AUBURN —
What started as an organized worship event in Neville Arena on Sept. 12, transformed into a life-changing experience for some in attendance.
Before the event even started, hopes were high for those volunteering and those in attendance.
Warren Johnston, junior in finance at Auburn University, said that he was ready to see how many students found their way to Neville Arena that night.
“I’m really excited to just see the amount of See UNITE, page A4
ANDY WHITE FOR THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY —
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) held an awards ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Lee County Justice Center in the Grand Jury Assembly Room. The ceremony honored LCSO employees who have received awards for Employee of the Quarter, Distinguished Service and Life Saver Awards.
Sheriff Jay Jones opened the ceremony by leading current employees who have recently been promoted with a reaffirmation
ceremony on Sept. 14.
of their oath. Jones then moved on to the presentation of numerous awards to Sheriff’s Office employees, punctuated
with back stories for each award and for the recipients. Jones is currently serving his
See
, page A3
AUBURN — Baby Steps, a National nonprofit organization founded in Auburn, is holding its annual Golden Gala on Nov. 4.
The Golden Gala will be held at Parker Hill, 100 Carroll St., at 6 p.m.
The gala is a fundraising event that will support student mothers in college nationwide.
Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at www. babysteps.org/goldengala.
“The fundraiser is really, truly a time where people in the community can come together and understand the impact and, you know, truly just be able to celebrate enjoying camaraderie to support student moms,”
said Charlton Jones, the director of national marketing for Baby Steps.
“We are trying to make it a point to continue to create a generational impact for student moms and their babies and just continue to change the culture surrounding unplanned pregnancies.”
According to Jones, events and activities at the gala will include games, food, a silent auction and a chance for student moms to share their stories and experiences.
Baby Steps supports students facing unplanned pregnancies by providing assistance, housing and community support.
Baby Steps was officially founded in 2017, but Jones said the history of the nonprofit stretches further back.
According to Jones,
Michelle Schultz, founder and executive director of Baby Steps, experienced her own unplanned pregnancy while she was a student at Auburn University over 30 years ago. Schultz did not feel
she had the resources or support to carry out her pregnancy while simultaneously receiving an education, so she terminated her pregnancy, Jones said.
Jones said that over time, Schultz began to
heal from her decision and found herself called to do more for student mothers who felt like they lacked options and support while experiencing pregnancy.
Baby Steps came to fruition when Schultz met Kaitlyn Willing, now the director of national operations, Jones said.
According to Jones, Willing and Schultz shared a similar story, and together, they created Baby Steps to help women in the same position they were once in.
Baby Steps is always accepting outside support and appreciates donations or volunteers.
“No matter how people want to get involved, there are ways to get involved,” Jones said. “You could volunteer your time and expertise; you could come speak to student moms
for an enrichment event and share any wisdom or professional insight you may have. We also offer academic advising to student moms as well. The capacity for involvement with Baby Steps is endless. It just kind of depends on where you feel, you know, your expertise and passion lie for supporting our organization.”
If you want to volunteer or donate to Baby Steps or are a student mother seeking support, you can find out more information through the website, www. babysteps.org.
You can also contact Baby Steps through its email, national@ babysteps.org or auburn@ babysteps.org, as well as through the Instagram, @babystepsauburn, and Facebook, Baby Steps at Auburn University.
CONTRIBUTED BY GOODWILL SOUTHERN RIVERS
COLUMBUS, GA —
Goodwill Southern Rivers (Goodwill) announced last week that it is donating $10,000 to Maui citizens in response to the devastating wildfires that impacted the island.
The donation is the result of a recent campaign whereby Goodwill donated a portion of weekend sales, along with Goodwill customers rounding up their purchases at the register.
On Aug. 28 wildfires erupted on the Hawaiian island of Maui, destroying more than 2,200 homes and businesses. The wildfires also consumed 2,170 acres of land, making it the largest natural disaster in Maui's history.
Roughly 12,000 families and visitors were displaced by the devastation of the wildfires.
Goodwill President and CEO, Jack Warden, stated, “The Goodwill location on the island of Maui has been designated as a collection point for much of the relief effort. Long-term, Goodwill Hawaii will be focusing on assisting those impacted by the wildfires. This money will be specifically used to provide job training and job placement assistance helping those affected get back on their feet.
“It is our hope that this donation will help alleviate, at least in part, a portion of the suffering that we see happening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of Maui.”
AUBURN —
A wide selection of electric vehicle makes and models will be on display at the free EV showcase at Auburn University on Friday, Sept. 22.
Reporters, photographers and videographers are
invited to the EVent, which will feature EV owners showcasing their vehicles and engaging in one-on-one conversations to answer questions about technology, cost affordability and other subjects unique to EVs.
The EVent will be held in the parking lot just north of the Jay and Susie Gogue
Performing Arts Center.
“There are more EVs on Alabama roads than ever before, and this is a perfect opportunity for people to talk one-on-one with EV owners to learn about these vehicles,” said Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Mark Bentley, one of the EVent’s coordinators. “The very
best way to learn about EVs is to talk to people who drive them every day.”
The EVent is sponsored by the Drive Electric Alabama Auburn Chapter, and it’s the third straight year an EV showcase has been held on the Auburn University campus to celebrate National Drive Electric Week and is
designed to raise awareness about all-electric and plugin hybrid vehicles.
The EVent is free to the public and will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
ABOUT DRIVE ELECTRIC ALABAMA
Drive Electric Alabama is a statewide education platform dedicated to improving the state
through the adoption of electric vehicles. EVs can create Alabamabased jobs, save money and make people’s lives more convenient. Add to that a healthier, cleaner place to live, and you have countless reasons to plug in. Learn more at driveelectricalabama. com.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones honored and congratulated several employees for excellent service and promotions at a recent ceremony.
Unit Commendation
Service Award
Robinson
- Cpl. Dalton Dunlap
- Capt. Bill McGuire
- Cpl. Rob Alexander — Employee of the Quarter
seventh term as sheriff of Lee County.
The following reaffirmed their oath of office for their newly promoted positions:
- Staff Sgt. Shelia Threat
- Staff Sgt.Ashley
Ogletree - Sgt. Lashonda Payne
- Sgt. Timothy
Parquette
- Sgt. Lora Jones
- Sgt. Cassondra
- Capt. Dave Tompkins
- Sgt.Jason Purvis
- Cpl. Vintel Thomas - Cpl. Josh Walton
The following were presented award certificates from Sheriff Jay Jones:
- Sgt. Jeff Snyder — Employee of the Quarter
- Investigator Angela Spates — Employee of the Quarter
- Lt. Jessica Daley
— Employee of the Quarter
Sgt. Cassondra Robinson — Employee of the Quarter - Corrections
Deputy Marcus Adams — Employee of the Quarter, Unit Commendation
- Purchasing Agent Michelle Smith — Employee of the Quarter, Meritorious
- Lt. Erin Pierce — Employee of the Quarter, Unit Commendation
- Communications
Officer Veronica Kelley — Life Saver, Unit Commendation -Communications
Officer Sherri Hurst — Life Saver, Unit Commendation
- Cpl. Jason Reaves — Life Saver, Unit Commendation - Deputy Matthew Sheets — Life Saver,
- Deputy Jacob Cook — Life Saver, Unit Commendation, Deputy Jonathan McLain — Distinguished Service Award
- Deputy Andrew Hammond — Unit Commendation
Deputy Shawn McDevitt — Unit Commendation
Corrections Deputy Timothy Bond — Life Saver, Unit Commendation
Corrections Deputy Quentin Bullard — Unit Commendation
Sergeant Timothy Parquette — Unit Commendation
Corrections Deputy Patrick Yarbrough — Unit Commendation
Investigator Stanley Wilson — Distinguished Service Award Investigator Tyron Ponds — Distinguished Service Award Investigator Kyle Van Noy — Distinguished Service Award
Brandon Hornsby and Bry, his 2-year-old son and youngest of six children, have a fish story to tell.
It was Bry’s first fishing trip, as Brandon, his wife, Tiffany, and Bry went to a private pond owned by family friends in Notasulga. Bry wasted no time reeling in his first bass.
“We took him over there one evening just to get him out of the house,” Brandon said. “He’d never been fishing. His mom loves fishing. It’s hard to keep a 2-year-old’s attention, as you can imagine, so we were just sitting on the bank fishing.
“It was funny, because he was trying to cast his little fishing pole. He tried to cast
it, and it barely went into the water. As I was trying to get it to reel it back in, the fish hit the worm and took off. He hooked it himself and reeled it in. That was his first one. He accidentally caught the fish.”
The happy accident led to 2-year-old Bry winning the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association’s 2023 Best Fish Photo Contest.
The photo, showing Brandon and Bry just moments after he reeled in a small bass, received more than 1,300 votes in online voting to win the contest. As the contest winner, Bry receives a prize package featuring an assortment of Road Runner crappie and bass fishing lures donated by TTI Blakemore. The package
nie Allen.
is valued at more than $250.
Designed to allow anglers of all ages to showcase how they enjoy the bountiful fishing in the Black Belt, the ALBBAA’s 2023 Best Fish Photo Contest drew 60 entries and thousands of online votes. The Hornsby family lives in Notasulga, a small town located in Alabama’s Black Belt.
“This region is blessed with so many lakes, rivers and streams, and the Best Fish Contest is intended to celebrate the summer fishing season and encourage people to enjoy our natural resources,” said Pam Swanner, executive director of the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association.
“The photos entered this year included people of all ages who wet a line on our
abundant waterways found throughout the Black Belt’s 23-county footprint. It’s gratifying to see these family snapshots that remind us about the unbridled joy of catching a fish.
“Bry’s winning photo with his dad definitely showcases the family memories made in the outdoors.”
Alabama’s Black Belt consists of 23 counties located between the Appalachian Foothills and the Coastal Plain — Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.
The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association is
students that show up, and for them to experience the presence God here in Auburn in Neville Arena,” he said.
Johnston also said that he wanted people to leave the arena reflecting on their faith and what it means to them and that he wanted people to get connected and involved in a local church.
Jack Eggleston, junior in economics at Auburn University, said he wanted to see people coming to the arena with a sense of curiosity about Christianity, while Mary Frances Springfield, freshman in biosystems engineering at Auburn University, said she hoped people would leave feeling missional after having partaken in a night of fellowship.
Auburn University
Men’s Basketball head coach Bruce Pearl said that after years of hosting a similar event called “Ignite,” he; his wife Brandy; and Chad and Tonya Prewett met and decided they wanted to assist students in any way possible in starting up a large-scale worship event.
“Chad and Tonya Prewett are the ones who absolutely ran with this,” Pearl said. “The idea is simply to have a night of worship, to have two incredible speakers and to allow the students to want to have a closer connection both to God, as well as in the church community.”
Pearl said that he hoped people would leave knowing that God’s will for their lives is more fulfilling than anything they could concoct, a message that would be echoed later as lead pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, John Pokluda took the stage.
The night began with a crowd of about 4,000 people in Neville Arena ready to listen to Atlanta-based Christian worship group Passion Music and hear messages from Pokluda and Christian Podcaster and bestselling Author Jen-
Passion opened the night playing about an hour-long set made up of contemporary Christian worships hits written both by them and other popular Christian artists.
After their set, Pokluda made his way to the stage to give a message that he believed was relevant to the struggles and insecurities of Auburn students.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such an obvious movement of God in my life,” Pokluda said of Auburn.
Pokluda’s message centered around knowing and obeying the will of God. In fact, he said that through the Bible, people can discern the will of God for their lives. He read a passage from 1 Thessalonians as the anchor point for his sermon.
“If the will of God is revealed to you, and you see it clearly, you can’t dispute, ‘Oh yeah, that is God’s will for me in college,’ will you do it?” Pokluda asked the audience.
Pokluda continued by sharing his own testimony and his own struggles from his time in college. He said he grew up in church and in college, he often asked God for guidance in his life regarding marriage and his future job, yet he still lived a life overrun by sin.
“I stayed drunk,” Pokluda sais. “I smoked weed. Did coke. Messed with molly. I was so enslaved to pornography that I didn’t even know it was a struggle. If I had any free time, I was sitting in front of my computer just looking at porn. And if I had the chance, I’d just go out and do the real thing.”
He said that during this time in his life, he felt as if one mistake made him comfortable making others until he went down a road that ruined him for a period in his life.
Following his story, he transitioned into the larger points of his message.“Let me ask you a question: why is God, the creator of the
Ignite Auburn, which was hosted in Neville Arena last week, inspired hundreds of college students to make decisions for Christ and get baptized. Head Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, John Pokluda spoke during the event.
heavens and the earth, going to reveal to me his mysterious, unknown will when I haven’t listened to anything his Word said?” Pokluda asked the crowd.
As Pokluda carried forward with his sermon, he transitioned his focus towards a struggle that he knew almost all college-aged people dealt with: sexual sin. While he said he would have loved to have spoken about going out and doing great things for God, he acknowledged that the younger generations were “enslaved” to sexual sin.
Pokluda used data about pornography addiction to highlight the need for his sermon, noting that 92% of men and 60% of women statistically were regularly consuming pornography. He said that the church in Thessalonica was also dealing with sexual sin when 1 Thessalonians was written to them and felt that it was fitting for current trends.
Pokluda said that the shame and regret most often associated with sexual sin was what made it so harmful. However, he said he knew there was a way to be free from the current wave of sexual sin, and that it was through the grace and will of God.
“I experienced the world — the money,
the cars, the watches, the girls, the parties, the drugs, the alcohol,” Pokluda said. “I’m sober, I’m in my right mind and I am telling you I found something better in Jesus. I have found something greater in Jesus. Jesus Christ died for my sins.”
Following Pokluda, Allen made her way onto the stage where she gave a message about calling on the power of God to overcome sin and evil in the world.
“God is doing something on Auburn’s campus,” Allen said after admitting she was afraid Unite would not draw in the crowd it did. “This was a part of a bigger story that’s happening here.”
Allen went on to speak hghly of stories she had heard about church parking lots filling up so quickly that people had to show up to their church much earlier than the starting time and about how Unite blew up despite having been just a vision mere weeks before.
“You are part of something special. What is happening here right now, you need to remember it,” Allen said. “You need to remember what you were wearing; you need to remember why you came; you need to remember this specific day.”
Brandon Hornsby and his two-year-old Bry, pose with Bry's award-winning catch.
committed to promoting and enhancing outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities in the Black Belt in a manner that provides economic and
ecological benefits to the region and its citizens. For information, go to www. alabamablackbeltadventures. org.
As the night progressed, Allen carried on about how God shows up where people long for him. As an example, she used the Asbury University revival that occurred in early 2023 where students slept in sleeping bags in the University’s chapel, which Allen saw as evidence that they did not want to leave the presence of God.
