BY DANIEL SCHMIDT | THE OBSERVER
SPONSORED BY THE ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC
First Team
[{"id":"111988","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/16\/council-honors-opd-penguin-project-mentors\/","name":"council-honors-opd-penguin-project-mentors","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260616_181532-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Council honors OPD, Penguin Project mentors","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 16, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-17 00:28:43","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 19:29:02","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-17 00:29:02","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":25},"status":"publish","content":"BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA \u2014 The Opelika City Council recognized the Opelika Police Department for earning state accreditation and honored student theater mentors from Opelika"},{"id":"111981","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/16\/lee-scott-academys-head-football-coach-steps-down\/","name":"lee-scott-academys-head-football-coach-steps-down","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_9D45D398A4D8-1-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Lee-Scott Academy\u2019s head football coach steps down","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 16, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:35:56","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:36:04","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:36:04","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":6},"status":"publish","content":"Buster Daniel led the Warriors to a 47-19 record and AISA title in six seasons CONTRIBUTED BY LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY AUBURN \u2014 Lee-Scott Academy head football"},{"id":"111964","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/kylie-hogue-is-new-director-of-the-museum-of-east-alabama\/","name":"kylie-hogue-is-new-director-of-the-museum-of-east-alabama","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5799.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Kylie Hogue is new director of the Museum of East Alabama","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:38:18","modifiedDate":"2026-06-15 22:38:27","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:38:27","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/community\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Community<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/community\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Community<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":12},"status":"publish","content":"BY ANN CIPPERLYFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 Surrounded by more than 5,000 artifacts, Kylie Hogue, the new executive director of the Museum of East Alabama"},{"id":"111961","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/red-white-and-boom-freedom-fest-returns-july-3\/","name":"red-white-and-boom-freedom-fest-returns-july-3","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/72nd-Annual-Freedom-CelebrationDSC_3579-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Red, White and Boom: Freedom Fest returns July 3","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:37:03","modifiedDate":"2026-06-15 22:37:10","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:37:10","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/calendar\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Calendar (Upcoming Events)<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/calendar\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Calendar (Upcoming Events)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/events\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Events<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":53},"status":"publish","content":"CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA PARKS AND REC OPELIKA \u2014 Opelika Parks and Recreation invites the community to the 73rd Annual Freedom Celebration on Friday, July 3,"},{"id":"111958","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/wilkins-announces-run-for-mayor-of-auburn\/","name":"wilkins-announces-run-for-mayor-of-auburn","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image1-1.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Wilkins announces run for Mayor of Auburn","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:34:50","modifiedDate":"2026-06-15 22:35:08","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:35:08","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":22},"status":"publish","content":"CONTRIBUTED BY ROBERT WILKINS AUBURN \u2014 On June 9, I, Robert Wilkins, officially filed the proper forms to run for mayor of Auburn in the"},{"id":"111955","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/alabama-sheriffs-youth-ranches-hosts-fifth-annual-memorial-golf-tournament\/","name":"alabama-sheriffs-youth-ranches-hosts-fifth-annual-memorial-golf-tournament","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_6985-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches host fifth annual Memorial Golf Tournament","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:33:17","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:22:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:22:47","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":58},"status":"publish","content":"CONTRIBUTED BY LCSO LEE COUNTY \u2014 The fifth annual Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches (ALSYR) Memorial Children\u2019s Charity Golf Classic was held on Tuesday, June 2,"},{"id":"111953","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/public-notices-june-15-2026\/","name":"public-notices-june-15-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_267689406-scaled.jpeg","alt":"Public Notices, Opelika-News"},"title":"Public Notices | June 15, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:32:04","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:16:25","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:16:25","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":19,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALJUVENILE -JU-2024-64.02M.R.P.-Born 11-15-2012NOTICE TO: Mara Phillips and any alleged, legal, or unknown father of M.R.P. born on November"},{"id":"111951","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/obituaries-june-15-2026\/","name":"obituaries-june-15-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Obit.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Obituaries | June 15, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:30:58","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 13:45:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 18:45:47","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":14,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"ROBERT LOUIS RUSSIAN Robert Louis Russian, 62, of Auburn, passed away on June 14, 2026. Robert was born on Oct. 18, 1963, in Montgomery, Alabama"},{"id":"111948","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/ohs-strength-coach-raises-the-bar\/","name":"ohs-strength-coach-raises-the-bar","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4.22.26-NHSSCA-Soltau-11-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"OHS strength coach raises the bar","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:29:36","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 11:26:51","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 16:26:51","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":29},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 At Opelika High School\u2019s indoor training facility, athletes of all shapes and sizes zip around the artificial turf floor.Some"},{"id":"111944","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/blaze-offers-a-new-travel-ball-team\/","name":"blaze-offers-a-new-travel-ball-team","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_20260615_163244-1.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Blaze offers a new travel ball team","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:26:50","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:20:14","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:20:14","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":21},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 Area youth softball players will soon have the opportunity to showcase their skills for the Opelika Blaze travel ball"},{"id":"111942","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/anchored-in-truth-more-than-a-glimpse\/","name":"anchored-in-truth-more-than-a-glimpse","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_3963-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Anchored in Truth | More than a glimpse","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:21:46","modifiedDate":"2026-06-15 22:21:53","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:21:53","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":9},"status":"publish","content":"BY ROBERT MILLER OPINION \u2014 Most of us have probably climbed a tree at some point in our lives. As children, trees became forts, lookout"},{"id":"111939","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/play-day-offers-hoopers-chance-to-shine\/","name":"play-day-offers-hoopers-chance-to-shine","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_1883-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Play day offers hoopers chance to shine","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:20:12","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:22:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:22:12","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":37},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER LEE COUNTY \u2014 As the days grow longer and hotter, Lee County high school basketball teams used their summer break to"}]
