The Observer 04-13-2023

The Wait Is Over, Buc-ee's Opens in Auburn

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

On Monday, April 10, the highly anticipated opening of Buc-ee’s in Auburn lived up to all the hype.

22nd Annual Old 280 Boogie to Kick Off a Night Early

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

WAVERLY —

Guests can expect a good time out in the country, according to Standard Deluxe owner Scott Peek, at the 22nd annual Old 280 Boogie in Waverly, on Friday and Saturday, April 21 to 22.

the

shine.” Be prepared to bring your own lawn chairs, blankets, water bottles to be refilled at

brellas, if necessary, as the venue is not

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

Over conversation, between sips of coffee and bites of biscuit, one local company was awarded the

Buc-ee the Beaver accompanied Auburn Mayor Ron Anders Jr. and company for a ribbon cutting that will change the Auburn landscape forever. Sitting beside the

Opelika Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Quarter award.

“The award is our longest standing award dating back to 2005. Recipients must be active members in good

See AWARDS, page A3

Glynn Smith Chevrolet was recognized as the Small Business of the Quarter by the Opelika Chamber of Commerce at its most recent Over Breakfast.

I-85 ramp that welcomes many from Montgomery and Atlanta to The Plains, the 53,470-square-foot building will be a onestop shop for many on game days, road trips or, as shown by the opening-day frenzy, anytime people feel the craving for a fresh brisket sandwich, egg-and-cheese biscuit or any delicacy your mind can think of.

With 120 gas tanks, a store full of food and supplies, a spacious parking lot, clean bathrooms and much more, Buc-ee’s is set to have an impact far beyond the store.

“Buc-ee’s has established an anchor here that will spur growth and redevelopment in this area for years to come,” Anders said. “When we have talked about Buc-ee’s and the citing impact it will have on our community and

Lee County in general, we really mean it. The property and sales taxes that will be generated from this establishment will boost the city services as well as public education in our city and across our county, touching the lives of all of Auburn and Lee County’s children.”

In addition to the natural economic boost it will bring, Buc-ee’s has agreed to donate $50,000 annually to community programs and activities that will be used at the discretion of

the city. Buc-ee’s will also provide hundreds of jobs to the community, something that Buc-ee’s Owner Arch “Beaver” Aplin said he takes pride in.

“On the way in, I saw a billboard that said ‘now hiring: $17-22 an hour.’ That makes us very happy, and we are lucky to be able to provide those kinds of great jobs for communities,” Aplin said. “The mayor mentioned 175 jobs — I can pretty much assure you there’ll be a whole bunch more

than 175 to take care of this location and to provide the services that we want to serve.”

The city of Auburn and Buc-ee’s both voiced their appreciation for one another and their willingness to work together to bolster an already-growing community. Not only are they looking to add life to a college town, their mission is to serve families, and as Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville said, bring the youth back to the community.

At the end of the day, Buc-ee’s has something for everyone. It will fuel many tailgates, fill many tanks, charge quite a few Teslsa’s — but at its core, it will put a smile on people’s faces.

“It’s family friendly, first and foremost,” said Auburn City Council Ward 8 Member Tommy Dawson. “They really treat you nice when you walk in the door, and it’s got a hometown atmosphere about it. And I really think it will be a

nice addition to football Saturdays in the fall. It’s a good place to pick up tailgating supplies and things of that nature.”

Stay tuned for for a special twist to the Auburn Buc-ee’s. As of now, it is selling its normal items, but as the merchandising team receives more data on what customers are buying in the coming months, the store will cater its supplies toward community demand, said a Buc-ee’s estate advisor.

BUC-EE'S >> from A1

Hundreds of people flooded through the doors of Buc-ee's newest location in Auburn on its opening day, April 10.

Developing Local Music Talent at The Jailhouse

BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

If you’re a local who is into music, chances are you have heard of The Jailhouse at Opelika’s Rock ‘N Roll Pinball. Haven’t heard of it? Well, don’t let the name fool you — it has no relation to where you might go the night after committing a crime. In reality, The Jail-

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OPELIKA —

house is a music and event venue that provides a place for local talent to shine.

“We are trying to expose the local talent that the city has,” said Dali Madzar, one of the organizers of The Jailhouse’s Thurday open mic nights.

Madzar, originally from Germany, has been a musician for over 30 years. When he first came to Opelika 14 years ago, his introduction into the local

music scene was at open mic nights at Eighth & Rail. “What I learned quickly was there is a lot of local talent in town that needs to be developed,” Madzar said. “You need to get them ready for stage.”

When Eighth & Rail closed in 2021, Madzar was lucky enough to connect with Rock ‘N Roll Pinball owner Ernie Rains and find See TALENT, page A5

Application Changes for 2023-24 LCYL

The Opelika Chamber of Commerce would like to announce that the due date for Lee County Young Leaders applications has been extended, and high school juniors and seniors are welcome to apply.

Previously, criteria stated applicants needed to be rising high school juniors. However, due to setbacks with COVID-19, rising seniors are also

encouraged to apply. After the 2023-24 class, the Lee County Young Leaders Program will go back to its previous standards of only accepting high school juniors.

Lee County Young Leaders is a countywide program that aims to nurture and develop positive leadership qualities in high school students by giving them the knowledge, tools and contacts to become successful leaders in the community.

This program begins in September 2023 and will have one session per month until

April 2024. Sessions will cover topics and skills like team building, education, public safety, health and human service, economic development and government. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet area leaders in business, media, government education and service organizations, all while earning a one-hour leadership credit to Southern Union State Community College.

The applications will still be judged anonymously based on application neatness,

extracurricular activities, career choice, hobbies and leadership potential with only 34 high school juniors and seniors being selected.

The deadline for applications has been extended to Friday, April 21, 2023.

The Lee County Young Leaders program is a joint initiative among Lee County businesses, municipalities and chambers of commerce. It is sponsored by the city of Opelika, the city of Smiths Station, Auburn City Schools, the Lee County Board

of Education and Opelika City Schools.

For more information about the program, visit www.opelikachamber. com/leadershipdevelopment/lcyl/.

To apply to join the Lee County Young Leaders program, visit docs.google.com/ forms/d/e/1FAIpQLS dB0xnoZRkEQdVAD MKpjJI26a_7haieAR 8p3BA6xqfkevDwjw/ viewform.

ABOUT THE OPELIKA CHAMBER

For more than 80 years, the Opelika Chamber has worked to strengthen the community as the

Sip, Spike and Support

CONTRIBUTED BY

AUBURN HOSPITALITY

OPELIKA —

Newly-opened

Tigertown Sports is hosting an all-day charity event, partnering with United Way of Lee County on Saturday, April 15. During the event, 25% of all sales will go to United Way of Lee County.

This event will feature food trucks including Mama’s Last Stand BBQ, Mr. Frosty’s Ice Cream Truck, Taqueria San Miguel, Essie’s

Sweet Treats and Las Latinas, as well as live music by Clay Amason from 5 to 8 p.m. Tigertown Sports, an indoor and outdoor sports entertainment venue for families and individuals of all ages, is owned and operated by Auburn Hospitality. Tigertown Sports adds several new and exciting ways to play in the Auburn-Opelika area.

Features of the venue include:

• 18-hole classic miniature golf course

• three sand beach

volleyball courts

• virtual golf simulator

• yard games

• full-service bar

• walkout patio

For more information, visit tigertownsports. com.

Auburn Hospitality, based in Auburn, Alabama, is a fullservice management company specializing in operations, management and development in the hospitality sector with a commitment to community and economic development.

standing with the chamber for at least two years, have fewer than 50 full-time employees, play an active part in the community and the chamber and have demonstrated excellence and tenacity through the continued success as a small business in our community,” Dr. Linda North said.

Austin Overton presented the award, which was sponsored by First Realty.

The award winner this quarter was Glynn Smith Chevrolet.

“The recipient is a staple business in the Opelika community as a locally and family owned business in the area for over 31 years through dedication to bettering the city of Opelika,” Overton said.

Glynn Smith sponsors local sport teams and organizations. The business is also heavily involved in the chamber, Overton said.

This sentiment was echoed by President and CEO of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Ali Rauch.

“When I say I really don’t know how Glynn Smith

has not been awarded this award before, I mean, I dug through history and I was like, ‘They’re one of our biggest supporters,’” Rauch said.

MINORITY BUSINESS OF THE QUARTER AWARD

Following Glynn Smith’s award, the chamber awarded its Minority Business of the Quarter award, which is sponsored by Alabama Power.

“This award is our newest award and was initiated following the creation of our Minority Business Council in 2020,” North said. “Recipients of this award must be an active member in good standing with the Opelika Chamber, have fewer than 50 full-time employees, play an active part in the community and the chamber, have

champion of business by building bridges, cultivating community and elevating business in order to achieve excellence.

Representing more than 900 businesses and over 20,000 employees in the region, the Opelika Chamber has been recognized for its operational best practices among 501(c)(6) not-for-profit chambers of commerce. The Opelika Chamber is one of only three five-star accredited chambers in the state of Alabama. You can learn more at www. opelikachamber.com.

demonstrated perseverance and dedication through their continued success as a small business in our community, and business owners shall be of a minority status, whether by gender, nationality, ethnicity, etc.”

Rod Cater of Alabama

Power presented the award to MAK Media.

“It’s truly a privilege for me to be able to introduce the Minority Business of the Quarter award,” Cater said. “… The recipient of this award is a business that began as a side hustle in 2017. It has now grown into a thriving, well-known business in our community.”

MAK Media can be found at www.facebook.com/MAKmediateam.

Tigertown Sports is located at 1615 Parker Way in Opelika and features a mini golf course.

John Williams performs in the Jailhouse at Opelika's Rock 'N Roll Pinball.

MAK Media founder Christina Kluttz, center, accepted the Minority Business of the Quarter award on behalf of the company.

CWJC Spring 2023 Session Graduates Nine Family Fun Makes a Difference

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

BEULAH — Beulah Family Fun Day is just that — fun. And fun for the whole family, too. The event is taking place for the sixth year in a row — with two big changes. First, it will be held at Beulah Elementary this year. Second, it will be combined with the annual car show.

CONTRIBUTED BY CWJC

AUBURN —

After eight weeks of classes, from Communications to Health and Wholeness to Career Direction and many others, nine local women were recently pinned as graduates of Christian Women’s Job Corps of Lee County (CWJC). The nine women are Saba Talebian, Silvia I Diaz Rueda, Mina Park, Sunhye Moon “Emily,” Su Gyeong Lee “Sue,” Sujin Park, Youngyi Jeon, Minyoung Baek and Hee Do “Emily.”

Throughout the session, the nine participants were mentored by volunteers Phyllis Payne, Toddy Savage, Jane Huntley and Patricia Frazier. Community speakers involved in the spring session included Ann Bergman with Auburn Parks and Recreation, Tina Cook from Cadence Bank with Money Smart, Carol Tharin with How to Make Your House a Home, Officer Joseph

Ellison with Auburn Police Department, Wanda Lewis with Auburn City Schools, Valerie Temple with Auburn Public Library, Jessica Segrest with Family Resource Center and Lynn Eden from EAMC with nutrition. Last spring, CWJC began a partnership with Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn for weekly classes in conversational English, and continued this new component this year. During the recent ceremony held at Auburn United Methodist Church, graduates presented display boards on their countries of origin (Korea, Colombia and Iran), including sample foods to share. They also gave their speeches on their experiences during the session and what they will carry into their lives. These excerpts reveal how impactful their time in the spring session was.

“I would encourage others to come to CWJC,” one woman said. “The teachers are

be applied at the gate, while online tickets can be picked up at will call.

very good.”

“… CWJC was a unique and refreshing experience,” another graduate said. “All the teachers and Neeley created a warm and friendly atmosphere.”

“… I appreciate the self-confidence and encouragement I got from CWJC,” a woman said. “I want to express my gratitude for the educational opportunities I received, but also emphasize how warm and welcoming everyone was. The skills and knowledge I have gained have already had a profound impact on my life. I’m excited to continue using what I’ve learned to create a brighter future for myself and my loved ones. I must thank God most of all for giving me this opportunity.”

For more information on being a participant or volunteer for CWJC, please contact Neeley Caldwell at 334-8210591, or neeley@ cwjclc.com. Fall session starts in September.

Beulah Friends of the Community — the organization that hosts the event — was formed in 2016.

John Findley, president of the organization, said it was formed not only for Beulah’s betterment but for fellowship as well.

One of its first projects was landscaping the area coming into Beulah, and to raise money for that project, the organization hosted its first Beulah Family Day.

“We want families

to come and bring their children and have a good time, meet each other, just get to know each other and have fellowship,” Findley said.

There are all types of activities, including the car show, art and crafts vendors, a touch-atruck, bouncy houses, games with prizes, face painting and more. There might also be a climbing wall for older children.

There is something to take in for the whole family — including a cornhole tournament.

Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without food, so there will be several types of food vendors on site.

The day is completely free.

The car show will take place in front of the school. There are five categories for the automobiles: best engine, best exterior, best interior, best of show and people’s choice.

The 10 finalists outside of these categories will receive a trophy,

Findley said.

There will also be an award for best booth.

If community members want to be a vendor or participate in the car show, they can email beulahalfriends@gmail. com.

The group said it hopes to give grants to high school programs.

“I want to make a difference when I give a grant to a group,” he said.

Additionally, the group has hired a landscaper to keep the area coming into Beulah neat and beautiful, Findley said. An upcoming project includes beautifying the intersection at Yarbrough Crossroads.

“It’s the gateway intersection into our community,” Findley said.

Beulah Family Fun Day will be held on April 15 at 10 a.m.

“I believe we have something for everyone,” Findley said. “And that everyone will have a good time.”

ceded by a “pre-night” show on Friday, featuring Birmingham soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones, followed by special guest Resort Realism, an alternative band also based in Birmingham. This show is non-refundable and is $50 online or at the gate, while kids age 12 and under enter for free. The gates open at 5 p.m. CST and the show begins at 7.

This is a separately ticketed event from the main, beginning at noon on Saturday. Same rules apply to both, however: No outside alcohol allowed, no dogs welcomed and all tickets are general admission and are thus first-comefirst-serve.

Tickets for the lineup consisting of The Pine Hill Haints (noon), Billy Allen and the Pollies (1:45 p.m.), The Heavy Heavy (3:30 p.m.), Aaron Lee Tasjan (5:15 p.m.) and Maggie Rose (7 p.m.) on Saturday are also $50 with kids 12 and under free. The gates open at 11 a.m., and veteran and student discounts of 20% can

There will be a variety of foods, and the music is also tailored to a variety of audiences. Ending with Nashville-based country artist Maggie Rose, The Pine Hill Haints return to the Boogie stage with its “Alabama Ghost Country” tune, The Heavy Heavy and Aaron Lee Tasjan are instrumental-filled artists with rock backgrounds, and Alabama’s own Billy Allen and the Pollies might be “the best singer you have never heard,” according to 256today.

Peek also added that the weekend would overflow with good vibes. As one of Southern Living Magazine’s top 15 Alabama venues, the event will be sponsored by Opelika-Auburn News, Good People Brewing Co., Walton’s Catering and Fig & Wasp.

Even for those not interested in the music options, there is more than plenty to keep you entertained and your hunger satisfied.

Vendors at the Boogie include only

Alabama businesses: Wild Flour Bakery and Café, Jeanne Flint Art and Jewelry, Mighty Fine Print Shop, Ain’t Ashamed jewelry company, Mama Mocha’s Coffee Roastery, Buffalo Barnes ammunition, Stinky Signs, Against All Odds Tattoo, YES Glass Studio, Era Opelika, Charlie’s Rocks and Minerals, Keen Zero art and pottery, reJENerate upcycled art, Hotbox Birmingham, Taqueria Durango and Chris’ Hot Dogs.

The event will also have merch on hand with T-shirts and art goods.

Listed as a top 10 event not-to-miss by the State of Alabama Tourism, The Boogie has a reputation of kickstarting the careers of performers around the state and country, as they brought Jason Isbell and Alabama Shakes to the stage before they moved on to bigger venues.

One is sure to encounter more excitement than what a town under three square miles can hold on one April weekend at the Old 280 Boogie in Waverly, Alabama.

Spring graduates of 2023 pictured: Saba Talebian, Silvia I Diaz Rueda, Mina Park, Sunhye Moon “Emily,” Su Gyeong Lee “Sue,” Sujin Park, Youngyi Jeon, Minyoung Baek and Hee Do “Emily.”

Beulah Family Fun Day will be held at Beulah Elementary School this year.

