Vol. 10, No. 42
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
pelika O Observer
Opelika, Alabama
Burger Night Includes "Build Your Own Burger Bar" Sides: French Fries, Street Corn Salad & Special BBQ Baked Beans *Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies $10 per person (plus tax) Bar & other beverage not included
July 27 - Cottonseed Live Presents: Lady Legs w/ Bobby Rock ‘n Roll July 28 - The David Lee Show www.Elvis4U.com July 31 - Burger Night August 17 - The Velcro•Pygmies in Opelika! www.bottlingplanteventcenter.com 334-705-5466
“By local people, for local people.”
Community rallies after tornado; offers help, healing, hope By Michelle Key Editor Brooklyn Bailey-Rubio and her husband, Roberto, were in Home Depot when they received a call from their roomate notifying them that a tornado had hit their home. As soon as they received the all-clear, they rushed back home to assess the damage and found trees down on all four sides of the house. To their surprise, however, only one limb had actually gone through Photo by Michelle Key/Opelika Observer
Wood retains majority Provisional ballot count split between both candidates, leaving Wood with 6-point lead
New restaurant to offer Opelika taste of authentic Mexican culture, cuisine By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor
By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor Pending certification from both the Alabama Republican Party and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, Debbie Wood will be the Republican nominee in the race for the Alabama House of Representatives District 38 seat. Paired with official, certified results from last Tuesday’s runoff elections, 52 provisional ballots were reviewed in special ceremonies held in Chambers and Lee counties today, finding Wood as
the race winner by six votes. In Lee County, Rauch received six votes (one absentee) to Wood’s four, and Wood received the only two votes awarded in Chambers County to preserve her six-point lead. The race for District 38 was the closest race in the Alabama primary election. Both candidates shared their thoughts on the results at the conclusion of today’s meeting. “I’m very humbled
An authentic taste of Mexican cuisine and culture will be offered to customers at Opelika’s newest restaurant, El Rodeo. Owned and operated by Opelika resident Roberto Cordova, the business’s grand opening will be held in late August. The restaurant is located in the former home of Tyler’s and Granny Southern Cooking at 814 Geneva St. “We’re trying to do something different than (regular)
Mexican food ... it’ll be homemade, authentic food that you’d find in parts of central Mexico,” Cordova said. Originally from Mexico, Cordova said his mother Marta ran her own restaurant, experiences that would prove valuable later in life. In 2003, Cordova emigrated from Mexico to the United States, settling in the Opelika-Auburn area. Working mostly in chain restaurants across the area, Cor-
Photo by Robert Noles/ Opelika Observer
dova said his years of restaurant experience and dream of owning his business is being realized through El Rodeo’s opening.
“I came from Mexico with this idea, and after seeing my mother do what she See El Rodeo, page A3
Ogrows holds fundraiser to repair greenhouse, facilities damaged during Saturday’s storms By Morgan Bryce Associate Editor
See Wood, page A2
Submitted to the Opelika Observer
Index OPINION.....................................A4 COUNTY NEWS............................A5 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION.................................A9
See Tornado, page A2
SPORTS.......................................B1 CALENDAR..............................B3 LEGALS.........................................B4 ENTERTAINMENT......................B10
Ogrows Community Garden has launched a fundraiser to cover the cost of repairing their greenhouse that was ravaged during Saturday’s EF-0 tornado in Opelika. Clay Williford, Ogrows representative, said the structure plays a vital role in their ability to inform
the public on the importance and rapid growth of farming technologies used in today’s world. “The greenhouse is a total loss until it’s got (some new) walls and roof. It may as well be located outside because there’s nothing but poles left,” Williford said. A total estimate of See Ogrows, page A3
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