BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — Regulations governing the sale, possession and consumption of hemp products are now on the books after the Auburn City Council on March 17 approved a new city ordinance.That 8-1 vote, which saw Ward 5 Council Member Sonny Moreman as the lone holdout due to his opposition to the retail sale of hemp products altogether, was passed to comply with a new state law.“I don’t believe it is morally right or in the...
OPELIKA, AL, [March 17, 2026] -The Opelika Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that President and CEO Ali Rauch has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), the state’s largest business association and a leading voice for economic growth and pro-business policy in Alabama. Rauch was elected to the board during the organization’s Annual Meeting and recently attend her first board meeting...
BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA — The Opelika City Council opened its Tuesday night meeting with a moment of silence honoring Auburn native Maj. Alex Klinner and other servicemen and women who recently died in an accident in Iraq.Opelika Mayor Eddie Smith and the council recognized Earl Ballard as the Character Council Citizen of Excellent Character for March, highlighting compassion as the month’s character trait. Council tables hemp...
BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — Auburn and the nation are mourning the death of Maj. John Alex Klinner after his KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed on March 12 in Iraq during a mission. Klinner, 33, leaves behind his wife, Libby, a two-year-old son and seven-month-old twins.“We are fervently praying for peace and strength over this family and trust that God will surround them with His comfort and supernatural peace,” an online family...
BY KADIE TAYLORTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA — BOXCAR, a local community microcinema, opened its doors in February, combining the work of creative volunteers and community passion to create a space for the cinema and camaraderie.“It’s been a long time coming,” said BOXCAR Assistant Director and Programming Coordinator Kevin Ives. “We’re really still growing into the space right now. That’s one of the things that’s really good about BOXCAR as a theater,...
BY KADIE TAYLORFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN — Still Point Clay Atelier is opening in Auburn, with an Open House on Saturday, March 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. Locals now have a new way to explore clay, with many classes planned to provide a space for beginners and experienced ceramists alike.Founder and Creative Director Annika Lee said she began learning wheel-throwing pottery 13 years ago after trying it for her birthday one year as a way to reduce...
Community
OPELIKA, AL, [March 17, 2026] -The Opelika Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that President and CEO Ali Rauch has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Business Council of Alabama (BCA), the state’s largest business...
OPINION — I am writing to address several serious inaccuracies in Stephanie Smith’s Feb. 5, 2026 article about the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). The claims that the AHSAA “operates in the shadows,” lacks accountability or...
BY KADIE TAYLOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — After an announcement at the beginning of 2026 that Red Clay Brewing Company would be closing and taking the first three months of the year to sell stocked brews, the community expressed excitement online...
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