The overarching theme of her sermon called attendees to “take their place in the kingdom of God.” She encouraged the audience to call on God to fight off the presence of sin and evil in their lives.
“Where people want God, God shows up,” Allen said. “The question I have for you, Auburn students, is do you want God?”
At the end of her message, Allen asked the audience to take a couple of minutes to find someone of the same sex and tell them about a struggle they have dealt with. Allen felt there was power in naming the “dark, cosmic forces” at work trying to bring people down.
“[God] wants to set us free,” Allen said. “This is the story he wants for you, but it doesn’t end there. The authority he has given us began as he ascended to heaven. He was clear. I want you to imagine Jesus has been on earth 33 years now, and he has gotten to say many, many things to many, many people and now, he’s going to say the last thing, and this is what he says … ‘For all authority has been given to me on heaven and on earth, go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Allen’s closed by commissioning the audience — particularly Christians — to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth and to disciple others.
A time of invitation
began as Passion made their way back to the stage. Up front, designated workers were there to pray with any who wanted someone to pray. However, it was after this that the night took an unexpected twist.
After several people expressed their desire to be baptized, the organizers rushed to accommodate their requests. When Passion finished their final set, between 1,500 to 2,000 people made their way to the Auburn University Ag Heritage Park to watch people be baptized in the pond.
People enclosed the west end of the pond and several trucks parked to shine a light down on the pond. Five people were in the water ready to baptize any who came forward, one of which was Rylee Thornton, senior in finance at Auburn University.
“I was saved the first time when I was seven-years-old,” said Thornton, who was one of what was believed to be nearly 200 people baptized. “Then I got to college, even through high school, I fell back into sin. Recently, a friend from high school, who I probably did a lot of things we shouldn’t have together, he gave his life to Christ, and it really inspired me to do the same. I felt like this was the next step to really solidify Christ being number one in my life.”
After two-and-a-half hours at Neville Arena, the 200 baptisms took another hour-and-a-half, turning an event that had started as a night of worship and fellowship into a night of renewal and redemption for so many.
“I felt like there was something in my life that was missing,” Thornton said. “I feel like I didn’t really have hope. Then I gave my life to Christ, and now there’s a sense of peace that I never felt before. If there’s anybody out there that feels the same way — depressed, anxious — I really recommend giving your life to Christ because he’ll change it in a big way.”
BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HGOLDFINGER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN — Three Sixty Real Estate announced its newest project in downtown Auburn.
The space, which will be located where the Bourbon St. Bar and Campus Barber Shop now sit empty, will include a restaurant on the bottom floor, condominiums above it and an open rooftop.
The 103 N. College St. space is across the street from Toomer’s Corner.
“I am excited about the beautiful living spaces this project offers, as well as the culture, job growth and tax revenue the local economy will receive through the restaurant and event space on the bottom floor and rooftop of the building,” said Diana Ramage with in a release from Three Sixty. Ramage, a realtor with Three Sixty, will be selling the units.
The building will not exceed 75 feet due to
AWARD >> from A1
3CMA (City-County Communication & Marketing Association) Conference in Orlando, Florida.
Winning for the “Go Green Communications Programs Efforts” category, Community Relations Officer Leigh Krehling said, “It is a huge honor to win this especially considering the competition. We are thrilled to see our go green efforts recognized. I can’t go without thanking Captain R20 and the Eco Queen for their efforts with this program. They make this program come alive
city zoning ordinances.
“The residential units will include two fifthfloor penthouse units and eight additional units featuring two to three bedrooms each,” the release said. “Pricing begins at $2 million, and the spacious floor plans will have beautiful views of downtown and the Auburn University campus.”
One resident, Damarius LaKee Nolan-Watts commented on a post from AUFAMILY on Facebook and said he likes the height of the building and the restaurant space.
“I’d love to see some murals on the building & maybe some decorative lighting that changes colors like the downtown Mobile skyline,” he said.
Another resident, Julie Ward McGowin, said the building’s plans will fit Auburn.
“This old building has seen a lot of Auburn history over the last 100 years,” she said. “A new building needs to be put here that will serve Toomer's Corner well for
and the kids love them.”
The Savvy Awards, held in conjunction with 3CMA’s Annual Conference, recognize outstanding local government achievements in communications, publicsector marketing and resident-government relationships. The Savvies salute skilled and effective city, county, agency or district professionals who have creatively planned and carried out successful innovations in communications and marketing.
3CMA accommodates local government organizations of all sizes and budget classes by judging entries
the next 100 years. This design and business plan is an ideal use for that area. If it were my property I'd also be maximizing the land and building to 75', as allowed by city ordinance. But I agree with the sentiment that the new height as compared to current ad-
in several different population groups. Over 875 entries in 38 categories were received. 3CMA utilized professional communicators from across the United States as judges who review every entry and provide constructive comments on the winning entries. Eighty-three first-place Savvy Awards were presented. Eighty-five second-place Silver Circle Awards and eighty-two third-place Awards of Excellence were also presented. Judges commented that Captain R20 and the Eco Queen were a fun idea that would be sure to captivate children and families.
jacent buildings will be a STARK contrast.”
Public response to the news, however, was not all positive.
“Progress is one thing, but this is dramatically changing the quaintness of town,” said another resident, Suzanne Repress.
Another resident, Teresa Vast, said the height of new buildings is often the problem citizens have.
“Changing the look of downtown is sad,” said another resident, Elaine Vickers. “The loveliest village on the plains is being high jacked by
people who I feel are money hungry.”
The city does have limits on building height, but many residents are opposed to how high that limit is.
The release did not provide a time frame for completion of the project.
AUBURNBANK PRESIDENT & CEO
Leadership succession in any business is essential to its sustainability, especially one that has been strong and viable for 116 years. Since our founding in 1907, AuburnBank has had eight presidents—and now David Hedges succeeds Bob Dumas as our ninth. Joining the bank in 2006, David has demonstrated his commitment to AuburnBank and its shareholders. He and his wife, Jill, are members of First Baptist Church of Opelika, and they enjoy raising their three children who attend Auburn City Schools. David is excited to lead AuburnBank into the future, while upholding a tradition of service to our customers and our communities.
Member FDIC | AuburnBank.com
are currently blessed to have your Mama and Daddy with you, visit them and hug on them as much as you can because a visit to the cemetery is a very poor substitute.
While we were in Alex City, we decided to eat at Big B Bar-B-Que at 1626 AL Highway 22.
tioned before, the author Thomas Wolfe wrote a book entitled, You Can’t Go Home Again. Now, I haven’t read the book, but I strongly disagree with the title.
As I mentioned before in my last column, recently my much older brother Mike (As the youngest Patton child, I love saying that.) and my sister-in-law Sandi visited my husband Mike and me for a few days before they went back home to Texas. One day, we went to Alexander City (“Eleck” City to the locals) to visit my parents’ graves.
A word of advice: If you
Steve Gibson, who is from Alex City, opened Big B in 1978. His son, Damien Gibson, has run this Alex City mainstay for the past 20 years. The restaurant also caught the attention of a fellow teacher from Long Cane Middle School years ago; Bo, who was also our head basketball coach, loved to bring our basketball team to eat at Big B Bar-B-Que when we played Alexander City Middle School. Bo really had great taste in restaurants, even though he was a Georgia fan.
As I may have men-
Instead, I agree with the song, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home?” by Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles, and I am living proof that you can go home again. When I visit Alex City, I know I still belong. For instance, when Mike, my brother Mike, Sandi and I were seated at Big B, Sherry Hayes, our server, remembered me from my younger days. At that time, Sherry worked at another restaurant in Alex City. Back then, as soon as I came through the door for my family’s to-go order, Sherry would call out to the cook, “Patton’s here.” I didn’t like to cook back then either.
Also, that day I met and
CONTRIBUTED BY SUNDILLA
AUBURN —
The Sundilla Concert Series will welcome Jon Shain and FJ Ventre to town on Friday, Sept. 22. Showtime at Pebble Hill (101 S. Debardeleben) is 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are just $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee and online at www.sundillamusic.com; admission at the door is $25. If the weather cooperates, this will be an outdoor show, but if not it will be inside. Free coffee, tea and water will be available, and The Chill Spot food truck will be on hand with tacos, sausage dogs and frozen treats.
Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who has been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work and his evolved musical style — combining improvised piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing and ragtime. He is the 2019 winner of the International Blues Challenge in the solo/ duo category. Shain’s most recent solo disc, Gettin’
Handy with the Blues: A Tribute to the Legacy of WC Handy, was released in 2018 and is soon to come out as a music book published by Mel Bay. Shain’s latest releases recorded along with long-time collaborator FJ Ventre are the gorgeous roots album, Tomorrow Will Be Yesterday Soon (2019) and Never Found Way to Tame the Blues (2021).
Shain cut his touring teeth from 1989-1998 founding the Chapel Hill, North Carolina, folk-rock group, Flyin’ Mice and the spin-off group, WAKE. The band performed with acts such as David Grisman, Tony Rice Unit, Hot Tuna and the Dixie Dregs; released four CDs; and played clubs, schools and festivals up
and down the East Coast, building a legion of fans.
After his band’s breakup, Shain went solo, returning to his roots in the folk and blues circuit. In addition to two albums with FJ Ventre and one with Joe Newberry, Jon has released ten albums of his own folk-blues compositions.
FJ Ventre and Jon began playing music together in 1982 when they met in high school. The last several years has seen Shain and Ventre headlining listening rooms on the East Coast, in the Midwest and in Europe, as well as opening shows for John Hiatt, Keb’ Mo’, Little Feat and others.
For more information, go to www.sundillamusic. com.
hugged Angie, a fellow graduate of the Benjamin Russell High School class of 1981. Angie looked great; I, on the other hand, apologized for wearing no makeup and for being in my retirement uniform: an Auburn t-shirt and long shorts. In addition, just about a week or two later, Mike and I came back
to Alex City to visit Orr Street Baptist Church, my home church. I received a lot of neck hugs from people who have known me since I was a baby.
So, sorry, Mr. Wolfe. You CAN go home again. But I digress. Sherry, our server, was her usual wonderful, friendly and helpful self.
All four of us ordered the hamburger steak with gravy and onions. My husband Mike chose fried green tomatoes and baked beans for his sides; I ordered French fries and coleslaw. My brother Mike selected fries and fried green
See WALLACE page A11
CONTRIBUTED BY SPRINGER
COLUMBUS, GA —
Get ready to sway to the rhythm, feel the beat and experience the magic of Elvis like never before. The Springer Opera House theatre opens its 2023-24 season on Sep. 22 with "Elvis: A Musical Revolution" and a series of live events before and after opening weekend shows. This homage to the King of Rock and Roll highlights the story of the iconic performer with a celebration of his music, life and legacy in a new-tothe-stage production. The musical tells the story of one of the most influential musicians of all time, from his humble, poverty-stricken
beginnings in Mississippi to his meteoric rise to fame and impact on the music industry. Through earnest performances, the audience witnesses the struggles and triumphs that shaped Elvis's character and determination, making him the legend he would become.
As the curtain prepares to rise, we are also launching a series of opening weekend events to kick off our performances. From Springer Unplugged, a live lunch sneak preview with the cast, to our post-show Saturday Encore, and Springer Speaks, a Sunday afternoon talkback with the actors, there's something for everyone as we celebrate the start of another extraordinary season of live
theatre.
Here's what to expect as “bonus” entertainment for our main stage productions this year, beginning with "Elvis: A Musical Revolution": • Springer Unplugged Live Lunch Interview and Cast Performance, Sep. 22 at noon in the Springer Saloon. The public is invited to join us for a free live lunch event as we provide an exclusive sneak peek into the opening performance of "Elvis: A Musical Revolution." Get up close and personal with the cast members and enjoy a memorable behind-thescenes experience. This unique event is perfect for theatre enthusiasts
See ELVIS, page A10
Tickets for 2023–24 season performances are available now.JON SHAIN AND FJ VENTRE
Iam mid-20s. I am a cub journalist for a tiny local newspaper with a circulation of about six. My biggest dream is to write for the Tallahassee newspaper someday. But it’s not working out. They’ve turned down all my work.
But I’m still trying, God love me. Namely, because I am an idiot.
Today, I am at a small-town nursing home near Tally, doing an interview with someone exceptional. My hope is that the said Tallahassee publication will recognize my immutable
genius and publish me.
It’s a pipe dream, yes. But hey, if a writer doesn’t dream then he is a CPA.
My interviewee today is an elderly woman who doesn’t even know I’m here because she has Alzheimer’s.
She used to be a tenthgrade teacher. She has changed many students’ lives. She is nothing short of inspirational.
The woman sits in a wheelchair, watching “Jeopardy!” and blurting out answers along with gameshow contestants.
Which makes it a little hard to concentrate.
I ask my lead-off question.
But I am answered with: “Who the [deleted] are you? And where’s my blueberry yogurt?”
“This man is a writer,” the dayshift nurse explains. “Remember, I told you? He’s trying to get published with the ‘Tallahassee Democrat’? He wants to interview you?”
“I don’t care who he is,” she says. “Where’s my yogurt, you [deleted deleteds]?”
So we are off to a great start.
I ask another interview question. She answers without breaking eye contact with the TV.
“What is the Treaty of Tordesillas!”
After several minutes, I am about to give up on my interview effort altogether. Mostly, because I’m too distracted by Alex Trebek’s episode du jour.
Truthfully, I’ve never been a fan of “Jeopardy!” It moves too fast. By the time I’ve figured out the first question,
the show is finished and the 18-year-old from Sheboygan who designs nanotubular probes for NASA has won 12 thousand dollars. Roll the credits. But then, my interview is saved.
A nurse walks into the room. She has heard about the difficulties I’m having with my interviewee and she is here to rescue me. Turns out, the nurse used to be one of this woman’s students.
“I actually decided I wanted to BE a nurse because of this woman,” the nurse explains. “I was in a bad situation, living with my boyfriend’s family, my mom had just died, my boyfriend was beating me. This woman made me believe I could make it into FSU. She actually helped me apply. She is the reason I am what I am today.”
“Who is Saint Hubert!” yells the elderly woman. She looks at me with excited eyes. “Saint Hubert! Ha!”
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
AUBURN —
The sights, sounds and tastes of Germany are making their way to Ag Heritage Park in Auburn, Alabama, for Auburn Oktoberfest’s tasty return.
The event will take place at the park on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. This year’s festival will feature 60+ breweries showcasing more than 175 beers, four wine tents with 24 wines, 15 home brewers, food trucks with both local eats and traditional German fare, plus live entertainment from Norris Jones & Company featuring La’Roy Bodiford and the War Damn Polka band.
