The Observer - 01-12-2023

Youth Become Sheriff for A Day

BY WIL CREWS AND KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH

LEE COUNTY —

Two students in Lee County had the opportunity last week to be “Sheriff for the Day” with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.

Saturday a

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

Opelika’s street food culture continues to grow.

While many by now are familiar with the Opelika Chamber of Commerce’s Food Truck Fridays, which take place on the first and third Friday of every month in downtown Opelika, there is a new food truck-centered event gathering the attention of the masses: Street Food Saturday.

“I’d ask the community that if this is what you are looking for … I don’t know how to say it … but this is for you,” said Rick

The department announced the Sheriff for the Day contest on its social media pages on Oct. 14, 2022, asking parents who have a child who dreams of being in law enforcement when they grow up to register online.

Seven-year-old Cole Catrett and 15-year-old Dustin Merritt were the randomly selected winners of the contest. The two joined Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones and other Lee County Sheriff’s Department personnel for an entire day — Tuesday, Jan. 4, and Wednesday, Jan. 5, respectively — to get a behind-the-scenes look at what the county sheriff’s department really does.

“The whole purpose of doing this is it’s geared to our community involvement and particularly in developing relationships with our student population,” Jones said. “Just having that relationship that brings them in and says, ‘Hey, we are just like everyone else. We have to go to the grocery store and pay bills. We have dogs and cats as pets.’ It’s just humanizing us. It’s a chance for a one-on-one relationship.”

COLE CATRETT

Seven-year-old Cole, an elementary student in Opelika, dreams of being a “SWAT guy” when he grows up. Decked out in his own SWAT team uniform, he came prepared to learn all about local law enforcement on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

After being sworn in at 10 a.m., Cole and his friend Wyatt got a tour of many different facilities in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and took part in their own training.

Seven-year-old Cole Catrett (right) and his friend participated in the Lee County Sheriff Department's Sheriff for the Day campaign on Jan. 3.

Fifteen-year-old Dustin Merritt inspects evidence as part of his Sheriff for the Day experience with the Lee County Sheriff's Department.

Lanier, orchestrator of Street Food Saturday.

Street Food Saturday is

a new, street-food-centric event that will take place on the second and fourth

Saturday of each month. See FOOD, page A2

Hughes Barbeques food truck was at the inaugural Street Food Saturday event, hosted Jan. 7 in Opelika at Twin City Mason Lodge #76.

Opelika, Alabama

East Alabama Health Lanier Acute Rehab Unit Nationally Ranked as a Top Rehab Hospital

CONTRIBUTED BY EAMC LANIER ACUTE REHAB UNIT

VALLEY —

The Lanier Acute Rehabilitation Unit, in collaboration with Lifepoint Health, recently announced it has ranked in the top 10% of over 850 inpatient rehabilitation facilities that qualified to be ranked in the database of Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR) for 2022.

“We are so pleased with this recognition of our team’s hard work to provide the best care for our patients and our community,” said Amy Hayes, program director for the EAMC Lanier Acute Rehab Unit. “It is truly a reflection of our staff’s dedication, especially throughout the

“It’s always been my personal goal to increase the street food presence in Opelika,” Lanier said. “That’s why I started a commercial kitchen, opened it up for food trucks … that’s why I have a food truck. We have a diverse community now who have been around other cities and have seen what I’m talking about in regard to street food. Every city across America has a street food scene. They embrace it; it’s their culture. And that is what I am trying to do here.”

The inaugural Street Food Saturday event took place last weekend, Saturday, Jan. 7, in front of Twin City Mason Lodge #76 (across from East Alabama Health Center), and is sponsored by The Galley on McCoy Street in Opelika.

The Galley on McCoy is a shared-use commercial kitchen owned by Lanier, out of which street food vendors can work. The first Street Food Saturday featured three food trucks that operate out of The Galley: Franky Junes Weeny

COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted every aspect of health care.”

The unit’s topperformer designation is based on its ranking

Wagon, Rollin Pepperoni and Hughes Family Barbeque. Each food truck that participates in Street Food Saturday pays an entry fee, which is then turned around and given to a charity of their choosing.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship between us and them — everybody wins,” Lanier said.

Lanier said the hope for Street Food Saturday is to capitalize, complement and coexist with the already established Food Truck Fridays in downtown Opelika. Its overarching goal is to continue to establish and grow Opelika’s budding and diverse street food scene.

“I don’t think we will ever rival Food Truck Friday; that’s a totally different beast,” Lanier said. “What we are trying to do is add some continuity with the goal being of establishing Opelika as a street food destination.”

Lanier said the first Street Food Saturday was an overwhelming success.

“It went well, very well,” said Lanier, who owns the Franky Junes Weeny Wagon. “We were hoping to garner some momentum to

in the top deciles of UDS for the Medical Rehabilitation Program Evaluation Model (PEM Score), a report card for rehabilitation settings.

get the thing off the ground.”

The achievement of the first event was encouraging to Lanier, and he said it has him already planning ways to improve. Thanks to community feedback, Street Food Saturday realized the need for different vendors and is changing the times at which they will serve the community from noon to 4 p.m. to 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Upon reflection on the launch of Street Food Saturday, Lanier said he was overall satisfied. But he also said he knows the event can continue improving on its way to reaching the goal of bolstering the street food community in the local area.

“We got some good feedback from the first one — they are looking for dessert,” Lanier said. “We didn’t think about that, so that is going to be one of the new addons this week. I expect it to be bigger, and I expect it to become a very looked-forward-to event.

The whole business is to provide a very nice complement to Friday night food trucks to help the food truck scene overall.”

For anyone with ques-

This means its patients get outstanding care, designed to help them regain as much function as possible.

Facilities with top-

performing PEM scores have more patients exceed their functional outcomes of self-care and mobility based on their diagnoses, and more of them get to go home following rehab instead of to another level of inpatient care.

“Lanier’s PEM score is an amazing report card for the delivery of quality patient care that is effective, timely and efficient,” Hayes said.

ABOUT LANIER ACUTE REHABILITATION UNIT

The Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) is a 17-bed, all-private-room facility overlooking the Chattahoochee River.

Located on the EAMCLanier campus, the ARU serves the residents of Alabama and Georgia by helping facilitate

recovery from illness and injury and restore function and safety both at home and in the community. The rehab team offers patients and their families personalized care in an effort to help maximize independence.

ABOUT LIFEPOINT HEALTH

LifePoint Health is a leader in communitybased care and driven by a mission of making communities healthier.

The diversified health care delivery network spans 28 states and includes more than 60 community hospital campuses, more than 30 rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals and more than 170 additional sites of care across the health care continuum.

tions about Street Food Saturdays, contact Lanier at 334-750-7832. The next Street Food Saturday is scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Twin City Mason Lodge #76.

“I would like to thank Rollin Pepperoni and Hughes Barbeques for their participation,” Lanier said. “I would like to thank Twin City Mason Lodge #76 and the community for

getting this thing off the ground. We look forward to doing it in the future, growing it and a broader application of what the food truck scene and the street food scene can do.”

First Row: Brigitte Winchester, Amy Hayes, Rayterain Scott, Brianna Samuel

Back Row: Emily Wheat, Kelsey Tucker, Elizabeth Headley, Keri Smith, Daniele Witmer

The community gathered in front of Twin City Mason Lodge #76 last Saturday, Jan. 7, for the inaugural Street Food Saturday hosted by The Galley at McCoy.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF SMITHS STATION

SMITHS

STATION —

The community is invited to take part in this year’s MLK Jr. City-Wide Cleanup Day on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon Eastern Standard Time.

Prior to the cleanup, there will be a short kickoff program

City of Smiths Station 20th Annual MLK Jr. Cleanup Day Set for Jan. 21

at The Pavilion on the Smiths Station Government Center Campus led by Mayor F. L. “Bubba” Copeland and Place 2 Council Member/ Mayor Pro Tem Morris Jackson.

Immediately following the conclusion of the program, students, elected officials, city staff and citizen volunteers will divide into teams and pick up

litter along roadsides throughout the city. The cleanup will last until approximately 11:45 a.m., and the city will provide a free lunch for participants at noon at the government center.

In 2022, more than 70 combined adults and students participated in the event, collecting more than 1,100 pounds of trash.

“The purpose of

this annual event is twofold — it helps beautify our city and honor the memory of the great Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who left an enduring legacy of service that is still felt today,” Copeland said. “It’s something we as a city look forward to every year, and helps bring us together as a community.”

City Of Opelika Offers No-Contact System For Business License Renewals

OPELIKA —

The city of Opelika Revenue Department has mailed out business license renewal applications.

Alcoholic beverage licenses are due Jan.15, 2023, but since Jan. 15 is on the weekend, and business owners will have until Jan. 17 at 4:30 p.m.. The deadline for regular business license

renewals is Feb. 15, 2023. Business license renewals processed after the dates listed above will be subject to a late penalty and/or interest payment.

The city of Opelika is requesting businesses use its no-contact system for business license renewals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Revenue Director Lillie Finley requests that businesses pay

“I learned about footprints, learned about hiding, I … was learning about guns,” Cole said.

The two boys stayed busy throughout the day. Activities included participating in an obstacle course, taking part in an on-screen target practice in the simulator room, touring the jail and justice center, seeing a K-9 demonstration with Deputy Van Noy and K9 Bear, learning about room sweeping and fingerprints, getting an up-close look at the investigations unit’s drone and meeting various personnel. That included having lunch with members of the SWAT team.

“They have done a little bit of everything,” Jones said.

Cole has also participated in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Junior Deputy Academy, Jones added.

Cole said he enjoyed the target practice most, while Wyatt’s favorite part was the obstacle course.

“It feels very good,” Cole said of being sheriff for the day.

At the end of the day, Cole was presented a certificate and special coin from Jones.

DUSTIN MERRITT

Dustin, a 15-year-old Smiths Station Freshman Center student, was selected to be

sheriff for the day on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

Dustin said he heard about the contest through his mom, who eventually signed him and his sister up for a chance at the opportunity.

When Dustin was ultimately selected, he jumped at the chance.

Dustin’s day started with an oath ceremony, swearing him in as sheriff for the day. He then proceeded to take a tour of the different divisions within the sheriff’s department to learn about the day-today operations of the staff.

“He was immersed in a quick demonstration of what each division does, and what their functions are as part of the overall operation of the sheriff’s office,” Jones said.

This included an upclose showing of the detention center, court security operations, dispatch operations, in-

vestigations operations, defense tactics training, a crime simulation room and a demonstration of police-dog operations.

“Essentially what he has done today is getting a taste of our different divisions and what their particular duties and responsibilities are and how it all meshes into the general umbrella of the sheriff’s department,” Jones said. “The only thing he hasn’t got a taste of today, that I do, is spend all the time on the phone and dealing with paperwork. I don’t think he wanted to fool with that.”

At the end of a unique day, Dustin said his favorite moment had to be the crime scenario simulator.

“My favorite part is going to have to be a simulator,” he said. “We did target practice. I used to shoot down in Mississippi … so I was knocking them down.”

renewals online with credit or debit cards, or send personal checks, cashier’s checks or money orders.

• To pay online, register at: www. tinyurl.com/ OpelikaBusinessPortal. Business license renewal form with any worksheets must be emailed to Revenue@ Opelika-al.gov before paying online.

• Checks and money orders must be made payable to the city

ofOpelika and mailed to P.O. Box 390 Opelika, Alabama 36803-0390.

Please make sure encolose the business license renewal application and worksheets with the payment.

For more information, please call the city of Opelika Revenue Department at 334-705-5160 or 334705-5162.

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

P H O T O S C O N T R I B U T E D B Y L C S O

SEAN DIETRICH

The dusk is reflecting off Douglas Lake.

I am nestled in the French Broad River valley, seated on the porch of a log cabin, watching the Great Smoky Mountains continue to be Great.

I am playing the mandolin with some friends. There is an upright bass, a flat top guitar and a Deering banjo. I have known these fellas since I was a kid. They are bluegrass musicians, passing through Tennessee on the way to a gig. We are playing a few old tunes.

We are all outside. On the deck of my rental cabin. The distant

blue mountains are laced with wisps of low-hanging fog. The trees are leafless and stoic. God was showing off when he made Appalachia.

The tune we play is called “Old Joe Clark.” We sound about as good as a dump truck driving through a Steinway factory. But that’s not the point. The point is, we’re having fun. And that’s what this New Year is all about.

Today is the first day of 2023, and the keyword of this current year is “fun.”

This past year, I didn’t have nearly enough fun. The reasons don’t matter, but this upcoming year is

going to be different for me. This year, I am making a fresh start. This year, the F-word is going to be my go-to experience.

Fun.

Last April, I wrote a column about a 100-year-old woman in a nursing home located in rural Virginia. I traveled to interview her in a rundown elderly care facility that looked like a condemned shack. Her name was Miss Lorena. She was in bad shape. She received two insulin shots during our interview.

She passed away before the column ever ran in the local papers. She never read what I wrote about her. Still, her parting words have been lodged in my brain.

“In all my years,” she said, “I’ve finally discovered the meaning of life.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“The secret to life is F-U-N. Do things that make you smile. That’s your only job here on

earth. Never regret anything that makes you smile.”

“Fun? Is it that simple?”

“Oh, no, sweetie. It’s not simple. It’ll be the hardest thing you’ll ever did.”

I’ve been thinking about that old woman ever since. And here I am, playing a mandolin in the Smoky Mountains, on New Year’s Day, with old friends. Having fun.

Oddly, my earliest memories are of the mandolin. My grandfather, Sam, played a Gibson F-4 mandolin when he was a boy. He bought it for $20 from the back of a “Popular Mechanics” magazine in 1924. The ad’s headline read, “Five Cents A Day Buys a Gibson!”

I once asked why he chose mandolin. He said he chose the instrument because it was the cheapest one.

The most infantile memory I have of Granddaddy is on the porch of his sin-

gle-wide, playing “The Swallowtail Jig.”

“Wow,” I said, watching him pick faster than a babysitter’s boyfriend.

“I got good at the mandolin during the War,” he said solemnly as he picked.

My grandfather was shot in the armpit while fighting in France. They sent him to rehab in Italy. One day, he saw an old man on the streets of Anzio playing a mandolin. The man was playing “O Sole Mio.”

Granddaddy was so inspired that he bought a cheap mandolin while in rehab, and started practicing. By the time he got back to the U.S., he was a white-hot virtuoso.

I am not the musical talent my grandfather was. But I got my first mandolin when I was 4 years old. It was my first instrument. Granddaddy showed me three cords on the mandolin. I played backup while he picked “Angeline the Baker” on the old Gib-

son. He kept stopping the song to adjust my little fingers.

I gave up the instrument when I turned 16 because the mandolin wasn’t “cool.” I was interested in the opposite gender. And girls wanted a guy with long hair who could play guitar and sing like the lead guy from Journey.

But here I am today, middle-aged schmuck, doing something my grandfather once did. I’m here in the Smokies, playing the music of my people. And I can truly say I’m having fun.

My aim this year is to have 365 days of pure fun. No matter how I accomplish this, no matter how hard it is, Fun will be my goal.

F-U-N. No more, no less. I will fail along the way, of course. I will have a lot of mishaps. I will fall on my face. Some days will be anything BUT fun.

Even so, if I try really hard, I know I can make Miss Lorena proud.

Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center Closed During Renovations, Addition

BY THE CITY OF AUBURN / SARA CUSTER

AUBURN —

The Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center was closed beginning Monday, Jan. 9, during the facility's renovation and expansion.

Part of the city's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Master Plan, the project will include an 8,000-square-foot expansion along with the reconfiguration of the existing building's interior. Additional classroom, studio and gallery space will be created along with space for

that are housed at the Dean Road Recreation Center.

also be constructed along East Drake Avenue.

Work is expected to last through the beginning of 2024. The construction area should be avoided throughout the duration of the project.

Parks and Recreation's arts programs will be housed in other facilities during construction. For more information, visit auburnalabama.org/cip.

20 Under 40 Enjoys Winter Retreat

CONTRIBUTED

Parks and

Recreation's ceramics studio, which is currently

located at the Dean Road Recreation Center. The

relocation of the studio will help free up space for the city's growing therapeutics programs

Additional parking will

A digital rendering of the renovations and addition planned for the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, located at 222 E. Drake Ave. in Auburn.

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 20 Under 40 class went on its winter retreat last weekend. They were able to get to know each other a little better with a name game, heard from Dr. Chenavis Evans on important leadership traits and types, learned about Robert’s Rules of Order from City Clerk Russell Jones, enjoyed a Q&A with the Co-Founders of the 20 Under 40 Program — Mayor Gary Fuller and Lucinda Cannon — and gained more insight into the Strengths Finder Test with Whitney Comer from Auburn University. The class was also able to discuss and dive deeper into their service project plans for the Creekline Trail.