[{"id":"111988","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/16\/council-honors-opd-penguin-project-mentors\/","name":"council-honors-opd-penguin-project-mentors","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260616_181532-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Council honors OPD, Penguin Project mentors","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 16, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-17 00:28:43","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 19:29:02","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-17 00:29:02","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/uncategorized\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Uncategorized<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":25},"status":"publish","content":"BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA \u2014 The Opelika City Council recognized the Opelika Police Department for earning state accreditation and honored student theater mentors from Opelika"},{"id":"111981","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/16\/lee-scott-academys-head-football-coach-steps-down\/","name":"lee-scott-academys-head-football-coach-steps-down","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_9D45D398A4D8-1-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Lee-Scott Academy\u2019s head football coach steps down","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 16, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:35:56","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:36:04","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:36:04","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":6},"status":"publish","content":"Buster Daniel led the Warriors to a 47-19 record and AISA title in six seasons CONTRIBUTED BY LEE-SCOTT ACADEMY AUBURN \u2014 Lee-Scott Academy head football"},{"id":"111964","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/kylie-hogue-is-new-director-of-the-museum-of-east-alabama\/","name":"kylie-hogue-is-new-director-of-the-museum-of-east-alabama","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_5799.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Kylie Hogue is new director of the Museum of East Alabama","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 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the"},{"id":"111955","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/alabama-sheriffs-youth-ranches-hosts-fifth-annual-memorial-golf-tournament\/","name":"alabama-sheriffs-youth-ranches-hosts-fifth-annual-memorial-golf-tournament","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_6985-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches host fifth annual Memorial Golf Tournament","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:33:17","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:22:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:22:47","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":58},"status":"publish","content":"CONTRIBUTED BY LCSO LEE COUNTY \u2014 The fifth annual Alabama Sheriffs Youth Ranches (ALSYR) Memorial Children\u2019s Charity Golf Classic was held on Tuesday, June 2,"},{"id":"111953","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/public-notices-june-15-2026\/","name":"public-notices-june-15-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_267689406-scaled.jpeg","alt":"Public Notices, Opelika-News"},"title":"Public Notices | June 15, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:32:04","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:16:25","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:16:25","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":19,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"IN THE JUVENILE COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALJUVENILE -JU-2024-64.02M.R.P.-Born 11-15-2012NOTICE TO: Mara Phillips and any alleged, legal, or unknown father of M.R.P. born on November"},{"id":"111951","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/obituaries-june-15-2026\/","name":"obituaries-june-15-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Obit.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Obituaries | June 15, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:30:58","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 13:45:47","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 18:45:47","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":14,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"ROBERT LOUIS RUSSIAN Robert Louis Russian, 62, of Auburn, passed away on June 14, 2026. Robert was born on Oct. 18, 1963, in Montgomery, Alabama"},{"id":"111948","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/ohs-strength-coach-raises-the-bar\/","name":"ohs-strength-coach-raises-the-bar","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4.22.26-NHSSCA-Soltau-11-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"OHS strength coach raises the bar","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:29:36","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 11:26:51","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 16:26:51","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":29},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 At Opelika High School\u2019s indoor training facility, athletes of all shapes and sizes zip around the artificial turf floor.Some"},{"id":"111944","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/blaze-offers-a-new-travel-ball-team\/","name":"blaze-offers-a-new-travel-ball-team","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_20260615_163244-1.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Blaze offers a new travel ball team","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:26:50","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:20:14","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:20:14","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":21},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 Area youth softball players will soon have the opportunity to showcase their skills for the Opelika Blaze travel ball"},{"id":"111942","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/anchored-in-truth-more-than-a-glimpse\/","name":"anchored-in-truth-more-than-a-glimpse","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_3963-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Anchored in Truth | More than a glimpse","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:21:46","modifiedDate":"2026-06-15 22:21:53","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:21:53","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":9},"status":"publish","content":"BY ROBERT MILLER OPINION \u2014 Most of us have probably climbed a tree at some point in our lives. As children, trees became forts, lookout"},{"id":"111939","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/06\/15\/play-day-offers-hoopers-chance-to-shine\/","name":"play-day-offers-hoopers-chance-to-shine","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_1883-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Play day offers hoopers chance to shine","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Jun 15, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-06-16 03:20:12","modifiedDate":"2026-06-16 16:22:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-06-16 21:22:12","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":3,"sec":37},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER LEE COUNTY \u2014 As the days grow longer and hotter, Lee County high school basketball teams used their summer break to"}]
Second Team
THIRD TEAM
Honorable Mentions
Individual Awards