BOOGIE >> from A1

The Boogie is held at Standard Deluxe, located at 1015 Mayberry Ave. in Waverly.

Auburn Public Library To Celebrate Earth Day April 17-22

CONTRIBUTED BY T HE CITY OF AUBURN/ CYNTHIA L. LEDBETTER

AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library invites the public to celebrate Earth Week at the library. The following events are planned for April 17 through 22:

• Monday, April 17, 3:30 p.m. – “Earth” (G) Movie Matinee

• Tuesday, April 18, 3:30 p.m. – K-5th

graders are invited to “STEAM Into Spring” with fun, hands-on, spring-related experiments and activities. Special guests from the city’s Public Works Department will demonstrate tools they use to keep Auburn beautiful.

• Wednesday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. – The Auburn High School Band will perform a Spring Showcase.

Auburn Public Library is located at 749 E. Thach Ave. in Auburn.

• Thursday, April 20, 5:30 p.m. – Adults are invited to “Organic

Gardening 101.” Organic Gardening 101 will include an overview of the differences between organic and conventional gardening techniques; tips and tricks for cultivating healthy soil, battling pests and preventing plant diseases; and an introduction to companion planting and permaculture techniques. Participants will leave with seed packets and the confidence to grow their

own organic garden.

• Saturday, April 22, 9:30 a.m. – Story Time participants will be treated to a special guest from the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. An Earth Day Celebration will follow Story Time at 10:30 a.m. Participants will enjoy eco-friendly crafts, activities and prizes. For more information, email Library Events at libraryevents@auburnalabama.org.

the perfect replacement — The Jailhouse.

“They have been great partners for us,” Madzar said of Rock ‘N Roll Pinball. “It was slow in the beginning but you could actually attract a younger clientele at The Jailhouse. We had younger people showing up, people who have never played before. The word was out. People started to learn about the Jailhouse and what it is.”

A modest establishment from outside appearances, The Jailhouse, which at capacity fits about 90 people, holds more within than it lets on. The

Opelika-Auburn Film Arts Collective (OAFAC), a volunteer-run organization that supports and presents film, music and

performance art through screenings and film-related events, has found a home there. Starting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday nights, it’s an oasis for performers attending open mic night. Friday and Saturday’s are reserved for live music, and it’s a haven of fellowship and fun for many others.

“It has the right vibe,” Madzar said of The Jailhouse. “It’s not like you’re sitting in the corner at other open mics. It has the stage, the lights, a professional PA. Myself and two other partners work to handle the sound. So we make sure everybody sounds the best they can and give everybody an opportunity to play.”

Madzar said he is passionate about fostering the local music talent scene through the open mic night services available at The Jailhouse.

“It started with just

matching people with their right instruments,” Madzar said. “I help younger people to kind of get into music. The environment now is almost family-like. Everyone is welcome, no matter what level you are at. We have comedians; we have one guy who does spoken words — it’s kind of like songs without music.”

Eventually, Madzar’s hope is that the names regularly recognized at The Jailhouse will build up enough credibility to earn a spot in the city of Opelika’s annual Songwriters Festival that occurs each fall. As of now, that dream has been a difficult one to actualize.

“We have to expose it first; it’s a process,” Madzar said. “You can’t push your way into the Songwriters Festival. You have to show that people are capable of it. We have to make sure we highlight who we have

in town and then things will fall in place. That’s my philosophy.”

While Rock ‘N Roll Pinball is marketed as a family entertainment venue, The Jailhouse upholds an age 19 and up rule for admissions. It usually takes $5 or $10 to get in the door on weekends, for example, while Thursday’s open mic nights are free to the public and anyone interested. Madzar and others associated with The Jailhouse have worked hard to expand its reach and put local artists on the map. Mazdar and his partners Travis Walbeck and Caleb Etris volunteer their assistance to coach artists before, during and after their sets. Etris — a local artist and Opelika native himself — and John Williams, another open mic night regular, have gone on to release their own studio albums.

“What I learned is that when you do that, they [musicians] have a goal in mind,” Madzar said. “They learn new songs; they want to perform better. I have made it a point to coach all those younger players, the ones who aren’t as experienced, afterwards — you know, things they could do better, some of the stage presence, a little about how they play the songs, the songs they choose, the instrument they play. It’s a whole package of us coaching them through the process of becoming a musician. To me it’s a way to give back to the community.”

The success that the open mic nights have already achieved have led to the group growing in size, offerings and awareness. One such example is The Jailhouse’s quarterly Open Mic Night All-Stars event, which is as real of a gig as

an aspiring artist can hope for, according to Madzar.

“Now we have taken it to the next level,” Madzar said. “Every three months we have the Open Mic All-Stars. We pick four people to play a real gig. They get paid, there is a cover charge, and it’s the real deal.”

As the group only grows more in stature, The Jailhouse will continue to foster local talent and provide a safe space for community to gather and for all artists to continue honing their craft.

“It’s a recurring thing that people come back,” Madzar said. “Within the last year it has grown to where we can barely handle the amount of people that show up.”

If you are a local artist, or know one, find more information about The Jailhouse by visiting rocknrollpinball.com/thejailhouse.

East Alabama Community Band to Perform Spring Concert

CONTRIBUTED BY EACB

LEE COUNTY —

The East Alabama Community Band (EACB), led by Joshua Wine, will perform a spring concert on Monday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Opelika. The church is located at 301 S. 8th St., in downtown Opelika.

A variety of pieces including "The Sound of Music" and a Duke Ellington medley will be performed during the concert.

The band was founded 11 years ago by Mary Slaton and has grown from a small ensemble to an orchestra of more than 50 members. Community members are encouraged to join. The group practices on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Auburn Junior High School band room.

The band is looking forward to its Pops concert at the Opelika Sportsplex amphitheater on Sunday, May 5, at 2:30 p.m. Admission to the concert is free and donations are appreciated.

The East Alabama Community Band perfoming at Christmas last year.

S Food ociety & News vents, E

Kay Yeager Overcomes

Challenges, Writes Family Cookbook

Ann Cipperly

SHouthernospitality

Fresh flowers lining the dining room table, mementos from friends and trips

decorating shelves, a butler’s pantry set for entertaining — the home of Kay and Fred Yeager in White Oaks is ready to welcome family and friends. While Kay struggled with challenges over the years, she never lost her love of cooking and entertaining that became her therapy. A few years ago, she assembled

handwritten copies of her favorite recipes into a family cookbook, which became popular with others too when a Birmingham newspaper wrote about her recipe collection.

Kay grew up in Eutaw, Alabama, where both her grandmothers influenced her love of cooking and gardening. She began learning to cook from her maternal grandmother, MayBelle, when she was

4-years-old. MayBelle, who lived in an antebellum home, prepared meals on a wood stove, refusing to use the “new electric thing.” She had chickens and pigs and made fresh sausage. Her paternal grandmother, Louise, was a gardener and operated a nursery.

When her father died, Kay was almost 13-years-old, and her brother Jim was 9-months-old. At age 18, Kay was attending nursing

Tax Day Nature Walk at Wood Duck Nature Park

school in Tuscaloosa when her mother passed away with breast cancer. She began raising her brother, who was then 5-years-old, and managed two houses, a farm and store.

Kay and Fred, who was working on a degree in architecture at Auburn University, had been dating since high school. They became engaged at Toomer’s Corner and were

soon married. Kay enrolled Jim at Wright’s Mill School as they began raising him. After Fred graduated, they moved to Vestavia Hills in

Uptown Columbus’s Spring Concert Series Kicks Off

CONTRIBUTED BY UPTOWN COLUMBUS

COLUMBUS, GA —

Uptown Columbus is ramping up its spring event season, which means the return of the Friday Night Concert Series. The festivities began Friday, April 7, and area residents and visitors headed to Broadway to experience a free concert to start the weekend off right. The series will run six consecutive Fridays with each show starting at 7 p.m. EST.

Throughout the series, attendees will experience a variety of genres and entertainment. From touring tribute bands to local musicians,

the Uptown stage will offer a great variety of tunes.

Concerts will be held every Friday night from 7 to 10 p.m. and will be on the 1000 block of Broadway April 7, 14 and 21, then will move to the 1100 block of Broadway on April 28 and May 5. On May 12, the

show will switch to Woodruff Park and begin at 6 p.m.

The concerts are family-friendly and free to the public, so make sure to bring your children and spread the word with friends that every Friday night, Uptown is the place to be.

UPTOWN COLUMBUS

See CONCERTS, page A12

Kay Yeager has a love of cooking and entertaining that is therapy for her. She has overcome many challenges, including being diagnosed at 36 with stage 3 ovarian cancer and given less than a 40 % chance of living five years. Kay assembled a cookbook with handwritten recipes for her family and is sharing several of her favorites.

Wood Duck Nature Park is site No. 10 on the Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail. Participants should meet at the pavilion located at 3601 Waverly Parkway in Opelika, one-half mile from the Birmingham Highway/U.S. 280. GPS coordinates are N 32*39,193’ W 085*.

See CIPPERLY page A11

SEAN DIETRICH

“HOW ARE YOU GOING

TO SAVE THIS COUNTRY?!” shouts the talking head on TV.

I’m at an American diner. The kind with fried food and waitresses who call you “sweetie.” There is enough saturated fat in the air to cause a coronary event just by breathing.

My waitress is a middle-aged woman named “Muffin.” I know this because it’s written on her nametag.

There is a deer head mounted on the wall above the stove. There

are taxidermied bass fish everywhere. The coffee tastes like bathwater. The eggs aren’t bad. The bacon sucks.

A giant television is mounted just above the bar. The volume is blaring. The talking heads are discussing political things. Controversial things. You get the feeling the commentators are unhappy people. As though maybe these commentators go home each evening and strangle small woodland creatures to unwind.

“THERE IS NO WAY TO SAVE THIS

America

COUNTRY!” says the commentator.

The talking heads are practically shouting at each other. Their voices are so loud that everyone sitting at the breakfast counter has no choice but to watch two grown men hash it out on national television.

I wish the waitress would turn this malarkey off, but Angie, like everyone else, has grown deaf to this kind of shouting. This is America. Land of the free. Home of 24-hour cable news channels.

“I HATE THIS COUNTRY!” shouts the guy on TV.

The commentator’s words slap me upside the face.

Sure, I realize they’re just trying to boost ratings. Yes, I get it. They’re just shock jocks. But this doesn’t make sense to me.

I realize I’m oldfashioned, but I grew

up with World-WarII-era grandparents. I was reared by men and women who remembered the Battle of the Bulge intimately. These were people who bought movie tickets to watch Bing Crosby perform patriotic numbers that lasted roughly as long as dental school. These were people who spoke of Pearl Harbor with hushed voices.

Moreover, I personally experienced the 9/11 era. I remember a time when you couldn’t get away with spewing hatred on America without earning a bruise.

I was a young man when the airplanes hit the Trade Towers. I was in my early 20s when my peers were getting sent to Afghanistan to die. Everyone was American to the core. You didn’t hate your country; you bled red, white, and blue.

No, I’m not saying our

country was perfect — far from it — but you didn’t “hate” anyone.

The man next to me at the breakfast counter points to the TV and says, “Can you believe this crap?”

“No. I really can’t.”

“Why do people watch this stuff?”

I don’t know.

Someone at the bar asks the waitress to turn it off. She obliges. When the TV goes dark, something magical happens. Conversation at the bar picks up tempo. People start to actually talk to one another. Laughter ensues. Imagine that. My constituent starts speaking to me as he eats his runny eggs. We’re talking about real life. He tells me about his grandkids, about his career as a salesman for commercial sheet metal buildings, about his dog. And it’s rather nice.

The people on my

Taste of the Town Coming April 18

right are talking about their upcoming plans for summer vacation. They’re going to the Florida Keys. They’re not married, because if they marry they’ll lose their Social Security. But they’re in a committed relationship. Sort of.

Even the waitress is chatting with the cook about her daughter, and how her kid is making all A’s in school — except in algebra. God love her. On the Eighth Day, Satan said unto the Lord, “I shall add the alphabet to math.”

After a few minutes, we at the bar aren’t nearly as tense as we were a few minutes earlier. Our collective blood pressure has gone down. We are almost happy. We are in good moods.

No, I don’t know how to save this country. But I know that turning off the TV is a good place to start.

WALK >> FROM A7

income tax forms and go for a morning walk in the woods.

Members of Friends of Wood Duck Nature Park will guide groups over the two miles of trails to viewing blinds to observe waterfowl, including our local wood ducks and Canada geese. It is a bit early, but there’s a good chance of seeing newlyhatched ducklings and goslings present.

Along with restaurants, caterers and brewing companies, the Taste of the Town event on April 18 will feature a variety of silent auctions items, including a wine and cheese party for 35 at Fig and Ivy given by Stanley Sistrunk of the Flower Store; items from Envy Hair Salon, The Gallery on Railroad, Surcie Shoppe; and golf packages from the AU Club and Saugahatchee Country Club. Restaurants and caterers include Botanic, Café 123, The Waverly Local, Longhorn Steakhouse, Niffer’s, Irish Bred Pub, Tart and Tartan Bakery, O Town Ice Cream, Ursula’s Catering, Jefferson’s, Butcher Paper Barbecue, Cakeitecture Bakery, Birdie’s Cup and Saucer, Acre, Chicken Salad Chick and Takoyaki. Red Clay Brewing, John Emerald Distilling Company and The Bottling Plant Event Center will also participate. Sponsors are AuburnBank, Smith T Building Supply, The Observer, Starr Insurance Group LLC and Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home. Taste of the Town will be held at the Museum of East Alabama April 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. Fig and Ivy Event Center is pictured.

In addition to seeing the resident birds, late migrating birds might still be present. On one walk, four bald eagles were spotted. Other attractions include spring flowers and ferns and possible sightings of groundhogs. And there is always something unexpected — perhaps a salamander or a tree frog. This is also a good time to brush up on tree identification.

Early-bird refreshments will be served at 7:30 a.m. Walks start at 8 a.m.

Genealogical Society Invites Public to ‘Historic Westville’ Program

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

OPELIKA —

The Genealogical Society of East Alabama will welcome Julian Singer to its quarterly meeting Saturday, April 15, at the Museum of East Alabama.

Singer, who serves as executive director of Historic Westville, will give a presentation at 11 a.m. on Historic Westville’s move to Columbus, Georgia. Using examples of historic structures, Singer will also cover the history of rural Chattahoochee Valley from 1820 to 1880 “through active and passive interpretation,” according to a flyer for the meeting.

Historic Westville is a “living history museum” that was founded in the late 1960s in Lumpkin, Georgia — Singer’s hometown — but moved to Columbus in June 2019. Singer has been the executive director for three years.

The presentation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon. It is free and open to the public. The Museum of East Alabama is located in historic downtown Opelika at 121 N. 9th St.

For more information about the Genealogical Society of East Alabama, visit gsofea.org.

Historic Westville is a living history museum now located in Columbus, Georgia.

Hip, Hop, Hippity Hop

The city of Auburn's 43rd annual Easter Egg Hunt was held Sunday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to noon at Kiesel Park. The hunt, staged by age groups, was free to the public. The Easter Bunny, Opelika Fire Department's Sparky the fire dog, a train, vendors and concessions were all on hand for the festivities.

Birmingham. They moved back to Auburn a few years ago.

The Yeagers have two sons that both graduated from Auburn. Joe and his wife Breanna have one son, Bennett. They are both architects and reside in Nashville, Tennessee.

Josh has one son, Will, who attends Pike Road High School and is an active runner in track.

While living in Vestavia Hills, Kay was active in schools and the community, serving as president of the Vestavia Garden Club, PTA and many other organizations. She was also a model and modeled fashions at the country club.

When she was 36 years old, Kay was faced with another challenge. “I went for a routine hysterectomy,” she said, “and I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. I was given less than a 40%

survival rate for five years.”

That was 32 years ago.

Kay has spent every day enjoying life, realizing every day is a gift from God. “I let God take care of things,” she said. “I couldn’t focus. I was going to live every day.”

Cooking became her therapy. “If I am upset about something, I am in the kitchen cooking.”

Both of their sons enjoy cooking and were always asking for recipes. Kay decided she needed to assemble her favorite recipes for their children, other family members and friends. At first, she had tried typing her recipes on the computer, but it seemed cold and impersonal to her. She set it aside for a while.