“It was a jam packed day full of learning and professional development,” said the Chamber’s Facebook page. “They are making great progress and we can’t wait to see the end result! What an incredible class!”

Bark in the Park Vendor Applications Available Online

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF AUBURN / SARAH COOK

AUBURN —

Calling all dog lovers! Auburn Parks and Recreation and the Lee County Humane Society will host Bark in the Park, an event celebrating responsible dog ownership, on Saturday, March 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kiesel Park.

This free community event is open to all dog owners and their favorite four-legged friends.

Auburn Parks and

Recreation is currently recruiting vendors to participate in this year’s event. Vendors must pay a $15 vendor fee, and all participating organizations are asked to donate a door prize for the event. Dog-related businesses and organizations will be given priority.

Through March 3, vendors may apply online at https://auburnal.myrec.com/info/ activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30199. For more information, visit auburnalabama.org/ parks.

Opelika Chamber Celebrates New Businesses

TigerTown Family Dentistry — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for TigerTown Family Dentistry’s new

Dr. Stephanie Simmons,

Josie Reynolds and team are dedicated to providing quality dental care for patients of all ages. Its new facility was designed to create a warm, family-friendly environment to help patients relax and put them at ease. The Tiger Town Family Dentistry team provides various services, including family dental care, preventative services, restorative treatments, cosmetic dentistry and supportive dental services. It is located at 2520 Interstate Drive, Opelika, Alabama, 36801. To learn more, please visit the website at www.tigertowndentistry. com/index.html. To book an appointment, please call 334-737-6261.

Attendees peruse the vendor offerings at a previous Bark in the Park event.

Yeager & Hawkins CPA’s — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Yeager & Hawkins CPA’s. Yeager & Hawkins was originally formed in 1987 as Bartlett & Gunter CPA’s. Starting in 2011 Coye Yeager joined the firm as the Partner-in-Charge of the Audit and Accounting Practice for the firm and the name was changed to Bartlett, Gunter & Yeager CPA’s. In January 2019, Rodney Hawkins joined the firm as a manager as Davis Bartlett and Jayne Gunter started their retirement process. Effective Jan. 1, 2020, Rodney Hawkins became a partner with the firm and on Jan. 1, 2022 the firm officially changed its name to Yeager & Hawkins CPA’s P.C. The staff offers the expertise of 100 years of combined experience in the field of public accounting. The company provides various services, including assurance, bookkeeping and payroll, QuickBooks consulting and general tax services.

Plant Bae Express — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce celebrated Plant Bae Express – Opelika on Thursday, Jan. 5, with a ribbon cutting. Plant Bae Express is a vegan restaurant serving delicious plant-based versions of American classics like burgers, nachos, and bowls. It is known for the Philly Cheese Bae and the Nacho Bae. Plant Bae Express is located at 2816 Pepperell Parkway Opelika, Alabama, 36104. Its hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Greater Peace Community Development Corporation — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated Greater Peace Community Development Corporation with a ribbon cutting. Greater Peace Community Development Corporation's mission is to provide effective community /economic development programs that will empower residents and revitalize distressed neighborhoods in Opelika and East Alabama. The team at GPCDC works tirelessly to help families in the Jeter Community and across East Alabama gain a better quality of life by developing and making various economic, educational, and youth programs available. To learn more, please visit the website at www.greaterpeacecommunity.org/.

Opelika Main Street — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated Opelika Main Street’s new building in downtown Opelika. Opelika Main Street's new building includes a small business incubator, public restrooms, meeting spaces and more. Southern Crossing is their first tenant utilizing the small business incubator space.

facility.

Dr.

This was the first Christmas that I made my sweet Mama’s dressing without her supervision, so I was a little nervous, reading her handwritten instructions over several times. My wonderful husband

Mike was my sous-chef, doing all the chopping and pouring since I tend to spill everything.

Although I could never cook dressing to equal Mama’s, it tasted pretty good. I’m happy to report that I didn’t burn myself by grabbing the iron skillet too soon after the first pone of cornbread was done. Also, thankfully, our trusty fire extinguishers stayed in the pantry and above the clothes dryer because they weren’t needed in the kitchen that day.

f you are reading this column, I hope that you and your family had a very Merry Christmas.When this column is published on Jan. 12, I hope that you are still experiencing a Happy New Year. Mike and I made a traditional Southern meal for Jan. 1: a pork roast, black-eyed peas, collards, sweet potatoes and cornbread.

Since I wasn’t in the mood to make Grand-

ma Patton’s delicious tomato sauce to go over the black-eyed peas, we used store-bought chow

PHOTO BY MIKE WALLACE FOR THE OBSERVER

BY TIFFANY MARTINEZ

OPELIKA —

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is coming to Tiger Town.

The "place to be" on game day, WalkOn’s is looking to hire up to 200 local team members for all positions — including chefs, servers, hosts, bartenders and bussers. The fun and inviting atmosphere makes Walk-On’s the ideal spot to work, while still being a part of the game.

Located minutes away from the Auburn University campus at 3041 Capps Way in Opelika’s Tiger Town development, Walk-On’s will fit in

Auburn with the Sundilla debut of acclaimed singer-songwriter Tim Easton on Friday, Jan. 20.For the first time since March 2020, a Sundilla concert will be held at its longtime home, the AUUF, lo -

CONTRIBUTED

perfectly within the 1 million square feet of retail and hospitality space that caters

almost exclusively to Tigers fans.

visit the restaurant Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.

See WALK ON'S , page A8

TIM EASTON

See SUNDILLA, page A10

STACEY PATTON WALLACE

Making the Grade: Sweet Gee’s Restaurant & Catering

I

chow instead. Sorry, Grandma. Since I’m writing this column on Dec. 29, I can’t say how

the New Year’s meal turned out. Hopefully, the fire extinguishers stayed away from the

stove. Long ago, Mama told

Walk On's in Opelika is looking for up to 200 eager citizens to join its team. Walk On's in Opelika is slated to open this year and is located at 3041 Capps Way in Opelika.

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

There’s still time to get started on those fitness New Year’s resolutions — and help foster families in the process.

The BigHouse Foundation, a local nonprofit ministry aiming to meet the needs of foster families, will host its first in-person BigHouse Hustle 5K and Fun Run Jan. 21 at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa at Grand National.

The one-mile fun run will kick off at 8 a.m., with the 5K following at 8:30 a.m.

“This will be a fun morning for all ages and stages of racers,” the signup page reads. “Whether you plan to place first in your age group or walk

BigHouse Hustle Set for Jan. 21

the entire thing, this is a family friendly event for everyone.”

While BigHouse Hustles in the past have been virtual because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year will be the first time participants will have the chance to meet together and run or walk the event.

“It’s going to be really fun to get the community involved,” said Micah Melnick, founder and executive director of BigHouse. “A lot of what BigHouse does is not open to the community. We do tons of events, but they’re mostly for our families that we serve, so this is neat to have something where anybody can participate in it.”

Melnick said the first BigHouse Hustle was held virtually in May 2020. With the Coronavirus stayat-home order in effect,

Melnick said she and her husband Blake needed some motivation to get moving again, so they challenged themselves to run 100 miles in one month.

Then, they decided to do it again — but invite some friends to commit to the challenge as well.

“I think it was just so small, and then we started telling people just through Facebook and saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to do this thing,’” Melnick recaalled. “’We’re going to call it the BigHouse Hustle.

You can choose — you don’t have to do 100. You could choose 31, 60 or 100 miles, which is like almost one, two or three miles a day.’”

Before they knew it, more than 550 people had signed up for the virtual Hustle — many of whom the Melnicks hadn’t met, from all over the United States.

“I think 22 states were represented in that first Hustle; it was insane,” Melnick said. “… I think at that exact moment in time, people were just so isolated and disconnected that it really gave people this … connectedness. And it got people moving.”

This year, Melnick said she is excited to see and meet many of the runners who have taken part in the virtual Hustle events — but also welcome anyone new who would like to partic-

ipate. It’s also a chance to partner with other organizations in the vicinity of the new BigHouse headquarters, set to open later this year.

“It’s really cool because it’s going to be hosted by the Marriott, which is at Grand National, and our new address is Grand National Parkway … so we kind of feel like they’re welcoming us into the neighborhood,” she said. “National Village is out there, all the people out there have been really supportive and encouraging, and we hear from them a lot. … They’re excited about it being in their neighborhood.”

Registration for the BigHouse Hustle is $20 for the one-mile fun run and $30 for the 5K. Online registration is open through Wednesday, Jan. 18. All proceeds from BigHouse

Hustles have supported the BigHouse building fund, which has allowed the nonprofit to expand its offerings in a new space, and Melnick said this Hustle will be no different.

She said she hopes the in-person Hustle will become an annual community event.

“Our goal is just to run a really good event so that we can build on it in the future because we’d love for this to be an annual thing that we partner with the Grand National group to do,” she added.

For more information about the BigHouse Hustle, or to register online, visit https://runsignup. com/Race/AL/Opelika/ BigHouseHustle5k/. Registration will also be open in person on the day of the event. T-shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

From The Live Well Kitchen: Alabama Catfish Gumbo

BY ACES

BY DUSTIN DUNCAN

AUBURN —

Here’s a take on a popular Southern dish. Live Well Alabama’s Alabama Catfish Gumbo features Alabama-grown vegetables and Alabama-raised catfish. This recipe feels like home and will also keep the family warm during the cold winter.

"The United States Department of Agriculture recommends eating up to 8 ounces of fish or seafood per week," said Sofia Sanchez, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Specialist and Registered Dietitian. "This recipe provides

16 to 24 ounces of fish total."

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1/2 cup onion, diced

1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced 1/2 cup celery, diced

Two cans low sodium chicken broth, 14.5 ounces each

3 teaspoons seafood seasoning

Two cans diced low sodium tomatoes, 14.5 ounces each

One can tomato paste, 3 ounces

1 12-ounce bag frozen okra

Four catfish fillets

2 cups cooked brown rice

PRO TIPS

Catfish doesn’t have to be fried to be delicious! Enjoy it simmered to get the protein, vitamins and minerals without the added fat from frying. For safety, cook the fish to 145 F. Use a cooking thermometer to double check the temperature.

DIRECTIONS

In large pot, heat the oil and the cook onion, bell pepper and celery until tender.

Add the chicken broth, seafood seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and okra. Bring to a boil.

Add the catfish, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until fish is

cooked through. Serve over rice. Want to learn more? Step-by-step instructions for Alabama Catfish Gumbo recipe and an instructional video are available at LiveWellAlabama.com.

“Cooking at home on a regular basis is a key ingredient to overall health, and it doesn’t have to be difficult or break the bank," said Katie Funderburk, Alabama Extension's SNAP-Ed Coordinator. “Our recipes are inexpensive, easy to prepare and don’t require fancy kitchen equipment.”

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Live Well Alabama

provides numerous recipes that are simple and budget friendly.

For more information about Live Well Alabama and to find more Live Well Alabama recipes, visit www.LiveWellAlabama.com.

Also, check out more Live Well Alabama tips and recipes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

LIVE WELL ALABAMA

Live Well Alabama is a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) initiative developed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Auburn University. This initiative reaches residents across the state

Alabama Extension is the primary outreach organization for the land grant mission of Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities. Its educational programs grow from these two land grant university campuses to serve the people of Alabama. Science-based educational programs are delivered that enable people to improve their quality of life and economic well-being.

to 5 p.m. A valid ID is required to apply.

“We’re excited to introduce our Louisiana-inspired cuisine to the Opelika and Auburn community,” said DBMC Restaurants President and WalkOn’s Franchisee Jason Gisclair. “Opelika is a growing city and Tiger Town is an amazing development, so we know we’re in an impeccable spot to

share our quality food and service. WalkOn’s is unique in that we engage regularly with our guests to deliver an energetic, family-friendly gameday atmosphere, so we hope to find several enthusiastic individuals to join our winning team and show everyone that there’s no better place to watch the Auburn Tigers than at WalkOn’s.”

Walk-On’s offers team members competitive pay, advancement

opportunities, insurance, a 401k plan, vacation, flexible hours and more. When the restaurant opens, it will be the first WalkOn’s in Opelika and the sixth in Alabama. For more information about Opelika’s new Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, visit www. go.walk-ons.com/ location/opelika-al/.

At Walk-On’s, each dish is made from scratch, using fresh ingredients to bring its mouthwatering Americana and Cajun cuisine to life.

The diverse menu features unique twists on game-day staples and upscale takes on Louisiana mainstays, such as Crawfish Étouffée, Duck & Andouille Gumbo and Doughnut Bread Pudding made with Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

For a complete menu, locations and more information, visit www.walk-ons.com.

To inquire about franchise opportunities, please visit walkonsfranchising.

com or contact CFE Kelly Parker at 225330-4533.

ABOUT WALK-ON’S

SPORTS BISTREAUX

Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux was founded in 2003 by Brandon Landry, a former walkon basketball player at LSU. Leaning on the true spirit of a walk-on and building a winning culture, the brand is rapidly expanding across the United States. Its Louisianainspired menu features food and drinks

made from scratch daily. Walk-On’s AllAmerican Team aims to serve up a gameday experience in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere that ensures every guest is a winner.

For more information, visit walk-ons.com.

CONTRIBUTED

with research-based education.

ABOUT ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM

Catfish is a popular ingredient in many southern recipes and can be prepared in several different ways.

Auburn’s New Rane Center to Host Epicurean Experience

•

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

Hosted by The Laurel Hotel & Spa and 1856 - Culinary Residence at Auburn University’s new Rane Center, the second installment of the incredible Epicurean Experience returns Jan. 20 to 22.

The weekend will feature visiting Atlanta guest chefs Ford Fry and Bob Ryan, as well as four Master Sommeliers.

In addition to 1856's veryown Master Sommelier, Thomas Price, attendees can

expect a full line up of wine presenters, including: - Nick Hetzel, Master Sommelier

- Jeff Stewart, General Manager & Winemaker of Hartford Family Winery

- And Michelle Schmitt, Certified Specialist of Wine, WSET III, Region Manager of Jackson Family Wines.

This experience features a jam-packed three-day itinerary, including a welcome reception, breakfast, a cooking demo & lunch, a private nine-course tasting menu at 1856 – Culinary Residence and a farewell brunch. In

the scheduled leisure time, guests can book a treatment at the luxurious hotel spa, explore downtown Auburn or visit the rooftop for cocktails.

Wine Presenter Schedule:

• Friday - Evening Rooftop Welcome Reception

• Nick Hetzel

• Thomas Price

• Saturday - Cooking Demonstration & Lunch

• Jeff Stewart

• Nick Hetzel

• Michelle Schmitt

• Saturday - Nine-Course Tasting Menu Dinner at 1856

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•

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PRICE: $575 per person (including tax & gratuity). Cost includes all meals, pairings, cooking demonstrations and tasting experiences for the full three-day itinerary. Hotel reservations are not included in the ticket price.

RESERVATIONS: Hotel reservations at The Laurel Hotel & Spa are required for two nights. Reservations can be made by visitng www. thelaurelhotelandspa.com.

Opelika Theatre Company Partners with NAACP for Black History Showcase, Looks Forward to Next Play ‘Young Sherlock’

OPELIKA —

Opelika Theatre Company (OTC) is partnering with NAACP/ ACT-SO, & R.E.A.C.H. Ministries to produce the second annual Black History Showcase. This showcase was very successful when it debuted in February 2022, so it has been expanded to a three-day event for 2023.

The Black History Showcase is an outreach project open to the community at no charge to educate, inform, celebrate and introduce Opelika, Auburn, Lee County and surrounding communities to the history and importance of Black artists throughout

the birth of this nation.

The Black History Showcase is bringing in two performers/choreographers to conduct dance workshops for children in the community. The children participating in the workshop will perform on stage at one of the showcase performances during the event. Included in the three-day event will be a Vendors Market on Saturday, Feb.19 at Southside, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., displaying wares from different vendors.

Admission to the showcase performance is free with online reservations. Donations will be accepted. Reservations open in February 2023.

In advance of OTC’s second annual Black History Showcase, the company will be performing its newest play “Young Sherlock.”

“We wanted to do Young Sherlock because it was a non-musical play that allowed the kids to just hone in on their acting skills and techniques that they are learning in OTC's O-ACT acting classes,” said OTC director Marty Moore.

“Young Sherlock” has been in the works since October 2022, with cast member rehearsing twice a week.

“We started rehearsing 2 days a week the middle of October — which seems like a

CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Jeff Stewart

Nick Hetzel

Michelle Schmitt

Thomas Price

The view of Auburn Univerity's Samford Hall from the top of the Rane Center.

me that we ate blackeyed peas and collard or turnip greens on Jan. 1 so that we’d have a lot of money in the new year; the peas symbolized coins, and the greens were for folding money.

