Several Mexican food establishments involved BY SAM VISEFOR THE OBSERVER EAST ALABAMA — Federal agents, supported by state and local officers, executed multiple search warrants in East Alabama on Tuesday morning as part of a fraud and drug investigation that led to the detainment of more than 40 undocumented individuals.The operation, which involved agencies including the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, Alabama Department of...

BY ANITA STIEFEL, MANAGING EDITOR AUBURN/OPELIKA — Local police had a busy week, with murders and manhunts following incidents in both Auburn and Opelika. WOMAN SUSPECTED OF STABBING DEATHOpelika Police spent the weekend searching for 35-year-old Tempest Vanshay Reese in connection with a stabbing death that occurred early Sunday morning.According to an OPD press release, the incident occurred on July 13 at approximately 12:30 a.m. Officers...

BY ANITA STIEFELMANAGING EDITOR CHAMBERS COUNTY — It’s time to save money on essentials during Alabama’s 20th annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 18, and runs through midnight on Sunday, July 20.During this three-day period, certain school supplies, computers, books and clothing will be exempt from Alabama’s 4% state sales tax. In addition, the cities of LaFayette, Lanett and Valley are waiving...

BY KADIE VICKTHE LAFAYETTE SUN LAFAYETTE — LaFayette Main Street is hosting its first Christmas in July event on Friday, July 25, and will begin giving away free Downtown Dollars at eight a.m..“The Main Street members who are participating are going to have specials, and they're going to be creative with the Christmas theme,” said LaFayette Main Street Director DeAnna Hand. “I think that some people will have some good sales, and it's just...

BY KADIE VICKTHE LAFAYETTE SUN LAFAYETTE — The Lucky Flight Bottle Shoppe provides boutique wine and events for customers looking for a place to spend time with friends over a glass of wine.“I wanted to take a leap of faith and fulfill a dream of owning a boutique,” said Owner Annie Lee. “I was looking for a good place to buy a bottle of boutique wine, and there wasn’t an option, so we created one. We specialize in boutique wines from small and...

BY KADIE VICKTHE LAFAYETTE SUN LAFAYETTE — LaFayette Nutrition offers a variety of drinks for those looking to increase their health or enjoy a caffeinated beverage to help them stay energized throughout their day.“It’s good to have the option to get something nutritional that you can run in and get quickly, and that you can use as a breakfast, lunch or dinner option,” said LaFayette Nutrition Owner Alexis Smith. “These drinks are really good...