In 2015, she became determined to assemble her favorite recipes into a cookbook. She purchased a notebook-style “cookbook” with blank pages and handwrote her recipes on those pages, leaving some blank for family members to

Myrtice Davenport

6-8 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

1 small onion, finely chopped

KAY’S SIGNATURE

CHICKEN PIE

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken

1 cup cubed potatoes, cooked until crisp tender

½ cup sliced carrots, cooked until crisp tender

½ cup green beans, blanched

2 cans cream of chicken soup

½ cup mayonnaise

½ tsp. poultry

seasoning

2 pie shells (Pillsbury’s pie crusts)

Combine chicken with other filling ingredients. Place one pie shell in a deep pie pan or small casserole dish; add filling. Cover with second pie crust and crimp edges together. Decorate with pastry cutouts, if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until crust turns golden brown.

Note: Can use a 16-oz. package of frozen mixed vegetables instead of the potatoes, carrots and green beans.

CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

½ cup butter

2 cans cream of chicken soup

5 ½ oz. can Pet evaporated milk

½ lb. grated sharp cheddar cheese

¼ tsp. tabasco

2 tsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

½ cup white wine

2 Tbsp. chopped pimento

2 cans drained asparagus (Kay uses a bunch of steamed fresh asparagus.)

½ cup slivered almonds

Sauté onion in butter. Add canned soups, milk, cheese, tabasco, soy sauce, salt, pepper, wine and pimento. Stir on low heat until cheese melts.

Arrange chicken in a lightly greased 9-by13-inch casserole dish.

Arrange asparagus over chicken; pour cheese sauce on top. Sprinkle almonds over top of casserole. Bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.

NITA COLSON’S CHICKEN SALAD WITH

add their own.

When she started this project, she was recovering from skin cancer surgery and was housebound for six weeks. She included recipes from family and friends, as well as a few recipes from a cooking class with restaurant owner Chris Hastings and Frank Stitt, two well-known Birmingham chefs.

When Kay and Fred went to Paris for their 40th anniversary, they took cooking classes from Catherine Reed. Kay included some of her recipes as well. She added photos of her and Fred and named the cookbook “KayKay’s 100 Favorite Recipes.”

“I wanted my kids to have this to remember me,” Kay said.

A friend’s parents owned a print shop and copied the pages. She started with 25 copies, but they went quickly. Kay decided to print 500 copies.

A friend arranged a book signing at a small grocery

MUSTARD SAUCE

4 large chicken breasts, cooked

2 eggs, plus 1 yolk

3 Tbsp. vinegar

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp. butter, melted

½ tsp. salt

1 tsp. dry mustard

Dash of celery seed

Miracle Whip to taste

3/4 cup finely chopped celery

3 hard-boiled eggs, grated

Process cooked chicken in a food processor until finely chopped; set aside.

In a bowl, beat eggs and vinegar together, then add milk, butter, salt, mustard and celery seed. Cook mixture over hot water in a double boiler until thick and creamy. Add Miracle Whip, celery, hard-boiled eggs and chicken. Combine well. Chill until ready to serve.

EASY VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

Catherine Reed from Paris Cooking School

2/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

Whisk ingredients together until well

store in Birmingham. The grocery store paid Kay to prepare her pork loin and brownie recipes in the cookbook to serve as a tasting at the book signings, which were held the same day as the store’s wine tastings.

Interest in the cookbook grew when a Birmingham newspaper wrote about Kay’s battle with cancer and her cookbook with handwritten recipes. She sold the 500 copies, which are now treasured by her family and friends. She has tossed around the idea of another cookbook. Meanwhile, she is enjoying cooking and entertaining.

Among Kay’s favorite recipes is a comforting chicken pot pie, which is her signature dish. She embellishes the top crust with cutout pastry leaves, flowers or hearts for creating a gorgeous and delicious dish. Along with chunks of chicken, she adds potatoes, carrots and fresh green

blended. Store in refrigerator.

GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH CARIBBEAN BOURBON MARINADE

½ cup lite soy sauce

1 Tbsp. Caribbean jerk seasoning

3 lb. pork tenderloin

¼ cup packed brown sugar

¼ cup bourbon

Stir together soy sauce and jerk seasoning. Place pork in a 2-gallon Ziploc bag. Pour mixture over roast. Seal bag and chill 2 to 12 hours.

Preheat grill 350 degrees. Remove roast from marinade and pat dry. Let stand for 30 minutes.

Stir bourbon and brown sugar in a microwave safe container. Cook in microwave on high setting for 1 minute, stirring after 30 seconds.

Grill pork 25 minutes or until 145 degrees. Baste with bourbon mixture last 10 minutes.

KAY’S MEATBALLS WITH TONY RACO’S SUGA SAUCE

Meatballs:

beans to the creamy sauce enhanced with poultry seasonings.

She keeps chicken for the pot pies in the freezer to have on hand for entertaining or to take to a friend who is sick. When serving the pot pie at a dinner party, she will pair it with a green salad.

Another favorite is a chicken and asparagus casserole that was served in north Alabama at her oldest son’s engagement party. Kay uses fresh asparagus instead of the canned asparagus called for in the original recipe.

She also enjoys preparing Italian dishes. Many of her recipes are from her aunt’s husband, who is Italian. He is from a town in Italy that made a slightly sweet tomato sauce. Kay uses this sauce with her homemade meatballs that are always a hit. This dish can also be frozen.

While Kay loves cooking, she doesn’t enjoy baking as much. She can be creative in

5 lb. lean ground beef

½ can fine breadcrumbs

Two 6 oz. containers grated Romano cheese (in deli section)

6 oz. container grated Parmesan cheese

3 eggs, beaten

½ tsp. garlic salt

Combine all ingredients and shape mixture into balls.

Place on greased broiler pan and bake at 375 for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on size of meatballs. For easy clean-up, I cover bottom of broiler pan with foil.

Tony Raco’s Suga

Sauce:

8 Tbsp. olive oil

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 cans tomatoes, minced

6 small cans tomato paste

½ tsp. pepper

6 Tbsp. sugar

¼ tsp. cinnamon

2 qt. water

Combine all sauce ingredients and simmer. Serve with meatballs over pasta.

GOLDEN HAM

CASSEROLE

2 cups cubed potatoes

1 cup sliced carrots

1 cup chopped celery

cooking, but baking requires following a recipe. “I love being creative,” she said. “I don’t like following the rules.”

Both Kay and Fred enjoy cooking together. Cooking is a big part of her family, and their children enjoy cooking. The family enjoys going to the beach together, and everyone takes a turn cooking each night. Her brother Jim is a retired police officer and now helps manage a restaurant in Birmingham.

Kay has a raised garden in her backyard. She grows lettuces, cucumbers, peppers and other vegetables.

During summer, she makes homemade pickles and pepper jelly that she gives away as gifts to her neighbors at Christmas.

After overcoming hardships and challenges, Kay is living every day to the fullest. “Every day is a gift,” she said, as she continues to enjoy sharing her love of cooking and entertaining.

2 cups cubed cooked ham

2 tsp. chopped onion

¼ cup plus 3 Tbsp. butter, divided

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups whole milk

½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

½ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

½ cup breadcrumbs

Cook potatoes, carrots and celery in a small amount of boiling water until crisp tender; drain and set aside.

Sauté ham and onion in 3 Tbsp. butter until ham is golden brown (not the onion). Place ham mixture and cooked vegetables in a greased, deep 2-qt. casserole dish. Melt ¼ cup butter in a heavy in a heavy boiler over low heat. Add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbly. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper; cook over low heat until cheese melts and mixture is slightly thickened. Pour cheese sauce over ham and vegetables. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over top. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

See CIPPERLY RECIPES page A12

CIPPERLY RECIPES >>

CIPPERLY >> FROM A7

April 13, 2023

An 'Eggcellent' Time Was Had by All

CIPPERLY RECIPES >> FROM A12

APPETIZER BASIL PESTO

CHEESECAKE

1 ½ tsp. butter

¼ cup breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 ½ cups fresh basil

½ cup parsley sprigs, stemmed

¼ cup olive oil

½ tsp. salt

1 clove garlic

16 oz. whole milk ricotta

cheese, room temperature

Two 8 oz. pkg. cream

cheese, room temperature

8 oz. grated Parmesan

cheese

4 eggs

1/3 cup pine nuts

Basil leaves for garnish

Crackers for serving

Butter bottom and sides of 9-inch springform pan.

Combine breadcrumbs and

¼ cup Parmesan cheese.

Sprinkle mixture into pan,

MARKET >>

FROM A7

SPRING 2023 LINEUP

April 7:

Sons of Sailors (Jimmy Buffet Tribute Band)

April 14:

Lloyd Buchanan & The

Cubed Roots

April 21:

Relative Sound

April 28:

DSOS (Deeper Shades of Soul)

May 5:

The Parker House Band

May 12: Riverfest Weekend at Woodruff Park

• Funk Factory Five (6 to 7:30 p.m.)

• Homegrown: The Zac Brown Band Experience (8 to 10

turning to coat completely. Place in refrigerator.

Combine basil, parsley, olive oil, salt and garlic in food processor and process until a smooth paste forms, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides. Transfer mixture to a large bowl.

Combine ricotta cheese, cream cheese and Parmesan cheese in blender or food processor and mix until smooth, about 2 minutes. Mix in eggs and pour basil mixture into cheese mixture. Blend until smooth.

Pour mixture into springform pan. Top with pine nuts. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn oven off.

Cool cheesecake in oven for about an hour with the oven door ajar.

Transfer pan to wire rack. Remove sides of springform pan. Garnish with basil leaves. Serve at

p.m.)

June 16:

• Miracle Riders return

• A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffet Tribute Show Nearby restaurants will offer food and beverages for sale. Free parking is available in nearby public decks. Lawn chairs are welcome. Outside coolers are prohibited, and pets are discouraged due to loud noises and crowds. To stay up to date on sponsorship opportunities, spring events and all things Uptown, visit www. alwaysuptown.com, follow on Facebook or call at 706-596-0111.

room temperature with crackers. Makes about 15 to 20 servings.

PECAN PIE SQUARES

Caroline Staggers

Crust:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

Due to inclement weather, Opelika's annual Easter on the Square event was moved from downtown Opelika to the Opelika SportsPlex on Saturday, April 8. Staged in groups, toddlers, 4-year-olds and kindergartners and first and second grade children scoured the gymnasium hunting for eggs. The event was free and open to the public.

2/3 cup chopped pecans Mix flour, butter and sugar until crumbly. Then mix in pecans. Press into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Filling:

1 ½ cups light brown Karo syrup

¾ cup packed brown sugar

6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

4 eggs, beaten

2 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt

1 ½ cups chopped pecans Combine all ingredients except pecans; blend well. Stir in pecans. Pour mixture over baked crust and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

DR. RICK BERRYMAN’S PORK CHOP MARINADE

1 stick butter, melted ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. garlic powder

Pork chops

Combine butter, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Baste pork chops with mixture as they cook on the grill.

RELIGION —

Be Strong and Courageous

in the book of Joshua. It’s always used in connection with some aspect of taking the land.

anxiety about it. But rather than allowing it to stare us down and disable us, we hand it over to God.

“Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” –

Deuteronomy 31:7

These are words from Moses to Israel just prior to his death on Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34).

The phrase “be strong and courageous” occurs two more times in the chapter (v. 7, 23) and five times

From there, it’s not far to the truth that being strong and courageous is always about entering new territory for God. There’s not a big need for strength or courage when you are doing something you’ve done before — that’s usually more about patience and perseverance. But when you’re venturing into new territory, it’s a different matter, isn’t it? You don’t have your experience to fall back on, so the element of the unknown looms large and you find you yourself asking a lot of “what if” questions.

This is exactly where courage comes in. Someone said that courage is “fear that has said its prayers.” I like that. Courage is when we approach the unknown and naturally have some

It takes strength to do this. It requires effort to wrest something away from an overfocused mind and anxious heart that are extrapolating on all the negative potentialities and give it to God. It takes courage to pump the brakes and plant the flag of faith that enables the new territory (and all it involves) to be claimed for God.

But that is exactly what our Father wants us to do.

I’ve noticed over the years that young people often tend to do better in this area than older people. The young David had more courage than his older brothers. He had more courage than King Saul. This might seem counterintuitive, but I think it makes sense. Young people are constantly being introduced to new frontiers

in their lives — socially, physically, academically. They live in the midst of change and challenge, and that requires courage.

But after they grow up and get established, what do they do? Many times, they try to eliminate as much change and challenge as possible. They settle down and develop routines where they have everything under their control. The irony, of course, is that when they come to the later seasons of their lives, they usually find themselves back in the change mode, but by then they’ve often lost their flexibility.

Life is meant to be lived in a change mode that requires the constant presence of courage. We are supposed to live in a manner where we are continually allowing God to lead us into new territory. When the Hebrew writer was challenging his readers

BIBLE VERSE OF THE WEEK

toward the end of his letter to them (13:5), he reassured them by reminding them, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” That’s a quote from our text in Deuteronomy 31:6. If you go back and catch the context in Hebrews, he was challenging his readers to allow God to take them into the territory of living free from the love of money and learning to be content with what they had.

What new territory do we need to occupy for God?

Be strong and courageous!

Green has written a book on the model prayer called “Praying in the Reign.” It is available through 21st Century Christian.

Find more of his writings at his website: www.a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com.

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

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

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 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

CHURCH OF GOD

Lakeside Church of God 3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432

EPISCOPAL Emmanuel Episcopal Church 800 1st Ave., Opelika 334-745-2054

METHODIST

Auburn United Methodist Church 137 South Gay St., Auburn 334-826-8800

Beulah United Methodist Church 5165 Lee Road 270, Valley 334-745-4755

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148

Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949

Southern Plains Cowboy Church

13099 U.S. Hwy. 280 Waverly 334-401-1014

PENTECOSTAL

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

PRESBYTERIAN

Providence Presbyterian Church 1103 Glenn St., Opelika 256-405-8697

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

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. — Psalm 50:1

WALTER ALBRITTON

RELIGION —

Good fortune was mine last Sunday at Saint James Church on Vaughn Road. A young man by the name of Wyatt Manuel was my teammate in an assignment given to us in the Palm Sunday Cantata. Wyatt stepped up to the pulpit and read several verses from Matthew’s Gospel describing the cruel and humiliating treatment of Jesus by Roman soldiers just before they led Jesus away to crucify him.

What Happened to Simon?

Wyatt concluded his reading with this verse: “And as they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross.” My task was to offer helpful reflections about Simon, a rather challenging assignment since the Bible tells us only three things about Simon. He was from Cyrene; he had two sons named Alexander and Rufus and he was forced to carry the cross for Jesus. After pondering the matter, I could think of nothing to say. So, remembering that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would “teach us all things,” I began praying, asking the Inner Voice to reveal to me what “might” have happened to Simon after he carried the cross for Jesus. And I will now tell you what I was told. There is no way

Opelika; Rylen O. Crews (Jamie) of Opelika; Natasha Pippin of Tustin Ranch, California; Katia Pippin of Tustin Ranch, California; John Will Rice, of Heidelberg, Germany; and Jonah W. Rice, of Auburn; and nine greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be held Thursday, April 13, at 1 p.m. in the parlor at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home.

Simon was a random choice, a passerby who just happened to be the nearest person to Jesus when he stumbled and fell under the weight of the cross. No, it was the will of God for Simon to be the one forced to carry Jesus’ cross. There is no way Simon was in the wrong place at the wrong time; no, he was in the right place at the right time by the will of God. Why Simon? Very likely because Simon was African; Cyrene was a town in Libya, Africa, hundreds of miles away from Jerusalem. Simon may have been the only African to witness the crucifixion of Jesus. Perhaps choosing Simon was God’s way of saying, “My Son is dying on that cross for everybody, all people everywhere.”

There is also no way Simon was not radically changed while he was helping Jesus carry

that cross. He would have been beside Jesus, touching Jesus, looking at Jesus, only inches away from the scourged body and the bloody face of Jesus. Very likely Jesus, though struggling to breathe, said “thank you” to Simon. And when he gazed into the eyes of Jesus, it dawned on him that this wounded man, this stranger, loved him. In that moment, Simon was being changed by the captivating love of God. He would never be the same. Matthew does not mention Simon again, but we know Simon carried the cross to Golgotha where Jesus was crucified. So Simon was right there, watching Jesus being nailed to the cross and hoisted up in the air between two thieves on similar crosses. He saw the blood of Jesus spilling on the ground. He

OBITUARIES

of Opelika; special friends, Doug and Edie Johnson; Jesse and Dean Ward; and Jerry Gaylor all of Opelika. Visitation was held in the parlor of Frederick-Dean Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

A graveside service followed at 3 p.m. at Garden Hills Cemetery with the Rev. Paul Ferrell officiating.

heard Jesus praying that unbelievable prayer for the cruel soldiers who were torturing him. Very likely Simon saw John, and Jesus’ mother Mary and Mary Magdalene, standing nearby crying.

