MELTON Legal Run 02/10/2022, 02/17/2022 & 02/24/2022 ------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 10:00AM Unit 249 Unit 86 Unit 222 The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 2/10/22 ------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO: 2022-045 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution IN the Estate of EVELYN R. EDGE, Deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate office by Sue Edge McDonough on February 2, 2022, pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 02/10/2022 ------------NOTICE OF COURT PROCEEDING CASE NO: 2022-037 IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of LINDA JACKSON SPAIN, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the LEE COUNTY Probate office by Rachel Spain Robinson on February 2, 2022, pursuant to Section 43-2-690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.

BILL ENGLISH, PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 02/10/2022 ------------Notice of auction of abandoned vehicles. RICHARD’S GARAGE will be auctioning off the below mentioned vehicles on MARCH 11, 2022. This Auction will be held at 11267 LEE ROAD CAMP HILL, ALABAMA, 36850 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any questions in regards to either of the vehicles please give call at 334-703-3819.

1G6KD5RS9GU152847 – 2016 CADILAAC CT6 – Legal Run 02/10/2022 & -2/17/2022 ------------STORAGE TREASURES AUCTION Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated: 1412 Opelika Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 10:00AM Unit 217 Unit 249 Unit H 106

The auction will be listed and advertised on www. storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run 2/10/22 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF: THE ESTATE OF CHRISTINE CHRISTIAN, deceased Case No.: 2022-044 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Beverly Christian-Jordan, Personal Representative on the 4th day of February, 2022, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Becky Christian-Jordan Legal Run 02/10/22, 02/17/22 & 02/24/22 ------------ORDINANCE NO. 003-22 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (LAUREL LAKES PUD) BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. FINDINGS. The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct: (a) Flat Iron Farms, LLC (“Flat Iron” or the “Developer”) is the owner of record of that certain property consisting of approximately 160.2 acres located along North Uniroyal Road and Ridge Road (b) Flat Iron heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled “Laurel Lakes PUD”, consisting of approximately 160.2 acres. (c) The proposed development consists of approximately 372 single-family home lots and three lots (37.4 acres total) that are reserved for stormwater detention/ open space. The development will accessed from North Uniroyal Road and Ridge Road by new streets. The proposed density is 2.35 dwelling units per acre. (d) The Planning Commission heretofore conducted a public hearing of the proposed development and referred to the City Council its recommendation to approve the proposed development. (e) Following the public hearing conducted by the Planning Commission, the Developer and its engineers met with the adjoining property owners to review the development plan. (f) As the result of the discussions between the Developer and the adjoining property owners, Flat Iron agreed to modify and revise the development plan as follows: The overall number of residential lots is reduced from 372 (total 375 including 3 open space lots) to 338 (total 341 including 3 open space lots). This is a reduction of 34 lots and homes. This reduces the overall density from 2.3 units per acre to 2.1 units per acre.

The reduction of lots is created because approximately half of the lots are increasing in size from a minimum of 60 ft width (9,000 square feet) to 72 ft width (10,800 square feet).

The overall amount of open space is increasing from 36.3 acres to 42.15 acres. This also includes increases in the area of open space next to adjacent property owners along with increasing the minimum buffer to 25 feet in width. The open space and buffers will not be part of the developable lot but will be held through the homeowners association. (g) A revised development plan has been prepared by Flat Iron and submitted to the City Council for approval and the City Council has determined that it is now in the best interest of the City and its citizens to approve said revised development plan. (h) It is advisable and in the interest of the City and the public interest that the proposed property described in Section 3 below should be developed as a residential planned unit development.

Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE REVISED DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Revised Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required by Section 8.18(N) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

Section 3. DESIGNATION

OF A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT. The official Zoning Map is hereby amended and the zoning classification for the following parcel of land shall be changed from a R-2 District (Low-Density Residential District) to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) on the official zoning map of the City.