New this year is a Friday Night Beer and Family Style Dinner on
ELVIS >> FROM A9
and those looking to enjoy performing arts lunchtime entertainment at no cost other than the optional purchase of a lunch.
• Springer Encore cast performance, Sep. 23, postshow in the Springer Saloon. Audience members are invited to extend the magic of opening weekend with our Saturday night postshow "encore" performance. This is an additional opportunity to see cast members as they perform songs from the show and classic American Songbook favorites.
• Springer Speaks Cast Talkback, post-show in the Springer Saloon. Opening weekend concludes with a Sunday afternoon opportunity for the audience to engage directly with
the Hey Day Market Lawn. Guests will welcome Oktoberfest in style with a variety of German beers, a ceremonial keg tapping by Oktoberfest 2023 “Burgermeister,” Dr. Richard Bird with AU Brew. Tickets for the Friday Night dinner are separate from Saturday’s festival.
Also new this year
the cast members. Ask questions, gain insights into the production process and learn more about the characters and the story. It's a great chance to connect with the performers and dive into the world of the play.
"Elvis: A Musical Revolution" will come alive to the sounds of a live on-stage band that brings Elvis's signature sound to life. Songs include over 40 hits and iconic songs such as "That's All Right," "All Shook Up," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Burning Love," "Good Rockin' Tonight," "Earth Angel," "Hound Dog," "Don't Be Cruel," "Jailhouse Rock," "Are You Lonesome?" and "Blue Suede Shoes."
"There is a reason people worldwide are still interested in Elvis,” said Keith McCoy, Springer Theatre artistic director who
are General Admission tickets to the festival, which gets ticket holders entrance into the festival to enjoy music and activities, but does not include a tasting glass and beer tastings.
Additionally, attendees can participate in a variety of contests, including stein hoisting, pretzel eating contest, chicken dance, Mr.
also directs the production. “His impact on the world of music and popular culture is immeasurable. His rags-to-riches story truly embraces the diversity of the American dream. The production isn't just a celebration; it's also a look into his struggles and challenges on the path to fame and his profound impact on music and pop culture. His legacy and unique style built the rock and roll and blues foundation for generations of artists and music lovers."
"Elvis: A Musical Revolution'' opens at the Springer Opera House theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Sep. 22. Tickets are available via the website at springeroperahouse.org, by phone at (706) 327-3688 or by visiting the box office in person at 103 10th St. in Columbus.
I smile at her. Mainly because I don’t know anyone named Hubert. I don’t think anybody is actually named Hubert. We are interrupted again when the elderly woman’s son drops in to rescue my fledgling interview. He, too, has heard about my struggle and wants to help. He is early 60s. White hair. Eyeglasses.
When the lady sees her son, she shouts: “Yogurt, where’s my yogurt! I need yogurt! Now!”
He is able to calm her down, and eventually, I receive more of the woman’s biography:
“When I was a kid,” her son says, “Mama was all about civil rights, that was a big issue back in her day. She wanted to take several students to a Doctor King rally, but my dad was like, ‘No, it’s too dangerous.’
“She went anyway, and my mom actually got attacked by a guy in a parking lot. Guy tried to cut her throat. Pushed her up against her car.
I’ll never forget, my mama looked her attacker in the eye and started quoting scripture. He let her go.”
“Who is Andy Williams!” the woman hollers.
Another person interrupts our interview.
A middle-aged woman comes barging through the door to resuscitate my comatose interview.
Her name is Chaniqua. Chaniqua is another woman who was once a student of this woman.
“I almost killed myself,” says Chaniqua. “I was a mess when I was a kid. She took me to lunch one day, talked me off the ledge. She said she believed in me, said I could live with her if I needed to. She’s the reason I’m alive. The reason I went to school.”
“What is a Keebler elf!” the old woman screams.
So anyway, after what could be deemed the strangest interview of my life, I am about to
& Mrs. Oktoberfest and, back by PUPular demand, wiener dog racing. For football fans, plenty of TVs will be set up throughout the festival showing the day’s games. Representatives from Auburn University’s Brewing Science will be on hand for brewing demonstrations and hop cultivators.
“We are so excited for the 12th annual Auburn Oktoberfest,” said Adam Keeshan, Festival organizer. “We’ve added some exciting elements this year, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the largest Oktoberfest in Alabama at Ag Heritage Park.” Festival tickets and hotel packages are currently on sale until Friday, Sept. 22 and may be purchased online at auoktoberfest.com.
CONTRIBUTED BY YOUR PIE
AUBURN —
Your Pie Pizza, the renowned original fast-casual pizza restaurant, has announced the launch of its latest seasonal creation, the Philly Cheese Steak Craft Series. With this innovative addition to its impressive roster of craft series, Your Pie is putting a unique spin on the classic sandwich, offering guests the perfect comfort food for the fall season.
Exclusively available
WALLACE >>
FOM A9
tomatoes. Sandi chose turnip greens and fried green tomatoes. Oh, my three times. It was great eating delicious food in my hometown.
Besides our tasty dishes, Big B Bar-B-Que offers diners a great selection of appetizers. Some of them include: fried pickles, chili cheese waffle fries, boom boom shrimp, Cajun pork skins and pimento cheese with crackers.
The restaurant also serves salads, Bar-B-Que plates and sandwiches, ribeyes, roast beef, pork chop plates, catfish, seafood, chicken, sandwiches
at all locations now through early November, the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza is a delectable combination of tender steak, melted cheese and a medley of fresh vegetables, all atop Your Pie's signature hand-tossed dough. This mouthwatering creation captures the essence of the beloved sandwich, delivering a burst of flavor with every bite. Whether enjoyed as a quick weeknight dinner or as part of a gameday tailgate, the Philly Cheese Steak Piz-
and Big “B” burgers. As a teenager, I especially loved the cheeseburgers from Big B; they were ALWAYS fresh and juicy.
If you ever travel near Alex City, stop by Big B Bar-B-Que. Trust me, you’ll be glad that you did.
Big B Bar-B-Que is open Sunday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 8 p.m.; on Friday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Big B Bar-B-Que makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Poohsized” people NEVER lie about food. Enjoy!
Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teach-
years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear every other week in
za is sure to satisfy any craving.
“As summer comes to a close each year, we can’t help but be excited about the chance to serve our customers with an innovative craft series that combines the savory, rich flavors of fall with the comfort and warmth of a nostalgic meal,” said Drew French, founder of Your Pie. “The Philly Cheese Steak Pizza was a no-brainer for us this year, and we are confident that this new menu item is going to become
a fast favorite for our customers.”
Your Pie is also excited to introduce two new gelato flavors for the fall season. Customers can indulge in the creamy goodness of Pumpkin Pie Gelato, a delightful blend of pumpkin spice and sweet cream. For those seeking a unique twist, Cookie Butter Chocolate Crunch Gelato offers a heavenly combination of cookie butter, rich chocolate and a satisSee YOUR PIE, page A12
CONTRIBUTED BY STORYBOOK FARMS
OPELIKA —
Storybook Farms will be hosting its Storybook Stakes fundraising event next week.
WHAT IS STORYBOOK STAKES?
It is a one-day campaign on Sept. 28, to raise $75,000. Storybook Farms
"Digital Derby" uses contributions to fund vital educational programs and safe learning spaces for children and gifts from the community will help favorite Storybook animal win the 2023 Stakes race.
The Impact: Contributors are helping create safe, fun learning environments that empower children to grow, mature and succeed in life with more emotional stability. Your support will lay a solid and lasting foundation today that ensures healthier, happier and more successful adulthoods for these children tomorrow. Without your support,
many children will be left with childhoods lost to pain, anxiety, sadness, depression, fear and hopelessness.
Give today — your support can provide children like Sylvie and Remy with companionship,
education and experiences to grow into adults with bright and hopeful futures.
women
Sept.
fying crunch. These limited-time gelato flavors are the perfect accompaniment to the Philly Cheese Steak Pizza, providing a sweet ending to any meal.
In addition to these exciting new offerings, Your Pie will be celebrating various holidays and events throughout the fall season. Look out for special promotions on Pepperoni and Cheese Pizza Day, where guests can enjoy their favorite classic flavors at a discounted price. Your Pie also embraces the spirit of community, providing tailored experiences for back-to-school events and community nights. Whether it's a school fundraiser or a neighborhood gathering, Your Pie is dedicated to being the perfect partner for any occasion.
“As the return to routines and busy schedules ramp up this fall, Your Pie is committed to continuously evolving and meeting the ever-changing needs of our valued guests,” said Lisa Dimson, chief marketing officer of Your Pie. “With a focus on convenience, customization and a dedication to providing exceptional hospitality — without compromising on flavor or innovation — we hope to be the go-to destination for fast
CONTRIBUTED BY OPD
OPELIKA —
With the outpouring of interest on social media, the Opelika Police Department (OPD) is hoping the public can assist in locating a missing canine.
On Sept. 17, 2023, at approximately 2:28 a.m. OPD responded to a report of a dog being taken in the area of South 9th Street and North Railroad Avenue. The owner reported walking his male Yorkie, named JD, near Viva La Vida restaurant on North Railroad Avenue when a black BMW SUV stopped at the intersection of 9th Street and 1st Avenue.
JD ran to the vehicle, where an occupant opened the door and picked JD up. The BMW continued east on 1st Avenue before turning left onto 6th Street. Our department has been unable to locate camera footage in the area depicting the incident and encourage anyone who may have private cameras along 1st Avenue to please review their footage from early Sunday morning.
If you have any information on this incident or the location of JD, please contact the Opelika Police Department at 334-705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Tips can be submitted through our Opelika Police Mobile app. You may wish to remain anonymous.
This unique pizza perfectly captures the flavors of the beloved sandwich, making it the perfect comfort food for football, friends, family and all the fall things we love.
casual dining this fall.”
The Philly Cheese Steak Pizza, along with the Pumpkin Pie Gelato and Cookie Butter Chocolate Crunch Gelato, will be available at Your Pie locations nationwide until Nov. 5. To check out the full Your Pie menu, learn more about dining and delivery options, franchising or to download the rewards app, visit www.yourpie.com.
For additional updates and other news, follow Your Pie on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok or Twitter.
ABOUT YOUR PIE PIZZA
Your Pie is the world’s originator of the fast casual, brick-oven, customized personal pizza cate-
gory. Founded by Drew French in 2008, Your Pie is inspired by family recipes from the Italian island of Ischia. The brand uses hand-tossed dough, fresh ingredients, homemade pizza sauces and salad dressings, and offers vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free pizzas, in addition to traditional pizzas, pastas and create-your-own salads. Your Pie also offers local craft beer, wine and Italian-style gelato pairings. The brand has more than 70 locations open across the United States. For more information about Your Pie or franchising opportunities, please visit www. yourpie.com.
We are gathering to discuss and employ strategies to STOP the assaults against our children in the schools and libraries with pornographic books, sexualization and Marxist ideologies.
We will discuss the problem and the solutions.
Mass Resistance of Alabama can defeat these crimes andmake our community safer again.
"Hi we're Sylvie and Remy. Thanks for racing to change childhoods like ours!"
Me.” I love the way the song reveals the source of that good news: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
So, if you ask Christians why they have confidence in what they believe, they may smile and tell you, “The Bible tells me so.”
WALTER ALBRITTONRELIGION —
One of the most popular songs across the world is “Jesus Loves
Beliefs matter. What we believe about God, life and ourselves determines whether we shall live well or poorly. As we search from childhood for lifegiving truth upon which
to build our lives, we can turn to no greater source than the Bible. It is surely God’s Guidebook for living.
The Bible tells us, for example, that we can have an “empty way of life” or “fullness of joy” through serving Christ.
Peter reminds us that Jesus died to redeem us from an empty life: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of
life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
A life of joyless emptiness is ours when we ignore God and chase after selfish dreams, dreams of doing what we think will make us happy. In his book, Healing Meditations for Life, David Seamands tells about a man who spent half his life chasing the wrong dream but finally
JAN ELIZABETH "BETH" GAY
Jane Elizabeth "Beth" Gay, née Jones, of Auburn, died peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023, at the UAB Center for Palliative and Supportive Care in Birmingham, at the age of 73.
Beth is survived by her husband Joseph "Gill" Gay after more than 52 years of marriage; her two younger sons Joseph and Austin; her grandson Jackson; and many friends and family who knew and loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents Jane and Austin; her eldest son David; her younger sister Josephine "Jo" DeVane; and many cherished friends and relatives.
Beth was born on Saturday, Aug. 26, 1950, in Selma, Alabama, to Jane Elizabeth Coker and Joseph Austin Jones. She met her future husband Gill in Auburn and they were married Oct. 10, 1970.
She graduated from Auburn University in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. She worked first as an insurance adjuster and for much of her middle life as a homemaker. She was a skilled genealogist and researcher and contributed many findings in the histories of her own family and those of others. She loved, in no particular order, fishing, her Auburn Tigers, bird watching, being near the water, attending yearly church
feast services, games with friends and family, and led a rich life full of love and laughter.
A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, at Hayneville Cemetery in Hayneville, Alabama. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Beth's name to the Spencer Cancer Center (www. eastalabamahealth.org/ location/spencer-cancercenter) or to a charity of your choice.
GERALDINE K. PUGH
Gerry Pugh, 84, of Opelika, entered her heavenly home on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 — To God be the Glory. We rejoice that she is finally home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, and welcomed by so many of her loved ones that she has longed to see again.
Gerry was born on Sept. 18, 1938, in Macon County, Alabama. She is survived by her two children, Randy (Roxanne) Pugh and Rhee (Steve) Clemmons; five grandchildren, Eric (Lana) Clemmons, Ryan (Amanda) Pugh, Amy Pugh, Erin Clemmons, and Ashlee Pugh; two great-grandchildren, Zeb and Annie Pearl Pugh; one sister, Jeanelle (Charles) Sargent and several brother and sister in laws, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Floyd Pugh; her parents, Lee and Erma King; brothers Waymon (Willadean) King; Paul King; and sister Loette
(Bud) Johnson.
Gerry first worked as an administrative secretary at Lee County Hospital, and later worked at Opelika City Hall for many years. She was the secretary to Mayors Thompson, Freeman and Patton before retiring. Gerry is best known for her gracious hospitality and especially for being a wonderful cook, homemaker and hostess. She is so loved and famous in her family, particularly with her grandchildren, for Sunday lunch after church — every Sunday as far back as can be remembered.
Gerry was a faithful member of Wesley Memorial UMC (now Oak Hill Church) in Opelika for more than 50 years where she enjoyed her Sunday school class and their monthly fellowship suppers, Bible studies and women’s ministry events.