I can see him walking over to John and asking, “Who is this man? He is no ordinary man because something happened to me while I was close to him.” And I can hear John say, “His name is Jesus. Come home with us and I’ll tell you how he has changed my life.”

It is very likely that during the next few weeks Simon learned so much about Jesus that he followed the crowd that gathered on a Sunday known now as Pentecost. There, Simon was mesmerized by the preaching of Peter and knelt with 3,000 others who repented of their sins and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for

the forgiveness of their sins. And having received the Holy Spirit, Simon went home and said to his wife, “Honey, I don’t know what happened to me when I was carrying that cross, but God raised him from the dead and he has saved me from my sins and filled me with his Spirit. Now I want you to help me raise our boys, Alexander and Rufus, to be disciples of Jesus.” And together, they did that, and lived to see their sons become leaders of the church as the good news of Jesus spread across the world.

Very likely, Simon never tired of telling others how the man whose heavy cross he carried to Golgotha changed his life. And over 2,000 years later, that Man is still changing the lives of people who get close to him and embrace his transforming love.

Camilla L. Rice made her final journey home on April 9, 2023. “Miz Camilla,” as she had come to be known by many, was born in Opelika to Brady and Lucille Long on Feb. 20, 1929.

She attended Auburn High School, ultimately graduating from MasseyDraughon Business College, Holiday Inn University in Memphis, Tennessee, where she learned the art of hotel management and many classes with the American Real Estate Institute, holding a real estate broker’s license for over 30 years.

In her 94-plus years, she witnessed many changes, but stayed up-to-date with technology such that she continued her work in accounting, bookkeeping and property management, until finally retiring at the age of 90. She was a member of First Methodist Church of Opelika. She loved to garden, read, knit and, over the years, take special care of her many animals, most of which carried an “extra pound or two.” She passed early on Easter morning, 63 years to the day after her husband Clarence E. “Fritz” Rice.

She is survived by her sister, Jane Long Capps (Billy) of Opelika; three children: Colleen Pippin of Tustin Ranch, California; Arlyn R. Sibille (Etienne) of Mono, Ontario, Canada; and John W. Rice (Rebecca) of Opelika; eight grandchildren: J. Brandon Rice (Kelli) of Auburn; Ian R. Sibille of Harmony, Pennsylvania; Matthew Blake Rice (Nicki) of

A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home with the Rev. Rick Lane officiating. Burial will be at Garden Hills Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Lee County Humane Society may be made in her name.

Frederick- Dean Funeral Homes servicing Alabama Funeral Homes & Cremation Centers is handling arrangements.

JAMES M. HOOKER

Jim Hooker passed away on April 6, 2023, in his home in Opelika. He was born on Dec. 27, 1936 in Tallassee, Alabama.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1956 to 1982 and retired as a master sergeant.

He loved playing golf. He had five hole-in-ones during his time playing. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to play for the last several years due to health reasons but he did enjoy getting to ride with his buddies while they played.

He also loved Auburn Football.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Peggy Hooker; his son James R. Hooker; and his parents James and Mary Hooker.

He is survived by his daughter, Lezette (Mike) Trimm; granddaughter, Sara Hooker of Tacoma, Washington; greatgranddaughter Harlow Ames of Tacoma; daughterin-law, Lyn Hooker of Tacoma; and brother-in-law Kenneth (Martha) Graham

Frederick-Dean Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

BENNIE GOOCH

Mr. Bennie Gooch passed away at East Alabama Medical Center on April 7, 2023. He was born in Selmer, Tennessee, on Nov. 28, 1937, and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration on June 3, 1961, from Memphis State University. During his service to our country, he spent time aboard the U.S.S. Orion as a part of the Navy.

Bennie is survived by his loving wife, Delores Dorris Gooch; daughter, Donna Jo Gooch Alexander; granddaughter, Rachael Nicole Alexander White (Bill) of Martin, Tennessee; a great-grandson, William Alexander “Alex” White; brother, Stanford Rhondall Gooch (Linda) of Omaha, Nebraska; niece, Aimee Gooch (Jason).

Bennie was preceded in death by his mother and father, Eula Wilson and Tolbert Johnson Gooch, and one brother, Wilburn Rudolph Gooch.

A graveside service was held for Mr. Bennie at Garden Hills Cemetery Wednesday, April 12, at 1 p.m. Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directed.

EARLENE HUNTER DENT

Earlene Hunter Dent, 97, passed away quietly on Friday, April 7, 2023, at East Alabama Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her parents Leonidas and Mary Lou

Hunter of Greenwood, Mississippi; husband Joseph H. Dent Jr. of Auburn; and brother Billy Leon Hunter of Greenville, South Carolina.

She is survived by her son James Richard (Rick) Dent of Atlanta, Georgia, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She also leaves behind her loving extended family Mrs. Charlie (Martha Nell) Fuller and Dr. and Mrs. James Taylor (Jim and Virginia) of Auburn along with their families. She was a charter member of Parkway Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Parkway Baptist Church Library, Parkway Baptist Building fund or a charity of your choice.

A graveside service was held on Tuesday April 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Auburn Memorial Cemetery.

MARY PATRICIA "PATTY" PUIG MUELLER

Mary Patricia "Patty"

Puig Mueller made her journey home in the early morning of April 2, 2023. Those who know her and her devotion to the Catholic Church may (correctly) surmise she had a hand in the timing of her exit — it was on Palm Sunday and not April Fool’s Day.

Patty was born on Dec. 10, 1931, in Laredo, Texas, to Dr. Valentine Lawrence Puig and Louise Payne Puig, the second of four children. She attended Martin High School where she was named Best All Round in her senior year. The students got that right. Patty had a very long and full life, achieving much in her 91 years.

Her freshman year of college was spent at Ward Belmont in Nashville, Tennessee, after which she transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. She was an enthusiastic member of Chi Omega Sorority at UT where she made lifelong friends. Following graduating with a degree in education and a minor

in business, she moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, to teach elementary school students.

There she met Joe Mueller. He, sitting in a pew behind her at a funeral, mesmerized by the fur bits that dangled from her hat as she knelt and rose to the rhythms of the Mass, asked a friend for an introduction. Her tradition of breaking glass ceilings started then. Family lore has it that she asked Joe to marry her. They both chose well, celebrating 62 years together at the time of Joe’s passing in 2016.

Together they raised five children, Michelle, Martha, Mary Pat, Paul and Julianna in Corpus Christi.

She joined Joe in their petroleum consulting and operating companies, Mueller Engineering Corporation and Mueller Exploration Inc., and together they grew them into well-known and wellrespected firms along the Texas Gulf Coast.

At a time when women couldn’t get a credit card without their husband’s signature on the account, Patty held leadership positions in the business and civic worlds. She served as a director and chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch, was a long-time board member, serving as Board of Trustees chairman and on various other boards and committees for both Christus Spohn Health System and Christus Muguerza Hospital System in Monterrey, Mexico, where she navigated with ease bilingually. Patty held leadership roles with the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, the Gulf Coast Council of Boy Scouts of America and the Nueces River Authority. She believed that lives are immensely enriched through reading and education. Patty served on the Corpus Christi Library Foundation Board and dedicated herself to raising

funds to build a new public library in Corpus Christi. In the early years of the Texas Book Festival, she was active on their advisory council.

If you went out to dinner with her, you would have witnessed her peppering younger wait staff with questions about their education status, encouraging them to stay in school or go back and pursue a degree. She used to say, “No one can take your education away from you.” Patty and Joe set up and contributed to scholarship funds at colleges across Texas. She served on educational councils at many universities including The Texas A & M Dwight Look College of Engineering External Advisory and Development Council and The Texas A & M University Vision 2020 Advisory Council. She and Joe so enjoyed co-chairing the Texas A & M University System Chancellor’s Century Council, travelling across the state and meeting interesting people and leaders in the college’s system.

Patty was also a Board of Trustees member for the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She served on the University of Texas at Austin Development Board and helped plot the future of the University of Texas at Austin as a member of their Commission of 125. She was always a very devoted Longhorn fan, alternatively cheering and yelling at the TV. A week before she passed, she rallied watching her beloved UT win their Sweet 16 tournament basketball game, highfiving those watching with her. And she relished the roles of reading at Masses and supporting her two church homes, The Corpus Christi Cathedral and St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Auburn, Alabama.

Patty was proud of her 19 grandchildren and six greatSee OBITUARIES, page A15

CAMILLA L. RICE

What's Happening in Lee County

2023 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Thursday, MAY 4 AT NOON Lee County Courthouse Square

“PRAY FERVENTLY IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND AVAIL MUCH” – James 5:16

Rain site: First Baptist Church Chapel on 8th Street

Broadcast live on Halleluiah 1520 AM and Praise 88.7 FM

Non-denominational prayer and praise gathering

ALL ARE INVITED

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.

Opelika Approves New Cemetery Rules, Pricing

CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA

OPELIKA —

Effective Monday, April 10, new rules, regulations and pricing will be in place for all public Opelika cemeteries — Rosemere, Garden Hills and Evergreen.

“The city has not revised cemetery rules and pricing since 2015,”

FROM A14

grandkids — all unique and all who have forged their own paths in life. Holidays and entertaining were big affairs at the Mueller household, first on Indiana Street, then on Hewitt Drive in Corpus Christi, and then at Stonybrook Road in Opelika, where she and Joe moved in 2007. At her Easter celebrations, both clergy and family competed enthusiastically for the golden egg and best hat awards. Her “See Nonna

NAMI MEETING

NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet April 18, 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.

LEE/RUSSELL COUNTY LOW VISION SUPPORT GROUP

The group meets 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 different topics are 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.

O GROWS — SATURDAYS AT THE GARDEN

said Mike Hilyer, director of ESG/Public Works.

“It was time we took a look at all aspects of our public cemeteries. Within 10 to 15 years, Garden Hills will more than likely be full. This will help us as we look at growth moving forward.

“We will be opening new sections in Garden Hills soon. We are in the process of planning

for a prize” slips of paper in plastic eggs had Patty’s grandkids cacophonously gathered around her, clamoring for surprises she would ceremoniously pull out of her bottomless bag of Easter gifts. She also loved hosting grandkids and their friends for nights featuring her famous tacos.

Patty was equally at home in the city and the South Texas scrub wilderness. She spent many happy, working days with family at the St. Jude Ranch in Miranda City, Texas, where she and Joe “ran cattle.” She loved birds

and surveying for new estate lots around the cross. This will be a great addition to Garden Hills.”

For more information on rules and cemetery options, please contact Hilyer, Lynn Scott or Percy Marks at 334-7055400. Full details can be found at www.opelikaal.gov/276/CemeteryRegulations.

of all kinds, but squirrels who siphoned off the food she put out for her avian friends were on her “do not roam” list. She wasn’t intimidated by crawling insects or vipers. In fact, not long before she died, a small rat snake made its way into her home through an open patio door. Patty on her rollator mobility unit took it to task. By the time her son-in-law and grandson Josh arrived, there were two reptilian body parts to dispose of.

Patty is survived by her five children: Michelle

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

LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE PET SUPPLY DRIVE

April 10 through 14

Drop off pet supplies between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Lee County Sheriff's Office located at 1900 Frederick Road, Opelika

Mueller, Martha MuellerGuicciardini (Federico), MP Mueller, Paul Mueller (Beth) and Julianna Clardy (Mike); sister Sara Puig Laas; brother Dick Puig (Ingrid); 19 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Close family members who went before her are her infant son Peter Lawrence Mueller, infant granddaughter Pia Luisa Guicciardini, mother and father Valentine and Louise Puig, and brother Larry Puig. Her family is so grateful

to two very special women, Berenice Carstetter and Alicia Williams, who worked alongside Patty for years. Patty cherished their friendship as much as their loyalty. The family also wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful caregivers who tended to her with much love and patience during her last few months: Nikki Dawson, Puff Nelms and Karen Phanthachith.

Her religious celebration was held on Monday, April 10, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn.

There will be a graveside service at Seaside Memorial Park in Corpus Christi on Saturday, April 22 at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, friends might like to make a donation in her memory to one of Patty’s favorite charities: Edmundite Missions

P.O. Box 2114 Selma, Alabama 36702-2114 or the Mother Teresa Shelter in Corpus Christi, Texas, 513 Sam Rankin Ave. Corpus Christi, Texas, 78401.

BY D. MARK MITCHELL

Dawgs' Track Excels

OPELIKA —

Opelika High School’s varsity girls and boys track and field teams participated in the JD Evilsizer Panther Invitational at the Smiths Station High School track last Saturday.

The following are OHS girls and boys top 10 finishers. GIRLS 100 METER DASH

12.93 - Amiya Brown

- 1st 13.48 - Kahliya

Cloud - 8th

13.87 - Tyra Pitts10th 1600 METER RUN

Emely Bravo Martinez - 10th

HURDLES

- Cadence Williams - 4th 19.47 - Aryel

Crittenden - 6th 20.61 - Dasja Kier - 8th

JUMP 4-6 - Kimora Rowell - 4th 4-4 - Memshallyah Weaver - 5th

4-2 - Khalia Williams - 7th

14-3 - Kyndall

Brundidge - 9th 13-8 - Kimora Rowell - 11th POLE VAULT 7-0 - Jada Frazier

- D’Nya Williams - 5th

Kasman Moss

Moss

- Hayley Ponds

- Rahkyia Harry -

- Lizavia Edwards - 9th

- Trinity Rooks -

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Quarterback Battle Front and Center at A-Day

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

Hugh Freeze’s first spring as the head coach of the Auburn football program has come to an end. The Tiger fans that sat out in the rain to watch the culminating event of spring practice saw a new, unconventional format, areas that still need work and most importantly, no clear indicators on how things are going to shake out in the quarterback room. The game, which resulted in a 24-24 tie between the offense and defense, saw all three quarterbacks — Robby Ashford, T.J Finley and Holden Geriner — play a decent amount.

"I feel better than I did 15 practices ago,” Freeze said. “I think from this point, now until the end of fall camp, there's so much that needs to happen for somebody to solidify being "the guy." I think all have improved.

I think all are still inconsistent with some things. We really wanted to throw that ball around and it would've been really ugly and probably a lot of three-and-outs had we tried to do that.

“I think Robby (Ashford) got better,” Freeze continued. “He's

really been fun to coach. I think he's trying to change some of the things that may have caused me concern about him being the quarterback leader, whether it be body language or ball security or just your demeanor in general — the way you talk, the way you talk

to your teammates … I thought Holden (Geriner) threw some good balls. He missed a couple reads on some RPOs I think. T.J. (Finley) did too. It's kind of been that way all spring. Some really positives one day and some inconsistencies the

See A-DAY, page B2

A Legacy Left: Frank Thomas Is First Auburn Baseball Player to Be Recognized With

BY DANIEL LOCKE FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

It has been 24 seasons since baseball legend Frank Thomas has suited up to play for the Auburn Tigers, but the unveiling of a statue outside of Plainsman Park this Saturday made it feel not so long ago.

looks like me in college, not in the pros."

- Ronald Reese

- 6th 95-6.25 - Octavious

See SPORTS, page B3

"To see that statue, it really brought a tear to my eye because it is perfect," Thomas said. "Absolutely perfect. They nailed it. And it

Many people braved the weather on Saturday morning, not just to gather under what few dry areas there are in Jordan-Hare Stadium to watch the culminating event of Hugh Freeze’s first spring as the head coach of the Auburn football program, but to witness one of Auburn's historic baseball players be enshrined in greatness for many years to come.

The likes of these people included Auburn See STATUE, page B2

Auburn Quarterback Holden Geriner (#12) during the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

PHOTO BY JAMIE HOLT AUBURN TIGERS

PHOTO BY ZACH BLAND / AUBURN TIGERS

During the Frank Thomas Statue Unveiling on A-Day at Plainsman Park in Auburn on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Lee-Scott Baseball Nearing Playoff Form

Tigers Ink Transfer Guard Jones

PHOTO BY JERRY BALLAS FOR THE OBSERVER

BY NOAH GRIFFITH FOR THE OBSERVER

AUBURN —

Lee-Scott baseball is 18-8, and it has outscored opponents 81-8 during a torrid past week with a sweep of Southern Prep and a win apiece over Sherwood and Valiant Cross.

Assistant coach Jacob Ozment said towards the beginning of the season that his team needs to see themselves have success, and they’ve done a lot of that as of late, particularly on the offensive end. The Warriors, as of the end of last week, had a team batting average of .282 with a .460 OBP.