Although we were certainly blessed to have enough money, I pointed out to Mama that we didn’t have a great deal of it. Mama said, “But if we don’t eat the peas and greens, we might have less money than we do now.” There you go.

As I’ve mentioned quite a few times, I’m a fried chicken freak, and I prefer on-the-bone poultry. Again, chicken fingers will do in a pinch, but fried chicken was meant to be gnawed off the bone. That said, I was really happy to find a restaurant which fries chicken the way your grandma did — Sweet Gee’s Restaurant & Catering at 3101 Frederick Road, Suite 2 in Opelika.

Recently, Mike and I joined our good friend Jack at Sweet Gee’s. Jack, who teaches high

SUNDILLA

cated at 450 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., and advance tickets are $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at sundillamusic. com . Admission at the door will be $25. Free coffee, tea, water and food will be available, and the audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food or beverage.Easton was born on the Canadian border in upstate New York and spent his formative years living in Tokyo, Japan and Akron, Ohio. Traveling early and often, he learned the ways of the road and rails and spent seven years as a bonafide troubadour, making his way around Europe, playing

school in Chambers County, was out on Christmas vacation, so he could join us for lunch. William, our mutual good friend, was out of town.

When we entered Sweet Gee’s, I really loved the bright, airy restaurant. Sweet Gee’s Restaurant & Catering opened this past March.

Genevelyn Crawford, or Sweet Gee, the owner of the restaurant, took our orders.

Mike ordered the two-piece grilled catfish, French fries and green beans. I chose, of course, fried chicken, corn casserole, green beans and cornbread.

Jack selected the twopiece fried catfish, corn casserole, potato salad and cornbread. Oh, my three times. Our food was WONDERFUL.

The fried chicken and catfish were perfection and so were our sides. Also, the cornbread was fabulous; it had little kernels of corn in it, which I really loved.

I was tempted to order the homemade peach cobbler. However, I refrained from doing so since I’ve eaten my weight in Christmas treats over the past few

the streets and clubs, living in Paris, London, Madrid, Prague, Dublin and wherever he laid his hat. It was this period of time when he developed his songwriting style — folk-based storytelling and personal traveling tales, often peppered with bold confessions or “tell it as it is” reality. Rolling Stone Magazine praised him as “having a novelist’s sense of humanity.”A mainstay of American roots music for more than 20 years, Easton crafts songs that blur the lines between folk, blues and workingman’s rock ‘n’ roll. Years before Americana music received its own category at the Grammy Awards, he helped pioneer the genre’s mix of classic inspiration and contemporary interpretation, writing songs that nod -

weeks. Maybe next time. And I hope there will be many more next times. After church at Central Baptist in Opelika, I can call Sweet Gee’s Restaurant & Catering at 334-749-7053 to order my fried chicken and sides, which

makes this “Pooh-sized” woman very happy.

After finishing our meal, we talked to Sweet Gee and her husband Otis; they were so kind, helpful and welcoming. Sweet Gee said, “My Grandma taught me how to cook.” Obviously, her Grandma was an A+ teacher.

Otis admitted that he

ded to his influences while still acknowledging the sounds of the modern world.

ABOUT SUNDILLA Sundilla is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization that has been bringing musicians from around the world to Auburn since 1993, presenting them in a smoke-free listening room environment. In 2017 the SouthEast Regional Folk Alliance presented Sundilla with an award for Outstanding Contributions to Folk Music, the first and so far only venue to receive that honor. For more information, go to www.sundillamusic.com

can only cook hamburgers and hot dogs. He said that he serves the food and helps out however he can. Otis said, “There’re no heat lamps or warmers here. Sweet Gee cooks everything from scratch.” Believe me, we could tell.

Besides our delicious entrees that day, Sweet Gee’s served diners smothered pork chops, fried pork chops, tilapia

and veggie plates. Other sides included purple hull peas and rice. A variety of sandwiches were also available. Entrees and sides served vary; however, I’m ecstatic to report that fried chicken is served every day the restaurant is open. Run and do not walk to Sweet Gee’s.

Sweet Gee’s Restaurant & Catering is open on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.; on Monday from 11 a.m. to 3

p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and on Friday from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Saturday.

Sweet Gee’s Restaurant & Catering 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

Kreher Preserve & Nature Center Announces Spring/ Summer Camps

CONTRIBUTED BY KPNC

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AUBURN

Kreher Preserve & Nature Center announced Jan. 9 that registration for its spring and summer camps is now open.

These camps are extremely popular, selling over 200 spots on opening day last year.

Spring Break Camp - for both Auburn and Opelika city schools. Three-day all-day camp, March 6 to 8 and 20 to 22, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for first through sixth graders. www.aub.ie/

springcamp Summer Ecology Camp - Five-day halfday camp, all five weeks in June, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., for upcoming first through seventh graders. Each week is a different age group, with two of the weeks accommodating all ages. www.aub. ie/summerecologycamp Woodland Wonders Summer Camp - Fiveday half-day camp for preschool through kindergarten, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Includes four weeks in June and three weeks in July — see

website for specific dates. Each of the seven weeks has a different theme and unique lessons and activities. www.aub.ie/wwcamp Adventure CampThree-day, two-night overnight camp for upcoming sixth through eighth graders. For Adventure Camp 2023, campers will stay at the Solon Dixon Center in Andalusia and visit natural and historic sites around south Alabama. www.aub.ie/adventurecamp.

long time, but factoring in fall breaks, Thanksgiving and Christmas Break of 2 weeks — it really wasn't that long of a rehearsal time,” Moore said.

The show boast 27 cast members which range from ages 5 to 14. Twelve-year-old Owen Mulder plays Young Sherlock, and has been in the O-ACT program for about nine months. Grace

Brandwein, 13, is a newcomer to OTC and plays the female lead — Mrs. Butterworth.

Carey Lovell, 10, plays Madame Lulu, her psychotic psychic sidekick.

“It's a rollicking funny show and these young actors are killing it,” Moore said.

The show runs Jan. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. Tickets for adults are $12 and children $8.

Located in beautiful downtown Opelika 223 S. 8th St. | 334-749-8003 www.opelikaobserver.com

SUBSCRIBE TODAY $40 FOR LEE COUNTY www.opelikaobserver. com/subscribetoday/

RELIGION —

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is preparing a new generation of Israelites to enter the land of Canaan. The previous generation died in the wilderness due to their unbelief, and Moses wants the generation he’s addressing to do better. I think Daniel Block’s contention that we should listen to Moses

here in a pastoral way, more so than as a lawgiver, makes a lot of sense. He knew his time on the earth was almost at an end (3:24-26) and like all of us, he wanted to accomplish as much as possible. Preparing this generation to live in the land was his passion.

Taking possession of a land occupied by wicked people leading destructive lives (see 9:4-5, 12:29-31) would be a challenge. Moses reminded them that the people living there were “greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky” (9:1).

Moreover, the Anakites lived there. They were “strong and tall” (v. 2). Their reputation preceded them as Moses reminded Israel of what was to them a familiar saying — “Who can

stand up against the Anakites?”

It’s not difficult to see the Anakites as also representative of other enormous challenges Israel would face. There would always be giants that opposed them, whether it was the giant of idolatry, dispossessing all the wicked from their land or simply learning to overcome anything that might keep them from walking daily in God’s way — or as the prophet Micah would later say, “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly” with God (6:8).

In the same way, our lives are full of Anakites. For some, it’s the giant of an addiction or a destructive habit.

Like the paralytic in John 5 who had been that way for 38 years, they’ve been held

hostage for so long that they’ve all but given up hope. Christ would ask them what He asked the man: “Do you want to get well?” They’ve been doing it wrong for so long they think that it has to be that way. It doesn’t. They need to ask that God will help them to “by the Spirit put to death the deeds of the flesh” (Romans 8:13). They can’t do it on their own (they know that), but they can overcome with God’s help!

For others, the giant they need to overcome is complacency. They’re happy just to stay where they are. They aren’t growing; they’re selfabsorbed, locked into their own little world. Their single goal is to make sure they stay where they are — in their comfort zone. If

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

CHURCH DIRECTORY

ANGLICAN

The Good Shepherd Anglican Church 3015 Opelika Road, Opelika

APOSTOLIC HOLINESS

God’s House of Prayers Holiness Church 301 Highland Ave., Opelika 334-749-9672

BAPTIST Bethesda Baptist Church 201 S. 4th St., Opelika 334-745-7528

Beulah Baptist Church 5500 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-705-0538

AFB - Cooperative Baptist Fellowship 128 East Glenn Ave., Auburn 334-887-8506

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 3089 Judge Brown Rd., 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

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

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

they have any dream at all, it’s about a place known as Someday Isle. It’s not a real place, it’s a mindset that says, “Someday I’ll share what I have with others,” or “Someday I’ll reach out to my widowed neighbor,” but like the paralytic in John 5, they’ve been on that isle so long that Jesus would ask them, “Do you want to get well?” Again, they can’t do it on their own, but they can with God’s help.

Like Israel, our challenge is to remain dependent upon God and focused on His promises! What is the giant in your life?

You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-ofgrace-with-bruce-green. com.

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

PENTECOSTAL Gateway Pentecostal Sanctuary 1221 Commerce Drive, Auburn 334-745-6926

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

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

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

In the midst of winter, harsh weather may require a cozy fire with burning logs that calms our souls in places medicine cannot go. Faith that “this too shall pass” may be nurtured in that calmness, faith that fathers the anticipation that winter’s bleakness will inevitably give way to the glory of springtime.

While anticipation is a precious gift of God, it is your responsibility to cultivate it and keep it positive. Fail to do that and it becomes a negative influence in your life. You have suffered in the past and you know there is more suffering

August "Gus"

Francis Dennig, 81, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away Jan. 2, 2023.

"Gus" had two children. He was an Industrial Engineer most of his civilian life. His Naval career included six years as a Radar Intercept Officer in a Phantom F-4 fighter jet. He achieved over 200 takeoffs and landings on aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean.

A memorial service was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, Alabama, at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023.

Family requests an omission of flowers.

GAINES T. BLACKWELL

Gaines was one

Sanctified Anticipation

just ahead. So, if that’s all you factor in, you can anticipate a miserable future by focusing on your problems. But add Jesus to the mix and anticipation becomes a blessing. Call it sanctified anticipation.

Jesus reminds you that life will have its problems. But he also invites you to trust him for the strength to handle tribulation. So when you add faith in the goodness of God to anticipation, you can expect God’s help when trouble comes. Because He is Immanuel, He will be “with you” in life’s valleys. Believing that saves you from “dreading the future.”

Perhaps that’s why Isaiah said, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” So, you strengthen your faith by believing that God’s “new thing” will be providing all the grace you need for whatever trouble you will face.

Anticipation with a positive twist is worthy of being celebrated.

When you thank God for his blessings, include the gift of sanctified anticipation. Consider its value in all of life’s adventures.

Family relationships are broken. Feelings have been hurt. Something you said was misunderstood. But you know that broken relationships can be restored.

Though it is not easy to ask for forgiveness, you know that life is impossible without a forgiving spirit. So, you decide to apologize with the expectancy of reconciliation.

And you get busy practicing the kind of love Paul described in 1 Corinthians 13 — “Love is patient, love is kind ….” Peace comes within because you know His help is on the way to make “family” what it’s meant to be!

You are weary of being broke, but you reassess your needs against your wants in light of the words of Jesus, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s

life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” You think of reasonable ways to increase your income. Then you determine that with discipline and sacrifice, and the Lord’s help, you can break the shackles of financial bondage. You don’t have any extra money at the end of the week, but you are confident that God is going to provide what you need.

Relationships at work are difficult. Your colleagues don’t give you the respect you deserve. But you decide to apply the Golden Rule — offering to others what you would like for them to offer you. You treat wounds with kindness instead of indifference. And you are confident that in time your relationships will improve. Expectancy births hope!

There are days when everything you do seems wrong. You feel out of sync with life. But you refuse to give up on

of the most beloved professors of architecture, interior design, and interior architecture at Auburn University for nearly 30 years. His former students became lifelong friends, and in 2017, a group of alumni established the Gaines Blackwell Endowment for Interior Architecture to honor his exceptional teaching and guidance and for his profound influence on the program. After retiring from Auburn, he continued designing many distinctive and elegant homes in his private design practice until his death.

He is survived by his wife of many decades, daughter, and sonin-law; many family members, dear friends and scores of former students.

A reception honoring Gaines was

held Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, at 2 p.m. at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Auburn.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lee County Humane Society or the Food Bank of East Alabama, which are organizations Gaines supported.

MYRTIS A. ROUGHTON

Myrtis Ann Bankston Roughton entered into her eternal life at 8:09 p.m. on Dec. 30,2022. Myrtis was born Myrtis Ann Bankston, the third of five children born to Arthur Leroy Bankston, Sr and Rosie Odell Bankston of Beauregard, Alabama, on Aug. 14, 1944.

Myrtis graduated from Beauregard High School in

1962. Shortly after graduation, Myrtis met, and later married, Stephen Homer Roughton of Mellow Valley, Alabama. Together, they built a wonderful life that they both adored, raised four children while living in Marianna. Florida, and later settling in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1980. After Steve lost a long battle with cancer in 1998, Myrtis returned to her hometown of Opelika, Alabama, where she built yet another life, meeting many new friends, and established a career at DataCount, which later became Wicks Broadcasting until leaving the workforce many years later.

After returning to her hometown, Myrtis reconnected with many old friends … some from childhood, and

yourself or others. You look in the mirror and remind yourself that you are a baptized child of God; you have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Jesus loves you and is eager to help you “get it right.” You examine yourself, forgive yourself and begin doing the right thing one day at a time. You are confident that your expectancy of a better day will be rewarded.

When “winter” is doing its worst, you reach down for a fresh supply of expectation and nurture what you receive. As you cultivate hope, it grows. Eventually it becomes so strong that your sanctified anticipation gives you confidence that the best days are just ahead.

The sweetness of marriage can turn bitter overnight. You are thoughtless. You say stupid things that interrupt the flow of affection. In such hours you feel imprisoned by our own foolishness. You remember days when

love overflowed and life was heavenly. You long to find your way back to the tender affection you once enjoyed.

This is where anticipation plays such a great role. You must not lose the expectation that your brokenness can be healed. Common sense helps you say, “I was wrong,” and “Please forgive me.” Then, the torment of soul can end, and perhaps with tears, a stronger bond can emerge. And believe me, when that happens, it will feel like springtime. I know. I have been there and I remember those moments with joy.

If you feel your supply of anticipation has run low, take the time to be thankful for what you do have. Nourish it.

Celebrate it. Cultivate it. Be patient. Winter never lasts forever. Spring is on its way, and the expectation of it will bring gladness to your heart.

some from later in life. Myrtis had begun attending Providence Baptist Church and joined the VFW Women’s Auxiliary in Lee County where she enjoyed helping in many capacities. Myrtis cared very deeply for her family and friends and thoroughly enjoyed watching her many grandchildren grow.

Myrtis was preceded in death by one of her own children, born pre-mature in 1972, Richard Dale Roughton; her husband, Stephen Homer Roughton in 1998; her oldest brother, Arthur Leroy Bankston, Jr in 1984; and her brother, Oscar Lee Bankston in 2018.

Myrtis is survived by her sons, Ronald Christopher Roughton (Karla) of Broken Arrow, OK, and Arthur Grady

Roughton (Lindsey) of Birmingham, AL; her daughter, Stephanie Roughton Dunson (Jason); her grandchildren Leah Ann Roughton, Stephen James Roughton, Dalton Chase Gann, Caiden Ann Marie Roughton, and Easton Charles Roughton; her sisters Geraldine Lipscomb of Grove Hill, AL and Nancy Cargill of Opelika, AL; and her brother, Gary Bankston (Wanda) of Foley, AL and a multitude of friends and acquaintances whose lives Myrtis has touched and made an impact.

Visitation was at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home Parlor from 10 to 10:50 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7 followed by a graveside service at 11 a.m. at Garden Hill

AUGUST "GUS" FRANCIS DENNING

What's Happening in Lee County

2023 CITY MARKET VENDOR APPLICATIONS OPEN

Are you a local grower or artisan wanting to share your products with those in the community? Apply to be a vendor at Auburn Parks and Recreation's 2023 City Market. City Market vendor applications opened Nov. 14. City Market will be held Saturdays from May 20 through Aug. 26 at Town Creek Park from 8 to 11 a.m., with vendor setup beginning at 7 a.m.

Farmers, growers and artists who are interested in participating in the City Market must fill out an online application or apply in person at the Harris Center (425 Perry St.).

For more information, including a link to vendor applications and the City Market handbook, please visit www.auburnalabama.org/citymarket or contact Sarah Cook, market coordinator, at scook@auburnalabama.org.