A tract or parcel of land containing 160.24 acres in Sections 3 and 10, Township 17 North, Range 27 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama and being more particularly described as follows: Commence at the northeast corner of the southwest ¼ of said Section 10; thence S89°20’29”W 435.00 feet; thence S00°39’31”E 570.00 feet; thence S00°20’29”W 395.00 feet to the point of beginning; thence S89°23’03”W 1773.49 feet to the east right-of-way limit of North Uniroyal Road; thence continue along said rightof-way along a curve to the left having a radius of 3426.12 feet, an arc length of 611.06 feet and a chord bearing and distance of N04°50’51”E 640.25 feet; thence N00°15’43”W 1363.75 feet; thence N00°15’43”W 466.60 feet to the south right-of-way limit of Ridge Road; thence continue along said right-of-way N60°25’23”E 92.20 feet; thence S61°42’47”E 1300.94 feet; thence S60°44’49”E 527.11 feet; thence S67°34’33”E 201.19 feet; thence leaving said right-of-way S31°20’44”E 112.78 feet; thence S45°47’47”E 259.62 feet; thence S51°46’58”E 599.89 feet; thence S01°37’18”E 541.72 feet; thence S18°54’03”E 2219.81 feet; thence S86°40’38”W 1599.15 feet; thence N00°08’18”E 1868.75 feet to the point of beginning.

The above-described property, containing approximately 160.2 acres, is located along North Uniroyal Road and Ridge Road.

Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF REVISED DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Revised Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection.

Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 7. PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 1st day of February, 2022. /s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 2nd day of February, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 2nd day of February, 2022. /s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK\ LEGAL RUN 02/10/2022 ------------CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. in the Meeting Chamber at Opelika Municipal Court located at 300 MLK Boulevard, Opelika, Alabama. A Planning Commission work session will be held at 2:45 pm before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following: A. Preliminary Plats A public hearing on a request by Brandon Bolt, Bolt Engineering, Inc, authorized representative for Edgar Hughston Builders, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of the Wyndham Village Phase 3 subdivision consisting of 100 lots accessed from Wyndham Village Drive.

A public hearing on a request by Brandon Bolt, Bolt Engineering, Inc, authorized representative for Edgar Hughston Builders, property owner, for preliminary plat approval of the Drakes Landing Phase 2 subdivision consisting of 117 lots accessed from South Uniroyal Road.

See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14

B14 Feb. 10, 2022 Legal Run 02/10/22, 2/17/22, 2/24/22 & 3/3/2022

PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B13 B. Final Plat A request by Keith Henderson and Arthur Nettles, authorized representative for Fenderson, LLC, property owner, for final plat approval of the Flat Stone Estates Phase 2 subdivision consisting of 11 lots accessed from Lee Road 483 (Loblolly Drive).

C. Conditional Uses A public hearing on a request

by Matt Cobb, authorized representative for H&W OffRoad, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for automotive retail sales and truck accessories & sales in the C-3, GC-P zoning district accessed at 621 Columbus Parkway.

A public hearing on a request

by James H. Daws, authorized representative for Marsh Real Estate Investments, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for a 182 unit apartment development accessed from South 10th Street and Avenue C. Conditional use approval is subject to rezoning approval of the apartment property by the Opelika City Council.

A public hearing on a request

by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Brookhaven Property Group, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval to add 36 apartment units to Pinehurst Apartments in the R-4 zoning district accessed from West Point Parkway.

D. Rezoning & Conditional Use A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Capps Family Partners, LTD property owners, to rezone 40 acres accessed from Society Hill Road from C-2 and R-1 zone to a C-2 zoning district.

A public hearing on a request

by Blake Rice, authorized representative for Capps Family Partners, LTD property owners for conditional use approval for 242 townhome units on Society Hill Road. Conditional use approval is subject to rezoning approval of the townhome property by the Opelika City Council.

E. Master Plan Revision The Ballfields Master Plan, Minor Amendment to Master Plan, Pepperell Parkway & North 30th Street, Master Plan consists of commercial parcels and apartments, Amendment decreases apartment units and adds 36 townhome units to the master plan.

All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting/public hearings and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matters may be mailed to the Planning Director at 700 Fox Trail, Opelika, Alabama 36801 at any time prior to the meeting/ public hearings and may be further submitted to the Planning Commission at the meeting/public hearings.

The Planning Commission reserves the right to modify or alter any of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and to make its recommendations accordingly to the City Council.

Please contact the Planning department at 334-705-5156 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to a disability.

PLANNING DIRECTOR LEGAL RUN 2/10/2022 ---------NOTICE BY PUBLICATION Adam Troy Knotts, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer Aliya and Micah MacGregor’s Complaint and Summons. Said Answer must be filed on or before April 3, 2022 or there after a judgment of default may be entered against him in Case No: CV2021 000154.00 in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Done this the 3rd day of February, 2022.

