A plaque and new signage at the Opelika train depot honors the city’s influential former mayor, the late Bobby James Freeman. PHOTOS BY SAM VISE | FOR THE OBSERVER BY SAM VISE | FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — The historic Opelika Train Depot, located at 1032 S. Railroad Ave., was re-dedicated on July 25 as the Bobby J. Freeman Building, honoring the late Opelika Mayor Bobby James Freeman. The ceremony, attended by Freeman’s family, city officials...
CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF AUBURN AUBURN — Korea Fuel Tech America, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing operation in Auburn. The company plans to invest an additional $4 million in its facility in Auburn Technology Park South, creating 17 new jobs.Korea Fuel Tech America first came to Auburn in 2022. The company produces eco-friendly fuel parts including carbon canisters for gasoline and hybrid automotive fuel systems that help reduce air...
CONTRIBUTED BY DRIVE ELECTRIC ALABAMA SMITHS STATION — Local leaders gathered last week to celebrate the addition of a new electric vehicle (EV) charging station at Love’s Travel Stop in Smiths Station.Local officials joined representatives from Love’s to cut a ceremonial ribbon at the EV charging station, which will benefit the local economy and provide easy charging for travelers on the busy U.S. 280 corridor between Interstate 85 and...
BY SAM VISEFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — The O Grows Farmers Market in Opelika is now accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which provides food to low-income families, seniors and individuals with disabilities.More than half of SNAP participants are families with children, and roughly 37% are households with seniors or people with disabilities.SNAP also offers a vital support system during and after economic challenges,...
Volunteers to pack 50,000 meals for food bank at hands-on service project CONTRIBUTED BY UNITED WAY OF LEE COUNTY LEE COUNTY — United Way of Lee County will host its Annual Campaign Kickoff Event on July 31, marking the official launch of United Way’s annual fundraising campaign.Check-in begins at 8 a.m., with the program starting at 8:30 a.m. and concluding around 10 a.m. The event will be held at the Food Bank of East Alabama, located at 355...
BY STEVEN STIEFELFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN — In memory of the late Congressman John Lewis, some local citizens gathered and created some “Good Trouble” of their own, assembling on the Moores Mill Road bridge and displaying handmade signs to Interstate 85 drivers. The signs spelled out, “Love Your Neighbor.”The words, taken from The Bible are part of God’s commandments, emphasizing compassion, fairness and community responsibility. The Biblical...
Community
CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA CHAMBER OPELIKA — Opelika Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Ali Rauch has officially earned the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) designation, the highest professional credential in the chamber industry.Awarded by the...
Reception held July 10 at Opelika Chamber of Commerce headquarters BY ANITA STIEFELMANAGING EDITOR OPELIKA — A large contingency of Opelikans showed up to welcome Dr. Kevin Davis to town.The board of education hosted a meet-and-greet for the new...
BY ANITA STIEFEL, MANAGING EDITOR LEE 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...
Want to Advertise with us?