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Jan. 17, 2023 at 7 p.m.

NAMI supports families dealing with mental illness through mutual support, education and advocacy. There will be a time for sharing. The public is invited. Meetings are held at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn.

O GROWS — SATURDAYS AT THE GARDEN

Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon outside the Southside Center for the Arts, located at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika. Activities will include planting, storytime, crafts or art projects for children and hanging out with the goats.

OBITUARIES

Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Myrtis’ name to any part or program at St Jude Children’s Hospital.

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home is handling all arrangements.

CORA SIMS

Cora Sims of Auburn, Alabama, born April 10, 1957, passed away Jan. 1, 2023, in her home surrounded by her family. She attended Opelika First Assembly. Cora grew up in Pepperell Mill village. She did Bookkeeping and Taxes for 30 years. She was loved by many and loved everyone in return especially her "unofficial" nieces and nephew, Kayla, Harley, Kourtney, Thomas, EmaLeigh, Chloe, Breanna, Ansley and Cierra. She loved being a grandmother to her sweet granddaughter GabriElla Grace.

She was preceded in death by her Father William "Crip" Sims Sr and son Nicholas Flournoy.

She is survived by her daughter Crystal Smith, son in law Bryan Smith, granddaughter

GabriElla "Ella" Smith, mother Lilly Hastings, brother William Sims Jr, nephews Aaron and Wes Sims and 10 great nieces and nephews.

Funeral were held at FrederickDean Funeral Home Friday Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. followed by a Graveside service at New Rosemere Cemetery. Dr. Tom Tippett will officiate. Visitation was Thursday, Jan. 5, family at 4 p.m. and friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

HENRY CARSON JACKSON JR.

Henry Carson Jackson Jr. of Opelika, Alabama, died in his home on Jan. 3, 2023. He was 71 years old. Carson was born on May 25, 1951, in Opelika, Alabama, to Henry and Cherry Sue Jackson. From the moment he was born, Carson was full of humor and perhaps a bit of mischief. His childhood dream was to be Davy Crockett and was often seen around town wearing a coon skin hat.

Carson graduated from Opelika High School and received his B.A. from BirminghamSouthern College where he majored in business and fun.

The day after he graduated in 1973, Carson returned to Opelika and began

officially working at the family business, Piedmont Fertilizer Company, which is also the oldest familyrun business still in Opelika. However, his work for the family business did not begin after college but rather as young as 7 years old when he began to spend his summers and Saturdays working various jobs in both the office and the plant.

Those who knew him can attest that his work ethic was unparalleled. A late start to a day for him at the office was 5 a.m.: so by the time he made his beloved Post Office trip at 9 a.m., he had already worked a half day. He served as the President and CEO of the company until the Fall of 2021 when he turned over operations to his children. He also served as a Board Member of First National Bank of Opelika (later Bancorpsouth).

In 1977, Carson married the late Lillian Randall. Those closest to him know that he never fully healed from her passing and was eager to reunite with her. Together, they raised three children and had nine grandchildren, who affectionately called him Poppy.Carson had an infectious personality and an unabashed and unashamed humor. If you ever had a

NEW PARKING KIOSKS IN DOWNTOWN AUBURN

Four new parking kiosks have been installed throughout downtown Auburn, including one on Tichenor Avenue, one on East Magnolia Avenue and two on North College Street. These parking kiosks became functional Jan. 10.

Parking along Tichenor Avenue and on Gay Street adjacent to Hamilton's is now $1 per hour, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking will be limited to two hours, like other on-street parking spaces throughout downtown.

Find more information about downtown parking at auburnalabama.org/downtown-parking

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

The group will meet every month on the third Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. The meeting will be held at the AIDB-Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Opelika Regional center on 355 Dunlop Drive in Opelika. Every month there will be different topics discussed to make life more manageable living with low vision.

Contact Shiquita Fulton, M. ED/Vision Rehab Therapist for additional details at 334-705-2024, or Melody Wilson, case manager for the blind, at 256-368-3258.

COFFEE & CONVERSATION WITH

VFW POST 5404

VFW Post 5404, 131 E. Veterans Blvd., Auburn, next to Ray's Collision off of South College Street, will be open on Wednesdays 8 to 11 a.m. with coffee, donuts, cake and conversation about service and benefits for all veterans and spouses to stop by.

conversation with him, you were bound to become a victim of what his grandchildren called “A Poppy Joke.” He also kept a collection of $2 bills which he passed around to friends and strangers alike. The recipients were given simple instructions as follows — “Do not spend it. Keep it in your wallet and you will never go broke.” Perhaps, the thing that he was best known for was his generosity. The greatest joy he had was in giving to others - whether it was to close friends, charity or to strangers. He believed that no matter how great or small a gift was, God was using it to bless others. He is survived by his children Laurel Buckalew (Michael), Henry Jackson (Stephanie), and Jane Randall Cleek (Drew), and Grandchildren

Stone Cleek, Sewell Buckalew, Sloane Jackson, Lilli Cleek, Everly Jackson, Josephine Cleek, Blythe Jackson, Styles Cleek, and Daria Jackson, and his siblings Cherry Jackson and Trudy Hung (Steve).

Visitation was held on Sunday, Jan. 8 at Frederick Dean Funeral home from 3 to 6 p.m. A

Celebration of Life service was held at Church of The Highlands-Auburn

MLK CELEBRATION

Pastor Carolyn Morton and Prophetic Outreach Ministries invite all to join them this month as they present the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dream On The Move Celebration.

The celebration will take place Monday, Jan. 16, at 2 p.m. Central Time at Christian Care Ministries, located at 1000 Samford Court in Opelika.

The event is free and open to the public.

East Campus on Monday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to New Birth Ministries, Storybook Farms or Food Bank of East Alabama.

BRENDA HENDERSON TAYLOR

Brenda Henderson Taylor passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2023, at the age of 72. She was born on July 27, 1950 to the late Richard and Rachel Henderson of Opelika, Alabama.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Greg Taylor.

She is survived by her husband Ronnie Taylor; children, Wendy Nappier (Duane), Gretchen Whitlow (Eric); four sisters; eight grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

Visitation was held at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home in the parlor on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 from 1 until 1:50 p.m. A funeral service followed in the chapel at FrederickDean Funeral Home beginning at 2 p.m.

Reverend Billy Clark will officiate and the graveside will immediately follow at Garden Hills Cemetery.

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

OHS Basketball Open Area Play With Win

OPELIKA —

The Opelika High School (OHS) Lady Bulldog basketball team (7-9, A 1-0) opened its area play with a 51-29 win at Smiths Station last Friday.

OHS was led offensively by Tyra Pitts, who scored 12 points; Cherdi Daniels, who scored 11 points; and Z Fanning's 10 points.

Head coach Blake Smalley said he was proud his team won the first area game after a tough schedule in December.

Opelika's varsity boys basketball team (6-7, 1-0) blew out Smiths Station High School, 76-5, last Friday in Smiths Station. Mekhiron Brock led OHS with a double-double, scoring 22 points and pulling down 33 rebounds; Isaiah Knight scored 16 points; DJ Harris and Caur'Dae Wright added 11 and nine points, respectively.

The varsity girls dropped to 1-1 in the area after losing to Central 56-24 at the OHS Mainstreet gym Tuesday night. Daniels led the Lady Bulldogs

with 13 points.

The OHS boys team dropped to 1-1 in area as well after Central beat the Dogs 86-76 Tuesday night.

OHS girls and boys basketball teams host Auburn Friday (Jan. 13) in the Mainstreet gym. Varsity girls starts at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow.

Fans can listen to Opelika/Auburn basketball games on FOX Sports the Game 9101310 presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic, starting at 5:45 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at gofan.co.

Both teams host Smiths Station next Friday, Jan. 20.

TIDBITS

The Alabama Sports Writers Association held its annual "Mr. Football Banquet" Thursday at the Renaissance Ballroom in Montgomery.

Locally, Auburn High's Ean Nation is a finalist for "7A Back of Year" and teammate Brayden Joiner is a finalist for "7A Lineman of the Year." LeeScott's George Meyers is a finalist for AISA "Back of Year."

OPELIKA:

Freeze is Hot on Recruiting Trail

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN —

Following the conclusion of early National Signing Day on Dec. 21, 2022, it appears first-year Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze and his staff have taken little to no rest.

Freeze would have been forgiven had he done so, with the holiday season providing a much-needed respite for many Americans. However, Freeze and his staff have

See FREEZE, page B7

Lee County School Board Honors Student Achievements

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Board of Education gave special recognition to six high school student-athletes at its regular meeting Jan. 10.

JaNiah Hoskins, a junior and softball player at Smiths Station High School, received recognition for her winning essay on racial justice for the Lee County Remembrance Project, titled “The More Things Change, the More They Stay the

Same: Alabama’s Voter Suppression History.”

“JaNiah is one of many students we have at Smiths Station High School that are exceptional,” said Brad Cook, principal.

“… I’m very proud to recognize JaNiah Hoskins in front of the

board tonight.”

Superintendent Mac McCoy said he met Hoskins shortly before the holiday break in December and was impressed with her essay.

“She’s a very special young lady,” he added. “… Not only is she a brilliant student

See LCBOE, page B4

PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH / THE OBSERVER

Lee County Superintendent Mac McCoy, center, poses for a photo with Beauregard High School football players Kyan Maloy, left, and Jacori Tarver, right.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS TODD VAN EMST

Auburn head football coach Hugh Freeze at the Auburn mens basketball home game against Arkansas, Jan. 7.

Warriors Out-Fight Valiant

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS / FOR THE OBSERVER

The Lee-Scott varsity basketball team defefated Valiant Cross Academy 76-43 on Monday, Jan. 9. The Warriors went on to defeat Chambers Academy, 68-35, on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Their record now sits at 17-1 on the season.

Bulldogs Earn Road Victories Over Panthers

PHOTOS BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER

The Opelika varsity boys and girls basketball teams travelled to Smiths Station last week and both earned victories. The Lady Bulldogs first defeated the Lady Panthers 51-29; the boys then won, 76-54.

Dream Day Foundation Completes Service Project

FROM

— she’s a heck of an athlete, I understand.”

The board also recognized five football players who made the 2022 All-State teams. In class 5A, Beauregard senior defensive back Kyan Maloy was named first-team All-State and Beauregard junior running back Jacori Tarver achieved honorable mention. In class 1A, Loachapoka senior defensive back JC Hart was named First-Team All-State, Loachapoka senior running back Jamaroun Satterwhite was named SecondTeam All-State and Loachapoka junior defensive lineman Jamari Payne was named Second-Team All-State.

Maloy and Tarver were present with their head coach, Justin Jones.

“It’s an honor, first of all, to be invited here for something like this … for the young men to be recognized for the hard work they put in and the season that we had at Beauregard,” Jones said.

Later in the meeting, Todd Smith and Kyle

Keith of Schneider Electric gave a presentation on the company’s services and explained how it can help the school system increase efficiency to decrease utility costs.

Schneider Electric has partnerships with several other school systems across the state, including Madison County Schools, Lauderdale County Schools, Gulf Shores City Schools and Alexander City

Schools, among others.

According to the presentation, the energy management company fills a variety of roles when working with school systems: financial services, design and engineering, public affairs and outreach, construction management, support services and performance guarantee.

“With our role at Schneider, this is a true partnership with school systems,” Smith

said. “Going back to the very first couple of … clients that partnered with us and trust us — 15, 20 years ago — we are still partnered with them to this day and that’s because of the turnkey solution that we provide.

“It’s everything from designing and engineering the program on the front end, it’s implementing it and overseeing it to make sure that everything is done of quality and that it’s going to be able to stand the test of time. And then, also, it’s everything after the fact — so everything that we do, we’re making sure that we’re hitting all the measures that we’re supposed to and that your buildings are performing the way they should.”

In response to a question from District 6 Board Member Larry Patterson, Keith and Smith said the top three areas for improvement are typically heating and air, lighting and building envelope — such as doors, windows and sealants.

Based on utility data Schneider Electric collected for Lee County Schools from the 2020-2021 school year, the district was spending just under $2.8 million on utilities, which Keith said is above average.

The presentation indicated that Schneider Electric could help decrease utility costs by about 24 to 29%; the district could then reinvest those funds to fulfill other needs

within the schools.

District 1 Board Member Mark Tomlin asked how Schneider would guarantee performance, and Keith said specialized Schneider Electric teams would work closely and regularly with Lee County Schools staff to identify needs, set goals, develop plans and evaluate progress frequently along the way. Keith also said all documents are available for both Schneider Electric teams and Lee County Schools staff to see. In addition, savings are calculated using a third-party software.

“We’ve met 99.6% of our guarantees, but when we’ve done that over almost 1,000 clients, we’ve come back and written checks to around 40 of those clients, so we continually meet our obligations,” Keith said.

Five community members spoke at the end of the meeting, bringing up concerns about health insurance for employees, as well as alleged distractions and immorality in the schools.

Ronnie Kilpatrick of Smiths Station said he is concerned about students being allowed to come to school dressed as animals and acting like them, among other issues.

“For me, I get easily distracted,” added Smiths Station High School junior McKayla Conway. “I know some other students have gotten distracted as well, and sometimes the issue has gotten out of hand.

“… I’ve heard multiple students have the same issue with kids disrupting classes and classrooms with some of the issues … like with their meowing and making remarks and stuff like that in school that shouldn’t even have been allowed.

“… School is supposed to be about learning and education and succeeding in what you want to do, and yes, I understand there are some kids that want to figure out things with their own selves and all that, but that’s something that needs to be discussed with them and their parents. It does not need to be pushed on other students.”

Vanessa Ortiz brought up concerns about the potentially misleading name of a club for LGBTQ+ students and said she and her family recently moved to the area from California, “trading comfort for morality.”

Kaitlyn Hudson and her mother, Amanda Irvin, both work in the Lee County school system and expressed concerns about health insurance eligibility offerings and requirements for employees hired through other companies, such as Kelly Services.

In other business, the board approved various out-of-state and overnight field trips for high school band and athletics, as well as several human resources recommendations. Chief School Financial Officer Ken Roberts gave a brief monthly financial report for November 2022, but since it is only the second month in the fiscal year, he said the information does not yet provide meaningful data as it relates to budget goals.

The next meeting of the Lee County Board of Education will be held Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. at the central office, located at 2410 Society Hill Road in Opelika

B1

Pictured are young people volunteering at the local Community Market for the Dream Day Foundation's 2023 Martin L. King Jr. Service Project. Dr. King once said "everyone can be great because everyone can serve." The Dream Day Foundation has 65 young people from all over the county ready for this celebration. Admission is free but The Dream Day Foundation requests a non-perishable food item that will be donated to local food bank. The Dream Day Foundation will present its annual MLK Jr. celebration Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Opelika Performing Arts Center, 1700 Lafayette Parkway. Mcdonalds of Auburn, Opelika, Shorter and Tuskegee, Kroger and the city of Opelika are all partners of the event.

PHOTO BY KENDYL

HOLLINGSWORTH / THE OBSERVER

Superintendent Mac McCoy poses for a photo with Smiths Station High School student JaNiah Hoskins, who was recognized at the meeting.

Family Literacy Sessions Begin Jan. 19 for Legacy Learning Project

Road Rebels: Second Half Surge Lifts Auburn Over Ole Miss

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

AUBURN — Auburn basketball we nt into Oxford, Mississippi, to play the Ole Miss Rebels Tuesday night and escaped with an 8273 win.

The victory improved the Tigers’ record to 13-3 (4-1 in the SEC), but not before making the Auburn faithful sweat.

CONTRIBUTED BY LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION

AUBURN —

Imagine for a moment how you would present to the world if you could not read.

Lee County Literacy Coalition (LCLC) is creating spaces where individuals can experience the power of literacy. Reading lifts us out of our comfort zone, allows us to consider possibilities beyond our imagination and fundamentally helps us to navigate daily.

Increasing adult literacy rates positively affects poverty, K-12 test scores, economic prosperity, emotional and physical health and other social issues.

While LCLC services primarily focus on the education of adult learners, the Legacy Learning Project (family literacy) engages parents and offers small group sessions with both the parent and the child. The sessions seek to educate and share tools and strategies with participants, encouraging them to increase reading fundamentals and home activities and make reading a daily practice — which helps to improve K-12 success.

Parents with their chil-

dren are invited to participate. The Legacy Learning Project’s 2023 sessions begin on Jan. 19. Sessions will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. CST at the Frank Brown Recreation Center, located at 235 Opelika Road in Auburn. Other session dates are Feb. 16, March 16 and April 20.

The goals are: • to empower parents with tools to foster education and learning in the home, • share principles to be incorporated as daily practices

• and engage and bond with their child using learning activities.