Celebration of Life services will be 1 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, at Oak Hill Church in Opelika, with visitation beginning at noon, prior to the service. Pastors Craig Lee and Paul Ferrell will officiate. Burial will follow in Garden Hills Cemetery. Gerry loved flowers, so they are gratefully accepted as memorials or gifts made in her memory to The Harbor at Opelika Memory Care or Bethany House in Auburn are also wonderful considerations.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is directing.
CAROL (GAMES) RAIFORD
“saw the light.”
As a boy the man had dreamed of joining the Navy and, in his words, “reach the top of the ladder” as a Naval officer. He had worked hard. His dream had come true. His next promotion would make him an admiral. But one day God lifted the veil and showed the man the shocking truth of his empty life.
God gave him a new dream for his life. It would be a life focused on serving Jesus rather
Carol (Games) Raiford passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on Sunday, Sept. 10, in Auburn, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Carol was a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, born to Mary Joyce (Duvall) Games and Walter Thomas Games in 1953. The second of five siblings, she graduated from Franklin County High School in 1971 and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1974 as an air traffic controller where she met her future husband, John Raiford, marrying that same year. Married for 49 years, she was a lifelong military spouse, homemaker and deeply-devoted mother of three children and four bonus children. She had the joy of being “Gran” to her seven grandchildren.
A gifted cook, seamstress, gardener and event planner, she elevated homemaking to an art form… touching all of those blessed to know her with her dedication and love. Carol loved to travel, her favorite places being the beach and her beloved home of Kentucky, noted for beautiful horses and the Kentucky Derby. She is preceded in death by her father; sisters Nancy (Games) Perry, Mary Margaret (Games) Hawkins, and Barbara Jean (Janie) Games. She is survived by her husband John Raiford; Daughter Kelly (Raiford) Moore and son-in-law Brian Moore, daughter Kristen Raiford, son John Raiford and daughter-inlaw Donna (Cross) Raiford.
Bonus children include daughter Heather (Clayton) Clemons and son-in-law Chase Clemons, daughter Sara (Clayton) Oliver and son-in-law Scott Oliver, son Dan Clayton and daughter-in-law Alannah Clayton, son Colin Clayton and daughter-in-law Anna Clayton and seven grandchildren, Luke, Ben, Elliott, Margot, Henry, Nolan and Benjamin.
Funeral services will be held at Jeffcoat-Trant in Opelika. Visitation on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., and the memorial service on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 11a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Barbara Ann Margavio, 79, of Opelika, Alabama, passed away on Sept. 14.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents, Sebron and Ruth Phipps, LE Ledbetter, John(McCray) and George Margavio. She is survived by her three children Lee (Jamie) Ledbetter, Stacey (Robin) East and Tyler (Danielle) Ledbetter; her seven grandchildren Ashlee (Dyron) Johnston, Rana (Robert )Gregg, Haley (Leon) Blomeley, Allison (Paul) Ricks, Peyton Ledbetter, Chapman Ledbetter, Channing Ledbetter and her beloved great-grandchildren.
Barbara lived her life to the fullest. She loved
than himself. The man described what happened to him this way, “Although I had indeed reached the top of the ladder, I suddenly realized the ladder was leaning against the wrong building.”
Is your ladder leaning against the right building?
If your ladder is leaning against the wrong building, you might want to move it. And if your friends ask you why, you could tell them the Bible told you so.
shopping, eating crab legs and just spending time with her family and friends. She made everyone who knew her laugh and smile. We will miss her more than words can say but are thankful for the memories we have with her.
Our family is grateful to know that Barbara is finally at peace.
Arrangements are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 24, at 1:30 p.m., at Beulah Baptist Church in Dadeville, Alabama.
Hope Shannon, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, cook, tennis fanatic, crossword puzzle genius and expert splinter and tooth remover passed away at home, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, after battling cancer for 10 years.
She was predeceased by her parents, Charlie and Ann Weaver, and her granddaughter Andie Shannon. She is survived by her husband and business partner, Mike Shannon, to whom she was married for 53 years. She is also survived by her children Ann Shannon (Dan Sexton), Mandy Shannon Wisdom (Travis) and John Michael Shannon (Elizabeth), as well as her eight grandchildren Jack, Hope and Ann Baldwin Wisdom, Charlie and Sam Sexton and Joe, Pete and Billy Shannon. She also leaves behind her siblings Hadley Weaver, Jess Weaver and See OBITUARIES, page A14
away from our family and friends to be part of a situation where no one knew Him? That’s hard for us to get our head around because most of us (and qualify this any way you need to), have it fairly easy.
BRUCE GREEN
Teaching Minister at 10th Street Church of Christ in Opelika
RELIGION —
Last week we looked at the dilemma Daniel and his friends were in (1:1-7). This raises a question worth thinking about: What would we do if God called us to be a Daniel? What would we do if God called us
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 Road Valley 334-710-2117
Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church 650 Jeter Ave., Opelika 334-749-9487
Amy Tourville, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Hope was an extraordinary and quietly brilliant person. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1965 and went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee in 1969 with Phi Kappa Phi honors. She had years of continuing education classes afterwards. She was a business manager, general contractor, regional real estate and land developer, golf course manager and everyone’s problem solver during her varied and interesting career. Mike and
school or an exasperating professor? That’s a prosperity problem — because you have the opportunity to go to school. That’s radically different situation than what faces people without that option.
Yes, we have our share of problems and challenges — I’m not denying that. But when you think about it, most of what we have are prosperity problems. Is your job difficult or are there people hard to work with? That’s a prosperity problem — because you have a job. That’s a totally different situation than what faces people who despite their best efforts can’t find employment. You have a tough class at
We don’t live in a war zone like Ukraine. We don’t live in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. We don’t live in a place where being a Christian means being persecuted. None of us are like the four men I read about who were fleeing Nigeria due to desperate circumstances. They stowed away on the rudder of a large tanker. It took them nearly two weeks to get to Brazil where they arrived barely alive from the lack of
food and water. But they thought the trip worth it because they had no hope where they were. Compared to these situations, we do have it easy. It’s okay to acknowledge that. There’s nothing to feel guilty about or apologize for. It’s where God has placed us. But we do have the responsibility to recognize a few things. We should acknowledge that God has blessed us. After all, it’s not a crime to be born on third base, but it is seriously wrong to think we got there by hitting a triple. We should also understand that we’ve been blessed that we might be a blessing. We haven’t been blessed so we can spend our time and energy trying to make
our life easier and more comfortable — we should be seeking to help others with their burdens.
Finally, when the season arrives when we’re not as blessed, may we demonstrate some faith and maturity. Instead of going into a panic and asking everyone to pray that everything be restored to its status quo, what if we followed Paul’s example in Philippians 1? Paul is imprisoned, unsure whether he will get out. His prayer isn’t that God will sustain his life or set him free from prison. His passion is that he will have “sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in
See GREEN, page A15
JUST $20
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
his friends credit her for his law degree; he claims he only graduated because she deciphered and explained everything to him.
Despite all of her accomplishments, Hope always said her greatest achievement was her family. She was happiest when surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren. Her love, her intellect, her wisdom and her wonderful sense of humor will be missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her.
Hope’s favorite charities were St Jude’s Hospital for Children, The Wounded Warrior Project or Tunnels to Towers.
CHURCH OF GOD Lakeside Church of God 3295 Lee Rd 54, Opelika 334-749-6432
EPISCOPAL- AME
Saint Luke AME Church 1308 Auburn St., Opelika 334-749-1690
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
Bridge Church of AL 315 2nd Ave., Opelika 334-363-0552
Church At Opelika 1901 Waverly Pkwy., Opelika 334-524-9148
Connect Church 2015 West Point Pkwy., Opelika 334-707-3949
Father’s House Christian Fellowship 214 Morris, Ave., Opelika
Living Waters Ministry Center 3005 Lafayette Parkway, Opelika
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
OPELIKA —
Come join Opelika Community Theatre (OCT) as it explores "Theatre In The Park" at Opelika Municipal Park, Sunday Sept. 24, from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
and blankets and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment from members of OCT ranging in ages from 5 to 60-plus. There will be two shows; one at 2:30 p.m. and the other at 4:30 p.m. highlighting Broadway songs, dance and skits.
OGrows Fall Market, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at 1103 Glenn St. in Opelika.
Donations will be accepted and will go toward funding of various OCT programs — including Mean Girls, Black History Showcase and the upcoming Penguin Project production of Annie Jr.
Saturdays 8 to 11 a.m., Camp Hill, Mt. Lovely Baptist Church, 21900 Sen Claude Pepper Dr., Camp Hill (Hwy 50) through Sept. 30
Bring your popup tents, lawn chairs
FROM A10
The event is free and open to the public.
there is a roomful of people watching me, I feel I am obliged to say some parting words.
“I’m inspired by how many lives you’ve impacted, ma’am,” I say.
“Me?” she says.
I nod. “Yes, ma’am. I heard you had quite an effect on a lot of students. I heard you made a big difference.”
“You heard that?”
“Yes, ma’am. Heard you made a huge impres-
GREEN >>
FROM A14
my body, whether by life or by death” (1:20). Now that’s a prayer request you don’t hear very often that needs to be at the top
of every disciple’s list.
This is the kind of thinking God uses to change the world. This is the way Daniel and his friends approached their difficult circumstances and why they ended up
sion on hundreds of kids over the years.”
She smiled bigly.
“You mean to tell me,” she said, “you heard all that, all that wonderful stuff, and even after all that, even after you heard what a great person I am, you STILL didn’t bring me any [deleted] yogurt?”
Come have fun with OCT in the park. leave when the elderly woman using the wheelchair turns to faces me. She seems to be waiting for me to say something, a farewell maybe. But I can’t find the words. Because I am out of my depth. At my core, I’m just an unpublished hack with a notepad. That’s all I’ll ever be. Even so. Because
The article never made the “Tallahassee Democrat.” But I’m still holding out hope.
as victors rather than victims.
Next week: At Work in Babylon
You can find more of Bruce’s writings at his website: a-taste-of-gracewith-bruce-green.com
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.
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.
Auburn/Opelika MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and MOMSNext meet at Pepperell Baptist Church located at 2702 2nd Ave. in Opelika.
The next meetings scheduled are:
- Oct. 5, 19 - Nov. 2, 16
- Dec. 7 - Jan. 18 - Feb. 1, 15
- March 7, 21
- April 4, 18
- May 2 Contact Rachel Elrod at 706244-5620 or Kaela Sexton at 719351-8093 for further information.
NAMI East Alabama, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), will meet Oct. 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.
OPINION —
Opelika (2-2, R 2-1) lost to Central (4-0, R, 3-0) 28-18 in Phenix City last Friday night. The Dogs scored first, on a 22-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Central scored two TD's to take a 14-3 late in the second quarter on a 49 yard TD pass and a 37 yard TD pass.
Calvin Hughley scored Opelika's first TD on a 1-yard run to pull withing 4-points at halftime, 14-10.
After playing the third quarter with no scoring, Central scored 2-TD's in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, a 10-yard pass for a score and a 99yard kickoff return.
The Bulldogs made it close, scoring a TD in the fourth quarter after Roman Gagliano threw an 80 yards TD pass to Jordan Tolbert.
Despite the loss, Opelika gained 325 total yards, 264 rushing yards and 76 passing yards compared to Central's 319 total yards, 251 passing yards and 68 rushing
LEE COUNTY —
Week four of high school football is in the books. Here's a look at the results.
GLENWOOD | LEE-SCOTT
yards.
Offensively for Opelika, quarterback Gagliano was 19 of 31 for 264-yards and 1-TD and Tolbert three passes for 129 yards and a TD. Defensively, Culventae White made 4-tackles to lead the team.
Opelika dropped to 2-1 in the region, but if it finishes in second place, the team will have home field advantage during the playoffs.
The Dogs host Prattville (1-2, R 1-1) Friday night for Homecoming at Bulldog Stadium. The Lions beat Smiths Station (59-24) but lost to Foley (45-19) and Dothan (59-24) under third year coach Jason Wallace.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. Tickets are available online at gofan.co and at Bubbas Medicine Shop and Victory Design. Fans can purchase tickets at the ticket office at Bulldog Stadium starting at 5:30 p.m.
See ON THE MARK, page B5
Glenwood defeated its rival Lee-Scott last Friday night with a 4231 win. For a detailed recap see B4.
CHAMBERS ACADEMY | BANKS
Chambers Academy defeated Banks 67-18 last week in Birmingham. Luke Tarver led the Rebels with191-yards, four touchdowns and he
See WEEK 4, page B4
AUBURN —
In Auburn, Alabama, Byron's Smokehouse has been a part of the family’s traditions for generations. Dependable and consistent are the words the community uses to describe this breakfast and barbecue restaurant. Griffin Speaks, an Auburn University football player, and his family have been regulars at this restaurant for years and now Speaks is accepting a NIL deal from the restaurant.
Representing Byron's Smokehouse in this deal is a consistent customer at the restaurant, who genuinely loves every-
See NIL, page B8
Sophomore LB, RB Jagger Scott BEULAH Junior RB, LB Demarion Foreman
14 carries for 137 yards, 2 TDs
CONTRIBUTED BY SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN PATRIOTS
LEE COUNTY —
The Southern Christian Patriots varsity football squad fell prey to the visiting East Central (EC) Patriots on Friday night. The boys from Pinson, Alabama, came into historic Moore Stadium hoping to pull a road win out of the hat and that’s just what they did. Head coach Daniel Smith explained, “the idea was to come in hot, so we worked hard on getting the guys to an emotional fever pitch right before the opening kickoff.”
The Pinson Patriots came out swinging. They recovered a fumble in the first series of Southern Christian Athletics
(SCA) and scoring on a missed assignment on the outside edge of the defense. Shortly after the good guys from Opelika got the ball back, Josiah Frick, one of the only two seniors on the Southern squad, and also the starting quarterback for the Pats, received a helmet in the shins, suffering a broken fibula. Elijah Bailey, freshman, stepped up to lead the team with sophomore twin brothers Jagger and Jedd Scott, along with the other senior Auron Tanguma, standing firm to help the young QB get settled in. Unable to score after a block in the back held 6 points off the board, SCA attempted a punt but an untouched blitzer runs right up the middle and puts down punter
Eliot French, who was filling in for the injured punter Josiah Frick. The EC Patriots would score again off another critical mental error by SCA. After the dust settles
on the first quarter the score is 33-0 with the Pinson boys snagging a pick 6, a long pass and another fumble recovery picked up and run in for a score to end the quarter. Going
into the second quarter, the Patriots of Opelika seemed to be done giving up points to the visiting Patriots. After lead tackler sophomore Jagger was put out with a dislocated shoulder,
the Pats of East Central scored one last time. Scott would return with vigor and lead the Pats defense to a seven down stand in the red zone forcing the Pinson boys to give up the ball on the 3 yard line. The defense stood tall for the rest of the game, not giving up another score. At the start of the fourth quarter Scott’s shoulder failed and the coach had to pull him out.