According to Ozment, getting a healthy Hutch Sprayberry back in the lineup has been a factor in the offensive

STATUE >>

FROM B1

fans, Chicago White Sox fans, many of Thomas’ former teammates and coaches, as well as his family and more.

“The Big Hurt” is a nickname Thomas is often referred to by, meaning that Thomas caused a lot of pain to those he played against because he was so gifted on the baseball field. There was no hurt going around on Saturday, quite the opposite in fact, as people gathered to celebrate the occasion.

There was no shortage of stories about Thomas to go around during the ceremony that proceeded the unveiling. Many notable representatives of Auburn University, such as president Dr. Chris Roberts, head baseball coach Butch Thompson and more shared the impact that Thomas has had on them.

Roberts talked about scraping change together to take a train into Chicago to watch Thomas play for the White Sox during his time as a Ph.D. student at the University of Notre Dame.

"Frank Thomas was the standard bearer for

improvement, but they’ve also benefitted from playing with the order and maximizing their efficiency based on matchups.

“[Our lineup] is always going to be situational based on how we want to pitch and catch,” Ozment explained. “With Lane (Eddins) being able to pitch and catch, Kade (Hudson) pitching and catching, Jake (Cummings) being able to pitch and catch and Sam (Jackson) doing both as well. It all depends on how [head coach Tim Hudson] wants to attack the series and set up our defense, but we’re starting to settle into some spots as the season wraps up.

“We’re just taking it a game at a time and get as many game reps with as many guys as possible.”

me when it came to Auburn University," Roberts said. "You [Thomas] were the person who put in my mind that Auburn stood for excellence."

Auburn athletics director John Cohen, who played against Thomas at Mississippi State, listed some of Thomas’ accolades and compared them to other achievements people have made.

"We got to witness a generational level of excellence that rarely exists in college athletics," Cohen said, including that Thomas is one of four players in MLB history to reach 500 home runs, 1,600 walks and post a .300 batting average. "Only 12 people have ever walked on the moon. In my opinion, in so many ways, Frank, you're our Neil Armstrong. Thank you for going to the moon and thank you for taking Auburn University with you."

Hal Baird, a legendary Auburn baseball coach who led the program during Thomas’s time, made some remarks about how special Thomas was to the team.

"His competitive spirit and his will to win," Baird cited as characteristics that set Thomas

CONTRIBUTED BY AU ATHLETICS

from the free throw line and 43.4% from the field.

However, the week leading up to the offensive explosion, Lee-Scott struggled to produce against Montgomery’s MaconEast. The Warriors dropped two of three with the Knights while only scoring three runs on six hits.

Although Auburn High transfers Eddins and Garrett West threw strong, complete-game starts to begin the series, the offense couldn’t dig itself out of a slump to help their starters out. In game three, the combination of Jack McKay, Pearson Little, Harrison Short and Hudson combined to go seven innings with nine strikeouts, allowing four earned runs. But again, the Warriors' only run came from West driving home freshman

See LSA, page B5

apart. "Winning was very important to him and when he was at Auburn, we won. His mind worked in a way like no young baseball player I had ever seen."

Thompson mentioned how beneficial it is to have a player like Thomas for the current Auburn baseball players on the team to look up to.

"To get to a day like this marks exponential growth and I know the best is yet to come," Thompson said. "Our players, through their highest of highs of Omaha and through their grind of tough days, have examples. Frank, you're another example for us all. For our student-athletes, for our university, for our future generations."

Thomas was quite successful in the MLB. The two-time MVP, four-time Silver Slugger and five-time All-Star is currently the only SEC player in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thomas has undoubtedly left a legacy, both at Auburn and in baseball as a whole, that will never be forgotten. The first-ever statue outside of Plainsman Park will remind fans of that legacy every time they come to a game.

AUBURN — Denver Jones has officially signed his National Letter of Intent to join the Auburn men’s basketball program for the upcoming 2023-24 season. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound shooting guard is a transfer from Florida International University who averaged 20 points and 3.8 rebounds per game during his sophomore season. Rated the No. 26 overall transfer in the country by 247Sports, he also shot 35.7% from behind the 3-point arc, 86.4%

Originally from New Market, Alabama (near Huntsville), he started and played in all 27 games of the season for the Golden Panthers, scoring in double figures in 25 of those contests. He registered a career-high 30 points at Rice on March 4. Additionally, Jones ranked fifth nationally in mid-range field-goal percentage.

During his freshman campaign at FIU, he was named Conference USA Freshman of the Week and led the league in free throw percentage (89.6).

Jones began his

collegiate career at Garden City (Kan.) Community College. There, he garnered All-Region Second Team, All-Conference First Team and Jayhawk Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He averaged 19.1 points per game and shot 40% from long range.

The son of Ernest and Jennelle Jones, he finished his prep career at Memphis (Tenn.) Day Academy and was tabbed All-Area, First-Team All-Region and Second Team All-State. His older brother, Dallas Jones, played college basketball at South Alabama and Texas Wesleyan.

next day. We've still got some time to help them improve, hopefully."

Finley, a 6-foot-7 junior who has started a total of six games for the Tigers, took the most attempts on Saturday. Finley went 11-for-19 on his passes for 137 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s about competing and bettering ourselves in each aspect of the game — mentally and physically,” Finley said on the quarterback competition. “Anywhere in the country, guys are competing, at each and every school. It’s always good to compete. You need competition to bring the best out of you each and every day, and I think we’re all responding to it well.”

Ashford, the former Oregon Duck who started most of the season for Auburn last year, took the second-most attempts. Ashford went 12-for-16 passing for 132 yards. He also added a rushing TD.

“I feel like every single day I found something to get better at,” Ashford said on being challenged in practice. “Coach Freeze definitely challenged me, and I appreciate that because he has taught me so much already in such a short amount of time. Being able to go out there and have him challenge me has been really good. Just from our talks, he is a coach who really cares and really wants to see me succeed. Him, coach (Philip) Montgomery, coach (Kent) Austin and coach (Jesse) Stone have all just helped me tremendously and have gotten me so much better from day one of spring ball to practice No. 15.”

Geriner, the redshirt freshman who only saw the field in one game last season, went 9-for-11 passing for 71 yards and one TD. Additionally, Geriner scored a crucial twopoint conversion that helped the offense complete its comeback late in the game.

“That’s been something that I’ve been trying to implement recently, just being able to run a lot more,” Geriner said on the two-point conversion. “I think I’ve definitely improved on that a lot and it’s something I like to show.”

While all three quarterbacks on Auburn’s roster flashed potential at A-Day, Freeze said he has not ruled out the possibility of the Tigers bringing in a quarterback from the transfer portal.

“The transfer portal opens soon, and we are open to any position that would help us improve our team as long as they fit within the culture, and that includes the quarterback room,” Freeze said after the game. The 2023 football season is still a few months away, however, so Freeze and company still have time to continue to move some things around in order to give the Tigers the best chance of competing in 2023.

The Lee-Scott varsity baseball team in the dugout in a game versus Southern Prep on April 5.

A-DAY >>

FROM B1

Gators Deliver on Senior Night

Gay - 7th

JAVELIN

152-7 - Octavious Gay - 2nd

145-4 - Ronald Reese

Jr. - 4th

SHOT PUT

37-4.5 - Ajaden

Parham - 4th

36-10 - Elias Autry - 6th

BASEBALL

The Opelika High School Bulldog varsity baseball team (13-13, A 0-2) lost three straight games to rival Central last week, 12-1, 13-3 and 15-1. This is the first Area baseball series with the Red Devils since moving to Class 7A.

The Red Devils opened Area play by hosting OHS at

Darnell-Nelson Field in Phenix City. Central scored 12 runs on seven hits in five innings to beat Opelika 12-1 in a mercy rule game.

Opelika recorded three hits. Taylor

"Tommy" Fields recorded two hits and Slade Clayton added a single. Russell Copous took the loss for the Dogs on the mound.

OHS hosted Central at Bulldog Park last Thursday afternoon. The Red Devils swept OHS, 13-3 and 15-1, improving their area record to 2-0 record after one series.

Fields led the Bulldogs again with his two hits for the second game in a row. The following other Bulldogs recorded a hit: Clayton, Brodie Jones, Copous, Chris Floyd and Clayton.

Central won the third game of the series 15-1 to finish off the threegame sweep. Fields recorded the only hit for the Bulldogs.

OHS plays Auburn in a three-game series April 19 and 20. Opelika will host Auburn Wednesday, April 19, at 5 p.m. Fans can listen to the OHS/AHS baseball game on FOX Sports the Game 9101310AM, presented by the Orthopaedic Clinic. Van Riggs will broadcast the game starting at 4:50 p.m.

SOFTBALL

The Lady Bulldog softball team lost a pair of games to Auburn, 2-10 and 3-15, last week. The Lady Tigers scored 25 runs off 17 hits in two games against OHS.

Opelika managed four

hits by four players: Nylen Thomas, McKay Yountz, Jade Jones and Jasmine Smith. Sanai Stringer lasted one inning in the circle, followed by Yountz's five innings to finish the game.

The Lady Dogs managed eight hits in the 153 loss to AHS. Thomas, Yountz, Stringer, Jamiah Williams (2), Rylee Long, Jones and Kennedy Soltau all recorded hits. Opelika used four players in the circle.

The two losses dropped Opelika to 0-4 in Area play as the Bulldogs prepare for two games with Smiths Station High School this week.

TENNIS

Opelika’s girls (72) and boys (9-0)

tennis teams beat Smiths Station last week.

Singles winners include Connor Mullins, Devam Patel, Paxton Blackburn, Drue Gagliano, Anderson Melnick, Myles Tatum, Joanne Smith T, Mary Cara Montel, Emma Brown, Addison Kemp and Avery Massey.

Doubles winners include Mullins/Patel, Blackburn/Gagliano, Tatum/Melnick, Brown/Addison Bryan and Smith T/Mamie Nicholson.

Opelika’s girls and boys also defeated Central, 7-2 and 4-0, respectively.

Singles winners include Smith T, Montel, Kemp, Brown, Mullins, Blackburn and Gagliano.

Doubles winners include Montel/Kemp,

Brown/Bryan, Smith T/ Nicholson and Mullins/ Patel.

SOCCER

Opelika's girls and boys soccer teams were swept by Wetumpka last week. The girls lost 3-0, and the boys 1-0.

The boys lost to Dothan High School on the road last week as well.

Players who scored goals for Opelika were Luke Roberts, Dexter Graham and Nathan Faison. The assist was recorded by Graham.

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.

PHOTO BY MATT AUSTIN / FOR THE OBSERVER

The varsity girls and boys Glenwood soccer teams faced off against Springwood at home on Thursday, April 6. The varsity girls won 8-1, with goals from Emma Barnes, Makenna Casner (4), Lily Curtis (2) and Katelyn Johnston. The varsity boys, who honored lone senior Colton Corbett on senior night (pictured bottom left), lost by a score of 11-1.

Warriors Continue Winning Ways

PHOTOS BY JERRY BALLAS FOR THE OBSERVER

The varsity Lee-Scott Academy baseball team defeated Southern Prep Academy in three games April 5. The Warriors outscored the Rangers by a score of 55-6 over the trio of contests. For more information on Lee-Scott baseball, see page B2.

Lee County School Board Commends Loachapoka Girls Basketball

BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Board of Education recognized an athletic group from Loachapoka High School at its regular meeting April 11.

The Loachapoka girls basketball team, along with head coach Anthony Edwards, received special recognition for its successful season.

The Lady Indians placed first in Class 1A Area 7 and made it to the final four in the state tournament, ultimately falling to Spring Garden. They finished 7-0 in region play and 26-10 overall.

Edwards was accompanied by assistant coaches Hope Felton and Shavia Alexander. Four players were also present:

Taylah Murph, Mayana

LSA >>

FROM B2

Haiden Harper.

“The Macon-East series, we struggled offensively,” Ozment said. “You don’t want to take anything away from them, but in three

Chenier, Adriana Jones and Cheyenne Wiseman.

Superintendent Mac McCoy said recognizing high achievers in the school system is his favorite part of board meetings.

“You represented Loachapoka High School, and the community and this county with honor and pride, and we are very, very, very excited about having y’all here,” McCoy told them.

Edwards said he encouraged the girls to build on the previous season’s success, which they did.

“It’s not easy, and I’m very proud of them,” he said.

Murph is currently committed to play at Coastal Alabama Community College in Monroeville.

McCoy also spoke to Edwards’ success as a coach.

“This year, he reached a

games, I think our batting average was like .096. [Macon-East] threw strikes, and they made plays where they needed to. Hard for us to win games that way.”

Lee-Scott has seven games remaining in

great milestone in coaching,” McCoy said. “… This gentleman won his 500th win. Congratulations.”

Later in the meeting, Chief School Financial Officer Ken Roberts gave a “good news” update on the school system’s revenues and expenditures as of February 2023.

Roberts said Lee County

the regular season: a double-header with Edgewood, a threegame series with Springwood and a doubleheader with a tough Calvary team to close out the season at home. The Warriors started off the season

Schools received 49% of its budget in revenues, ahead of the 42% mark. The school system has spent nearly 44% of its budget with surplus to date in the General Fund sitting at about $5 million.

Finding a good balance between spending and saving is one priority, Roberts added.

by dropping a contest at Calvary in extra innings in walk-off fashion.

The Warriors will look to avenge that loss and solidify their strongest lineup for what Ozment said will likely be a road-heavy playoff

“We’ve got a strong fund balance, and this year we know we’re going to spend a little bit,” he said. “… We’ve got a target fund balance; we’re above that. “

Revenues are up 6%, which Roberts said is expected, keeping with state trends and expectations for local revenue.

In terms of expenditures, Lee County Schools has spent a little over 9% more than last year, but most of that is due to payroll, according to Roberts. Payroll is up between 7 and 8% based on state matrix adjustments.

Roberts said the federal and state governments fund about 70% of raises given to teachers.

“There’s a piece of it that is not funded, so anytime there’s a raise, there’s going to be some local funds spent to make sure that raise is applied equitably through the

journey.

“We’re willing to take the challenge in front of us head on and just be able to focus in on the task at hand,” Ozment said. “Now, use this month of April to get ourselves prepared as best we can

whole system,” he added.

Total revenue is up 9%, which Roberts said will equal about $2.5 million of extra funds during the year.

“That’s a critical metric to be able to do the things we want to do instructionally and with facilities, so … we track that in detail, and we’re very fortunate to have that type of revenue base,” he explained.

District 6 Board Member Larry Patterson asked if some of those extra funds will be used for liberal arts, and McCoy said fine arts will be a part of that.

Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education Brad Hunter said one current goal is to provide band instruments for all Lee County Schools students.

Roberts said the system has enough funds “to do the things we want to do in the See LCBOE, page B7

with region play on Mondays and Tuesdays and a quality opponent in Edgewood. And then everyone knows Calvary is a great team. That’s kind of our last doubleheader day, so that can help us prepare for the postseason.”

OCS KINDERGARTEN TOURS

Front row, left to right: assistant coach Shavia Alexander; players Taylah Murph, Mayana Chenier, Adriana Jones and Cheyenne Wiseman; assistant coach Hope Felton. Back row, left to right: head coach Anthony Edwards, Superintendent Mac McCoy.

PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH

Bulldogs Share Spoils With Wetumpka

PHOTOS BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER

The varsity Opelika High School girls and boys soccer teams hosted Wetumpka High School at Bulldog Stadium April 4. The boys fell 0-1, with the girls winning 3-0. For more information on the Opelika soccer teams, see D. Mark Mitchell's column on page B1.

Panthers, Tigers Battle in Area Showdown

Dixie Youth Baseball Begins

Tripp White (left), Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller (center) and Tripp's sister Kyleigh attended opening day for

this

on April 1.

Show Tunes Spanning Generations: SUSCC’s Spring Show Tickets on Sale

CONTRIBUTED BY SUSCC / KATIE JACKSON

WADLEY —

Tunes from Broadway, movies and hit songs have a way of bridging generations, and this month those tunes will also bring together two generations of Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) performing arts students as SUSCC’s Show Choir puts on its 2023 spring production, "There's No Tune Like a Show Tune."

On stage for three nights, April 26 to 28, at Brazeal Auditorium on Southern Union’s Wadley campus, will be an ensemble of talented SU students singing and dancing their way through such beloved stage and screen hits as “Parade,” “Hamilton,” “Newsies,” “Mary Poppins,” “Rent,” “The Chronicles of Narnia,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Vivo”, as well as songs made famous by The Beatles, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Otis Redding, Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox, Neil Diamond and many others.