Each session will cover different topics to promote literacy, math and science. The sessions will be full of activities and sharing helpful community resources, and they will be so much fun. Dinner will also be provided.

Families completing all four sessions will receive either an E-reader or a family library to further facilitate reading practices in the home. Never fear — if you have a scheduling conflict, join us in May 2023 for the next four sessions.

This project is funded by a grant received from the

jobs as head coaches for different reasons.

Dollar General Literacy Foundation. LCLC also expresses its gratitude to Auburn Parks and Recreation for hosting.

Parents and caregivers are a child’s first teacher. Let’s build a better future together! To register, visit www.leecountyliteracy. org/familyliteracy , call 334-705-0001 or email austin@leecountyliteracy. org. You can also register directly using the Auburn Parks and Recreation website: https://auburnal. myrec.com/info/activities/ program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30231&AdminPreview=1

Volunteer opportunities are available as well.

ABOUT THE LEE COUNTY LITERACY COALITION

LCLC is a nonprofit agency dedicated to helping adults learn to read, write and use mathematics and computers at a level necessary to succeed and thrive. Free services include oneto-one tutoring for reading, writing, math, computer and GED preparation for adults in the Lee County and surrounding areas. Workshops in financial, health and digital/workplace literacy are also offered. Learn more at www. leecountyliteracy.org.

The Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) selects three finalists in each classification with the winner being announced at the banquet.

These three players were selected by the members of the ASWA after being nominated for All-State by head football coaches across Alabama.

Unfortunately, the winners were not announced before press time. You can check online at opelikaobserver. com for the latest news on the winners.

This week, three more high schools — Blount, Pinson Valley and Bessemer City — are looking for head football coaches. All three head coaches resigned their

Clarke County head football coach Stacy Luker resigned as head football coach last week. Luker, a member of the AHSAA Hall of Fame, averages 10 wins a season and has won six state titles in 26 years as a head coach. Luker appeared on "On the Mark" radio show earlier this week to discuss the decision.

"I feel like it is time for me to make a change," he said. "God leads us every day (including me). I will continue to follow the path God lays out for me. I will remain as athletic director for now.”

There is no question in my mind that Luker will have a new job very soon.

The city of Opelika and Perfect Game, a national travel baseball

organization, have reached an agreement for 2023 which allows them to host baseball tournaments at West Ridge Park.

The city of Opelika controls the dates and number of tournaments and stipulated no tournaments will interfere with Opelika Dixie Youth, Dixie Boys, softball and Billy Hitchcock Miracle League.

Baseball and softball tournaments bring visitors to our area and provide economic impact for nine months out of the year.

D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 9101319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.

Auburn fell behind 17-10 early in the contest, but the Tigers weathered the quick flurry from the Rebels as the Ole Miss lead never grew beyond seven. To make matters more difficult for the Tigers, starting small forward Chris Moore left the game in the first few minutes of action with a shoulder injury and did not return.

Moore’s injury meant more minutes for junior Allen Flanian and other reserves on the Tigers’ roster. Flanigan took the opportunity to the tune of 15 points, as Auburn’s bench accounted for 25 points in total.

The Tigers’ performance improved across the board in the second half of the game as Auburn outscored Ole Miss 48 to 38 in the final 20 minutes. Thanks in part to dominating the rebound battle (Auburn finished +13 for the game), and shooting above 50% from the field in the second half, the Tigers lead grew to as many as 14 with just under 10 minutes remaining in the contest. Moreover, after committing six first-half turnovers, the Tigers committed just four in the second half while forcing

nine in total from Ole Miss.

The host Rebels didn’t bow out easily, however. The Auburn lead shrunk to single digits inside of the final four minutes, but Wendell Green Jr. scored the final 10 Auburn points to clinch the win.

Green led the Tigers with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists. The Rebels were led on the night by junior Matthew Murrell, who finished with 24 points, four assists and four rebounds.

Green and junior Jonni Broome worked the inside-out game to perfection all night as they were the central engineers behind the Auburn victory.

Broome became the first Tiger to post four straight double-double stat lines since 2015 as he finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Broome should trademark the nickname “Street Sweeper” due to his ability to clean up things defensively — and the way he impacts games offensively without commanding too much attention. (Seriously though, has anyone has ever seen or paid attention to a street sweeper?)

By the end of the

night, the Tigers resolved the once threatening Rebels to nothing more than conformists. Despite the win, the offensive performance by Auburn still left much to be desired. For the contest, Auburn shot 50% from the field, but just 28.6% from three.

Contrastingly, Auburn did find a nice rhythm in the half court and got to the free line often. The Tigers connect on 81.8% of its 22 free throws, which is a welcome sight with the Tiger averaging just 68.5% from the stripe this season prior to Tuesday.

Road wins in the SEC are anything but a given, but Auburn did just enough to secure its first Tuesday night against the Rebels. After falling to Georgia for its first SEC loss last week, Auburn has responded nicely with a win over top-15-ranked Arkansas and now Ole Miss.

The Tigers will look to carry that momentum into the weekend when they square off Mississippi State at home Saturday, Jan. 14, at 7:30 p.m.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER

Children participate in an activity as part of a Lee County Literacy Coalition program.

Auburn junior guard Wendell Green Jr. attacks the basket in game against Yale during the 2021-22 season.

PHOTOS BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER

Lee Scores a 10.0 on Beam; Named SEC Gymnast of the Week No. 5 Auburn Opens Season with 197.350 in Las Vegas

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

LAS VEGAS —

The No. 5 Auburn gymnastics team opened the 2023 season with a bang, scoring a 197.350 at the inaugural Super 16 to finish third. The quad meet was held in the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

The overall score bested the program-best in a season opener by almost a full point (196.375 in 2009).

“It was about developing our depth and testing ourselves coming into this meet, and I was really happy with how the team performed under

the pressure,” said head coach Jeff Graba. “We beat our program record and were up against great competition, so I’m excited. It was a great start, and we wanted to kick off the season the right way.”

No. 1 Oklahoma won the meet with a 197.925, while No. 4 Michigan came in second at 197.400. Auburn finished third (197.350) and No. 10 UCLA was fourth (197.275).

Sophomore Sunisa Lee won the all-around with a 39.750, scoring a perfect 10.0 on beam in the second rotation. She led off with a 9.95 on bars and earned a pair of

9.9s on floor and vault.

“The team did really well and did a great job putting everything together,” Lee said. “Personally, I feel like I did everything I could. I had a couple of hiccups, and I’m still trying to figure out my routines, but I’m just taking day by day and am happy with tonight.”

The vault squad tied a program-best with a 49.500 to close out the meet, seeing a 9.9 or better from the final four competitors. Fifth-year Derrian Gobourne tied a career high and came in second with a 9.95 in the anchor spot.

“It felt great to hit that

vault,” Gobourne said. “I messed up my steps a little bit, but we’ve done so much in training that I just trusted myself and everybody in front of me. Tonight was so much fun, and I’m so proud of us.”

Gobourne scored a 9.9 or better in all three events competed.

Junior Olivia Hollingsworth competed in the all-around for the first time since 2021 and finished with a 39.100.

“It was great being back out there doing the all-around,” Hollingsworth said. “I was just trying to soak in the moment and have fun. The team started

right where we left off, and I’m just really proud of the energy tonight.”

Also competing in the all-around was senior Cassie Stevens. She capped her full night with a 9.925 on vault.

The Tigers kick off Southeastern Conference competition next week, traveling to conference champion and No. 2 Florida. Auburn and the Gators square off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in Gainesville.

BARS

The Tigers started off with a 49.400 on bars.

Hollingsworth and junior Gabby McLaughlin led off with a pair of 9.85s to

set career highs. Stevens also picked up a 9.85, while Gobourne kicked off her final season with a 9.9. Lee capped the rotation with a 9.95 for the squad to come in a tie for third individually.

BEAM

The beam squad battled hard to earn a 49.150 in the second rotation. Lee led the way with her first 10.0 of the year and fourth overall on beam to win the event.

Sophomore Sophia Groth followed with a 9.85, while McLaughlin had a 9.825. Senior Aria Brusch made her debut on the evening with a

shown in the weeks since that their vision for Auburn football is far greater than one that can be compartmentalized into “days off and days on.”

The Tigers wrapped up early National Signing Day with the No. 19-ranked class nationally, according to 247 Sports composite rankings — a steep improvement from where the class sat just months before under thenhead coach Bryan Harsin.

In total, Auburn inked commitments from 16 freshmen, two junior college players and two transfers from other schools on early National Signing Day. However, with the Tigers’ current roster construction, much work still needed to be done in order to quickly return to the top of the SEC.

So, Freeze and his staff turned their attention to the transfer portal.

Beginning with the early National Signing Day additions of Vanderbilt edge rusher Elijah McCallister (65 career tackles, 6.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks) and Florida International tight end Rivaldo Fairweather (the No. 1-ranked transfer tight end), Freeze and his staff have now earned commitments from seven transfer players.

Most notably, Freeze and company earned commitments from three offensive linemen, Tulsa’s Dillon Wade (the No. 2-ranked offensive tackle in the transfer portal), and Western Kentucky’s Gunner Britton (the No. 5-ranked offensive tackle in the transfer portal) and East Carolina center Avery Jones.

Wade, a 6-foot-4-inch, 290-pound junior, played 16 games over the past two seasons for Tulsa. Britton, a 6-foot-6-inch, 275-pounder, started in all 14 games for WKU last season and comes to The Plains with one remaining year of eligibility. Jones, the No. 3 interior offensive lineman in the 247Sports transfer portal player rankings was the No. 8 pass blocking center amoung Group of Five centers last season according to PFF.

Including the four incoming freshmen linemen (the most Auburn has signed from high school since 2015)

and the signing of top junior college offensive tackle Izavion Miller, the additions of Wade, Britton and Jones raises the number of Auburn 2023 offensive line commits to eight. That’s the most by the program since the 2012 recruiting class.

Moreover, the position of offensive line is not the only area that Freeze and his staff have addressed in the transfer portal. Maryland defensive lineman Mosiah-Nasil Kite, Purdue defensive lineman Lawrence Johnson and LSU linebacker Demario Toolen, Cincinnatti receiver Nick Mardner and South Florida running back Brian Battie. have all signed up for the Tigers in the past week.

Kite, a 2022 All-Big Ten preseason nominee, recorded 81 tackles in his three-year stint with the Terrapins, including 26 stops and one sack in 2022. Johnson is heading into his sixth year of collegiate football and has 88 tackles, two-and-a half sacks and seven-and-a half tackles for loss for his career. Toolen, a former four-star recruit, played a limited role in his freshman season for LSU last year. Mardner is a 6-foot-6-inch senior who finished 2022 with 19 catches for 218 yards and three touchdowns. Battie ran for 1,186 yards and eight touchdowns last season with USF.

If the upcoming 2023 football season was looked

at as a concert, the Tigers are approaching the time for the opening act. The early National Signing Day period was the commute there. For a concert, the commute means everyone is happygo-lucky, singing songs they think they might hear the artist perform at the venue in the near future. For a college football program (especially one that wants to compete on a national level), the feeling is similar. Everyone is wide-eyed and optimistic; the program is signing highly-coveted players and looking toward the future.

Then, for football, the spring period is like the opening act. It’s all good vibes and concert-goers

are picking up on some new songs they like or just speculating about the main card’s act. While not technically all the way in spring yet (Auburn usually begins practice in early March), the Tigers have early-enrolled a number of players from the 2023 class, and are there right now. Fans and reporters alike are seeing the program pick up new players from the transfer portal, and learning about new contributors who can theoretically return Auburn football to a place of national relevance.

In this theory, the 2023 Auburn football season is the final act itself. The biggest, greatest spectacle of them all. The reason worth the

price of admission. But therein lies the problem. Auburn’s 2023 football season is anything but a guaranteed “biggest and greatest spectacle.” The state of the program left behind by Harsin is well below typical standard on The Plains, and the script may not turn out as planned, as Freeze and his staff will need time and patience to rebuild the Tigers.

But, regardless of if the final act falls flat, everyone should enjoy the “commute” and “opener” as it pertains to Auburn football. The progress made by Freeze and company is undeniable and sets the Tigers up for a Coachella-level moment in the future.

Understanding, Developing Young Childrens’ Gifts and Talents

children have natural gifts in one or more areas. What a wonderful responsibility we have in guiding young children to discover and develop these talents and gifts. What a challenging but rewarding experience each teacher and parent has in helping a little life develop to its fullest potential.

Early childhood teachers use many resources to identify the different talents and gifts a child demonstrates. I would like to share a simple guideline used in helping young children to use their talents and gifts.

later. At young ages, your main focus is to encourage your child to express themselves. Children absolutely love to express themselves through puppets or role playing, too.

MATH

2.

Some children have a natural inclination toward reasoning, counting, quick math computation and logical reasoning of math problems and systems. Of course, a teacher realizes that “practice makes perfect,” but some children are more prone to analyzing things.

MUSICAL

3.

enjoy organized sports.

5. ARTISTIC

As early childhood educators and parents embark on a new year of planning and teaching children, it is good to appreciate the young lives set before us and learn how to strengthen them with the belief of how God has created them with gifts and talents.

With the winter cold outside, warmth is modeled in front of young children when we take time to talk and listen to them, and when we plan and develop

lessons and activities to support the person they are becoming. Just like no two snowflakes are the same, no two children are the same; they are truly a promise as we embark into January 2023 and a brand new year.

As an early childhood teacher, I am called not only to teach the “school smart” of daily lessons but to teach the whole child in recognizing and using their talents and gifts.

As parents and teachers, we must realize that

9.8, and Hollingsworth closed out scoring with a 9.675.

1. LANGUAGE

Children love to express themselves with words and storytelling. As a teacher, I have always encouraged my young students to express themselves through writing creative stories or poems with pictures. With younger students, you don’t get hung up on the correct spelling or grammar because you want them to have the freedom to creatively express themselves. Correct spelling and grammar rules can be picked up

Auburn put together a 49.300 on floor and was led by two 9.9s from Gobourne and Lee.

I love to hear my little students hum as they do their work. Children who are attracted to and fascinated by sounds and musical instruments usually have a natural tendency to perform music in singing or playing instruments. These children also love to move to the rhythm of music.

PHYSICAL

4.

At recess as a teacher, I love to see my students and children run and play freely. Play is a child’s work. Some children seem to be prone to participate and truly

Brusch followed suit with a 9.875, and Stevens added a 9.85. Hollingsworth contributed with a 9.775.

VAULT

Auburn’s 49.500 on vault in the final rotation led all teams in the event. A pair of Tigers tied career highs in sophomore Sara Hubbard (9.9) and Gobourne (9.95). Stevens earned a 9.925 on her Yurchenko 1.5, while Lee debuted her tucked Lopez with a 9.9. Groth led off with a 9.825 on her full.

LEE NAMED SEC GYMNAST OF THE WEEK

Sophomore Sunisa Lee of the No. 5 Auburn gymnastics team was named the Southeastern

There are young children in the classroom who are attuned to visual detail in everything they see and are able to draw what they see on paper. Many times these “little artists” are very good at illustrating stories they read. These children are attracted to drawing or painting. Many times, these little ones can even make sculptures out of Kleenex. As a parent and teacher, be sure to highly praise these children who have put so much effort into “their masterpieces.”

6. MISTAKES

Readers, I would like to add another point that is close to my heart. We all make mistakes. No one is perfect. Allow your young child to make mistakes. For example, if children spill a drink, drop food or break something, don’t corner them and fuss at them in front of other people. Turn the situation into a positive one as they help you clean up or mend what is broken. This action builds your child up rather than tearing them down.

Conference’s Gymnast of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

The honor is the first of the season for the St. Paul, Minnesota, product and fourth of her career.

Lee helped the Tigers set a program best in a season opener last Saturday at the Super 16, scoring a 197.350 as a team in Las Vegas. She never finished lower than a 9.9 on the weekend and her scores in the allaround and beam placed her first nationally.

She captured her first all-around title of the season with a 39.750, earning the top score in the country so far. In addition, she won the beam

Modeling forgiveness when your children do something wrong is an action that God does for us. Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” This is a truth that young children can understand early in their lives.

When teachers in this new year face classrooms with children who are unique and creative in their own way, learning goes beyond the simple pencil-and-paper tasks.

Our New Year’s resolution as early childhood teachers and parents should be to join hand-in-hand in praising each individual child for what they do well, no matter how big or small. We need to praise children for who they are and how God made them. When we are positive with our children and praise them, it encourages young children to shoot for the stars!

Beth Pinyerd Classroom Observer

title with a 10.0. That perfect score was the fourth of her career on the apparatus.

Lee picked up a pair of 9.9s on vault and floor as well. Her contribution on vault helped the team score a 49.500 in the rotation, which finished best in the nation on the opening weekend. The team vault score also tied the program’s best in the event.