Mary Robertson Clerk of Circuit Court Lee County, Alabama OF COUNSEL: Ben C. Hand 114 North 8th Street Opelika, AL 36801 334-741-4077

------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 12491 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. That Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, and the Zoning Map of the City of Opelika provided for and referred to therein, as previously amended and/or modified, be and the same is hereby amended by rezoning or redistricting the parcel of land hereinafter in this section described, so as to change such parcel from one class of district to another class of district as follows, to-wit: From a M-1, GC-S District (Industrial, Gateway Corridor— Secondary Overlay District) and a C-2, GC-S District (Office/Retail, Gateway Corridor—Secondary Overlay District) to a C-1, GC-S District (Downtown Commercial, Gateway Corridor-Secondary Overlay District), the parcel of land hereinafter described: TRACT 1, 2, AND ALLEY COMBINED ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND LYING AND BEING IN THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA, BEING WITHIN SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP-19-NORTH, RANGE-27-EAST AND BEING MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT 1” PIPE FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTHEAST RIGHT-OF-WAY OF AVENUE C (60’ R/W) AND THE SOTHWEST RIGHTOF-WAY OF SOUTH 10TH STREET (60’ R/W) HAVING ALABAMA STATE PLANE EAST ZONE COORDINATES OF N=780093.99, E=796165.11, SAID POINT BEING THE POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE, ALONG THE SOUTHWEST RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH 10TH STREET, S41°11’43”E A DISTANCE OF 83.30 FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR FOUND, THENCE, S41°18’17”E A DISTANCE OF 117.48 FEET TO A 1” PIPE FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH 10TH STREET AND A 16’ ALLEY, THENCE, S40°00’12”E A DISTANCE OF 18.37 FEET TO A POINT AT THE INTERSECTION OF A 16’ ALLEY, THENCE, S40°34’00”E A DISTANCE OF 216.07 FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR SET, THENCE, S42°01’42”E A DISTANCE OF 80.00’ FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR SET, THENCE LEAVING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF SOUTH 10TH STREET, S44°15’18”W A DISTANCE OF 225.00’ TO A 1/2” REBAR SET, THENCE, S42°01’42”E A DISTANCE OF 99.60’ TO A 1/2” REBAR SET, THENCE, S45°26’18”W A DISTANCE OF 184.60 FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR SET, THENCE, S45°59’18”W A DISTACNE OF 173.30 FEET TO A 1/2”REBAR FOUND ON THE NORTHEAST RIGHT-OF-WAY OF CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RAILWAY 100’ RIGHT-OFWAY,

USES

THENCE, N39°57’42”W A DISTANCE OF 186.20 FEET TO A 1” PIPE FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RAILWAY AND A 16’ ALLEY, THENCE, N39°40’03”W A DISTANCE OF 17.40 FEET TO A 1” PIPE FOUND AT THE INTERSECTION OF A 16’ ALLEY, THENCE, N39°55’28”W A DISTANCE OF 229.53 FEET TO A 1” PIPE, THENCE, N39°55’28”W A DISTANCE OF 211.02 FEET TO 1/2” REBAR SET AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTHEAST RIGHTOF-WAY OF CENTRAL OF GEORGIA RAILROAD AND THE SOUTHEAST RIGHT-OFWAY OF AVENUE C, THENCE ALONG THE SOUTHEAST RIGHT-OF-WAY OF AVENUE C, N47°14’14”E A DISTANCE OF 186.55 FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR SET, THENCE, N47°14’14”E A DISTANCE OF 9.89 FEET TO A POINT, THENCE, N47°14’14”E A DISTANCE OF 52.73 FEET TO A 1” PIPE FOUND, THENCE, N47°14’14”E A DISTANCE OF 84.52 FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR FOUND, THENCE, N88°08’55”E A DISTANCE OF 5.76 FEET TO A DRIL POINT FOUND, THENCE, N47°55’02”E A DISTANCE OF 29.78 FEET TO A 1/2” REBAR FOUND, THENCE, N47°53’21”E A DISTANCE OF 32.50 FEET TO A DRILL POINT FOUND, THENCE, N48°16’51”E A DISTANCE OF 12.18 FEET TO 1/2” REBAR SET, THENCE ALONG THE SOUTHEAST RIGHT-OF-WAY OF AVENUE C, N48°16’51”E A DISTANCE OF 154.87 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID TRACT OF LAND CONTAINS 7.82 ACRES. The above-described property contains approximately 7.8 acres and is located at the intersection of South 10th Street and Avenue C, Opelika, Alabama.

Section 2. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 3. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing.

Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Contact Person, at 334-705-5134 two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 10th day of February, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA LEGAL RUN 02/10/2022 ------------NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the Courtroom of the Opelika Municipal Court Building, 300 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

PURPOSE The purpose of said Public Hearing will be to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend Ordinance Number 12491 (entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika”) adopted on September 17, 1991. At said Public Hearing all who desire to be heard shall have the opportunity to speak for or in opposition to the adoption of the following ordinance: ORDINANCE NO. ________ AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3A “AREA REQUIREMENTS” TO PROVIDE THAT THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE IN THE C-1 DISTRICT IS 36; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3C “USES” TO PROVIDE

THAT A DUPLEX IS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE R-4 AND R-4M DISTRICTS; TO AMEND SECTION 7.3C “USES” TO PROVIDE THAT MAUSOLEUMS, COLUMBARIUMS AND CREMATORIUMS ARE CONDITIONAL USES IN THE GC-P AND THE GC-S OVERLAY DISTRICTS; TO AMEND SUBSECTIONS C AND D OF SECTION 7.7 TO PROVIDE REVISED DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN STANDARDS FOR BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES LOCATED IN THE C-1 DISTRICT; PROVIDING A REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council (the “City Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Amendment of Section 7.3A of the Zoning Ordinance.

That Section 7.3A (“Area Requirements”) of Ordinance 124-91 entitled “Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika, Alabama”, adopted on September 17, 1991, as further amended (hereinafter referred to as “the Zoning Ordinance”) is hereby amended so that the pertinent portion of the matrix table for “Dwelling Units Per Acre” shall read as follows: AREA REQUIREMENTS Dwelling Units Per Acre2,3 R-1: 1 R-1A:1.25 R-2: 2.5 R-32: 3.5 R-4/M: 9 R-5/M: 16 C-1: 36 C-2 : 16 C-3: 16 M-1 M-2 I-1 GC-P GC-S Section 2. Amendment of Section 7.3C of the Zoning Ordinance.

That Section 7.3C (“Uses”) of the Zoning Ordinance is amended as follows: (a)That the use categories of “Duplex”, “Mausoleum”, “Columbarium” and “Crematorium” in the pertinent portion of the matrix table be and the same are hereby amended to read as follows: (SEE TABLE AT BOTTOM) (b) That footnotes 7, 8 and 9 are added at the end of the matrix table to read as follows: 7On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary designation, a mausoleum shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a cemetery.

The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P as a primary use or accessory to another use.

8On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary or Secondary designation, a columbarium shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a cemetery or church. The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P or GC-S as a primary use or accessory to another use.

9On a property with a Gateway Corridor—Primary designation, a crematory shall be considered a conditional use only as an accessory use to a funeral home.

The use is otherwise prohibited in the GC-P as a primary use or accessory to another use.

Section 3. Amendment of Section 7.7 of the Zoning Ordinance. That subsections 7.7C and 7.7D of the Zoning Ordinance are amended to read as follows: C. Development Standards.

Dwelling units may be of the efficiency, studio, and one (1) bedroom, or two (2) bedroom types or three (3) bedroom types. Each dwelling unit shall have its own independent kitchen, bathroom(s), and bedroom(s). In cases where the Planning Commission deems it necessary, it shall determine which rooms are designated as bedroom(s), kitchen, entrance ways, etc.

Buildings within the C-1 zoning district shall be non-residential on the first floor unless otherwise permitted within this section through conditional use approval.

Buildings located in the C-1 zoning district within the area from 1st Avenue to Avenue B and from South 7th Street to South 10th Street shall meet the

following requirements: Minimum floor area requirements for commercial uses on the first floor (street level): A minimum floor area of forty percent (40%) of buildings on the first floor shall be reserved for commercial uses. The minimum forty percent (40%) floor area shall be located in the front portion of a building facing the primary street and front entrance into the building. The rear portion of the first floor may be used as a residence. The resident occupying the rear portion of the building shall be limited to the property owner or the business owner of the said forty percent (40%) of the front portion of the building unless the residential and non-residential uses have separate entrances. A maximum width of six (6) feet of the front façade may be used as a private entryway to access the rear portion of the building used for residential uses. Conditional use approval is required. A floor plan drawn to scale shall be submitted designating at least forty percent (40%) of the front portion of the building as reserved for commercial uses.

Buildings located outside of the area from 1st Avenue to Avenue B and from South 7th Street to South 10th Street may be a single purpose residential or contain first floor residential subject to conditional use approval.