“Jagger wanted to go back in and continue to fight after the second shoulder injury but I had to keep him out,” said head coach Scott. “Elijah Bailey did great leading the defense after Jagger was not allowed to return.”
Bailey had six tackles and a sack, along with Jagger while
See PATRIOTS, page B8
AUBURN — Auburn (2-1, 1-1) looks to continue a win streak in a tough, 7A region 2 matchup against Johnson Abernathy Graetz (JAG), who hasn't earned a win under its belt this season.
Auburn dominated the Jaguars last season, shutting the team out 31-0 at Duck Samford Stadium. The team is looking to make its way to the Cramton Bowl this year hoping for a repeat of last year's meeting. On the first play of the game, JAG made a crucial mistake and turns the ball over to the Tigers, giving Auburn the opportunity to take over on the opposing 6 yard line. Auburn sure did capitalize on the fumble quickly, scoring on a 6 yard touchdown run by Henry Allen. The Tigers would not let up there. They forced a three-and-out on JAG, and almost instantly got into the redzone. Henry Allen did it again and scored on another 6-yard touchdown run, putting the Tigers up 14-0 with eight minutes to go in the first. Auburn’s defense shined in the first. JAG had absolutely no answers on the offensive side of the
ball, and Auburn capitalized again scoring on a touchdown run from Omar Mabson. At the end of the first, it was all Auburn, the score 21-0 Tigers.
Early in the second quarter Auburn capitalized on yet another mistake from JAG, this time a scoop and score on a punt picked up by Caleb Pitts. JAG made a pivotal mistake on defense, being called offsides on an Auburn fourth and one from the goal line. Not shocking at all, Auburn made the most out of JAG’s mistakes. Henry Allen went for a third touchdown, this time on a pass to Tyler Mickinnell for six. JAG is now 0-6 on third downs, and this Auburn defense continues to play lights out. With 3:10 left in the half, the Tigers defense forced a safety, putting them up, 37-0. Just when you thought Auburn was done, the Tigers continue to dominate the Jaguars. New quarterback Max Hammer found Ean Nation on an out route to give Auburn a commanding 44-0 lead at the half.
Two plays into the second half, Gibson Loughridge (who’s listed as a wide receiver on Maxpreps), completed a 54 yard pass to give Auburn the opportunity to score
once again. However, the Jaguars would stop the Tigers on fourth and goal. The turnover on downs ultimately led JAG to punt on third down from its one on the following drive. The Auburn defense was dominate during the game. As the clock went under a minute to go in the third, Auburn provided a little excitement with a blocked punt from Kyle King resulting in yet another two points for the Tigers. The team then took a commanding 46-0 lead going into the fourth.
Almost instantly after the clock ticked to start the fourth, Auburn was in the red zone. With the reserves in, JAG was starting to finally slow down the Tiger offense, stopping them on fourth down in the red zone yet again. With one more drive left, Auburn decided to run the clock down, making the final score 46-0, Tigers. It was all Auburn from start to finish.
This was Auburn’s first shutout win since the Tigers took down Smiths Station with a score of 63-0 back in October of last season. Auburn is back at home next Friday taking on region foe, Percy Julian (1-2, 0-2), who’s coming off a bye week.
On Friday night, Glenwood reversed last season’s narrative with a 42-31 win over reigning state champion Lee-Scott Academy, ending the Warriors’ 18-game win streak and three-game series streak.
The win was Glenwood’s first over Lee-Scott since 2020, which includes a state championship loss to its rival last season. While snapping the Warriors’ win streak, the Gators extended their dominance in the swamp with their fifth straight victory over their rivals at home.
Not only was it the first rivalry win for Glenwood head coach Ryan Nelson, it was the first for senior Dallas Crow as starting quarterback. In his third year as starting QB, he and the Gator offense scored on all but three drives to put up the most points of any team against Lee-Scott since Bessemer scored 43 on the Warriors in October of 2020.
“It feels great to get a win either way — starter or not,” Crow said. “It’s a team game. I’m just here to win for this team.”
Coming in with Glenwood as the No. 1 seed in the region and LeeScott No. 2, the win helped Glenwood improve to 5-0 and take sole possession of the lead in the AISA 3A region, while Lee-Scott falls to 3-1 and hopes for a chance at a rematch with the Gators in the postseason, as was the case last season.
While Nelson said he was enthused about the win, it wasn’t necessarily because it was over Glenwood’s rival. The Gators have taken care of business early this season against stout competition, and the win gives the team confidence that it can beat the best going into its bye week.
Thank you to all our sponsors: Mr.Gatti's Pizza, State Rep. Debbie Wood, Kelley Legacy Law, Chick-fil-A Tiger Town, Christie Hill State Farm, Johnstone Supply, O Town and USA Cajun Station.
www.opelikaobserver.com/september-athletes-of-the-month-contest/
threw for another four points on two-point conversion. Chambers Academy host Bessemer Academy this Friday night.
LOACHAPOKA | CENTRALHAYNEVILLE
Loachapoka High (4-0) beat CentralHayneville 46-0 last week in Hayneville.
Quarterback Quinjavios
Nelms led the Indians by throwing for 222
yards and threw two TD passes. Nelms rushed eight times for 75 yards and added two more touchdowns.
The annual clash, "Battle of Highway 14" features Notasulga hosting Lochapoka in a huge Region game Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
AUBURN | JAG Auburn High defeated J.A.G 46-0 in Crampton Bowl in Montgomery.
The Tigers moved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in Region. The Tigers host
Percy Julian (formerly Robert E Lee) at Duck Samford Stadium in a Region game.
SMITHS STATION | ENTERPRISE
Enterprise (3-1, R 2-1) beat Smiths Station (0-4, R 0-3) 54-7 last week in Smiths Station. The Panthers will travel to Dothan Sept. 22, to play Dothan in a huge Region game. Smiths Station 0-3 in the region can play spoiler role in the region. Dothan has one region loss and trying to win the region.
(in Lee-Scott), Pacelli is a state championship football team, Brookstone was a final four team, so three of our first five opponents — a lot of people in Alabama don’t know what we played over in Columbus. So, we are thrilled to be where we’re at right now.”
The two high-flying offenses put together a lot of big plays and enjoyed a majority of success through the air, while chunk plays were plenty.
Glenwood’s Crow and Lee-Scott QB Pelzer Reeves combined for seven TDs through the air — four by Crow and three from Reeves. Four of those scores went for 60-plus yards, in addition to LeeScott running back Parker Wright opening the scoring with a long rushing TD before senior Jake White caught a 75-yard TD on the first play of the second half.
Each team only punted once, but the difference was a pair of Glenwood interceptions by seniors Jackson Griggs and Camden White, who also had two receiving TDs on the other side of the ball. White said that was his first multi-score game, his first game with a TD and an interception and maybe the most he’s ever played on defense in a game.
advantage of it — that’s what you’re supposed to do. So we’ve got to clean all that up and, you know, keep fighting because you got all season ahead of you.”
With Glenwood going into a bye week and LeeScott returning home to face Macon-East Academy this week, both teams have a good idea of what they need to improve on after facing each other. Nelson said Glenwood is going to have to work on minimizing the big plays it allows on defense. For LeeScott, its limiting turnovers.
Nonetheless, both coaches were encouraged by the play of their QBs. Reeves aired it out more than he’s had to all year and found junior Brady Cegielski for a pair of TD passes as well as the one to White.
Crow also made some big plays with his arm, but converted several big third and fourth downs with his legs, including a rushing TD on fourth down in the first half and another score on the ground after converting a 4th-and-8 in the second half. He spread the ball to seven different Glenwood receivers, including an 80-yard TD to White and a 75-yard TD to junior Mason McCraine.
Nelson started his postgame talk by telling his team they were off until the end of the day on Tuesday. That got a barrage of cheers.
“It’s been a long five weeks,” Nelson said. “People don’t understand: that was a state championship football team
BEAUREGARD | TALLASSEE
Beauregard (3-1 R 1-1) defeated Tallassee (0-4) 35-14 last week in Tallassee. Despite falling behind 14-0, the Hornets scored 35 straight points behind three TD passes from quarterback Cub Jones. The Hornets will host Charles Henderson (2-1) Friday night at 7 p.m.
BEULAH | WALTER WELBORN
The Beulah Bobcats (2-2, R 1-1) lost 60-
Lee-Scott kicked a field goal to make it a 21-17 Glenwood lead going to halftime and scored on the first play of the second half to take the lead. Those turnovers, the first followed by a Glenwood score and the second ending with Glenwood running out the clock, helped the Gators pull ahead and seal the win.
“You can’t make mistakes against a really good football team, and that’s what we did,” said Lee-Scott head coach Buster Daniel. “They took
34 at Walter Welborn last Friday night. The Bobcats scored enough points to win but could not stop the Panthers. Beulah has this week off before playing Prattville Christian at home Sept. 29.
NOTASULGA | MAPLEVILLE
Notasulga (1-2) lost at Mapleville 26-0 last Friday night in Maplesville. The Blue Devils hope to rebound this Friday when they host Poka in a Region game.
Glenwood challenged Lee-Scott more than anybody in 2022, being the only team to come within 20 of the Warriors, but it still resulted in 19 and 14-point wins for LeeScott. This time, Glenwood found the recipe to outduel its rival.
The season is still young, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see these teams have a rematch for the state championship again in 2023 — this time, with Lee-Scott looking for revenge.
The Valley Rams improved to 3-1 after beating Sylacauga 3410 last Friday at Ram Stadium. VHS is open this week and will play Russell County in Seale next Friday, Sept. 29.
LANNETT | HIGHLAND HOME
Lanett dropped to 2-2 after Highland Homes won 40-14 in Highlan Home. The Panthers host Lunerne at MorganWashburn Stadium Friday nighht.
Fans can listen to Opelika on the radio on WKKR 97.7 FM, online at kickerfm.com and on the iHeartRadio app.
AHSAA NEWS
The Alabama High School Athletic Association ruled Tucaloosa County High football team was forced to forfeit it's 55-13 win over Bessemer City in the second game of the
season (Sept. 1) because the school gave a few players "gift cards" for their outstanding performance during the game which is a violation of the amuture athlete rule.
Tuscaloosa County head football coach
Adam Winegarden said he was unaware of the rule and thought the gift cards for a meal was not a violation. The three players were ruled eligible by the AHSAA after ruling on the
game.
Giving players free meals for playing well has been a long standing tradition in Alabama.
Many resturants and high school booster clubs have agreements with resturants to feed "Player of Game" designees, etc. I am sure the AHAA will address the rule in the coming days.
The AHSAA governing body, the Central Board of Control, met this week
in Montgomery. The Central Board may make a change or clarify this particular rule. Stay tuned for details.
The city of Opelika is making progress on many recreational projects in Opelika.
The Floral Park playing surface appears to be ready for play, however the park is not completed and is not ready to open.
The city had a
company install artificial turf that has 100-yard football field and one goal post, one full regulation soccer fields and six smaller soccer fields. The field has lights and is surrounded by a 10-foot fence. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said the project is coming along as expected and will be open soon.
Work crews are bustling at the Sportsplex installing an outside pool and water
park. Fuller vowed to make an investment in recreation facilities and appears to be checking of his list before leaving office in two and a half years from now.
D. Mark Mitchell is the sports director at iHeartMedia, host of “On the Mark” Fox Sports the Game 9101319, co-chair of the Auburn-Opelika Sports Council, chairman of the Super 7 and Dixie Boys Baseball state director.
AUBURN — Auburn University QB
Payton Thorne amassed 405 yards of total offense and was responsible for three touchdowns, leading the Tigers (3-0) to a 45-13 homecoming victory over the Samford Bulldogs (1-2) in a sold-out Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night. He became the first Auburn quarterback since Nick Marshall vs. Mississippi State in 2014 to throw for 200 yards and rush for 100 yards in a game.
“I’ve never had an offense like this where the quarterback was involved in the run game,” Thorne said of his time prior to Auburn. “It was kind of just simple zone read stuff. I never had anything blocked for me. And so I never really was out there running schemes like that. So, like I said, it was fun tonight to get that done.”
About Thorne’s performance, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said, "I thought he played really solid. We've got to get more confidence in us being a balanced offense, and that was a goal. He ran when he needed to,
we called some good draws with him, and he looked natural at it. …We’ve gotta find out if Payton truly is gonna function every aspect of the offense, which I thought he did tonight well.”
Auburn won the opening coin toss and elected to defer, so the Samford Bulldogs received the opening kickoff and put together an eight-play, 25-yard drive, amassing two first downs before punting the football.
The Tiger’s opening drive could not have started any better as it moved 59
OPELIKA
Opelika City Schools’ Board of Education met on Thursday, Sept. 14, and approved the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24.
The beginning equity balance for Oct. 1, 2023, the combined funds is $38.3 million projected by the fiscal year 2023 amendment.
The total revenue for the fiscal year 2024 and other fund sources is projected to be $87 million with total expenditures and other fund uses of $81.5 million.
There are a total of 662 budgeted personnel units,
and teachers are compromising 379 of those units. 505 of the totals are state funded, 101 are federally funded and 55 are locally funded.
In the general fund, the fiscal year 2024 ending fund balance is $20.2 million, which results in a fourmonth reserve.
Budgeted revenues and other fund sources in the general fund for the fiscal year 2024 are $60.4 million, and the fiscal year 2023 amendment is $59.9 million. State revenues of $33.5 million (56%) of general fund revenues are projected to increase by $402 thousand (1.2%) from last year. Local revenues of $26.3 million
(43.9%) are projected to increase by $632 thousand (2.5%) from last year.
Expenditures and other funds used in the general fund for the fiscal year 2024 are $53.4 million. Instructional services and instructional support represent 75.3% of the general fund’s projected expenditures. The personnel costs account for 85% of the general fund budget.
The special revenue fund, excluding carryover funds, CARES Act, ESSER and the Coronavirus Relief Funds, is projected to increase by $144 thousand (2.2%).
The special revenue fund includes federal revenues,
public school funding, after-school programs and the Child Nutrition Program. The ending fund balance for the special revenue fund is $3.1 million.
IN OTHER BUSINESS
The board of directors approved the five year capital plan, which includes Opelika Middle School getting paint and carpet, HVAC renovation for Northside Intermediate School, renovation for the baseball and football field to include turf, upgrading the jumbotron and lighting system at the football stadium and upgrading the lighting system at the baseball field. There will also be a phone, intercom and
bell systems upgrade across the district. In addition, the board is looking into adding three new school buses and upgrading the camera systems on the buses.
In 2025, the school system is going to look into the HVAC system at the middle school and start looking at roof replacements at the high school and Opelika Learning Center. The board is hoping to replace the carpet and the interior paint at Carver Primary School and West Forest Intermediate School.