The Tigers kick off Southeastern Conference competition Friday, traveling to conference champion and No. 2 Florida. Auburn and the Gators square off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2 in Gainesville.

115 years ago

BETH PINYERD

FLOOR

L labama Politics ee County & A

Inside the Statehouse Women Rule in Alabama Politics

years. She then was elected lieutenant governor, a role in which she served six years. She has been governor, now, for almost six years.

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

For many years, Alabama has been ridiculed in national publications for having fewer women in political leadership positions than other states assumed to be progressive.

States like Colorado, New York and California were lauded for having an inordinate number of females in public office. Well, folks, take a cursory look around at Alabama’s political landscape. It is a new day in the Heart of Dixie, and unlike the above-mentioned liberal states, our slate of women leaders are conservative Republicans.

Our top two most powerful leaders in the state are Gov. Kay Ivey and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt. If you include Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh in the mix, then the three most powerful and popular political leaders in the Heart of Dixie are women Republicans. You can eat your heart out, Colorado.

This day did not just happen. These three women have been on the scene and the horizon for a while, and they arose the old fashioned way by rising through and within the system to get to the top of the class.

Ivey was a student leader at Auburn University. She spent a decade or more working with the legislature as the lobbyist for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; then she ran for and was elected state treasurer and served eight

Cavanaugh has been on a leadership track since her high school years in Montgomery. She became chair of the Alabama Republican Party at a young age and has been president of the Public Service Commission for over a decade. She is the hardest working political figure in office in Alabama with a hardcore grassroots organization.

Britt also won our U.S. Senate seat the old fashioned way. She worked hard and built a statewide grassroots organization that will hold her in good stead for years to come.

All three of these ladies are conservative, yet rational and reasonable leaders. They are exemplary of Southern grace, yet decisive and disciplined and dignified. They are people we can be proud of and excellent role models. All three are Alabama born and bred and know the folks of Alabama. All three are closely aligned with and have proudly been supported by Alabama’s premier and most powerful and respected political organization, the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa).

Currently, two of the most prominent jurists on the Alabama State Supreme Court are women. Justices Kelli Wise and Sarah Stewart grace the court. I can see our Supreme Court in Alabama, as well as the United States Supreme Court, being majority-women in future years. The majority of law students and graduates throughout the country are women. Women will dominate this profession in the next decade, if not already.

The state Senate has two very prominent female leaders. The most powerful and proficient is veteran Mobile state Sen. Vivian Figures. Sen. April Weaver from

Bibb/Shelby counties is on a fast track in the Alabama Senate.

Another sign of women taking their rightful place in the Alabama Legislature is the takeover of Republican House seats in the Shelby and Baldwin county Republican suburban districts. There were five new Republican women in these two Republican bastions that all took seats previously held by older men. Susan Dubose and Leigh Hulsey will be joining three women from Baldwin County. All three of the Baldwin County GOP seats will be held by female Republicans, including Jennifer Fidler, Donna Givens and Frances Holk-Jones. Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa), a relative newcomer, is a star on the horizon.

Three of the most prominent leaders in the House of Representatives are women. Rep. Margie Wilcox of Mobile is in a leadership position. Rep. Ginny Shaver of Cherokee County works extensively on family and adoption issues. Rep. Terri Collins of Morgan County is the education guru in the Alabama House.

Speaking of education, our Alabama State Board is currently made up of eight female members and only one man. This eightto-one female majority really becomes nine to one because Ivey serves as ex-officiate chair of the Board of Education.

So, folks, as you can see, women rule in Alabama politics and my guess is that this trend will not diminish in years to come.

See you next week.

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

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY — There was a frustrated crowd at the Lee County

Commission meeting Monday night.

The county has been operating under its new solid waste disposal plan in full for a month now — which means Arrow

Disposal handles trash pickup and collection sites have gone by the wayside. And citizens aren’t happy.

Lisa O’Hara spoke first

Lee County citizens expressed on Monday their concers with the county's trash plan.

Lying in Political Campaigns is Legal, but It Shows Lapses in Integrity

police to verify his civilian employment.

He was not listed, so I cancelled the article that I was to call “Meet the Army MP who helped solve the Dahmer case.”

But it was true Dahmer took his basic training at Fort McClellan before heading to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to learn Army medicine. Still, training a soldier who became a mass murderer is not something coveted by a fort.

OPINION —

In 1992, I was editor of The Fort McClellan News in Anniston. I met an Army reservist from Wisconsin who told me an amazing story. He said he was an investigator in the Jeffrey Dahmer case in 1991. This was a chilling, horrible case of a serial killer called the Milwaukee Cannibal. I wanted to pen a feature about the soldier who helped bring Dahmer to justice.

The soldier knew a multitude of facts and insights. Dahmer, age 34 when arrested, killed and dismembered 17 men and boys over a 13-year period. Most of these murders involved cannibalism, necrophilia and preserving body parts, such as parts of the skeleton. He received 16 life terms and was beaten to death in jail in 1994. Although the MP sergeant had quite a grasp of details, I called the Milwaukee

The case of the lying soldier shows that people in many, if not all, venues and jobs lie to different levels. Politicians run the gamut from normally honest to invariably a liar. I will discuss the prevarications and flat-out lies of House candidate George Santos below. First, we must find out how the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on the issue of politicians’ lying.

In 2016, the court ruled in Susan B. Anthony List v. Driehaus that a politician’s right to lie during a campaign is protected under the free speech provision of the

First Amendment. “The pro-life group tried to erect billboards during a campaign accusing incumbent Driehaus (D-Ohio) of supporting ‘taxpayer-funded abortion’ because he voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act,” as explained by George Thomas Jr. at AVVO.com — a publication for lawyers.

Likely the No. 1 reason why people lie is “protection for others.” In politics, this means that a liar fears he or she may hurt someone’s feelings (such as by telling a candidate they are sinking in the polls), or they feel being truthful will be detrimental (for a politician it may discourage them from “closing” their campaign on a high note). Yet protecting others from the truth could end up indicating to a politician that he or she is weak.

In “protection of oneself,” another approach, a candidate might say she has a college degree, although she does not. They think voters like you better with an undergraduate degree, at least,

PUBLIC NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

HARDWOOD, LLC, Plaintiff v. Case No.: CV-2022-900402.00

A tract or parcel of land designated as: Lot 9, Lower Acres Estates Subdivision, being More particularly described as follows, to wit: Commence at the Southwest corner of Section 8, Township 17 North, Range 27 East, in Lee County, Alabama; thence run North 88 degrees 50 minutes 49 seconds East, 485.92 feet; thence run North 01 degrees 09 minutes 11 seconds West, 240.00 feet; thence run North 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds East, 55.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the parcel to be described herein:

FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, thence run South 89 degrees 02 minutes 07 seconds West, 208.31 feet to a point on the east margin of Alabama Highway No. 51; thence run in a northerly direction along said margin of said highway on the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 5,013.20 feet for an arc length of 120.0 feet; thence run South 89 degrees 35 minutes 36 seconds East, 215.29 feet; thence run South 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds West, 115.14 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, containing 0.572 acres, +/-. And Howard J. McNally, and/or the unknown heirs Of Howard J. McNally, And Linda J. McNally, and/or the unknown heirs Of Linda J. McNally, And Fictitious Defendants A, B, C, D, E, F & G, Being Persons, Individuals, Firms, Associations, Partnerships, Corporations or other Entities, Whose names are otherwise unknown to the Plaintiff, but who claim interest in and to the above-captioned parcel of land, and whose correct names and legal identities will be added by Amendment when ascertained, 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 18th day of November, 2022, a complaint to quiet title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Hardwood, LLC, as Plaintiff; Howard J. McNally, Linda J. McNally, and/ or the unknown heirs for Howard J. McNally and/or Linda J. McNally, as Defendants, whose additional heirs, executors and/ or administrators are unknown and cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have

claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows: Lot 9, Lower Acres Estates Subdivision, being more particularly described as follows, to wit: Commence at the Southwest corner of Section 8, Township 17 North, Range 27 East, in Lee County, Alabama; thence run North 88 degrees 50 minutes 49 seconds East, 485.92 feet; thence run North 01 degrees 09 minutes 11 seconds West, 240.00 feet; thence run North 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds East, 55.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING of the parcel to be described herein: FROM SAID POINT OF BEGINNING, thence run South 89 degrees 02 minutes 07 seconds West, 208.31 feet to a point on the east margin of Alabama Highway No. 51; thence run in a northerly direction along said margin of said highway on the arc of a curve to the right having a radius of 5,013.20 feet for an arc length of 120.0 feet; thence run South 89 degrees 35 minutes 36 seconds East, 215.29 feet; thence run South 03 degrees 11 minutes 43 seconds West, 115.14 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, containing 0.572 acres, +/-.

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 19th day of December, 2022

/s/ Mary Roberson

Mary Roberson

Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 724 North Dean Road, Suite 100 Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023, 01/12/2023 & 01/19/2023

---------------

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA JOE R. COFIELD, JR, Plaintiff, v. No.: CV-2022-900417

A Parcel of Real Property described as: Tract A: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T -20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported); thence North 1 Degree 57' 00 West, a distance of 210.91 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance

of 290.00 feet to a 3/4" crimped top pipe on the Southerly right of way of Lee Road 270; thence along said right of way, North 86 degrees 30' 25'' East, a distance of 109.54 feet to a 1/2 inch iron bar; thence leaving said right of way, South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 290.00 feet; thence South 86 degrees 33' 30" West, a distance of 117.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Containing 0.754 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama.

Tract B: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported), said point also being the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance of 210.91 feet; thence North 86 degree 33' 33" East, a distance of 117.03 feet; thence South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 251.31 feet; thence South 68 degrees 58' 19" West, a distance of 130.73 feet; thence North 1 degree 54' 00" West, a distance of 80.00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Containing 0.750 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N. R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama.

And Ken Belton, and/or the unknown heirs Of Ken Belton, And Capital One Bank (USA), N.A.

And Fictitious Defendants A, B, C, D, E, F & G, Being Persons, Individuals, Firms, Associations, Partnerships, Corporations or other Entities, Whose names are otherwise unknown to the Plaintiff, but who claim interest in and to the above-captioned parcel of land, and whose correct names and legal identities will be added by Amendment when ascertained, 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 1st day of December, 2022, a complaint to quiet title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, and the following are the names of all parties to the action: Hardwood, LLC, as Plaintiff; Ken Belton, and/or the unknown heirs of Ken Belton, as Defendant, whose additional heirs, executors and/ or administrators are unknown and cannot be ascertained after the exercise of due diligence, and which are believed to have claimed some right, title, interest or claim in and to the property described as follows:

Tract A: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T -20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported); thence

North 1 Degree 57' 00 West, a distance of 210.91 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance of 290.00 feet to a 3/4" crimped top pipe on the Southerly right of way of Lee Road 270; thence along said right of way, North 86 degrees 30' 25'' East, a distance of 109.54 feet to a 1/2 inch iron bar; thence leaving said right of way, South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 290.00 feet; thence South 86 degrees 33' 30" West, a distance of 117.03 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING. Containing 0.754 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama.

Tract B: Commencing at a 1 1/2" open top pipe at the Southwest corner of the Northwest 1/4, of Section 19, T-20-N, R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama (purported), said point also being the POINT OF BEGINNING. From said POINT OF BEGINNING, North 1 degree 57' 00" West, a distance of 210.91 feet; thence North 86 degree 33' 33" East, a distance of 117.03 feet; thence South 3 degrees 25' 49" East, a distance of 251.31 feet; thence South 68 degrees 58' 19" West, a distance of 130.73 feet; thence North 1 degree 54' 00" West, a distance of 80.00 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING.

Containing 0.750 Acre, located in Section 19, T-20-N. R-29-E, Lee County, Alabama.

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 19th day of December, 2022 /s/ Mary Roberson Mary Roberson Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County J. Brandon Rice Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. 724 North Dean Road, Suite 100 Auburn, AL 36830

Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023, 01/12/2023 & 01/19/2023

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

ESTATE OF MARK A. RAY, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 20th day of December, 2022, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons

already completed. Or he might anticipate many people voting against him because he has a job at Target, instead of at Tulane. But both jobs are respectable.

“I realized he (George Santos) is a 21st-century state-of-the-art fraudster — a stone-cold liar who effectively committed election fraud, a calculating political actor who took advantage of voters’ trust,” said Peggy Noonan in The Wall Street Journal. Santos won a congressional seat in New York by lying about his education, work and even his mother’s death (it was not 9/11-related as his biography asserted).

On Fox News, former GOP Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard embarrassed Santos when he attempted to say his explanations for lying are “… way above the American people’s head.” Gabbard replied: “Wow. You’re saying this discussion will go way above the heads of Americans, basically insulting their intelligence.” I suspect

Santos is his own counsel — he needs a spokesman to tell him when to shut up. Now is the time for remorse.

Santos claimed to have graduated from Baruch College and New York University, which have no records of him. He also said he worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup; neither has records of his employment. He lied about having a charity called Friends of Pets United that rescued thousands of dogs and cats. A charity of that name is nowhere in IRS tax records. He is now under investigation for financial fraud. No wonder!

There is no legal recourse to trim the bushes of campaign lies, except by shaming those who regularly practice dishonesty. We should locate that Army reservist from Fort McClellan, circa 1992. He lied about being an investigator of Dahmer. But he was truthful in knowing Dahmer got his Army basic training right here

MARKLEY, page B12

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 dated this the 20th day of December, 2022.

WENDY C. RAY Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023 & 01/12/2022

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

ESTATE OF WILLIE TAYLOR, DECEASED COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 15th day of December, 2022, by the Hon. 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.

GLENN TAYLOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023 & 01/12/2022

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY ALABAMA CASE NO. 2022-684

IN RE: THE ESTATE OF BETTY FAY NORRIS, DECEASED TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to: REGINA FAY HATTAWAY as Executrix of the Estate of Betty Fay Norris, deceased on the 13th day of December, 2022, by the Honorable Bill English.

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.

REGINA FAY HATTAWAY, EXECUTRIX Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023 & 01/12/2022 ---------------

INVITATION TO BID 23008

Electrical Substation Site Work for OPS Sealed bids for the construction of the shall be received at the Opelika City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 204 South Seventh Street, Opelika, Alabama, until 2:00 p.m., local time on February 13, 2023, and then publicly opened and read aloud. All interested parties are invited to attend. Only bids from competent general contractors will be considered. At the time of contract award, the successful bidder must be a properly licensed general contractor. The attention of all bidders is called to the provisions of State law governing “General Contractors” as set forth in the Ala. Code

§34-8-1, et.seq. (1975) and rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. Bidders must be licensed by the Licensing Board for General Contractors when bids are submitted.

Bidders are required to have a State of Alabama General Contractor’s License with a specialty of “Highways and Streets, Clearing and Grubbing, Earthwork, Erosion, Site Work, Grading or Municipal and Utility”. All bidders must submit with their proposal, contractor’s license number and a copy of the license. State law Ala. Code §34-8-8(b) requires all bids to be rejected which do not contain the contractor’s current license number. Evidence of this license shall be documented on the outside of the sealed bid.

The Work to be performed under this Contract shall be commenced by the first party (contractor) after April 15, 2023, and shall be fully completed by June 15, 2023. The start date is anticipated to be on or about May 1, 2023.

All bidders shall possess all other licenses and/or permits required by applicable law, rule or regulation for the performance of the work.

Drawings and Specifications can be obtained from the city’s website at. Bid documents may be obtained from the City of Opelika Purchasing Department, 204 S 7th St, Opelika, Alabama at no charge. Please contact Brent Poteet with Opelika Power Service at 334-705-5591 with any questions regarding the specifications.

The bidder’s proposal must be submitted on the complete original proposal furnished to him/ her by the City of Opelika. All information in the proposal must be completed by the bidder for the proposal to be accepted.

A Bid Bond in the amount of five (5) percent of the bid amount made payable to the City of Opelika must accompany each bid. Performance and Payment Bonds for the full contract sum will be required of the successful bidder. The right is reserved by the Owner to reject all Bids and to waive irregularities.

Envelopes containing bids must be sealed, marked, addressed as follows, and delivered to: Lillie Finley, Purchasing-Revenue Manager, City of Opelika, 204 South 7th Street, P.O. Box 390, Ope¬li-ka, Alabama, 368030390. Attn: Electrical Substation Site Work for OPS LILLIE FINLEYPURCHASING REVENUE MANAGER CITY OF OPELIKA 204 SOUTH SEVENTH STREET (36801) POST OFFICE BOX 390 (36803-0390) OPELIKA, ALABAMA PH: (334) 705-5120 Legal Run 1/12/2023 & 1/19/2023

GREG MARKLEY See

CONTRIBUTED BY HANNAH EDDINS, DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY FOR SEN. TOMMY TUBERVILLE

OPINION —

I spent many years running onto football fields on gamedays across the country and can say nothing beats the feeling of a new season.

