Leaders discuss airport growth and workforce demanding airport expansion BY ROB DAIVSFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN — The Auburn Chamber of Commerce hosted an event called Auburn in Focus on March 24, to discuss all things aviation in Auburn. The Chamber welcomed Dr. Bill Hutto of the Auburn University Regional Airport, who reflected on the history of the airport before sharing the airport’s plans for the future.Hutto is the Auburn Director of...
BY KADIE TAYLORTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — The Dandelion Play Cafe offers a play space and community hub where local families can fellowship and grow. Guardians can enjoy coffee and pastries while children’s imaginations run wild.“A play cafe is an indoor imaginative playground,” Dandelion Play Cafe Owner Nicole Konstant said. “We do have a playground structure, but we also have little houses that really encourage imaginative play. So [we want to]...
BY KADIE TAYLORTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Worthy Squared [Worthy2], an organization advocating for those exploited by commercial sex or sex trafficking, is holding the Second Annual Warriors for Freedom 5K on Saturday, April 18, at 8:30 a.m. at the Opelika SportsPlex.Worthy2 Founder and CEO, Kathryn Guthrie, said the Warriors for Freedom 5K is held in memory of Lily Ledbetter and the race is inclusive for all speeds — run or walk for freedom.“This...
BY LANDI RUTLEDGEFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Dickie Johnson and Dylan Weaver are best friends and co-owners of Turn & Burn, an elevated street food truck that soft launched January 2025.After high school, they said they worked together at Jim Bob’s where they got their start in the food business.Having a life-long desire to open up a restaurant or food truck, Johnson said the opportunity, along with the name, came quicker than he and Weaver...
BY KADIE TAYLORTHE OBSERVER LEE COUNTY — The East Alabama League of Women Voters invited the Coal Ash Action Group to BOXCAR on March 16 to watch a screening of “Sallie’s Ashes” and answer questions from viewers.Sallie’s Ashes is a documentary short that shows the dedication of Sallie Smith, who grew up in the Mobile Bay, to protect the waters from polluting coal ash that has been discarded by Alabama Power at the Barry Ash Pond. While Sallie...
BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Who’s ready to play ball?Miracle League of East Alabama players certainly are after the opening of an upgraded Billy Hitchcock Field at Opelika’s West Ridge Park on March 21.During a sunny, comfortably warm dedication ceremony attended by dozens from Lee County and across the state, area leaders dedicated a brand-new artificial turf field that was more than three years in the making.Michele Dean, who...
Community
As the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, stories of courage, sacrifice and enduring patriotism continue to connect past and present generations. One such story unfolded on March 21 at White Sands Missile Range in New...
THE DAILY BREAD PROJECT — A newly formed community supported food outreach serving the Opelika-Auburn areas. Meals are prepared and plated, food donations are distributed in the Auburn-Opelika area and basic hygiene items are distributed. The...
BY ANN CIPPERLYFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — With the area’s best restaurants serving a variety of scrumptious dishes, the annual Taste of the Town will provide an exciting evening, featuring food and beverages, a silent auction and music on Tuesday,...
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