Among the students on that stage will be Lilly Mills, a freshman at SUSCC from Lee County’s Beulah community. In the audience will be her mother,

SUSCC Show Choir alumna Lynda Oliver Whaley, and her brother, recent SUSCC theater alumnus Oliver Mills. There in spirit from Kentucky will be her aunt, also a Show Choir alumna and the very first Miss Southern Union, Lisa Oliver Singleton. This family’s stage tradition began back in 1982 when Singleton arrived at SUSCC’s Wadley campus from Lanett High School in Chambers County on a scholarship awarded to her as the newly crowned Miss Chattahoochee Valley. At the time, Singleton had little experience as a singer beyond church choir. But SUSCC’s music and Show Choir directors, Jimmy New and the late Ann Caldwell, set to work helping her prepare for the Miss Alabama pageant and also got her involved in Show Choir. Singleton went on to compete in other pageants, winning the Miss Southern Union crown in 1984, which allowed her to compete a second time in the Miss Alabama pageant.

But her SUSCC experience was beneficial far beyond the pageant world. It also helped her build confidence, self-esteem and lifelong friendships. According

to Singleton, coming from a small high school to SUSCC was ideal for her because the teachers helped her make a much easier transition to college life. In addition to New and Caldwell, Singleton said former speech teacher Louise Cox also had a huge impact on her life.

“I used to be a very shy person,” she said. “I did not want to get up in front of people, but Mrs. Cox made it comical, which made it fun.”

In 1984, Whaley followed her sister to Wadley on an academic scholarship her first year and on a performing arts scholarship her second year. She, too, felt lucky to have New and Caldwell as mentors, she said.

“They were the best,” Whaley said.

While juggling Show Choir and school was not easy, it taught Whaley and Singleton how to manage responsibilities and priorities, and the sisters both said they always knew their professors and advisors were there to support them.

“It was hard work, but we had fun,” Whaley said. “And with any group like that you become family, and you love each other and take care of each other.”

Like their mother and

aunt, Oliver and Lilly had little experience in the performing arts before coming to SUSCC, but they, too, were encouraged and mentored from the moment they arrived at SUSCC’s Wadley campus. In fact, Oliver credits theater professor Michael Williams for recognizing his potential as an actor.

“I didn’t have a huge background in theater, and some of [my fellow students] had been doing production after production,” he said. “I was like a tiny minnow, and they were like giant fish, but Mr. Williams still saw my potential.”

Oliver started as a

stagehand when he first came to SU in 2018 and, before he graduated in 2020, he held major acting roles in two SUSCC theater productions. He is now a senior minoring in drama and majoring in communications at Auburn University and said he hopes to someday work in broadcasting, where his stage experience at SU may come in quite handy.

Lilly, who is ending her first year at SUSCC, said she has loved being part of Show Choir and finding her own place on the stage. According to Lilly, her family’s positive experiences at SUSCC made applying

there and becoming involved in the college’s performing arts program an easy decision, especially after attending her brother’s shows.

“It was crazy to me because [while watching them] I would forget that these were college students,” she said. “It was that good.”

Now that she is onstage herself, Lilly said she has found enjoyment in the combination of singing and dancing, and she is excited to see what this upcoming show will bring.

One thing it will definitely bring is a chance for Whaley, Singleton, Oliver and Lilly to share the intergenerational experience of the SUSCC stage — a family affair. But that makes sense to them all.

“My first thought when I think of Southern Union is ‘family,’” Whaley said. “That’s just what it is.”

And while not everyone in the room may be family, it’s possible for everyone to enjoy the intergenerational joy of great showtunes by attending this year’s spring show. Tickets for the performances, which will be held at 7 p.m. each evening, are on sale now. Tickets are available online by visiting suscc. edu.

Alabama 4-H Ambassador Applications Now Open

CONTRIBUTED BY ACES

BY 4-H / KATIE NICHOLS

AUBURN —

Calling all high school sophomore, junior and senior 4-H members: Alabama

4-H ambassador applications are now open.

Joy Scott, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System 4-H leadership specialist, said she is excited to start the search for new ambassadors to represent Alabama 4-H over the next school year.

“Representing 4-H and the state of Alabama, while also doing your part for the community, is an opportunity many students do not get,” Scott said.

In order to apply, enrolled members must be 14 years old by Jan. 1 of the starting term year. To become an Alabama 4-H ambassador, members must submit an application and resume through 4HOnline by May 1, 2023. Selected

members will interview May 22 at the Alabama 4-H Center and May 23 at Auburn University.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A 4-H AMBASSADOR

4-H ambassadors are the face of Alabama 4-H. Supporting 4-H while carrying out its vision and educating people on the mission, are only a few things that make up a great ambassador.

Alabama 4-H ambassadors get the unique experience of

furthering their communication and leadership skills at a young age. All ambassadors demonstrate the ability to work well with others and communicate effectively with their peers and adults. They also come together to plan activities and fun events throughout the year.

“This opportunity is like none other,” said Witt Bell, a 4-H state ambassador from Shelby County. “This past year, I have

met amazing friends from across the state, learned important real-world skills and have had a ton of fun along the way.”

Many students feel rewarded when they see the events and meetings they planned come together. The growth high school students undergo within the 4-H program helps shape them into the next group of leaders in Alabama.

“I love being a 4-H ambassador because I love to tell my 4-H story in hopes to impact other people’s lives and encourage them to want to become ambassadors as well,” said Abbi Kate Ogilvie, a

4-H state ambassador from Randolph County. “I really recommend applying if you are given the opportunity.”

MORE INFORMATION

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become an Alabama 4-H state ambassador. For more information on the ambassador responsibilities and meeting dates, see the Alabama Extension publication "Alabama 4-H Ambassadors" available at www.aces. edu. Looking to be further involved in 4-H? Visit www.Alabama4H. com or reach out to your county Extension office to learn about local clubs, activities and opportunities.

Lynda Whaley and her children, Ollie and Lilly Mills, have deep roots in the SU Fine Arts Department.

L labama Politics ee County & A

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Inside the Statehouse

Democrats give Trump a Lifeline

Democratic state and local Democratic venue, who ran on a platform of garnering an indictment of former President Trump for some reason, and he is running for reelection in a Democratic primary.

STEVE FLOWERS

OPINION —

As mentioned last week, the presidential race has begun. The first bomb or salvo dropped last week with the political indictment of Donald Trump by a Democratic New York Manhattan borough prosecutor. It used to be off limits to use the courts to indict a person for political reasons.

Make no mistake about it: This trumped-up political ploy is just that — political theatrics.

There is an old saying that you can indict a potato. The legal threshold for getting a grand jury to offer a writ of indictment only requires that there is a scintilla of evidence that there may be a crime or misdemeanor. Therefore, a prosecutor can orchestrate an indictment. There will never be a conviction of Trump in this ploy. It would take six years of delaying and going through appellate courts before the case would ever be heard, and it would probably be thrown out by one of the appeals courts for lack of culpability.

You may ascertain from the facts whether you think it was a Democratic ploy or not. You have a Democratic district attorney in an overwhelmingly

If indeed political prosecution has become the new partisan weapon in political skullduggery, then you could very easily see a Republican district attorney in rural Idaho get an indictment against Joe Biden for many reasons.

The New York indictment and arraignment of Trump is as far as this case will go. The purpose of the Democratic district attorney has been fulfilled and accomplished. The sensationalism was met with glee by the liberal media. However, it was met with glee by one Donald J. Trump, also. It gave him a political lifeline.

Make no mistake about it: The New York charade was politically motivated, but not for the reason you would think. Most would assume the Democrats wanted to bloody Trump in order to beat him in the general election next November against Biden. Not so. That story is written. That boat has sailed. Polling reveals Trump cannot be elected president. He is detested by 75% of the American electorate. Believe me, from years of observing politics, if you have a candidate who begins the race with 100% name identification and 50% negative, they should not run. They will lose. There is no mistake about it. If Trump is the nominee

of either party — or any party — he will lose. The only other candidate who has similar negative numbers like Trump is Biden.

If you have a race between Biden and Trump, the old political truism that more people vote against someone than vote for someone will definitely come into play. Biden would beat Trump much worse than four years ago. Biden’s negatives are 50%. Trump’s negatives are 75%. Therefore, Biden would out-negative Trump again. There are no independents or Democrats who will vote for Trump, and only 30% of Republicans embrace him. The bottom line is any Republican besides Trump will beat Biden, and any Democrat will beat Trump including Biden.

So, you ask, why are the Democrats attacking Trump?

The answer is they are trying to help him win the Republican nomination. The act has worked. Trump has a hardcore 30% of Republican primary voters. He had become so unpopular even among Republicans that he had dropped to 25%, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 40% without DeSantis being in the race. This New York Democratic ploy has brought such an outcry of sympathy for Trump among Republicans that he has jumped from 25% to 45% in the polls. He has also milked the Democratic scheme for over $10 million in campaign contributions.

See FLOWERS, page B11

District 5 County Commissioner Appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

Richard LaGrand was sworn in as Lee County District 5 commissioner Monday night during the regular meeting of the Lee County Com-

mission.

In a last-minute addition to the county commission agenda, LaGrand was sitting to the side of the commission chambers before the meeting started, holding a Bible and waiting to be sworn in.

LaGrand is filling the

vacant seat after former District 5 Commissioner John Andrew Harris’ death in January.

Harris served for two decades on the commission up until 2018 when he decided to run for state office.

See LAGRAND, page B11

County Approves Water Board Funding

BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM

LEE COUNTY —

The Lee County Commission voted to approve items related to the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funding Monday night.

“So, the [Investing in Alabama Counties program] is in the process of vetting for the eligibility water projects that you all allocated the total amount for back on August 29 of '22,” said county Administrator Holly

Leverette. “And as you’ll recall, on Nov. 28, we approved the guidelines that IAC would follow and the process we would follow for granting these projects to the different water authorities.

“So we’re going to go back and do the same thing we did with Beulah when we did theirs on Nov. 28. We went ahead and approved some of those. We have got four for Beauregard Water Authority, and Loachapoka Water Authority has three identified eligible projects that we need to go ahead and approve tonight.”

Water projects are only one outlet for ARPA funding that the county was awarded. Others include broadband, ventilation and community organization projects.

The commission also set a work session in place for ARPA funding on April 24 for commissioners to discuss how to spend the money and ask questions.

OTHER BUSINESS

- The commission heard from EMA Director Rita Smith on Senate Bill 22, which could lead to money

See COMMISSION, page B11

Richard LaGrand being sworn in as the District 5 Lee County Commissioner on April 10.

Beware of Fentanyl: It Killed Singer Prince and Many Thousands More

more powerful than heroin.

In March, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville joined three experts in a virtual roundtable to put a spotlight on how fentanyl is impacting Alabama. They delved into many aspects of the crisis. The experts who spoke were Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones, immediate past president of the Alabama Sheriffs Association; Shereda Finch, executive director of the Council of Substance Abuse; and UAB Addiction Specialist Dr. Steven Kertesz.

OPINION —

Fentanyl? Isn’t that some type of cold medicine? Perhaps it is a new rock group? Or a news dance pioneered on reality TV? No to all three. This medication has killed more than 71,000 people, as of 2021. Fentanyl is used to help relieve incessant pain, and a prescription is required for this analgesic synthetic opioid. It carries the risk of abuse and addiction. If you take a larger dose,

you may get breathing problems. That is according to First Databank (Microsoft).

According to The New York Times, Prince hid a long opioid addiction by "mixing various prescription pills in bottles for everyday products like Bayer." He died on April 21, 2016, another legendary star who died too young. Prince died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl, which oddly enough is an opioid almost 50 times

“Our kids are dying right and left,” Tuberville said. “The facts are a scary picture. … Just two milligrams of fentanyl — roughly the weight of a mosquito — is considered a lethal dose. The Department of Homeland Security announced that it has stopped more than 900 pounds of fentanyl from entering our country. More than 150 Americans are dying every day, and mostly our kids.”

Jones concurred:

“One week in January here in Lee County alone, we saw seven instances where individuals had, as it turns out, taken overdose quantities of a drug. Fentanyl was involved in all seven. Two people recovered and five did not.” One example of where fentanyl is used is in managing chronic pain, such as for cancer. Transdermal patches slowly release fentanyl through the skin into the bloodstream over 48 to 72 hours. This allows for long-lasting pain management. Fentanyl patches are often prescribed with an opioid (such as morphine or oxycodone) to handle breakthrough pain.

In cases of respiratory depression is found the most dangerous adverse effect: decreased sensitivity to carbon dioxide, leading to a reduced rate of breathing, which can cause anoxic brain injury or death. This risk is decreased when the airway is secured with an endo -

tracheal tube.

“It’s just not a ZIP code drug,” Finch explained. “It’s not a socioeconomic drug. Many people who are unsuspecting [are] dying — and they don’t have to die. In Alabama, the age of substance initiation is about 12 to 13 years. That means we have youth who are beginning a pattern.”

Drug Facts states that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Illegal fentanyl is sold in various forms: as a powder, in nasal sprays and eye droppers, dropped on blotter paper like small candies, or made into pills resembling actual prescription opioids.

Illegal fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs, such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. This is very dangerous, as people are often unaware fentanyl is added.

Besides singer-songwriter Prince, a tragic number of notables

have succumbed to fentanyl-induced overdose. Two more examples are Anthony Durante, known professionally as “Pitbull #2” (2003), and Michael K. Williams, an actor in a series called “The Wire.” He died from an overdose of fentanyl, parafluorofentanyl, heroin and cocaine.

I suspect we will have a long battle with fentanyl. But we must try our hardest to rid our society of dangers like it. Many of these cases are accidental.

Still, as the recent virtual roundtable shows, we must keep plugging. When we see our progress and act as Prince told us, “We will party like it’s 1999.”

Greg Markley first moved to Lee County in 1996. He has master’s degrees in education and history. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to The Observer for 11 years. gm.markley@charter.net.

GREG MARKLEY

Opelika Lions Club Welcomes Local Pastor

Opelika Kiwanis Club Makes Donation to EMA

Southern Union Director Visits Opelika Kiwanis

The Lee County Emergency Management Agency expressed a "thank you" to the Kiwanis Club of Opelika for making a monetary donation for supplies in its Emergency Operations Center kitchen. The Lee County Emergency Management Office and Operations Center have undergone major renovations over the last two years, and as the renovations near total completion the stocking of supplies are currently taking place. EMA not only has emergency response resources and administrative resources ready 24/7/365, it keeps a stocked kitchen for extended operational periods. Everyone is encouraged to stay prepared and know what to do in the event of an emergency. Visit www.leecoema.com to sign up for local emergency alerts or learn more about being prepared.

LAGRAND >>

At that time, LaGrand won the District 5 seat.

When it came time for the last election cycle in 2022, both candidates ran and Harris won.

Some of the issues that LaGrand ran his platform on include broadband access in the county and distributing American Rescue Plan funds.

new Aviation Technology program that is beginning this fall at Southern Union. If you or someone you know is interested in this program, email aviation@suscc.edu for more information. The speakers on April 20 will be Mical Traynor, Jim Disque and Kay Pettit with Village Friends.

FLOWERS

FROM B9

>>

In short, Trump was going down the tubes in hopes of being the Republican nominee, but the Democrats gave him a lifeline. It also helps Trump by diffusing any other political indictments brought against him, which may have more merit than this one but will now be viewed as frivolous and political.

The Democratic effort to make Trump the Republican nominee may not succeed. Ultimately, they were hoping Trump could at least get to 50% polling with the outrage of their ploy, but he has only jumped from 25% to 45%. This 45% will probably drop back to 30 to 35% in about a month when DeSantis and others join the fray.

In the meantime, Democrats will do

all they can to try to make Trump the GOP nominee.

The presidential race is in full swing. Machiavelli is not dead, even if Trump is.

See you next week.

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

“I try to make sure that I communicate, and then two, I’m a good listener so I like listening to people,”

COMMISSION >>

FROM B9

for the county.

- The commission heard the second reading and voted for a position on the Beauregard Water Authority Board.

- The commission heard a request from a citizen, Calvin Bellamy, to pave Lee Road 246. County Engineer Justin Hardee said the county does not currently have the funds to pave dirt roads.

- The commission agreed to enlist the county attorney

he said last fall while running.

LaGrand was sworn in by retired Probate Judge Hal Smith.

“A lot of you are here for the swearing-in ceremony,” LaGrand said, addressing the crowd. “And I want to let y’all know that I went out and invested in a brandnew Bible. It’s kind of heavy so I’d like to invite [Opelika]

Mayor Gary Fuller and Jack Robinson up to help me hold the Bible.”

LaGrand’s appointment came from Gov. Kay Ivey, according to

for civil action against a company for missing purchased products.