As seasons came and went, I continually worked with my team and coaching staff to learn from previous successes and failures. Reflecting on the past allowed us to find room for growth and build the foundation to shape future goals. This strategy doesn’t just apply to football, but to government as well.

As we enter the 118th Congress and start a new season in the U.S. Senate, I am proud of our efforts

Alabama’s Priorities in Mind in the New Congress

so far, but I know there’s more to be done for the people of Alabama.

In the previous Congress, I focused on bolstering our national security, empowering veterans, supporting rural communities, countering Chinese aggression and advocating for students.

Keeping Americans safe is the federal government’s top priority — a responsibility I take seriously. Safety and peace are only secured through strength, and a prepared, lethal military is the best way to protect freedom at home and promote stability abroad. I fought to uphold Alabama’s long-standing history of military excellence, honoring the men and women who play a vital role in our national security.

As a member of the

Senate Armed Services Committee, I participated in drafting the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Congress has passed this bill annually for over six decades to fund our military. In this year’s NDAA, we secured dozens of wins for Alabama, which are summarized in the first edition of Coach Tuberville’s Defense Playbook. The NDAA increases the overall military budget $45 billion more than President Biden’s request, secures a 4.6% pay raise for service members and Department of Defense civilian workers and rescinds the Biden administration’s COVID vaccine mandate for service members.

In October, my first piece of standalone legislation became law after passing both

chambers of Congress without opposition. The Supporting Families of the Fallen Act increased veterans’ and service members’ maximum life insurance benefit amounts for the first time since 2005. As a member of the Senate Veteran Affairs’ Committee, I will always fight for our country’s veterans and militaryconnected community, which includes advocating for legislation to increase timely access to quality care and slash bureaucratic red tape at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Throughout my first term, I also championed family farmers and producers, working handin-hand with Alabama’s rural communities. I led the effort to make Daylight Saving Time permanent and supported the peanut capital of the world by

reducing trade barriers and expanding export market access for peanut exports to the European Union. Serving on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, I worked to protect our rural farming communities by cutting burdensome regulations for local governments, fighting the Biden administration’s overreaching Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) regulations and standing up for Alabama’s agricultural producers.

As an educator for more than 40 years, I have seen firsthand the benefit of a quality education. I also understand that parents and local governments know their children and communities better than the federal government. As part of my work on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

(HELP) Committee, I advocated for school choice and echoed its importance during National School Choice Week.

All the while, I kept one eye on the growing threats on the world stage. There is no doubt that China is our most threatening adversary. Their unmitigated aggression and growing economic influence in America jeopardize peace and our way of life. I safeguarded American interests by pushing to ban all 93 million members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from obtaining visas for vacation and non-official government business, and worked to ban the CCP from purchasing American farmland. Alabama currently

Landmark Legislation Enacted to End Animal Testing Mandates, Horse Doping in U.S

CONTRIBUTED

BY ANIMAL WELLNESS ACTION

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

President Joe Biden inked the last of five animal protection measures into law Dec. 29 in the yearend spending bill to fund the federal government for FY2023.

The FDA Modernization Act 2.0, Reducing Animal Testing Act and a statutory fix to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 were enacted, as well as record-breaking funding for enforcement of the Horse Protection Act of 1970.

Earlier in the month, Biden signed into statute the Big Cat Public Safety Act and Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act in the preceding weeks.

“Reducing the numbers of animals used in testing, shutting down commercial cub-petting operations, halting the use

of performance-enhancing drugs in horse racing and working to combat the massacre of sharks for their fins are good policies for the United States,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy. “These laws, individually and collectively, help make our nation more humane when it comes to our treatment of animals.”

“We applaud President Biden, the White House and the 117th Congress for enacting the most comprehensive legislative victories for animals of any Congress in history,” said Marty Irby, executive director at Animal Wellness Action and an eight-time world champion equestrian. “These new policies will revolutionize the pharmaceutical world, end the ridiculous practices of cub-petting and shark finning and better protect our iconic American

equines from doping and long-term abuses that have plagued the equine world for half a century.”

Here is background on the legislative progress: FDA MODERNIZATION ACT AND REDUCING ANIMAL TESTING ACT

In December 2022, federal lawmakers passed the FDA Modernization Act 2.0. It was led by Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Reps. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). The new act includes both the original FDA Modernization Act and the Reducing Animal Testing Act, and it eliminates a federal mandate for animal testing for new drugs and for biosimilars.

Given that perhaps 75% of all animals used in testing are conscripted for drug development, enactment of the measure marked the biggest policy

win on the issue of animal testing in our nation’s history. On a significant parallel track, Animal Wellness Action succeeded in getting an additional $5 million in new money to support an FDA-wide New Alternative Methods Program to reduce animal testing (total is $12.5 million).

The FDA Modernization Act 2.0 promises to reboot a broken drug development paradigm and, if it is vigorously implemented, will deliver safer, more effective and more reliable palliatives and cures to people in need.

HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY ACT STATUTORY REPAIR

Animal Wellness Action, along with The Jockey Club, worked with key lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to amend the Horseracing Integrity and

Safety Act of 2020. The result was an amendment made to a provision in the original law that a federal appellate court declared unconstitutional in November and which put the national ban on race-day doping of Thoroughbreds in jeopardy.

Performance-enhancing drugs put the animals at risk of breakdowns and other injuries and make the entire industry suspect.

Animal Wellness Action launched a new site, www. HISAWatchdog.org, to help facilitate communication and keep a watchful eye on regulators. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) led this effort in Congress.

BIG CAT PUBLIC SAFETY ACT

Biden signed the standalone Big Cat Public Safety Act, H.R. 263, led by Reps. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), and Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) into law on Dec. 21 after a long, 11-year campaign to end the trade in big cats

as pets and to shut down commercial cub-petting operations that treat tiger cubs and kittens as props.

This bill closes out the cub-petting industry, which breeds tigers and lions to allow patrons to handle cubs for a fee. There are thousands of big cats kept in private hands, and just a decade ago, there were more than 60 cub-petting menageries.

SHARK FIN SALES

ELIMINATION ACT

Shark fins are off all menus in the United States, with Congress passing the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, signed into law in December.

This bill was seven years in the works and addresses the global mass killing of as many as 70 million sharks for their fins. Like the ban on the sale of dog and cat meat in the United States, U.S. leadership will be attention-getting throughout the world, including in nations where there is still an appetite

Rogers Humiliates Himself — and Alabama — During Speaker Fight

CONTRIBUTED BY DREW WHITE

OPINION —

The battle for Speaker last week was a necessary step to begin cleansing our nation’s capital of its endemic corruption. Contrary to the wailing and gnashing of teeth emitted by the corporate media, taxpayer-abusing elites on K Street, out-of-touch pundits and unscrupulous political mercenaries in the Republican party establishment, the refusal of 20 conservative “rebels” to bend the knee to the swamp may well have reignited the dormant spark of deliberation in our republic.

The 20 courageous conservatives — led by Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Scott Perry (R-PA) — stood their ground, after months of good faith negotiations, to secure changes to the House of Representatives that will allow Congress to better represent the will of the people. Leadership, arrogant in their decades-long belief that conservatives are expendable, not only refused to bargain, but threatened holdout lawmakers just hours before the first vote.

The result was a cathartic political pummeling that had been a long time coming. For those who may have found the process messy and unseemly, welcome to what representative government is supposed to look like. It's called debate. And it is something we used to do fairly frequently in these United States.

The reforms to the House are myriad and potentially transformational. Among them are new points of order against unauthorized spending, a 72-hour rule to read legislation before it comes to the floor, the

ability to target specific accounts within agencies, conservative representation on the Rules Committee which determines the legislative process for bills, the creation of an empowered select committee to expose and disarm the weaponization of federal agencies against the American people and single subject bills that are debated individually and not rolled into massive thousand-page omnibus monstrosities.

Sound good? Those of us who worked with and supported these 20 conservatives knew these changes were worth fighting for, which was why every time the ambitious and purely transactional Kevin McCarthy lost a ballot, we cheered. Every time the Washington cartel saw that their self-assured anointment was not going to plan, the American people were the ones winning.

Sadly, no member of the Alabama congressional delegation was among those fighting for these changes. Conservatives in this state might ought to ponder why that is. Or, perhaps more importantly, reflect on the fact that Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) humiliated himself and his state on multiple occasions during this process.

Rogers has long embodied the worst of Washington. He is a creature of corporatist K Street whose real constituents are Boeing and Northrop Grumman, not hard-working Alabamans. He was the leading voice — behind closed doors — to resurrect earmarks, a corrupt process which allows lawmakers to appropriate taxpayer dollars for pet projects to grease the skids for abominable pieces of legislation like the

recently-passed $1.7 trillion omnibus.

Rogers was the lawmaker who explicitly threatened the twenty conservatives prior to the first vote for Speaker. In an arrogance only a self-styled mob boss could assume, Rogers informed the entire GOP conference that anyone who dared to vote against McCarthy would be stripped of their committee assignments and punished for the duration of the 118th Congress.

In the words of Chip Roy, it was Rogers’ threat that ensured the fight would happen. And happen it did — over the course of four glorious days.

Rogers compounded the debasement of Alabama — and his contempt for his own constituents in the third congressional district—in an infamous moment where he attempted to lunge at Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), a McCarthy holdout, on the House floor. Rogers had to be physically restrained as he threatened to destroy Gaetz in a spittle-flecked rage that will forever be emblematic of his unremarkable service.

It is important to note that this is a man who has never shown the same level of rage toward the increasingly radical Democrats. This is also a man who is never fighting for conservative causes or policies. Indeed, Rogers has quietly, through backroom dealmaking, accumulated power for his own sake — while rubberstamping legislation attempting to draft America’s daughters, empowering weaponized bureaucracies that target Americans, and piling debt on the backs of Alabamans.

Since Rogers first got to

See ROGERS, page B14

Rep. Rogers Applauds Election of Rep. McCarthy as Speaker of the House

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF REP. MIKE ROGERS

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL-03)

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and expressed concern with litter, with her fees and the plan as a whole.

“Why should I have to pay for a garbage can that I don’t use,” she said. “… I don’t know who voted this in … but we voted it out six or seven years ago and then y’all throw this on us.”

The county first voted on the Arrow Disposal plan in the fall of 2021 and disposed of private contractor’s ability to collect trash.

See this article from September, 2021: https://opelikaobserver. com/citizens-voicefrustrations-overcounty-garbagecollection-plan/.

The curbside plan took effect on March 1, 2022, and by the end of the year was in full swing.

Citizens have a 95-gallon trash can that is picked up once a week with bulk pickup offered in an on-demand system, twice a month for free.

There were complaints Monday night, however, that no one answers the phone when calling for bulk pickup.

Another resident, Michael Malkin, complained that there is extra dumping on his road now that collection sites have closed.

released the following statement on the election of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House: “I am excited to see

“We weren’t as citizens, able to vote on this Arrow,” said one citizen, Marie Maples. “I don’t want it. I want the dumpster. I enjoyed driving to the dump, enjoying a nice day and taking my own garbage. The can’s heavy.”

John McDonald, director of Environmental Services, presented a report to the county on the solid waste plan, in the regular portion of the meeting.

“December of 2021, under the old system, the solid waste department hauled 508 loads of waste from disposal sites for a total of 2,907 tons of garbage collected,” he said. “The fee to dispose of that was $78,275.06

… The first month, December of 2022, was the first month fully under the new system, combined between Arrow and Solid Waste, Lee County Solid Waste, the Solid Waste employees did 379 bulk pickups and our tonnage, combined with Arrow, was 1,574.8 tons for a disposal cost of $43,245.93.”

He said that the department also answered over 5,000 phone calls. He said that he hopes soon phone calls will be less of a problem for citizens.

OTHER BUSINESS:

- The commission approved an

Kevin McCarthy elected Speaker of the House. Now it is time for the House to do the work the American people sent us here to do.”

appointment to the Lee County Recreation Board/District 2.

- The commission approved an appointment to the Beulah Utilities District Board.

- The commission approved two members to the Lee County Youth Development Board.

- The county approved a bid for the Lee County Engineering Complex Project with Gamble Winter Construction, LLC.

- The Rebuild Alabama Fund Annual Report was presented to the commission.

- The commission approved the creation of a Chief Billing Clerk position for Environmental Services.

- The commission approved the Federal Aid Agreement for resurfacing on Lee Road 379.

- The commission approved a speed limit reduction for Lee Road 668.

-The commission approved an owner architect agreement for Loachapoka Park.

- The commission approved the allocation of American Rescue Plan Revenue Replacement Funds for the Engineering Complex Project.

- The commission approved the Lodging Tax Revenue Administration agreement with Avenue.

FROM

has the third highest amount of foreignowned agricultural land in the U.S. — this is unacceptable. Allowing China to undermine our farmers is a threat to our food supply and

national security. I am extremely proud of our accomplishments during the 117th Congress, but our work is just beginning. I may not be running onto a football field to kick off the 118th Congress, but I’m as excited as ever. I will continue to fight

every day to get wins for the Yellowhammer State by empowering our rural communities, advocating for students, supporting our veterans and military families, countering foreign adversaries and defending principled conservative values.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs and HELP committees.

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in Alabama — at Fort McClellan.

Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s in education from AUM and a master’s in history

from Auburn University. 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 since 2011. He writes on politics, education and books. gm.markley@charter.net

MARKLEY >>

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That Section 5.8.6 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5.8.6. Policy Regarding Training and Promotions

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APPROVING AND ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE PERSONNEL

POLICIES

AND PROCEDURES MANUAL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA WHEREAS, the City of Opelika, Alabama, (the “City”) has previously adopted general provisions pertaining to personnel rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, staffing, separations, disciplinary actions, grievance procedures, compensation and employee benefits, which are set forth in the “Personnel Policies and Procedures of the City of Opelika” (hereinafter referred to as the “Personnel Manual”); and WHEREAS, City staff has recommended to the City Council that the Personnel Manual be updated at the present time to provide for additional and revised policies and procedures pertaining to the administration of City employees and personnel; and WHEREAS, the City Council realizes that periodic adjustments must be made to the Personnel Manual must be made in order to keep the manual current and consistent with state and federal labor and employment law requirements as well as policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations established by the City on the local level for employees; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the public health, safety and general welfare to amend the Personnel Manual at this time as recommended by City staff to update the policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council (the “Council”) of the City of Opelika, Alabama (the “City”) as follows: Section 1. Amendments. That the Personnel Manual of the City of Opelika, adopted on November 19, 2002, as previously amended, is further amended in the following respect:

That Section 5.8.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 5.8.2 Time in Grade

Requirements

The following total years of service within the Fire Department or Fire Service are required in order to promote as shown below. At least eighteen (18) months service is required to be eligible for consideration for promotion to the next ranking positions within the Fire Department except Fire Chief and the Administrative Coordinator.

Rank / Minimum Required Service Years

Apparatus Operator - 2 Lieutenant - 4 Captain - 8 Battalion Chief - 12 or 10 with 4-year degree Deputy Chief - 15 or 13 with 4-year degree

“Service” as used in this section means continuous, unbroken service from the employee’s most recent hire or promotion date with the City in his or her present position. The positions of Fire Chief and Administrative Coordinator are exempt from years of service requirements.

That Section 5.8.4 is hereby amended to read as follows: 5.8.4. Plus and Minus Factors

The City uses the following eight validated factors in promotion decisions in the fire department: (1) formal education; (2) promotional training; (3) other fire service training; (4) attendance; (5) length of service; (6) disciplinary actions; (7) awards and commendations; and (8) performance evaluations. Accordingly, these factors are listed on the plus and minus form and will be used in promotion decisions in the fire department.

The following training policy regarding the specific training required for promotion to the various positions in the fire department is hereby adopted and approved:

In recognition of the importance of training in the fire service, individuals who are being considered for promotion will be awarded specified points on the Plus and Minus form for coursework required for the specific position for which they have applied. Prior to June 1, 2022, individuals who are promoted but have not completed the training, must complete the training indicated for that classification within 12 months after the effective date of the promotion.

Individuals who fail to complete the required training in the 12 months following promotion will be demoted to the previous rank.

Exceptions to this policy may be made for good cause, if failure to complete was due to reasons beyond the incumbent employee’s control, such as being called for active duty during the initial 12 months, or the needs of the fire department were such that the training could not be completed.

Additionally, captains and battalion chiefs promoted to either of these levels prior to July 31, 2021 shall be exempt from the requirement of completing required training for that level within 12 months of promotion. However, captains promoted prior to July 31, 2021 shall be required to meet battalion chief training requirements in order to promote to the level of battalion chief.