Moving into 2026, the HVAC system will be replaced at the high school around the older parts of the building that were not a part
of the renovations in 2014.
In 2027, Northside Intermediate School and Southview Primary School will have a paint job and carpet replacement, and there will be roof renovations for the Board of Education office. In 2028, the board will revisit the school entrance modifications for safety.
The board was able to complete four projects last, which included the construction of Fox Run School, the HVAC system renovations at West Forest Intermediate School and Southview Primary School and the installment of handrails at Opelika High School’s football stadium.
yards in 12 plays on the back of six completions in seven attempts by Thorne, a seven-yard scramble on a third down and six by the junior QB and three rushes by Jarquez Hunter for 17 yards. However, with first down and goal at the Samford one yard line, the offense sputtered with incomplete passes on first and second down, a false start on third down and a pass into heavy traffic intercepted by the Bulldogs in the end zone.
When asked about the pass plays from the oneyard line, Thorne said, “We called an RPO (run pass option), so a possibility to hand it off or throw it. I thought I had the look for the throw, so I threw it. Second one, same thing. I saw my oneon-one matchup with Shane [Hooks] and thought this was a good chance to ... rep it in a game.”
The Tigers’ defense held Samford to a punt following the turnover but did little on its next possession, turning it over on downs when running back Damari Alston lost a yard on fourth and
one.
Auburn finally dented the scoreboard, however, on its following possession taking only 59 seconds and three plays to cover 78 yards. Thorne used a pump fake to freeze the Bulldog safety and hit a sprinting Hooks for a 32-yard touchdown. It was Hooks’ first touchdown as an Auburn Tiger and the longest touchdown pass for the Tigers in this young season.
Tiger cornerback J.D.
Rhym intercepted Samford
QB Michael Hiers on the second play of the following possession setting Auburn up in Samford territory. But the excitement was shortlived as Thorne threw into double coverage for his second end zone interception of the game.
Auburn’s ball hawking secondary had Thorne’s back, however, intercepting
Heir yet again — this time by Jaylin Simpson — on the second play of the subsequent Samford drive setting Auburn up on the Bulldogs 22 yard line. The Tigers would capitalize on this turnover with Thorne running it in from five yards out for the first of his two rushing touchdowns in the
game, giving Auburn a 14-0 lead.
Placekicker Alex McPherson would give the Tigers a 17-0 lead heading into halftime with a 22-yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining in the half.
The Tigers would come out and start the second half with a bang going on a 13-play, 76-yard march to the end zone capped by a one-yard touchdown run by QB Robby Ashford as he walked in untouched on the read option keeper to give the Tigers a 24-0 lead.
Samford would answer with a quick five play touchdown of their own on the following possession, but Auburn answered right back with their own five play drive, ending in a oneyard Hunter touchdown run, putting the Tigers up 31-7.
The Auburn defense forced a Samford punt on the ensuing drive, but Auburn’s Jay Fair was unable to corral the punt, and the Bulldogs covered the muff at the Auburn 9-yard line setting up a touchdown three plays later, making the score 31-13 after the Samford kicker, Wilson Beaverstock shanked the extra point attempt.
But that was as close as the FCS foe would get. After the teams traded punts, Thorne capped the Tigers’ second five play touchdown drive of the night with an 18-yard run to paydirt, extending the Auburn lead to 38-13.
The Auburn defense forced yet another punt and scored when Ashford lofted a pass hitting tight end Micah Riley in stride, running a seam route for the redshirt freshman’s first collegiate touchdown. Backup placekicker Marshall Meyers’ extra point try sailed through the uprights for the final points of the ballgame.
PASS HAPPY
Auburn threw 36 passes against Samford, more than twice as many passes as they attempted against Cal a week ago. Thorne finished the game 24-32 with 282 yards and a touchdown. In the first quarter alone, Thorne was 10-14 with 93 yards. For comparison, last week against Cal, Thorne went 9-14 for 94 yards for the entire game.
“A lot of the throws in the first half were truly off the run game,” Freeze said after the game. “The way their safeties were playing,
they were getting eight in the box pretty quick. It was the read for Payton to throw it based on the numbers. I don’t think we called an extraordinarily large amount [of passes]. The last series with Robby, every one of those were runs, except the last one…that he completed for a touchdown.”
DUAL THREAT Thorne had 11 rushes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. That was the most rushing yards by an Auburn QB since Nick Marshall ran for 214 yards against Tennessee in 2013.
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Auburn’s 562 yards of total offense was its largest output since it put up 613 yards against Akron in the opening game of the 2021 season.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
Auburn now has five interceptions in its first three games. The Tigers recorded six interceptions all of last season.
Simpson intercepted his third pass of the season Saturday night. Simpson is the first Auburn player with interceptions in three consecutive games since Jerraud Powers in 2007.
QB CAROUSELThe QB rotation against Cal was the topic at water coolers and message boards everywhere this week. On the Tiger Talk call-in show prior to the Samford game, Freeze was asked about the quarterback rotation in California, and he said, "I don't think you'll see that from me again.” That proved prophetic as backup QB Ashford didn’t enter the game until the second half, and that was in a goal line situation in which he scored a touchdown. He appeared again in the third quarter in another goal line situation in which Auburn scored another touchdown and then not again until the game was out of reach when he appeared in a true backup role, looking solid, going 3-4 for 58 yards and a TD.
NEXT UP
Auburn finished off its non-conference schedule Saturday night and begins conference play next Saturday against Western Division rival Texas A&M Aggies in its second road contest of the season.
The Tigers are 4-1 alltime in College Station.
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on ESPN.
As I drive through downtown Opelika and see the railroad station and the crisscross of tracks, the sights bring back so many good warm memories I had while growing up. Now I am 70 years old, but I remember one certain field trip like it was yesterday. I was in Mrs. Louise’s kindergarten in Opelika. She and her teacher team went all out teaching us stories, arts and crafts, playtime, snack time and rest time.
They planned many field trips around town but the best one I ever
went on was when we gathered at the Opelika railroad station with picnic baskets in hand and got on a passenger train to travel from Opelika to Auburn and had a picnic at Chewacla State Park.
At our young five-yearold age, this trip was truly larger than life. As an early childhood teacher, I tried to replicate this childhood memory with my classes. Living in Mobile, Alabama, for 30 years, we had the Amtrak train where as a school, parents, and teachers would work with Amtrak to go from Mobile to Bay
Minette, Alabama. This was a memory maker for children and their families. Sept. 20, 1853, is when the first Railroad Station opened in Indianapolis Union Station at 39 Jackson Place.
I love to sing the little song train jingles with children. Opelika, our railroad town, has taken us to so many places.
This coming Saturday, Sept. 23, we welcome in the beginning of Autumn. I love the way Lee County displays the beauty of Fall each year.
It is breathtaking to see how the leaves begin to turn colors of red, yellow, orange, etc. The crisp cool air seems to put extra energy in our steps. As I am driving, I am already having to dodge the bushy-tail squirrels bustling around for acorns and nuts to store up for winter. autumn offers so many teachable moments for young children. It truly doesn’t take a lot of money for families to learn and enjoy the seasonal changes. In reviewing some of my resources from lessons and articles past I want to make just a few suggestions.
1. Take a nature walk around the neighborhood or even the house. Take time to point out nature items such as fall leaves in many colors, nuts, acorns, pine cones, pine straw and seeds. Simple brown bags can be used to pick up nature items. Families can come together and share what they have found. A simple craft of gluing nature items on paper can be a fall masterpiece, math lesson and science lesson.
2. Take time as you go about Lee County to note how the different animals are getting ready for winter. As you drive, walk or hike with your little ones, point out the birds, ducks and geese that are gathering in flight as they migrate to other places to prepare for winter months. Talk to your children about migration and that the birds are moving to a warmer environment in preparation for the winter.
3. We already mentioned how bushy-tail squirrels are starting to gather acorns and nuts for the winter. Take time to sit back with your children and observe different
thing this company represents, and is an Auburn native.
A NIL deal is when an athlete gets compensation from a company profiting off of their name, image and likeness. With that being said, for this restaurant to offer its first ever NIL deal to an athlete, shows consumers that the company believes this is an influential and responsible person.
The restaurant posted on its Instagram page ‘@byrons-smokehouse’ (Sept. 13, 2023), “Seeing as the entire Speaks family have been long time Byron’s regulars, it’s so special to us that Griffin is our first ever NIL Partnership. So with that, everyone please give a warm welcome to No. 39, Griffin Speaks!”
Picking Speaks to represent the restaurant establishes trust in the local community, because he actually was loyal to the restaurant before the deal.
Byron's Smokehouse has been serving food in Auburn since 1989 and has never offered a NIL deal to any athlete until now. Although, why now? Griffin began his college career playing football at Baylor University, but soon after left and joined the Auburn Football team playing as a defensive back and special teams assassin. Auburn has always been home for Speaks and his family, he grew up playing in the little league in Auburn.
As of Aug. 1, 2023, Tudhope and his wife Julie became the new owners of Byron's Smokehouse. Excited to take on the job, Kevin reminds customers that
places the squirrels climb and rush to.
4. When it comes to fall, we love our foods of pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice coffees, apple sauce, apple pies, apple fritters, etc. Young children love to help and be a part of cooking up something delicious. Helping to cook recipes helps with math skills. Some of my favorite Friday afternoon events that we did in Kindergarten if the class had a good week was to make simple sugar cookies. The children would lay the cookie slices in rows to be put in the oven. If weather permitted, laying a blanket outside of my classroom on the grass with a carton of milk or drink to go along with the warm cookies made for the end of a good week and a good reward for a class of young children who had worked hard. This idea can be adapted for family fun too.
Another annual event that will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 26, is to celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day. Who was Johnny Appleseed? He was an early American pioneer
he’s grown up in Auburn and has grown a strong love for the community and people. The Tudhope family said it bases its restaurant values on the family being a deep part of the establishment. This brings even more clarity as to why Speaks was chosen for the NIL deal.
On its social media accounts, the restaurant encouraged lovers of Byron's Smoke House to follow Speaks on all social media platforms.
Speaks will primarily be advertising deals, specials and other announcements about the restaurant on his page. Speaks will bring in a different demographic to eat at this restaurant, and that is why the owners chose him to represent the company in this manner.
“I have a good relationship with the athletics department,” Kevin said. “The one with Speaks touches on me watching him grow up, he’s my younger son's age and he’s a local. His family and especially his dad comes into Byron’s every single day to eat. They truly are friends of ours and they are a part of this community, what better way to welcome him back from Baylor University. He’s a great kid with great Christian values; he's a pillar of the community. In the future I will offer more NIL deals to athletes. We want to lift Speaks up, being the owner of Baumhowers I’ve already offered 17 NIL deals.
“I’m all about giving back to Auburn players. My parents would’ve loved to take care of athletes but NIL was illegal at the time. When we offer NIL deals it’s not just a money thing because we have a long term relationship.”
who planted apple trees in the 1800s in the Ohio Valley, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, northern parts of West Virginia, as well as Ontario. He was fascinated by the westward movement across the continent. As he traveled west, he planted trees as he went his way.
Johnny Appleseed used the very simple things in life to help others and show them care and love.
I love wearing a tin pot like Johnny Appleseed when I read to young children about him. For him, the tin pot served as a cap and a mush pot to cook in.
I hope these ideas start getting your family in the excitement of autumn.
Beth Pinyerd has taught in the Early Childhood Classroom for many years. She holds a Masters’ Degree in Early Childhood Education. Classroom Observer wishes to point out the many wonderful educational opportunities going on in our community for young children. Feel free to email donnapinyerd@ charter.net of special class events that you would like to share.
junior nose guard
Dallas Tucker added 6 tackles. Bailey passed 106 yards and ran for 93 yards. Bailey's favorite target was Jedd Scott pulling down seven receptions for 38 yards, with Tanguma adding three catches for 11 yards, and Jagger Scott with two big grabs for 77 yards.
“With Josiah out and then Jagger we were in a real pickle,” Scott said.
“But, I was really proud of how the younger guys stepped up and made a stand, only allowing 1 touchdown in three quarters. That first quarter just killed us. We have to get better at starting the game. We will get better, we're just really young.”
Some sunshine this week for SCA as the junior varsity Patriots defeated the Wildcats of Springwood on Monday at Woodland Field in Phenix City, Alabama. The Patriots were led by QB William Dooley beating the Cats 28-6. The varsity and Junior varsity are now both 2-2 for the season. Varsity is now sitting at 0-2 in ACSC conference play, hoping to defeat Ezekiel Academy in three weeks for the Pats first playoff birth.
The Patriots will host Springwood at Moore Stadium in Opelika this Friday for the varsity matchup. Game starts at 7 p.m. central time.
OPINION —
In early April, I wrote that “Democrats give Trump a lifeline.” It was at that time that a Democratic district attorney in an overwhelmingly Democratic New York venue had indicted Trump in a political ploy to disarm in some way, politically.
There is an old saying that you can indict a potato or a ham sandwich. 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.
It looks like the Democrats plan is to replay the 2020 election in the courts, which is destroying Americans’ trust in their judicial system. They are making the courts a theatrical comedy political show. It used to be off limits to use the courts to indict a person for political reasons. Make no mistake about it, all of these trumped up indictments are just that, orchestrated political ploys.
The Democrats have politically used the judicial system to indict Donald Trump — unbelievably four times in four different Democratic venues with Democratic judges and Democratic juries. The last two plays are in slam dunk Democratic clubhouses. The third indictment is in Washington D.C., which is 96% Democratic. The fourth is in Fulton County, Atlanta, Georgia, which is 80% Democratic. There will never be a conviction upheld by a superior unbiased appeals court. It would also take six years of appeals to get resolved and by that time Trump and Biden might not be here and if they are here, may not know they are here. The 2024 race will long be over and forgotten. These political indictments are designed and orchestrated to derail Trump in 2024.
Make no mistake about it, these charades are politically motivated but not for the reason you think. Most would assume that the Democrats wanted to bloody Trump in order to beat him in the general election next November against Biden. Not so, they want him to be the Republican nominee because he will be easy to beat, and they know that. This courtroom ploy is playing out with the Republican base with such anger and outrage that it is making Trump a martyr.
Indeed, as late as March, polls showed that Trump could not be elected president under any circumstances. He was probably not going to be
the Republican nominee. He had dropped to 25% among Republicans with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 40% without DeSantis even being in the race.
After every indictment the sensationalism was met with glee by the liberal media. However, it was met by more glee by one, Donald Trump. It not only gave him a political lifeline, it essentially assured him the Republican nomination. The latest polls reveal Trump has a demanding lead in the GOP horserace. He is sitting on 54% vote to DeSantis’s 15% and the rest of the dwarfs are at 5% or less.
