By Rebekah Martin
Associate Editor

Mayor Gary Fuller and the Opelika City Council recognized Noah Allmond at last week’s city council meeting as the Opelika Fire Department Firefighter of the Year.
Also a licensed paramedic, and a member of the Georgia Search and Rescue team, Allmond began his career with the OFD in 2003. He was chosen as the Firefighter of the Year, due in part to his courage while responding to a structure fire on South Fourth Street in January. According to information provided by the OFD, Allmond entered the engulfed house without regard to his personal safety and is credited with saving a life. Assistant Chief Keith Burnette said had it not been for Allmond’s willingness to put his life on the line without protective measures … the call would have ended with unfavorable results and loss of life.
“Apparatus Operator Noah Allmond is a shining example of the goodness of our fellowman.  He unselfishly places others’ well-being above his own,” Fuller read. “We at the Opelika Fire Department are proud to call him one of our own.”
Zach Nelson and Bradley Bowen, who have been with the OFD since 2010 and 2014, respectively, were also honored as Firefighter of Year runners-up.
In other business, the council also:
– approved an off-premise retail beer and wine license for Super Mini Mart.
-approved a hunting permit to Ron and Elizabeth Herring, owners of the 50.5 acre property located at 1103 Andrews Road.
-approved two special appropriations to the Alabama Council on Human Relations and the East Alabama Community Ballet.