Effective June 1, 2022, all required training for the classification must be completed prior to an employee being eligible to test for promotion to that classification.

Exceptions to this policy may be made for good cause, if failure to complete was due to reasons beyond the incumbent employee’s control, such as being called for active duty during the initial 12 months, or the needs of the fire department were such that the training could not be completed.

In order to receive maximum credit when being considered for promotion, employees are encouraged to take courses that are required for the next level prior to being considered for promotion.

Effective August 1, 2021, in the event that a vacancy exists within the department for any position other than entry-level, administrative coordinator, or a position that is appointed directly by the Mayor and where one of the following situations exists:

A. no current departmental employee is eligible to test for promotion to the position or, B .no current employee has been tested within a valid testing time period and obtained a passing assessment center score and minimum required overall score on the Plus and Minus Form.

The Fire Chief, with the approval of the Human Resources Director and the Mayor, may advertise the position publicly as described in Section 4.4.2. The Fire Chief shall ensure that any applicant hired through the advertisement shall have, in the determination of the Fire Chief and the Mayor, comparable training, skills, and experience as would be required of a current Fire employee to fill the vacancy.

Required Training for Fire Ranks: [SEE TABLE}

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That Section 5.12 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 5.12 POSITIONS EXEMPT FROM PROMOTION POLICY

All classified full-time employees are covered by the Policies on Promotion except for the following managerial, professional and policy-making positions and approved directly by the Mayor:

City Administrator City Attorney City Engineer

Opelika Power Services Director

Planning Director Economic Development Director Human Resources Director Fire Chief Police Chief Controller Chief Technology Officer Purchasing/Revenue Manager Municipal Court Clerk/Court Administrator Solid Waste Director Community Relations Officer Administrative Assistant to the Mayor Assistant Human Resources Director

Assistant Director of Opelika Power Services Assistant Chief of Police Police Captain Deputy Fire Chief That Section 10.3.4 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 10.3.4 Public Safety, Emergency, and Public Utility Holiday Schedule Eligible employees who are designated public safety, emergency, or public utility employees are entitled to paid holidays as follows:

(a)Sworn officers of the police department and public utility departments will receive eightyeight (88) hours of paid holiday leave per calendar year. Paid holiday leave for these personnel will accrue at the rate of 8 hours for each holiday observed. The use of accrued holiday leave will be approved at the discretion of the employee’s supervisory personnel in accordance with guidelines to be developed by the employee’s Department Head. Accrued holiday leave will be approved in advance of each absence, except in unusual circumstances. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in an absence being treated as unauthorized leave and disciplinary action being taken.

Accrued holiday leave will not be authorized in less than one (1) hour increments of time. In the event the Department Head is unable to schedule the total accumulated holiday leave for any of the department’s employee during the calendar year, the Department Head may carry forward such accumulated hours of holiday leave to the next calendar year not to exceed 200 hours.

In the event an employee will lose holiday leave due to personnel shortages in the department and the employee is not allowed to take leave on said holiday, the Department Head, in coordination with the Human Resources Director, the City Administrator and/or the Mayor, may allow the employee to be paid the holiday leave that will otherwise be forfeited.

(b) Effective January 1, 2023, Fire protection personnel (normally scheduled to work 24-hour shifts) will receive one hundred fifty-six (156) hours of paid holiday leave per calendar year. Paid holiday leave for fire protection personnel will accrue at the rate of six (6) hours per pay period for each pay period during the

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year, for a total of 156 hours per year. The use of accrued holiday leave will be scheduled with the approval of the Fire Chief and will be granted only for accumulated (accrued) hours earned in accordance with this subsection. In other words, fire protection personnel will not be eligible to take holiday leave during any calendar year before such leave is accrued. In the event the Fire Chief is unable to schedule the total accumulated holiday leave for any fire protection employee during the calendar year, the Fire Chief may carry forward such accumulated hours of holiday leave to the next calendar year not to exceed 200 hours. In the event an employee will lose holiday leave due to personnel shortages in the department and the employee is not allowed to take leave on said holiday, the Department Head, in coordination with the Human Resources Director, the City Administrator and/or the Mayor, may allow the employee to be paid the holiday leave that will otherwise be forfeited. For each day (24 hours) of holiday leave taken, fire protection personnel will be paid for one twenty-four (24) shift. That Section 10.3.5 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 10.3.5 Entitlement to Holiday Pay

In order to receive pay for an observed holiday, an eligible employee must be present at work or on approved leave the full work day or shift before and after the holiday, unless excused by his supervisor, or on a scheduled day off. However, employees not at work because of a Worker’s Compensation on the job injury, being on suspension or off the payroll on the day before and/ or after will not be eligible for Holiday pay. No employee shall be authorized to take paid holiday leave while said employee is suspended without pay. That Section 10.4.1.5 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 10.4.1.5 Use of Annual Leave

The use of annual leave will be approved at the discretion of the employee’s supervisory personnel in accordance with guidelines to be developed by the employee’s Department Head. Annual leave will be approved in advance of each absence, except in unusual circumstances. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in an absence being treated as unauthorized leave and disciplinary action being taken. Annual leave will not be authorized in less than one (1) hour increments of time. All requests for use of annual leave will be submitted by the employee in writing to the employee’s department head or the department head’s designee. Approval or denial of the annual leave request by the department head or designee will also be made in writing. Fire protection employees who work extended twenty-four (24) hour shifts will normally take their leave in twenty-four (24) hour increments. However, lesser increments of time may be approved, in accordance with department guidelines, if such authorization does not cause an undue hardship on the department and/ or the city. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no employee shall be granted paid annual leave while said employee is suspended without pay. In the event an employee will lose annual leave due to personnel shortages in the department whereby the employee is not allowed to take leave, the Department Head, in coordination with the Human Resources Director, the City Administrator and/or Mayor, may allow the employee to be paid the annual leave that would be lost. That Section 10.4.4.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 10.4.4.2 Bereavement Leave

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Leave with pay will be granted to eligible employees when necessary to attend the funeral of a member of the employees' "immediate family." For the purposes of this paragraph "immediate family" means spouse, children, parents, grandparents, grandchildren, brother, sister, and equivalent relations of the employee's spouse. Bereavement leave will not exceed two (2) days (sixteen (16) hours) for employees, with the exceptions of one shift (twenty-four (24) hours) for fire protection employees who are regularly scheduled to work twenty-four (24) hour shifts, 2 days (eighteen (18) hours) for police officers who are regularly scheduled to work nine (9) hour shifts, and two (2) shifts (twenty-four (24) hours) for police employees who are regularly scheduled to work twelve (12) hour shifts. Employees using bereavement leave may be required to submit documentation at the expense of the employee upon returning to work. Acceptable documentation includes an obituary, funeral program or bulletin, death certificate, or other similar documentation. If additional time is required to attend the funeral or to attend to personal affairs necessitated by the death of an "immediate family member," employees may take up to five (5) days, forty (40) hours (three (3) days, seventy-two (72) hours for fire protection employees who are regularly scheduled to work twenty-four (24) hour shifts) additional sick leave with approval of their Department Head. Employees may also use annual leave and/or leave without pay as approved in accordance with the guidelines associated with such leaves if additional time is needed and/or the employee does not have accrued sick leave.

Employees may also be granted a reasonable number of hours of annual leave to attend the funeral of friends, or other relatives not described above as approved by their department heads. Friends will include fellow city workers and the members of their immediate families as defined above. Any abusive, unjustified, or fraudulent use of bereavement leave may result in loss of pay, having bereavement time charged as annual leave, and/or punished by disciplinary action as allowed by policy section 8.2.

Section 2. Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any section, subsection, clause, sentence or phrase of this ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, then said holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.

Section 3. Cumulative of All Other Ordinances. The provisions of this ordinance are cumulative of all other ordinances or parts of ordinances governing or regulating the subject matter as covered herein, provided, however, that all prior ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with or in conflict with any of the provisions of this ordinance are hereby expressly repealed to the extent of any such inconsistency or conflict.

Section 4 Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective upon its passage, approval and publication as required by law.

Section 5. Publication. The City Clerk of the City of Opelika, Alabama is hereby authorized and directed to cause this Ordinance to be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 3rd day of January, 2023.

/s/Eddie SmithCPRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THECCITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

ATTEST: /s/Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK

TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 4th day of January, 2023.

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/s/CRussell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 4th day of January, 2023.

/s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR ATTEST: /s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK LEGAL RUN 01/12/2023

---------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ROY R. SCOTT, Deceased Case No.: 2022-593 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Rebecca Scott, Personal Representative on the 29th day of December, 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.

Rebecca Scott Legal Run 1/12/23, 1/19/23 & 1/26/23

---------------

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT PUBLISHED BY PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE VESTER WOODSON, DECEASED.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CASE NO. 2022-604

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Mavis Melissa Woodson, Personal Representative on the 7th day of November 2022, by the 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.

Bill English, Judge of Probate Legal Run 1/12/2023, 1/19/2023, 1/26/2023 & 02/02/2023 ---------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CECIL DAY , DECEASED Case No. 2022-544

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take notice the LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of said deceased having been granted to June Barnes on the 13rh day of December, 2022, by the Honorable 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 time allowed by law or the same will be barred. Done this 13th_day of December, 2022.

JUNE BARNES Legal Run 1/12/23, 1/19/23 & 1/26/23 ---------------

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

Rogers Named Chairman Of House Armed Services Committee

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF MIKE ROGERS

WASHINGTON—

United States Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) released the following statement after being named chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Rep. Rogers will be the first Congressman from Alabama to serve as chairman of the committee.

“I am honored to have been selected by my House Republican

LEGISLATION

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for shark fin soup. The effort was led by Reps. Michael McCaul (R-Tex.) and Gregorio Sablan (D-N.M.I.) in the House, and Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) led the charge to secure this new law.

RECORD-BREAKING FUNDING FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THE HORSE PROTECTION ACT

The latest Congressional spending bill, funding government operations in 2023, includes a record level of

PUBLIC NOTICES

FROM B13

of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, January 24, 2023 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 2:00 pm about Small Lot Information before the regular meeting. The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public comment on the following:

I. Some items at the meeting will have a designated public hearing (noted below). Individuals are limited to 5-minute comment period per public hearing.

A. Elect Officers to Planning Commission (Chairman, Vice Chairman)

B. Approval of Minutes

C. Update on Previous PC

Cases

D. Preliminary Plat

Approval - Public Hearing

1. A public hearing on a request by Jerry South, authorized representative for Perryman Hill, LLC, property owners, for preliminary approval of the Perryman Hill Plaza Plat No 1 subdivision consisting of 5 lots accessed at the 3600 block of Birmingham Highway

E. Preliminary and Final Plat – Public Hearing

colleagues to serve as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee," Rogers said. "Our nation faces unprecedented threats from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

In order to deter these threats and remain the most feared force in the world — we must ensure that our military focuses on lethality and capability. Over the next two years, the House Armed Services Committee will provide our warfighters with the

$4.1 million to enforce the Horse Protection Act (HPA) of 1970 — that’s $1 million more than the prior year’s record funding level of $3 million. This is consequential because a segment of horse trainers tortures horses to get them to exaggerate their gait and win ribbons at horse shows. With more inspections, Animal Wellness Action should be able to crack down on some level of lawlessness until the 52-year-old law can be upgraded next year. Until the group started pressing for more funding in 2018 when

2. A public hearing on a request by Blake Rice, Barrett Simpson, Inc., authorized representative of BC Stone Homes, LLC, property owner, for preliminary and final approval of the Torbert Townhomes subdivision consisting of 6 lots at 807 Torbert Boulevard.

F. Conditional Use – Public Hearing

3. A public hearing on a request by Shon Williams, CEO of AlaBloom Medicinal, authorized representative for Thomas M. Hayley, managing member of Auburn East, LLC, property owners, for conditional use approval for a medical cannabis dispensary in a C-2, GC-P zoning district accessed at 1441 Gateway Drive.

G. Annexation and Rezoning – Public Hearing

4.An agenda item to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Rodney C and Laurie S Jones, property owners, to annex 204.3 acres into the City limits accessed from the 3200 block Columbus Parkway (Hwy 280). A PUD zoning district is requested.

5. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Michael T. Johnson (Holland Homes, Inc), authorized representative for Rodney C and Laurie S Jones, property owners, to zone 204.3 acres annexed into the City limits accessed at 3200 block Columbus Road to a PUD (Planned Unit development) zoning district.

II. Old Business H. Final Plat Approval

resources and weapons they need to deter and, if necessary, defeat any adversary anywhere in the world.

“The committee will also hold the Biden administration accountable for misguided policies that distract from the core mission of the Department of Defense. Initiatives that service a social agenda but don’t advance our national security will be scrutinized. Those in charge of these initiatives

the organization opened shop, the HPA never saw more than $705,000 in funding per year since the HPA was enacted in 1970. Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) and Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), as well as retiring Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) were instrumental in securing this funding.

With the enactment of these new measures, Animal Wellness Action has helped secure a total of 12 new animal protection laws within four years since the organization was formed in 2018. These legislative achievements

6.A request by Daniel Holland, Holland Homes LLC, property owners, for final plat approval of the Foxrun Phase 2B subdivision consisting of 74 lots accessed from east end of Village Drive. (This item tabled at the December 20, 2022 meeting date the applicant’s request.)

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 01/12/2023 ---------------

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE:The estate of Bobby Jack Jones, Deceased.

Case No. 2023-007

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Administration having been granted to Bobby Everitt

also include the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act and Parity in Animal Cruelty Enforcement (PACE) Act, signed into law in 2018; the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act and Rescuing Animals With Rewards (RAWR) Act, enacted in 2019; the original HISA statute in 2020; the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, in 202l; and the five measures recently enacted by Biden.

Jones as Administrator of the Estate of Bobby Jack Jones, deceased, on the 5th day of January 2023.

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 be barred.

Bobby Everitt Jones, Administrator of the Estate of Bobby Jack Jones, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033

Legal Run 01/12/23, 01/19/2023 & 01/26/2023 ---------------

ESTATE OF BETTY V. HOPSON DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY CASE NO. 2022-713 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of BETTY V. HOPSON are hereby granted to Michael Hopson on the 30th day of December, 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.

MICHAEL HOPSON

Legal Run 01/12/23, 01/19/23 & 01/26/23 ---------------

ROGERS

FROM B12

Congress, the national debt has increased from $6.7 trillion to $32 trillion. There is a reason he is never out-front fighting against destructive spending.

But worst of all? He believes he’s untouchable — as evidenced by his behavior last week.

Washington is fundamentally broken. Fixing it is going to require public and messy battles as well as determined, organized, and principled lawmakers willing to fight on behalf of the people they

will come before the committee to explain how they will protect our national security. We will leave no stone unturned in holding the Biden administration accountable.

“Alabama has always played a critical role in supporting our national security. As the first congressman from Alabama to serve as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I look forward to continuing that legacy.”

represent. It also requires deeply conservative states like Alabama to send better people to Capitol Hill.

It’s past time to do our part to send conservative reinforcements to Washington. We should start that process by spending the next two years focused on ending Mike Rogers’ career. He has humiliated conservatives and his home state for long enough.

Drew White is a public policy consultant and former U.S. Senate staffer. He lives in Auburn with his wife and soon-to-be three children.

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF DELILAH FAYE MARSHALL, DECEASED Case No. 2022-689

TAKE NOTICE that Letters Testamentary having been granted to Liberty Marshall Powell and Deanna Faith Ethridge Marshall, as CoExecutrices of the Estate of Delilah Faye Marshall, deceased, on the 20th day of December, 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.

Liberty Marshall Powell, Co-Executrix Of the Estate of Delilah Faye Marshall, Deceased Deanna Faith Ethridge Marshall, Co-Executrix Of the Estate of Delilah Faye Marshall, Deceased Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, PC PO Box 308 Opelika, AL 36803 334-745-7033

Legal Run 12/29/2022, 01/05/2023 & 01/12/2023 ---------------

Notice of Court Proceeding In The Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama

Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of DOROTHY ANN CANNON, deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in LEE COUNTY Probate Office by Tracey Lewis Cannon on January 9, 2023, pursuant to Section 43-2690, 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 01/12/23

Notice of Court Proceeding In The Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of JAMES C. PRESLEY SR., deceased Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in LEE COUNTY Probate Office by JAMES CALVIN PRESSLEY JR. on January 10, 2023, 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 01/12/2023

MIKE ROGERS

Opelika Kiwanis Club Learns About Leadership

Jan, 20-21 at 7 p.m. and Jan 22 at 2 p.m.

The Opelika Kiwanis Club hosted Dr. Michael O'Brien, dentistry practitioner in Auburn, last week. O'Brien spoke about "who is in charge," as he gave insight into what makes someone a great leader. For more on O'Brien, visit https://www.stilesdentalgroup. com/.