Trump will more than likely carry Alabama, overwhelmingly in our March 5 GOP Primary. All six of our current Republican Congressmen have endorsed him as well as our Senior Sen. Tommy Tuberville who, by the way, is probably Trump’s closest and most loyal ally in the U.S. Senate. Trump was met by enthusiastic, energetic enthusiasm when he spoke to a record breaking crowd of Alabama Republicans at their summer dinner in Montgomery on Aug. 4. Folks, the Democratic plan to make Donald Trump the Republican nominee has been successful. They have used Democratic courts to orchestrate his nomination. However, they may have overplayed their hand. There is such a thing as
See FLOWERS, page B10
BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council held a public hearing for a project agreement between the city of Opelika and The Taylor at Opelika LLC during Tuesday night's city council meeting. As part of the agreement, the city agreed to install and construct various public infrastructure improvements, as identified as being necessary to accomplish the construction of the apartment complex. These infrastructure improvements include widening /improvements of streets, sidewalks and utili-
ties and more.
Ward 3 Council Member
Tim Aja voted against the project agreement.
"Eighteen months ago, I voted against the zoning that approved The Taylor and since then, talking with more of my constituency, there has been no change there," Aja said. "... and the thought process is that this is not in the best interest of Opelika. I personally believe that this project will face quite an uphill battle when it comes to getting filled, and this apartment complex failing in this location that is going to be the future primary route in and out of Opelika will be a huge problem for the city that I
hope does not come to fruition. I cannot vote to provide public funds towards this project..."
However, Aja did say that should the complex be built that he wishes it well.
"... If this project does get built, I certainly wish it well," Aja said. "Once its built it needs to suceed; that will be in the best interest of Opelika."
The resolution for the project agreement passed with Ward 2 Council Member and Pro-Tem Erica Baker-Norris abstaining from the vote, Aja voted nay and the other three councilmembers voting to
See OPELIKA COUNCIL, page B11
CONTRIBUTED BY ROBERT MCCOLLUM DADEVILLE —
The 2022 Republican candidate for Alabama’s Public Service Commission (PSC), Robert Lane McCollum, announced today that he will be seeking the Republican nomination for president of the PSC in 2024.
McCollum will be challenging longtime political insider Twinkle Cavanaugh in the race. Previously, McCollum had been a candidate for Tallapoosa County Probate Judge.
“I have decided to leave the race for Tallapoosa County Probate Judge,
and instead challenge Twinkle Cavanaugh for president of the Alabama PSC,” McCollum said.
“A conservative state like Alabama cannot stand four more years of swamp creatures like Twinkle raising their utility bills year after year. Alabamians want a PSC president that looks out for them and not the special interests. Twinkle isn’t that person.”
In 2022, McCollum previously challenged incumbent Chip Beeker for Place 2 on the Alabama Public Service Commission and qualified for the Republican runoff election before being defeated by Beeker. He is a private business owner in
Dadeville Alabama.
“I learned in 2022 that people getting rich on the backs of hardworking Alabamians will stop at nothing to keep a conservative political outsider off of the PSC,” McCollum said. “Twinkle never saw a light bill she didn’t want to raise, and that stops now. Tallapoosa County will be in excellent hands with Judge Talmadge East, but Alabama can’t take anymore.”
The upcoming Alabama Republican Primary will be held on March 5, 2024. As of now, McCollum and Cavanaugh are the only announced Republican candidates
each state. Others drive through states for a short time, not learning anything about the state except that it has trees, or is a desert, or is flooded with Waffle Houses. Often, I visit the poorer sections of a town, then the richer sections, then tourist areas which I don’t prefer but know my friends will want photos of. I seldom take tours but instead, move freely to meet individuals from a state.
that many people seem to undertake their mission for 50 states when they are very ill; when chances of getting a certificate such as North Dakota’s is quite unlikely.
Also, I don’t advise making a too-specific list such as visiting all 50 State Houses. Many are near the center of each state, but others are spread on the cusp with another state, or even many miles away from the state you came from.
earning $175.4 million worldwide. However, critics had divergent views, some complimentary and some critical.
OPINION —
Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, share a visitors’ center near the state line. It is not a rare sight to see visitors declare that their “Bucket List” of visiting all 50 states is ending there. Many people on the chase for the 50 states finish their trek in North Dakota because it is harder to get to than most states, not to mention that for many months the weather is not
welcoming.
Staff members at the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau exist to promote those adjoining states. They present the travelers with certificate declaring when and where they accomplished their mission.
In August of this year, I spent three days each in Minnesota and North Dakota; they are my 39th and 40th states to visit.
I am not like the usual traveler: I almost always spend at least two days in
Going to two or three new states every year, hoping to get all 50, is more of a creative hobby for me than the traditional “Bucket List” is.
Those who are obsessed with getting all the states should use a better term than “Bucket List.” Think about it — the saying means you fell down, kicked the bucket and died. Is this what a religious person thinks about their demise, and not a peaceful scene?
Kicking the bucket is NOT what one should call it, maybe say that you fell down and went to God’s side. Another problem I have with a bucket list is
The modern use of the term “Bucket List” emanates from a 2007 movie with legendary actors Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Both are elderly men but differ a lot as Freeman plays a blue-collar car mechanic and Nicholson is a healthcare billionaire. They become friends as both are battling cancer and are restless to leave the hospital.
After the Freeman character writes a list of activities he hopes to do, he calls it “kick the bucket.” This buddy comedy-drama was a box-office success, hitting Number 1 in the United States and
"'The Bucket List' is a movie about two old codgers who are nothing like people, both suffering from cancer that is nothing like cancer; and setting off on adventures that are nothing like possible,” wrote Roger Ebert, a top movie reviewer, in 2007. “I urgently advise hospitals: Do not make the DVD available to your patients.” Ebert died of cancer himself, in 2013.
Ebert had a big interest in how films showed cancer victims. He said: "'The Bucket List' thinks dying of cancer is a laugh riot followed by a dimestore epiphany. The sole redeeming merit of the film is the steady work by Morgan Freeman, who has appeared in more than one embarrassing movie, but never embarrassed himself.”
An unusual exhibit is seen at the Fargo-Moorhead visitors center, that must be explained. The capital city of Fargo,
the largest city in North Dakota (125,000), was the name of a 1996 black-comedy. Only a small scene was shot in Fargo itself. The rest was in other parts of North Dakota and especially in Minnesota.
But at the welcome center, tourists get a chance to see the wood chipper where a character in the movie (“Fargo”) was killed. Guests get a large piece of wood and push down a false foot, to simulate a murder in the film. To me, that’s a weird way to welcome someone to your state. I’ll take Alabama’s rocket any day; it welcomes people coming from Georgia.
Greg Markley moved to Lee County in 1996. He has a master’s in education from AUM and a masters in history from Auburn University. He taught politics as an adjunct in Georgia and Alabama. An award-winning writer in the Army and civilian life, he has contributed to the Observer since 2011. He writes on politics, education and books. gm.markley@charter.net
SMITHS STAITON—
The Smiths Station City Council heard from numerous residents last week during the regular Tuesday council meeting with complaints about the girls’ softball field.
“I’m here to ask for equal treatment, funds and management for Drury Fields in Girl’s Softball,” said Lauren Davis, one resident of Smiths Station.
The fields, which residents and parents said has not received any upkeep from the city, are in need of repairs, maintenance and help.
Many of these parents
have stepped up in the interim to take on the needed maintenance themselves, however.
“It is beloved because of the hard work and effort poured into it by countless parents and volunteers,” Davis said.
“We are determined and dedicated to provide our girls with the same opportunities and resources that other sports receive. Something we shouldn’t have to do alone if our city and county were showing up for our girls like they show up for other sports and the other complex.”
The parents have taken it upon themselves to restripe the parking lot, clean the bathrooms, repair the fence in front of the dugout and more.
“Why do we pay $15 a season with nothing to show for it,” asked another parent and member of the board, D.J. Simms.
Smiths Station Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland addressed this concern and said that the maintenance that is completed on the field, such as cutting the grass, is what the $15 fee covers.
Simms said that the city has failed and did nothing to help until issues were made public on Facebook.
Copeland waited until everyone was done speaking to address the problems.
Copeland said there was no intention of mistreating the female players.
He also suggested
that there be a board meeting to discuss the problems and work toward a solution.
One of the problems, he said, is that the field is owned by the Lee County School Board, not the city of Smiths Station. So that does limit certain things.
“Let's see what we can do to help,” Copeland said.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
The council also approved a contractual agreement with the East Alabama Chamber of Commerce.
“So, you guys kind of know the back history of how the East Alabama Chamber became the East Alabama Chamber,” said Melissa Gaunt, CEO and president of the chamber. “It
was to be inclusive to include the city of Smiths Station. Prior to that, it was Phenix City/Russell County Chamber of Commerce. And we knew that you would never be apart of that as long as the name was Phenix City/ Russell County because that absolutely excludes Smiths Station.
Gauntt asked the council to consider that this agreement is more than just a contractual obligation or inclusion, but participation.
“It’s about a collaboration and a partnership and us to be your eyes and ears in the community and so that you’re aware,” she said.
Gauntt described the agreement as a bargain.
“You all know that
FLOWERS >>
FROM B9
“piling on” to use a football analogy. Every time one of these indictments comes down, it makes it look more and more frivolous and political. It has become viewed by Republicans as over the top and hitting below the waist politics. They may be making some Independent voters reconsider their distaste for Trump. In addition, every time one of these ploys comes down, Trump raises tons of money. The Democrats may have succeeded in making Trump the nominee they wanted. However, they may have gone too far. They may elect him president.
During Trump’s visit to Montgomery when he spoke, the GOP faithful following the third indictment out of
Smiths Station is my home so I have a special place in my heart for it, so it’s to be a part and be your partner instead of just being a membership club,” she said.
Smiths Station Council Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland thanked Gauntt for coming.
Other Business:
- The council approved a resolution for cell phone reimbursement for Interim City Clerk Cyndi Farmer.
- The council approved a funding request for National Night Out on Oct. 3, 2023.
- The council approved an event request for the pavilion for a baby shower.
Washington D.C., you could tell he was delighted with the latest pile on. He gleefully told the audience, “one more indictment and they will make me president.” He may be right.
Then the fourth indictment came down, and his polls and fundraising took off again. He would like nothing better than to hold a rally outside each courtroom next year. If political prosecution is the Democrats gameplan, they may have overplayed their hand. We will see.
See you next week.
Flowers is Alabama’s leading 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.
approve.
The complex will consist of 198 units and will be built upon the 7.14 acre plot of land that is located at the intersection of Avenue C and South 10th Street. The project is expected to have a capital investment from the company of a little more than $35.5 million.
RECOGNITION
The city of Opelika and the Character in Action Council honored the late Selena Daniels during the meeting Tuesday night. Daniels, a well-loved and respected member of the community passed away Aug. 14, 2023, at the age of 89.
Baker-Norris read the award to the family of Daniels and offered encouragement to them.
"I chose Mrs. Daniels because she had a tremendous impact in Opelika's Ward 2," Baker-Norris said. "She put the building blocks down for what we call today affordable housing. Had it not been for her, there is a lot of people that would not have been first-time homeowners."
Daniels granddaughter, Lydia Mitchell vowed to continue the good work her grandmother was known for.
"On behalf of my yfamily and my grandmother I would like to say thank you so much for this prestigious honor," Mitchell said. "We definitely plan to keep the train moving because we have huge shoes to fill. She is deeply missed and we will carry on everything that we can, as much as we can, because she was an amazing woman."
IN OTHER BUSINESS
- The council approved a request for the Annual Life Chain Event on Oct. 22. The event will take place at the
crossroads of Gateway and Frederick Road from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
- The council approved a request from First Baptist Church Opelika for a street closure for its Fall Festival on Oct. 29.
- The council approved a request from Ohanamart LLC doing business as Ohanamart 3, for a retail beer and retail wine off premise license.
- The council held a public hearing for a weed abatement for property located at 1819 1st Ave. and later voted to approve the assessment in the amount of $363.56.
- The council approved a bid for a residential building demolition of a structure located at 622 S. 4th St. and 315 S. 4th St. The bid was awarded to L&L Hauling and Backhoe LLC in the amount of $30,500.
- The council approved expense reports from city employees
- The council approved a resolution to designate city property as surplus and authorized its disposal.
- The council approved a resolution to amend the CDBG Program Year (PY) 2021 Action Plan and $60,000 from PY2021 will be allocated to PY 2022 Action Plan budget under the Emergency Home Repairs Program.
- The council approved a resolution to amend the organizational charts adding the positions, Police Social Work Coordinator, Assistant Athletics Coordinator, Membership Coordinator/ Support Worker and Assistant Swimming Coach for the Parks and Recreation Department. Job descriptions and more information on the positions can be found in the city council agenda packet on the city website.
- The council approved the annual general liability insurance agreement
with Marsh & McLennan Agency. The resolution allows for purchase orders for premiums for the city’s insurance portfolio not to exceed $791,603.
- The council approved the group health insurance contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama.
- The council approved the Historic Preservation grant application for G. W. Carver Hall. The city is seeking a grant for an amount not to exceed $746,740 to be used to repair and renovate the building.
- The council approved a professional services agreement with Barrett-Simpson for the design of the McCoy Street improvements for lane realignment and pedestrian improvements. The estimated fee for these services is $189,600.
- The council approved refunds for two citizens for sewer fees paid in error.
- The council approved a resolution to transfer current year city council discretionary fund balances.
- The council approved an ordinance for an annexation petition by James M. Veasey Sr. and James M. Veasey Jr. to annex 5.2 acres of land located at 2822 Old Columbus Road into the city limits.
- The council appointed Tim Moore to the Property Maintenance Board of Appeals for the Existing Term that will expire March 16, 2024 and also to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals (New Construction) for the existing term that expires on Oct. 1, 2024.
- The council reappointed David Hudmon to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals (New Construction) for a new term that will expire Oct. 1, 2027.
- The council reappointed James Smith Sr. to the Lee County Youth Development Center Board for a new term that will expire Oct. 1, 2027.
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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 36618-0249 until 12:00 p.m., Local Time, October 9, 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: M5712-2765,
Project Name: 2024 Annual Contract for Sewer Line Repair. Plans and Specifications may be inspected at the Board’s offices at 4725 Moffett Road, Suite A, Mobile, AL, or at the office of McCrory & Williams, Inc. Consulting Engineers, 3207 International Drive, Suite G, Mobile, AL. Electronic Plans and Specifications may be obtained via e-mail for review only from McCrory & Williams, Inc, Telephone: (251)476-4720.
