Piedmont Columbus Regional team members and local law enforcement walked in quiet honor alongside the family of Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy and Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Kevin Hagberg, age 55, remembering his life of service and his final, selfless gift through organ donation on Thurday, Jan. 8. Surrounded by those who served with him and supported by his wife, the honor walk reflected both grief and gratitude, celebrating a legacy...
BY KADIE TAYLOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN — Yard Love Auburn helps locals celebrate everything from birthdays to graduations, bringing joy to yards with personalized signs and tailoring every display for the customer's special day. “Yard Love Auburn is a celebration yard sign company that I started in 2021,” said Owner Misty Rich. “I had a friend and co-worker who had started one in Columbus, and it was just something that I thought would be...
CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA CHAMBER COMMERCE OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Mackenzie Poole, Vice President of the Opelika Chamber, has been named to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) 2025 40 Under 40 list, which recognizes emerging leaders who are shaping the future of the chamber of commerce industry. This annual recognition program highlights 40 of the industry’s top emerging leaders...
BY MICHELLE KEY PUBLISHER AUBURN — Community leaders and faith representatives gathered Tuesday, Jan. 6, to dedicate the new Community Market of East Alabama facility, celebrating years of volunteer service and expanded capacity to feed families in Lee County. Steve Reeves, president of the board of directors of the East Alabama Food Bank, opened the ceremony by thanking donors, the capital campaign committee and partner Baily Harris for...
CONTRIBUTED BY IRS MEDIA RELATIONS WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced Monday, Jan. 26, as the opening of the nation’s 2026 filing season. This year, several new tax law provisions of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill become effective, which could impact federal taxes, credits and deductions. Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15, to file their 2025 tax returns and pay any tax due. The IRS expects to receive about 164 million...
BY DANIEL SCHMIDT THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — When Jonathan Chandler received the call, he had to pray over what would be a tough decision. He had taken the head football coaching job at Montgomery Catholic less than a year ago, and his young family loved the community they had just spread roots in. In the end, the opportunity to return to Opelika High School to lead his alma mater proved to be just the opportunity he needed after checking the...
Community
CONTRIBUTED BY EAH OPELIKA — As workforce shortages continue to challenge health care systems nationwide, East Alabama Health is leading the way with innovative strategies to recruit, train and retain skilled professionals. Through a mixture...
CONTRIBUTED BYOFFICE OF GOV. KAY IVEY MONTGOMERY — A delegation from Alabama’s “Camellia City,” Greenville, has announced that a new variety of Alabama’s State Flower, the Camellia japonica L., has been officially named for Gov. Kay Ivey....
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER ALABAMA— Customers in the 334 area code region will be required to begin 10-digit dialing Jan. 23, 2026. This action follows the permissive 10-digit dialing period, which allowed customers to become adjusted to...
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