Minimum requirements for commercial or residential uses on the second floor or higher in the C-1 zoning district: Residential dwelling units may occupy the second floor or higher of nonresidential buildings. The second floor or higher areas shall be designated nonresidential or residential by floor. No mixed uses are allowed on the second floor or higher floors of nonresidential buildings in C-1 zoning districts.

Minimum floor area per residential dwelling on the second floor shall be four hundred (400) square feet.

D. Design Guidelines.

1. Design plans for the structure shall be prepared and sealed by a registered architect or professional engineer and shall comply with all zoning requirements, the building code, and other applicable codes and regulations.

2. Prior to issuance of the conditional use permit, the applicant shall file copies of the design plans with the Building Official and the Fire Protection Official. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until the premises in question have been inspected and found by the Building Official and Fire Protection Officer to comply with the requirements of the zoning ordinance.

3. Properties located within a designated historic district shall follow the applicable design guidelines for that district.

4. Buildings shall be oriented with the primary entrance facing right-of-way adjoining the front property line.

5. Parking shall not be allowed between the front façade of the building and the right-ofway.

Where parking does adjoin a rightof-way, landscaping or a short screen wall shall be installed.

6. All mechanical units, storage tanks, meters, grease traps, refuse bins, or service connections shall be screened so they are not visible from the right-of-way in front of the building. For buildings located on the corner, mechanical units, storage tanks, meters, grease traps and refuse bins shall be screened to the greatest extent possible.

Section 4. Severability. If any section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, said holding shall not effect any other section, clause, provision or portion of this Ordinance which is not in or of itself invalid or unconstitutional.

Section 5. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 7. Publication. This Ordinance shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

Section 8. Codification.

Codification of this Ordinance in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Opelika is hereby authorized and directed.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the _____day of _________, 2022.

END All interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and be heard. Written comments concerning the above matter may be mailed to the City Clerk at P.O. Box 390, Opelika, AL 36803 at any time prior to the public hearing and may be further submitted to the City Council at the meeting and the public hearing.

Please contact Brian Weiss, the City’s ADA Contact Person, at 334-705-5134 at least two (2) working days prior to the meeting if you require special accommodations due to any disability.

WITNESS my hand this the 10th day of February, 2022. /s/ Russell A. Jones CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA LEGAL RUN 02/10/2022 ------------IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:THE ESTATE OF R. C. CANNON, DECEASED. Case No. 2021-688 TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Tammy Ann May, as Executrix of the Estate of R. C. Cannon, deceased, on the 24th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having claims against the Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same be barred.

Tammy Ann May, Executrix Of the Estate of R. C. Cannon, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033 Legal Run 2/10/2022, 2/17/2022 & 2/24/2022 ------------Notice of auction of abandoned vehicles. RICHARD’S GARAGE will be auctioning off the below mentioned vehicles on MARCH 11, 2022. This Auction will be held at 11267 LEE ROAD CAMP HILL, ALABAMA, 36850 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any questions in regards to either of the vehicles please give call at 334-703-3819.

1G6KD5RS9GU152847 – 2016 CADILAAC CT6 – Legal Run 02/10/2022 & -2/17/2022 ------------Notice of auction of abandoned vehicles. BEST 4 LESS will be auctioning off The below mentioned vehicles on MARCH 14, 2022. This Auction will be held at 2509 LAFAYETTE PARKWAY, OPELIKA, ALABAMA, 36801 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any questions in regards to either of the vehicles please give call at 334-705-0000.

1HGES15522L046877 – 2002 HONDA CIVIC Legal Run 02/10/2022 & 02/17/2022 ------------NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF LOUIS LEON DURR JR., Deceased PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY, AL CASE NO.: 2022-026 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION of said deceased having been granted to Benjamin H. Parr on the 25th day of January, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama.

Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Benjamin H. Parr Legal Run 2/3/22, 2/10/22 & 02/17/2022.

DISTRICTS

R1

R1A

R2

R3

R4

R4M

R5

R5M

C1

C2

C3

M1

M2

I1

GP-C

GP-S

N

N

N

C

C

C

A

A

N

N

N

N

N

N

C

C

Mausoleum7

C

C

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

C

C

N

A

C

C

Columbarium8

C

C

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

C

C

N

A

C

C

Crematorium9

C

C

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

N

C

C

N

A

C

C

Duplex COMMCERCIAL

B15 Feb. 10, 2022

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