BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — Calling it the beginning of “a new chapter” for the family-owned company, executives of Italian automotive supplier Vulcaflex S.p.A. broke ground on the company’s first North American manufacturing facility in Auburn Technology Park West Nov. 6.The $70 million facility, which will produce synthetic leather for vehicle interiors, is expected to create roughly 130 jobs. Vulcaflex CEO Roberto Bozzi thanked...
Existing bridge on South Gay Street cannot support fire trucks and other heavy vehicles BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — An aging bridge on South Gay Street near Town Creek Park is too weak for Auburn’s fire trucks to cross. Now, the city is moving to address potential public safety concerns with a multimillion-dollar replacement.That plan was put into action after the Auburn City Council on Nov. 3 approved a preliminary engineering and...
Hosanna Home and His Place seek community support to provide 3,500 meals and sandwiches this Thanksgiving BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER LAFAYETTE — Forty years ago, a simple act of kindness helped start a Thanksgiving tradition that has grown from feeding one family of four to providing thousands of meals to people in need.This Thanksgiving, Harvest Evangelism, through its ministries Hosanna Home and His Place, hopes to provide 2,500 traditional...
BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER EAST ALABAMA — Holiday shoppers looking for unique gifts and an opportunity to support small businesses will have a new shopping destination Saturday, Nov. 14, when the USA Event Center hosts a Holiday Vendor Event.The indoor market will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the USA Event Center, located at 1220 Fox Run Ave. in Opelika. Admission is free.Organizer Traci Mapp, who operates the USA Event Center and owns The...
BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA — What began with coffee and a veteran’s interest in leathercraft has grown into a venture offering hand-stitched leather goods and espresso-infused chocolates at two Opelika businesses.Boonie Hat Coffee Company’s expansion draws on trips to Nashville and Houston, where Sharon and Luis Saavedra explored leathercraft and chocolate businesses. They used Google to create their own trails of shops and makers in both...
BY OBSERVER STAFF OPELIKA — Lee County voters went to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, to select their next sheriff following an unusual general election that included a grassroots write-in campaign supporting longtime incumbent Sheriff Jay Jones.Cam Hunt again won the race, this time earning 65% of the vote against write-in votes taking the other 35%.Hunt, a former Lee County sheriff’s deputy and Marine Corps veteran, entered the general election as...
Community
BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — Calling it the beginning of “a new chapter” for the family-owned company, executives of Italian automotive supplier Vulcaflex S.p.A. broke ground on the company’s first North American manufacturing facility in...
CONTRIBUTED BYALABAMA RETAIL ASSOCIATION AUBURN — The Alabama Retail Association has named Jessica Pittman, owner of J. Pittman Interiors in Auburn, as the 2026 Emerging Retailer of the Year “Gee Award” winner. Pittman launched her interior design...
BY THE OBSERVER STAFF AUBURN — The Auburn Chamber of Commerce will host a Veterans Day reception Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 a.m. at its office, located at 714 E. Glenn Ave. in Auburn. The reception will follow the city of Auburn’s Veterans Day...
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