- The commission approved educational reimbursement requests for the Lee County Sheriff's Department.

- The commission voted to approve an agreement for subdivision enforcement in planning jurisdiction.

- The commission heard the final plat approval for the Tillery Subdivision.

- The commission heard the final plat approval for the Daniel Lakes Subdivision.

the necessary process after a commissioner dies or must step down.

This is not the first occasion in recent history that this has occurred. In 2020, the commission lost District 2 Commissioner Johnny Lawrence to COVID-19 and needed an appointment from Ivey to fill the seat.

Smith said he was honored to swear in LaGrand.

“I’ve performed this duty numerous times and I hope it will be a successful one,” Smith said.

- The commission approved a speed limit reduction on Lee Road 257.

- The commission approved local resurfacing bid No. LCP 41-RALR-23.

- The commission approved maintenance bid #2023-09 for Class 3 Reinforced T&G Concrete Pipe.

- The commission voted to update the Agriculture Center Kitchen/Training Room to account for safety issues.

- The commission amended the Bulk Waste Collection Rules and Regulations.

Rick Hagans, right, founder of Harvest Evangelism 35 years ago, was a recent guest of the Opelika Lions Club. Hagans presented a report on the current status of “His Place for Men” and “Hosanna Home for Women,” managed by his organization. A presentation was made by Lion Greg Boyd, left, a past member of His Place.

The guest speaker at this week's Opelika Kiwanis Club meeting was Southern Union Director of Aviation Technology Richard Belk. He spoke to the club about the

Notice of Action by

Publication: Michael L. Maddox et al. v. LeRoy Moss, et al., Civil Action NO. 43-CV-2023-900058. was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama on to-wit:

February 9. 2023, seeking by

Declaratory Judgment to Quiet

Title in rem and for a Sale for Division to the property located in Lee County, Alabama and described as follows:

From a point where the apparent south boundary of the Northeast Quarter of Section 28, Township 20 North, Range 24 East, in Lee County, Alabama, intersects the centerline of an 18-foot-wide unpaved road, run thence on a magnetic bearing of North 72 degrees 29 minutes East for 19.9 feet to a point which is 19 feet east of the centerline of said unpaved county road, which is the point of beginning of the parcel of land here intended to be described; thence run along said road North 09 degrees 49 minutes East 300 feet to a point; thence leaving said road run East 290.4 feet to a point; thence run South 09 degrees 49 minutes West for 300 feet to a point; thence run West 290.4 feet to the point of beginning, containing 2.0 acres, more or less, and being situated in the Northeast Quarter of Section 28, Township 20 North, Range 24 East, in Lee County, Alabama

TO: ALL PERSONS claiming present, future, contingent, remainder, reversion, or other interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or lien thereon:

You are hereby notified that the above-styled action was filed against you on February 9, 2023, and that by Order entered by the Court, you are hereby commanded to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the complaint within 30 days of the last publication, the 1 5 t h day of May, 2023, or thereafter suffer judgment in rem to be rendered against you because this notice shall be used to perfect service against all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the complaint, Your response must be filed with Mary B. Roberson, Clerk, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama, Lee County Justice Center, 2311 Gateway Drive, Suite 104, Opelika, AL 36801, and served upon attorneys for the Plaintiff, Agricola Law, LLC, 127 South 8th Street, Opelika, AL 36801. Plaintiffs' attorney's telephone number is (334) 759-7557

Done this March 24th day of 2023.

/s Mary B. Roberson Clerk, Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama Legal Run

03/30/2023,04/06/2023 & 04/13/2023

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT ESTATE OF ELLEN ELIZABETH BRYANT, DECEASED

COURT OF PROBATE LEE COUNTY

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to the undersigned on the 23'd day of March, 2023, 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.

Witness our hands, and dated this the 23rd day of March, 2023.

VICKIE MARIE HORNE

Legal Run 03/30/2023, 04/06/2023 & 04/13/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DORIS D. MAPLE, DECEASED.

CASE NO.:2023-169

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Take Notice that Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Vickie Jo Wilds on the 29th day of March,, 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama. Notice is hereby given to all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

J. TUTT BARRETT

P.O. Box 231

Opelika, AL 36803-0231

Legal Run 04/06/2023, 04/13/2023 & 04/20/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE ESTATE OF MONETTE B. COCHRAN, DECEASED

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT

Letters Testamentary under the Last Will and Testament of said deceased having been granted to Mona Cochran Silvey on or about the 14th day of March 2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all person having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

Mona Cochran Silvey

Personal Representative

Josh J. Mitchell, Esq. BOULOUKOS, OGLESBY & MITCHELL, LLC

Attorney for Personal Representative 2017 Second Avenue North, First Floor Birmingham, Alabama 35203-3703

Phone: 205/322-164 l Legal Run 04/06/23, 04/13/2023, 04/20/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF S.J.R., a minor in need of a Conservator

CASE NO: 2021-676

NOTICE OF PARTIAL SETTLEMENT

Notice is hereby given that Samantha Johnson, Conservator of S.J.R., a minor child, has filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, her accounts, vouchers and statements for a Partial Settlement of the Conservatorship of S.J.R. A hearing has been set for the 25th day of May, at 1:00 p.m., Central Time, electronically via "ZOOM." Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the said hearing. Done this the 31st day of March 2023.

Bill English Judge of Probate Legal Run 4/6/23, 4/13/23 & 4/20/23

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE:THE ESTATE OF KATRICE ANN WILLIAMS, DECEASED

CASE NO. 2023-088

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration having been granted to LARRY JEROME WILLIAMS, as Administrator of the Estate of KATRICE ANN WILLIAMS, deceased, on the 30th day of March, 2023, by the Honorable BILL ENGLISH, Judge of Probate.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a11 persons having claims against the said Estate are hereby required to present the same within the time allowed by Jaw or the same will be barred.

LARRY JEROME WILLIAMS, Administrator of the Estate of KATRICE ANN WILLIAMS, deceased. Legal Run 4/6/23, 4/13/23 & 4/20/23

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

CASE NO.: 2023-149

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF JAMES RONALD HALL AND WANDA COX HALL

PUBLICATION NOTICE

TO: Randy Lamar Lynn Jr.,

Address Unknown

Please take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by James Ronald Hall and Wanda Cox Hall on March 22, 2023, for the adoption of L.M.L. born on September 7, 2012, in Opelika, Alabama to Christina Leigh Lynn and Randy Lamar Lynn Jr.

A hearing has been set in the Lee County Probate Court, Opelika, Alabama. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Jason C. Riggs, P.0. Box 954, Aubumn, AL 36831 and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, P.O. Box 2266, Opelika, AL 36803 as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published Dated on this the 23'd day of March 2023.

HON. BILL ENGLISH JUDGE OF PROBATE

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Legal Run 4/6/23, 4/13/23, 4/20/23 & 4/27/23

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MICHAEL WILDRED LORD, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No: 2023-151

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 22nd day of March, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

PHILLIP CLINTON LORD

Personal Representative

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345

(334) 745-3504

Legal Run 4/6/23, 4/13/23 & 4/20/23

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CAROLYN SUE LORD, DECEASED IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Case No: 2023-152

Letters Testamentary on the estate of said decedent having been granted to the undersigned on the 22nd day of March, 2023, by the Hon. Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.

PHILLIP CLINTON LORD

Personal Representative

Robert H. Pettey Samford & Denson, LLP

P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345 (334) 745-3504 Legal Run 4/6/23, 4/13/23, 4/20/23

INVITATION FOR BIDS

Sealed bids will be received by the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Mobile, Alabama (“Board”), at the Wesley A. James Operations Center, 4725 Moffett Road, Suite A, Mobile, AL 366180249 until 12:00 p.m., Local Time, May 1, 2023, and then publicly opened and read at 1:00 P.M., for furnishing all labor, materials, and performing all work for the following project:

Contract No.: 10358538, Project

Name: Causeway Water Main Replacement.

The project is funded by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program. The selected bidder shall comply with all conditions and requirements of the program as they pertain to this Project.

Plans and Specifications may be inspected at the offices of HDR Engineering, Inc., 25 West Cedar Street, Suite 200, Pensacola, FL 32502. Plans and Specifications may be obtained from Mindy Heym, Telephone: (850) 429-8900, or Mindy. Heym@hdrinc.com. Questions regarding the Contract Documents must be submitted electronically to HDR (via Heath.Hardy@hdrinc.com) no later than April 24, 2023, in order for responses to be provided via addendum prior to the bid date.

Electronic files of the Plans, Specifications, and other Contract Documents along with select hard copy bid forms may be obtained from Mindy Heym at HDR, at 25 W. Cedar Street, Suite 200, Pensacola FL. 32502, upon a non-refundable payment of $50.00 per set. A CD and Documents may also be mailed at the request of the bidder upon receipt of the $50 payment and provided a FedEx account number is provided for the shipping charges. No Contract documents will be issued later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to bid submission time.

A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at the MAWSS Wesley A. James Operations Center Board Room, 4725 Moffett Road, Mobile, AL 36618 on April 19, 2023, at 9:00 A.M., Local Time, to discuss bidding and project requirements. Virtual attendance of the Pre-Bid Meeting will also be allowed via a Webex Link to be provided upon request. Prospective bidders and subcontractors should attend. Attendees representing

the prospective contractor must be an employee of the company with experience in bidding jobs. Bids must be submitted on the standard forms included with the Contract Documents. Envelopes containing bids must be sealed and delivered to the Director, Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners of the City of Mobile, Alabama, 4725A Moffett Road, Mobile, Alabama 36618-0249: “Bid for constructing (Contract No.) 10358538, Causeway Water Main Replacement, to be opened at 1:00 p.m., Local Time, May 1, 2023”. The Bidder's Alabama State Contractor's License Number and discipline shall be on the envelope. Bid guarantee in the form of certified check, bid bond, or Irrevocable Letter of Credit acceptable to the Board will be required for at least 5% of the bid amount, not to exceed $10,000. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive any informality in bids received.

THIS INVITATION FOR BIDS IS CONDENSED FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ REQUIREMENTS FOR BIDDERS CAN BE FOUND IN THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS. THE BOARD OF WATER AND SEWER COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF MOBILE, ALABAMA Legal Run 04/13/2023 & 04/20/2023

CITY OF OPELIKA NOTICE OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS TO: RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED CITIZENS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission of the City of Opelika, Alabama will hold a regular meeting and will be conducting public hearings on Tuesday, April 25, 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 2:45 pm 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. Approval of Minutes

B. Update on Previous PC Cases

C.Conditional Use – Public Hearing

1.A public hearing on a request by Chris Taylor, authorized representative for Marrell Hartley, property owner, for a conditional use approval for auto sales and auto repair in a C-3, GC-S zoning district at 1418 2nd Avenue.

D.Rezoning – Public Hearing

2a. An agenda item related to a rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land UseMap for 197 acres accessed from Anderson Road and Andrews Road from a low density residential to a mixed use development land use category. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the 197 acres and Council approves the rezoning, then approval of said amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved.

2b. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Blake Rice, Barrett-Simpson, Inc., authorized representative of 280 Land Company LLC, property owner, to rezone 197 acres accessed from Anderson Road and Andrews Road from R-3 to PUD (Edgefield Farm).

3a. An agenda item related to a rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for 17.95 acres accessed at 820 Crawford Road from a medium density residential category to a mixed use development land use category. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the 17.95 acres and Council approves the rezoning, then approval of said amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved.

3b. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Blake Rice, Barrett-Simpson, Inc., authorized representative of SMB Land, LLC, property owner, to

rezone 17.95 acres accessed at 820 Crawford Road. from R-3 to PUD (Knollwood).

4a. An agenda item related to a rezoning request concerns an amendment to the Future Land Use Map for 42.73 acres accessed at 3001 Gateway Drive from a mixed use and light commercial land use category to a retail-entertainment land use category. If the Planning Commission votes to send a positive recommendation to the City Council to rezone the 42.73 acres and Council approves the rezoning, then approval of said amendments to the Future Land Use map will be approved.

4b. A public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council on a request by Brett Basquin, Foresite Group, LLC, authorized representative of Broad Metro, LLC, Greg Edney/Eagle Vol Opelika LLC, and Capps Farm Partnership LTD, property owners, to rezone 42.73 acres accessed at 3001 Gateway Drive from a PUD & C-2 zone to a PUD zone. 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 04/13/2023

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain Mortgage dated October 22, 2021 executed by Jeffery Potter and Andrea Potter (collectively, “Mortgagor”) to United Bank recorded on November 18, 2021, recorded in Mortgage Book 4810, page 193, in the Probate Office of Lee County, Alabama, United Bank, the holder of the Mortgage, under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said Mortgage will sell, at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Lee County Courthouse located at 215 South 9th Street, Opelika, Alabama 36801 on May 4, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate situated in Lee County, Alabama: Lot 815, according to the Survey of Grove Hill-Ingleside Subdivision, as recorded in Town Plat Book 21, page 76, in the Probate Office of Lee County, Alabama.

Property address: 1510 Montrose Road, Auburn, AL 36830

All recording references herein are to the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama. This sale is made for the purpose of paying the indebtedness secured by said mortgage, as well as the expenses of foreclosure.

Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process.

The holder of the Mortgage makes no representation or warranty as to the physical condition of the real estate and/or any improvements thereon. The above-described property will be sold: (i) on an “as is” basis, subject to any unpaid taxes, all reservations and restrictions contained in prior deeds and all other matters of record, including restrictive covenants and easements for road rights of way, utilities or rights of ingress and egress; (ii) without representation, warranty or recourse, express or implied, as to title, condition, use and/or enjoyment of the property; and (iii) subject to the statutory right of redemption. This sale is subject to being postponed or cancelled.

United Bank, mortgage holder

By: Christopher H. Ezell, Esq.

Attorney for United Bank

JONES WALKER LLP

11 N. Water Street, Suite 1200

Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 439-7508

Legal Run 04/13/2023, 04/20/2023, & 04/27/2023

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE

WHEREAS, default has been made in the terms of the Mo1tgage executed on the 5th day of April, 2022, by Sonja Love Collins, as Mortgagor in favor of KAAM Enterprises, LLC, as Mortgagee, as recorded in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama, in Real Property Book 8, at Page 179, and said default continuing, the mortgagee, under power of sale contained in said mortgage will sell at auction for cash to the highest bidder on the steps of the Lee County Courthouse in Lee County, Alabama on Monday, May 15, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, the following described real estate embraced in said Mortgage and Mortgage Modification, situated in Lee, Alabama, to-wit: "Lot 5, Kendrick Subdivision, according to and as shown on map or plat of said subdivision of record in Town Plat Book 8, at Page 179, in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama." THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD ON AN "AS IS, WHERE IS" BASIS, SUBJECT TO ANY EASEMENTS, ENCUMBRANCES, AND EXCEPTIONS REFLECTED IN THE MORTGAGE AND THOSE CONTAINED IN THE RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE ABOVEDESCRIBED PROPERTY IS SITUATED. THIS PROPERTY WILL BE SOLD WITHOUT WARRANTY OR RECOURSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AS TO TITLE, USE AND/OR ENJOYMENT AND WILL BE SOLD SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REDEMPTION OF ALL PARTIES ENTITLED THERETO. Alabama law gives some persons who have an interest in property the right to redeem the property under certain circumstances. Programs may also exist that help persons avoid or delay the foreclosure process. An attorney should be consulted to help you understand these rights and programs as a part of the foreclosure process. Said sale is made for the purpose of foreclosing of said mortgage, paying the mortgage debt, the costs and expenses of foreclosure, including a reasonable attorney's fee. Mortgagee reserves the right to bid on the subject property. Said mortgage is a first mortgage and is not junior to another mortgage of record. Said sale is also subject to unpaid taxes or assessments whether of record or not. This sale is subject to postponement or cancellation.

KAAM Enterprises, LLC, Mortgagee Brandon F. Poticny Davis, Bingham, Hudson & Buckner, P.C. Attorney for Mortgagee 724 N. Dean Road, Suite 100, Auburn, AL 36830 Legal Run 04/13/2023, 04/20/2023 & 04/27/2023

TREASURES AUCTION

Extra Space Storage will hold a public auction to sell personal property described below belonging to those individuals listed below at the location indicated:

1242 N Dean Rd, Auburn, AL 36830 Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 10:00AM Unit 49 The auction will be listed and advertised on www.storagetreasures.com. Purchases must be made with cash only and paid at the above referenced facility in order to complete the transaction. Extra Space Storage may refuse any bid and may rescind any purchase up until the winning bidder takes possession of the personal property.