Copies of the Plans, Specifications, and other Contract Documents may be obtained from McCrory & Williams, Inc at 3207 International Drive, Suite G upon a non-refundable payment of $75.00 per set.
No Contract Documents will be issued later than twentyfour (24) hours prior to bid submission time.
A mandatory Pre-bid Conference will be held at 4725 Moffett Road, Mobile, AL 36618 on September 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., Local Time, to discuss bidding and project requirements.
Prospective bidders and subcontractors should attend.
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.) M5712-2765 (Project
Name) 2024 Annual
Contract for Sewer Line
Repairs to be opened at 1:00 p.m., Local Time, October 9, 2023”. The Bidder’s Alabama State Contractor’s License Number and discipline shall be on the envelope.
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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%
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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 09/21/2023
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 36618-0249 until 12:00 p.m., Local Time, October 9, 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: M5712-2781,
Project Name: 2024 Annual Contract for Street and Sidewalk Repairs. Plans and Specifications may be inspected at the Board’s offices at 4725 Moffett Road, Suite A, Mobile, AL, or at the office of McCrory & Williams, Inc, Consulting Engineers, 3207 International Drive, Suite G, Mobile, AL. Electronic Plans and Specifications may be obtained via e-mail for review only from McCrory & Williams, Inc, Telephone: (251)476-4720.
Copies of the Plans, Specifications, and other Contract Documents may be obtained from McCrory & Williams, Inc at 3207 International Drive, Suite G, upon a non-refundable payment of $75.00 per set.
No Contract Documents will be issued later than twentyfour (24) hours prior to bid submission time.
A mandatory Pre-bid Conference will be held at MAWSS, 4725 Moffett Road, Mobile, AL 36618 on September 26, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. Local Time, to discuss bidding and project requirements. Prospective bidders and subcontractors should attend.
Bids must be submitted on the standard forms
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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 366180249: “Bid for constructing (Contract No.) M57122781 (Project Name) 2024 Annual Contract for Street and Sidewalk Repairs to be opened at 1:00 p.m., Local Time, October 9, 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 09/21/2023
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 36618-0249 until 12:00 p.m., Local Time, October 9, 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:M5712-2785, Project Name: Hauling and Disposal of Treatment Plant Biosolids 2024–2026 Annual Contract. Plans and Specifications may be inspected at the Board’s offices at 4725 Moffett Road, Suite A, Mobile, AL, or at the office of McCrory & Williams, Inc., Consulting Engineers, 3207 International Drive, Suite G, Mobile, AL. Electronic Plans and Specifications may be obtained via e-mail for review only from McCrory
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& Williams, Inc., Telephone: (251) 476-4720.
Copies of the Plans, Specifications, and other Contract Documents may be obtained from McCrory & Williams, Inc. at 3207 International Drive, Suite G, Mobile, AL, upon a non-refundable payment of $50.00 per set. 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 MAWSS Training Room, Park Forest Facility, 4725A Moffett Road, Mobile, AL 36618 on September 27, 2023 at 8:30 a.m., Local Time, to discuss bidding and project requirements. Prospective bidders and subcontractors should attend. 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.) M5712-2785 (Project Name) Hauling and Disposal of Treatment Plant Biosolids 2024–2026 Contract to be opened at 1:00 p.m., Local Time, October 9, 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 09/21/2023
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Take Notice that LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION were granted to Megan
In home residential care-giver with 25 years experience. $15 an hour. References available. Call 334-728-9876.
Yard Sale This Weekend Union Grove Baptist Church on Old Columbus Road 4009 Lee Road 391, Opelika Sept. 23 from 8 a.m. until noon. Clothes, furniture and miscellaneous items. Please share this with your friends.
Ganey on the ESTATE OF RICHARD GANEY, deceased, on the 5th day of September, 2023 by Honorable Bill English.
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.
BILL ENGLISH, JUDGE OF PROBATE Legal Run 09/21/2023, 09/28/2023 & 10/05/2023
IN THE PROBATE COURT FOR LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: VICKI MILLER PIERCE, Deceased
Case No.: 2023-456
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Letters Testamentary of said deceased having been granted to Adam L. Pierce, Personal Representative on the 6th day of September, 2023, by Honorable Bill English, Judge of Probate Court of Lee County, notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present he same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
Adam L. Pierce Legal Run 09/14/2023, 09/21/2023 & 09/28/2023
IN THE PROBATE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Notice of the filing of
Petition for Summary
Distribution
In the Estate of ROBERTO GUZMAN
ALTAMIRANO, deceased
Case no.: 2023-374
Notice is hereby given that a Petition for Summary
Distribution has been filed in the Lee County Probate Office by Isabel Maria Altamirano on July 14, 2023 pursuant to Section 43-2690, Code of Alabama and that 30 days after the notice of publication hereof and pursuant to law the Court shall be requested to enter an Order directing Summary Distribution of the estate of said decedent.
BILL ENGLISH PROBATE JUDGE Legal Run 09/21/2023
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA KRISTINA HADAWAY, Plaintiff, v. Case No. CV-23-21
Lot Number Eighty-Six in HALLWAY SUBDIVISION – SECOND ADDITION, according to and as shown by map or plat of said subdivision recorded in Town Plat Book 6, at Page 169 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama; together with all improvements thereon and appurtenances thereunto appertaining.
SUBJECT TO, HOWEVER, the conditions, limitations and restrictions set forth in the declaration executed by W. D. Wittel, et al, dated June 13, 1964, of record in Deed Record Book 663, at Page 252 in the Office of the Judge of Probate of Lee County, Alabama.
Any unknown heirs or assigns of Hagiko Foster, Deceased Fictitious parties AB, CD, and EF, Defendants, PUBLICATION NOTICE
The Defendants unknown heirs or assigns of Hagiko Foster, deceased, or any other party or incompetent claiming an interest in the above described property must answer the complaint of the Plaintiff seeking to quiet title in the above described real property within 30 days of the date of the last publication of this notice, or thereafter a judgment by default may be rendered against the said Defendants.
MARY B. ROBERSON CIRCUIT CLERK Legal Run 09/07/2023, 09/14/2023, 09/21/2023 & 09/28/2023
NOTICE OF CIVIL ACTION
Jeremy Hillyard, whose whereabouts is unknown, must answer BC Stone Homes, LLC's complaint for breach of contract and other relief by October 14, 2023, or, thereafter, a judgment by default may be rendered against him in case number 43-CV-2023-900119, Circuit Court of Lee County. Done the 6th day of September, 2023.
MARY ROBERSON, CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY Blake L. Oliver SAMFORD & DENSON, LLP P.O. Box 2345 Opelika, AL 36803-2345
Telephone (334) 745-3504
Facsimile (334) 745-3506
Email: oliver@samfordlaw.com
Attorney for BC Stone Homes, LLC
Legal Run 09/14/2023, 09/21/2023, 09/28/2023, & 10/05/2023
See PUBLIC NOTICES, page B14
Auburn Supports Emergency Services
The Auburn City Council met Tuesday night and approved an agreement with the East Alabama Healthcare Authority for the fiscal year 2024 contract.
“The Fiscal Year-2024 Emergency Response, Rescue and Ambulance Service Agreement is up for renewal,” said a memorandum from City Manager Megan Crouch to the Public Safety Services Executive Director Will Mathews.
“This agreement between the city of Auburn and East Alabama Healthcare Authority is for East Alabama Healthcare Authority to continue to provide ambulance service for the city of Auburn for the period Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024.”
Lee County, the city of Opelika and the city of Auburn are all in contract with the East Alabama Healthcare Authority.
The services include routine response, emergency response, rescue service and ambulance transport service.
OTHER BUSINESS:
- The council announced three vacancies on the Building Board
PUBLIC NOTICES >>
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF SARAH JEANETTE FOSTER, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY
CASE NO.2023-437
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of SARAH JEANETTE FOSTER are hereby granted to Sharon Elaine Tucker and Deborah Diane Griffin as Co-Personal Representatives on the 29th day of August,2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County,Alabama.
Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
Sharon Elaine Tucker Deborah Diane Griffin Legal Run 09/07/2023, 09/14/2023 & 09/21/202
NOTICE TO CREDITORS ESTATE OF KAREN AMLING, DECEASED PROBATE COURT LEE COUNTY
CASE NO.2023-207
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Take Notice that LETTERS TESTAMENTARY of the Estate of KAREN AMLING are hereby granted to David McKibben on the 24th
of Adjustments.
- The council announced one vacancy on the Educational Building Authority board.
- The council announced three vacancies on the Tree Commission.
- The council approved a contract with Alabama Power Company for a radio tower lease for $21,600.
- The council approved a contract with Barge Design Solutions to execute Task Order No. 38: Sewer Rehabilitation Project - Willow Creek and AU Basins for over $123,600.
- The council approved a contract with Imperial Date for the purchase of cleaning equipment for the new Environmental Services Department and Public Works Department facilities for over $88,400.
- The council approved a contract with JACOBS for Modification No. 1 to the Standard Master Service Agreement for Professional Services.
- The council approved a contract with Stivers Ford Lincoln for the purchase of a 2023 Ford F150 4WD Super Crew pickup truck for the Water Resource Management
day of August,2023, by the Honorable Bill English, Judge of the Probate Court of Lee County ,Alabama.
Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against said estate are hereby required to present the same within time allowed by law or the same will be barred.
David McKibben Legal Run 09/07/2023, 09/14/2023 & 09/21/2023
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA CV: 2023-900264.00 RIVER RIDGE CONSULTANTS, LLC, Plaintiff, V. WELLS FARGO REAL ESTATE TAX SERVICES, LLC, WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, COLEY LEE JACOBS, A PARCEL OF LAND IN LEE COUNTY, AL (2698 at 333), AP ARCEL OF LAND IN LEE COUNTY, AL (2698 at 335),
Unknown persons who may claim an interest in said property whose identities are unknown and who cannot by reasonable diligence be ascertained, Defendants.
NOTICE OF ACTION
To: All Defendants herein, whose whereabouts are unknown and which cannot be ascertained after the exercise ofreasonable diligence. You are hereby notified that on the 13th day of JULY 2023 a Bill to Quiet Title was filed in the Circuit Court of Lee County, Alabama; regarding the following described real propt.'Ity:
Department for over $54,800.
- The council approved a contract with Stivers Ford Lincoln for the purchase of a 2024 Ford F250 4WD Super Crew pickup truck for the Water Resource Management Department for over $60,600.
- The council accepted various public easements for Shelley Properties LLC for property at 1850 E. Glenn Ave.
- The council approved an annexation of 1.03 acres for Jacob Thomas for property located at 5945 Lee Road 137.
- The council approved an annexation of 3 acres for Derek May for property located at 5967 Lee Road 137.
- The council postponed a vote to rezone 11.2 acres from rural to development district housing for the Reeves Property Rezoning.
- The council postponed a vote on an amendment to the Planned Development District (PUD) on 348 of Development District Housing and Limited Development District for property south of Moores Mill Road and west of Ogletree Road as part of the Moores Mill PDD Amendment.
68 and all of Lots 69 and 70, Smithville Subdivision, lying in Section 27, Township 18 North, Range 29 East, Lee County, Alabama. as shown upon a plat of survey prepared by Michael J. Pattillo, R.L.S. Ala. Reg. No. 16684 and being more particularly described as follows: Commence at an iron pin located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Lee Road 438 (Bishop Lane) and a sixty foot road not opened and unnamed which marks the Point of Beginning and run thence South 04 degrees 03 minutes West a distance of 108.24 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 85 degrees 48 minutes 50 seco.nds West a distance of200.78 feet to an iron pin found; thence run South 09 degrees 39 minutes 15 seconds East a distance of 41.97 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 85 degrees 58 minutes 48 seconds West a distance of 113.03 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 85 degrees 58 minutes 48 seconds West a distance of 59.16 feet to an iron pin found; thence run North 04 degrees 16 minutes East a distance of 204.03 feet to an iron pin located on the southernmost right of way of a sixty foot road(not opened and unnamed); thence run South 64
- The council approved the conditional use approval for a performance residential development for Alexander Scott Homes Office for property at 326 N. College St.
- The council approved a six-month extension of the conditional use approval for a performance residential use for ArchCo North Dean for property at 1397 N. Dean Rd.
- The council approved a six-month extension of the conditional use approval for a commercial support use for the Auburn Distribution Facility for property at 511 W. Veterans Blvd.
- The council approved a six-month extension of the conditional use approval for a commercial and entertainment use for the Auburn Hotel for property at 100 N. Gay St. This is set to be a hotel located next to the Auburn Bank.
- The council approved commercial and entertainment use, office use and commercial support use for the Bent Creek Office at 2272 Bent Creek Road.
- The council approved a commercial support use for Store Ease at 2811 E. University Drive.
degrees SS minutes East a djstance of 52.50 feet to an iron pin set; thence run along a curve having a radius of 529.0 feet to a chord distance of 56.54 feet to an iron pin found; thence continue along said cunre having a radius of 539.0 fect a chord distance of 84.96 feet to an iron pin found; thence continue along said curve having a radius of529.0 feet a chord distance of 52.37 feet to an iron pin set; thence run South 85 degrees 44 minutes 22 seconds East a distance of 37.71 feet to an iron pin found; thence run South 85 degrees 44 minutes 22 seconds East a distance of 99.89 feet to an iron pin found which marks the Point of Beginning. Together with a 1986 Nobility Mobile Home, Serial No. N4 2321 AB, which is permanently affixed to the land described above with all the intention that it remain a part of said land.
AND AU that lot, tract and parcel of land lying and being in the County of Lee and State of AJabama, and being known as all of Lot Number FOUR (4), Block "A", Philadelphia Estates Subdivision, as said lot appears upon a map or plat of same of record in Town Plat Book 5, Page 5, in the Office of Probate of Lee County,
Train Collides With Truck in Loachapoka
The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) communications received a 911 call at 7:54 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, reporting a train had struck a vehicle at the Lee Rd 61 crossing near the intersection of AL Hwy. 14 east of Loachapoka.
Upon arrival at the scene of the collision, deputies discovered a tractor trailer had been struck by the train and that the driver had perished as result of the collision.
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is investigating the circumstances of the collision.
Alabama.
All persons having an interest in said lands or any portion thereof, claiming any title thereto or any encumbrance or lien thereo are hereby directed to plead, answer, or otherwise respond to the Complaint on or before the expiration of 30 days after the last publication of this notice, or thereafter suffer judgment by default to be rendered against them it being intended that this notice shall be used to perfect service agairu,i all parties who cannot be personally served with a copy of the Complaint.
Done this the 14th day of September, 2023.
Mary Roberson, Circuit Court Clerk, Lee County
Benjamin H. Parr 830 Avenue A, Suite A Opelika; Alabama 36801
ben@Benparrlaw.com
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