Legal Run Date 04-13-23

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Proposed Flood Hazard

Determinations for Lee County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, reflecting proposed flood hazard determinations within Lee County, See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14

Law Enforcement Letter to Legislature Urges Support of Gang Prevention Act

CONTRIBUTED BY THE OFFICE OF STEVE MARSHALL

ALABAMA —

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall applauded a letter submitted to the Alabama Legislature from 162 sheriffs and chiefs of police from across the state calling for the swift passage of SB143 (by Sen. Barfoot) and HB 191 (by Rep. Treadaway), the Alabama Gang Prevention Act. The act provides penalty enhancements for felonies committed to further the interests

PUBLIC NOTICES >> FROM B12

Alabama and Incorporated Areas. These flood hazard determinations may include the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway. Technical information or comments are solicited on the proposed flood hazard determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Lee County, Alabama and Incorporated Areas. These flood hazard determinations are the basis for the floodplain management measures that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, before these determinations are effective for floodplain management purposes, you will be provided an opportunity to appeal the proposed information. For information on the statutory 90-day period provided for appeals, as well as a complete listing of the communities affected and the locations where copies of the FIRM are available for review, please visit FEMA’s website at https:// www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/ BFE_Status/bfe_main.asp or call the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

Legal Run 04/13/2023 & 04/20/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION PETITION OF JOSHUA MONCRIEF AND ALEXIS MONCRIEF

CASE NO.: 2023-011

PUBLICATION NOTICE

TO: Iverson Elijah Jones and any other potential unknown father, Please take notice that a Petition for Adoption was filed in the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama by Joshua Moncrief and Alexis Moncrief on March 21, 2023, for the adoption of D.S.J. born on January 2, 2023, in Opelika, Alabama to Paris Nicole Tolar and Iverson Elijah Jones. A hearing has been set in the Lee County Probate Court, Opelika, Alabama. Should you intend to contest this adoption you must file a written response with the attorney for the petitioner, Hon. Katherine M. Hoyt, I 14 North 9th Street, Opelika, AL 3680 I and with the Clerk of the Probate Court of Lee County, Alabama, P.O. Box 2266, Opelika, AL 36803 as soon as possible but no later than thirty (30) days from the last day this notice is published. Dated on this the 3rd day of April 2023.

BILL ENGLISH

JUDGE OF PROBATE

LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

LEGAL RUN 04/13/23, 4/20/23, 4/27/23 & 5/4/23

IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CLARENCE WATTS, DECEASED

Case No.: 2023-173

of a gang, attaches a minimum sentence to any use of a firearm for the purpose of promoting the gang and certifies individuals aged 16 and older as adults when charged with gang-related offenses under the act.

“Gang violence has steadily increased over the last decade, but we must refuse to accept it in Alabama,” Marshall said. “The legislature can help to curb this trend by enacting the Alabama Gang Prevention Act.

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 or the same will be barred. Legal Run 04/13/2023, 04/20/2023 & 04/27/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

IN RE: The Estate of Mario Lateef Mitchell Deceased

Case Number: 2022-4 78

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration have been granted to Arlicia Mitchell as Administrator of the Estate of Mario Lateef Mitchell deceased, on the 23rd Day of March, 2023 by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate.

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

Arlicia Mitchell, Personal Representative of the Estate of Mario Lateef Mitchell Legal Run 04/13/2023, 04/20/2023 & 04/27/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

The Estate of Aaron Ferison, Deceased

Case Number 2023-083

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TAKE NOTICE that Letters of Administration have been granted to Kelle Fergison as Administrator of the Estate of Aaron Fergison deceased, on the 28th day of March, 2023 by the Honorable Bill English,Judge of Probate.

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

Kelle Fergison, · Personal Representative of the Estate of Aaron Fergison Legal Run 04/13/2023, 04/20/2023 & 04/27/2023

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA

Notice of the filing of Petition for Summary Distribution In the Estate of SIDNEY ALLEN CARTER, JR.

Deceased

Case No: 2023-176

Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary Distribution has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office by Merry Jane Hagood Carter on April 4, 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.

“Together, we are urging the swift passage of this legislation that will give state and local law enforcement the tools they need to take back

(a) Rodney C. Jones and Laurie S. Jones, the owners of 209.71 acres located in the 3200 block of Columbus Parkway within the unincorporated area of Lee County, Alabama, have requested that said property be pre-zoned to a Planned Unit Development (PUD) prior to annexing into the City of Opelika.

(b) Said real property is located on the south side of Columbus Parkway (U.S. Highway 280) and is more particularly described as follows: Commencing and beginning at a found 4”x4” concrete monument 0.40’ Southwest of a 1” crimp top iron pin, said concrete monument accepted at the Southwest corner of Section 14, Township 19, Range 27 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, said point being the Southwest corner and the Point of Beginning of the parcel described herein: from this POINT OF BEGINNING, thence North 01°07'22" West, a distance of 119.43 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°44'26" West, a distance of 199.62 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°48'54" West, a distance of 304.19 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°18'09" West, a distance of 294.77 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°33'53" West, a distance of 104.09 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°18'21" West, a distance of 191.44 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°24'22" West, a distance of 401.28 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°23'32" West, a distance of 989.11 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin 37.1 feet East of another 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 01°45'04" East, a distance of 1534.43 feet to a set ½” rebar by Precision Surveying (CA788) 6” from a fence corner in the South right of way of US Highway 280; thence along said right of way South 83°01'03" East, a distance of 643.83 feet to a 4”x4” disturbed concrete monument; thence along said right of way along a curve concave to the south having a radius of 2824.80 feet and a chord which bears South 72°17'12" East 1102.83 feet for an arc distance of 1109.95 feet to a set ½” rebar (CA788); thence continue along US Highway 280 South 61°31'03" East, a distance of 416.27 feet to a 1 ½” crimp top iron pin; thence leaving US Highway 280 South 00°28'12" East, a distance of 2546.01 feet to a set ½” rebar (CA788); thence South 88°03'58" East, a distance of 723.36 feet to a painted rock accepted as the property corner; thence South 01°35'00" East, a distance of 1073.94 feet to a 1 ½” crimp top iron pin at a fence corner; thence North 87°37'08" West, a distance of 2855.88 feet to the Point of Beginning.

Said parcel lies within Section 14, Township 19, Range 27 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama and contains 209.71 ACRES, more or less.

The above-described property contains 209.71 acres, more or less, and is located in the 3200 Block of Columbus Parkway (U.S. Highway 280).

(c) Holland Homes, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company (the “Company”) has an option to purchase the above-described real property.

(d) The Company, with the consent of the owners of record, heretofore submitted to the City a development plan for a planned unit development (“PUD”) entitled “Firefly Subdivision PUD” consisting of approximately 209.71 acres.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Benjamin H. Parr, Personal Representative on the 4th day of April, 2023, by Honorable Bill

The Council has determined and hereby finds and declares that the following facts are true and correct:

(e) The proposed development is a residential development consisting of approximately 599 residential units. The residential units will consist of three

our streets.

“Currently, Alabama has no law on the books to specifically combat or deter gang activity and gang violence,” the letter

product types: single-family detached homes, twin homes and townhomes. The development will include platted open space and amenity areas totaling over 100 acres. Planned amenities include quad lawns for entertainment, a dog walk with community firepit, an artificial turf putting green, bocce ball court and a pool and pavilion. The proposed density of the development is 2.86 dwelling units per acre.

(f) At a regular meeting of the Planning Commission on January 24, 2023, the Commission did vote to send a report to the City Council recommending approval of the pre-zoning request and approval of the development plan.

(g) Due notice of said pre-zoning request has been provided to the public as required by law through publication.

(h) The City Council of the City of Opelika, after due consideration, finds and determines that the application for pre-zoning of the above-described real property is proper and in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Opelika, Alabama.

Section 2. APPROVAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN. The Development Plan as submitted for review is hereby approved and affirmed as required by Section 8.18(N) of the Zoning Ordinance of the City.

Section 3. ZONING. The above-described real property is hereby pre-zoned to a Planned Unit Development (PUD). Upon annexation of said property, the property shall be designated the PUD District and the zoning ordinance and zoning map shall be amended to reflect said zoning. Should the annexation not occur prior to the expiration of the pre-zoning as set forth in Section 6, this pre-zoning shall have no effect, and the property shall remain in the unincorporated area of Lee County, Alabama.

Section 4. RETENTION OF COPIES OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN. Copies of the Development Plan shall be maintained in the office of the City Clerk, City Planner, City Engineer and Building Official and shall be open for public inspection.

Section 5. REPEALER. Any ordinance or part thereof in conflict with provisions of this Ordinance be and the same are hereby repealed.

Section 6. EFFECTIVE DATE AND EXPIRATION DATE.

This Ordinance and in particular the pre-zoning shall take effect after the date of its approval by the City Council of the City of Opelika and publication as required by law. Pursuant to the Code of Alabama (1975), §11-52-85, the zoning of the property shall become effective upon the date the territory is annexed into the corporate limits. If any portion of the territory is not annexed into the corporate limits within 180 days of the initiation of annexation proceedings as provided by law, then the pre-zoning shall be null and void. Should the pre-zoning become null and void, the applicant may reapply for re-zoning at any time as long as an annexation petition is pending.

Section 7. PUBLICATION.

This Ordinance shall be published one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 4th day of April, 2023.

/s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC, CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 5th day of April,

abama, Marshall is leading the charge to correct deficiencies within our criminal justice system by advocating for the Alabama Gang Prevention Act, the recently passed Deputy Brad Johnson Act dealing with correctional incentive time and closing loopholes within our parole system.

explains.

“Gang violence is a cancer and tough sentences are the antidote.”

As the chief law enforcement officer of Al-

2023.

s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 5th day of April, 2023.

/s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR

ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK Legal Run 04/13/2023

ORDINANCE NO. 011-23

ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN PROPERTY INTO THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA (Property located in the 3200 Block of Columbus Parkway (U.S. Highway 280))

WHEREAS, Rodney C. Jones and Laurie S. Jones, husband and wife, (hereinafter referred to as the “Petitioners”) being the owners of the property hereinafter described, heretofore filed a Petition for Annexation (the “Petition”) with the City of Opelika, Alabama, a municipal corporation, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”, requesting the annexation of certain property as more particularly described below; and WHEREAS, Petitioners are the owners of all of the lands described in their Petition; and

WHEREAS, the territory to be annexed is contiguous to the existing corporate limits of the City of Opelika and does not embrace any territory within the corporate limits of another municipality, and when annexed into the City of Opelika will form a homogenous part of the City; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Opelika did find and determine that it is in the best interest of the public that said property be annexed into the City of Opelika and it did further determine that all legal requirements for annexing said real property have been met pursuant to Sections 11-42-20 through 11-42-24, Code of Alabama (1975).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE

IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Opelika, Alabama as follows:

Section 1. The City Council of the City of Opelika, finds and declares, as the legislative body of the City of Opelika, that it is in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Opelika, and the citizens of the affected area, to bring the territory described in Section 2 of this Ordinance into the corporate limits of the City of Opelika.

Section 2. The following described property be, and the same is hereby annexed into the corporate limits of the City of Opelika, Alabama, and the boundary lines and corporate limits of the City of Opelika, Alabama shall be extended, altered and rearranged to include within the corporate limits of the City of Opelika, in addition to the territory now included therein, all the following territory, to wit:

Commencing and beginning at a found 4”x4” concrete monument 0.40’ Southwest of a 1” crimp top iron pin, said concrete monument accepted at the Southwest corner of Section 14, Township 19, Range 27 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, said point being the Southwest corner and the Point of Beginning of the parcel described herein: from this POINT OF BEGINNING, thence North 01°07'22" West, a distance of 119.43 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°44'26" West, a distance of 199.62 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°48'54" West, a distance of 304.19 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°18'09" West, a distance of 294.77 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North

The letter in its entirety can be found by accessing the website www. alabamaag.gov/documents/news/Gang%20 Crisis%20Law%20Enforcement%20Letter%20 to%20Legislature.pdf

00°33'53" West, a distance of 104.09 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°18'21" West, a distance of 191.44 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°24'22" West, a distance of 401.28 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 00°23'32" West, a distance of 989.11 feet to a 1” crimp top iron pin 37.1 feet East of another 1” crimp top iron pin; thence North 01°45'04" East, a distance of 1534.43 feet to a set ½” rebar by Precision Surveying (CA788) 6” from a fence corner in the South right of way of US Highway 280; thence along said right of way South 83°01'03" East, a distance of 643.83 feet to a 4”x4” disturbed concrete monument; thence along said right of way along a curve concave to the south having a radius of 2824.80 feet and a chord which bears South 72°17'12" East 1102.83 feet for an arc distance of 1109.95 feet to a set ½” rebar (CA788); thence continue along US Highway 280 South 61°31'03" East, a distance of 416.27 feet to a 1 ½” crimp top iron pin; thence leaving US Highway 280 South 00°28'12" East, a distance of 2546.01 feet to a set ½” rebar (CA788); thence South 88°03'58" East, a distance of 723.36 feet to a painted rock accepted as the property corner; thence South 01°35'00" East, a distance of 1073.94 feet to a 1 ½” crimp top iron pin at a fence corner; thence North 87°37'08" West, a distance of 2855.88 feet to the Point of Beginning. Said parcel lies within Section 14, Township 19, Range 27 East, Opelika, Lee County, Alabama and contains 209.71 ACRES, more or less.

The above-described property contains 209.71 acres, more or less, and is located in the 3200 Block of Columbus Parkway (U.S. Highway 280). Section 3. A map or plat of a survey describing the territory annexed and showing its relation to the corporate limits of the City of Opelika shall be attached to this ordinance, marked Exhibit “B” and made a part hereof. Section 4. The Clerk of the City of Opelika is hereby authorized and directed to file with the Probate Judge of Lee County, Alabama, a certified copy of this ordinance, together with a certified copy of the petition of the property owner and the Clerk is further directed to take all necessary and proper steps to perfect the annexation of said territory herein described. Section 5. This ordinance shall be published as provided by law in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of Opelika, Alabama. Section 6. The territory described in this ordinance shall become a part of the corporate limits of the City of Opelika upon publication of this ordinance as set forth in Section 5 above.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this the 4th day of April, 2023.

/s/ Eddie Smith PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OPELIKA, ALABAMA

ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC, CITY CLERK TRANSMITTED TO MAYOR on this the 5th day of April, 2023.

s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK ACTION BY MAYOR APPROVED this the 5th day of April, 2023.

/s/ Gary Fuller MAYOR

ATTEST:

/s/ Russell A. Jones, CMC CITY CLERK Legal Run 04/13/2023

NOTICES,

April 13, 2023

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PUBLIC NOTICES >>

FROM B13

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN RE: THE MATTER OF WANDA SZOSTAK CASE NO. 2016-A-168

NOTICE OF HEARING

Notice is hereby given that an Annual Return for the Conservatorship of Wanda Szostak, was filed by Conservator, Peter Szostak requesting approval of an annual accounting. A hearing has been set for the 22nd day of May 2023 at 10:00 a.m. central time, electronically via "ZOOM". Please contact the Lee County Probate Court at 334-737-3670 for access to the electronic hearing should you intend to take part in the said hearing.

BILL ENGLISH - Judge of Probate, Lee County, Alabama Legal Run 4/13/2023, 4/20/2023, 4/27/2023

NOTICE OF AUCTION OF ABANDONED VEHICLES.

BEST 4 LESS will be auctioning off The below mentioned vehicles on TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023. This Auction will be held at 2509 LAFAYETTE PARKWAY, OPELIKA, ALABAMA, 36801 at 10:00 a.m. If you have any questions in regards to either of the vehicles please give call at 334-705-0000.

VIN# 5TBDT48134S436351 2004 TOYOTA

TUNDRA

1YVHP80D54N66030 – 2004 MAZDA MAZDA 6 5TDZA22C56S459943 – 2006 TOYOTA SIENNA 1G1AP14PX67830667 – 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT Legal Run 04/13/2023, 04/20/2023

NOTICE OF ABANDONED MOBILE HOME SALE

1998 Fleetwood Weston E, Cream/Brown mobile home (Vin#GAFLV75A30821WT12) located at 1518 Lee Road 270, Lot 24, Cusseta, AL 36852.

Public Sale will be held at 1518 Lee Road 270, Lot 24, Cusseta, AL 36852.

Public Sale Date: Friday, April 21, 2023

Sale time: 10:00 a.m. No sealed bids will be accepted. Contact for information Naomi Wadkins at (334)703-6465.

Legal run on 4/13/23 & 4/20/23