BY DANIEL SCHMIDT | THE OBSERVER
SPONSORED BY THE ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC
First Team
[{"id":"112623","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/05\/concerned-citizens-hold-national-night-out-event\/","name":"concerned-citizens-hold-national-night-out-event","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-Concerned-citizens-national-night-out-17985-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Concerned Citizens hold National Night Out event","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 5, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-06 01:27:48","modifiedDate":"2026-08-05 20:28:09","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-06 01:28:09","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":2},"status":"publish","content":"BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER"},{"id":"112618","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/05\/ultimate-frisbee-at-floral-park-2\/","name":"ultimate-frisbee-at-floral-park-2","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Photo-Jul-28-2026-8-11-44-PM-1.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Ultimate Frisbee at Floral Park","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 5, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-06 00:02:55","modifiedDate":"2026-08-05 19:07:48","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-06 00:07:48","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":1},"status":"publish","content":"BY ED SIKORA"},{"id":"112612","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/auburn-approves-241-8-million-for-new-high-school-school-facilities\/","name":"auburn-approves-241-8-million-for-new-high-school-school-facilities","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AuburnAL_LogoOnly-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Auburn approves $241.8 million for new high school, school facilities","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-05 00:40:24","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 19:48:51","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-05 00:48:51","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDT | THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 The Auburn City Council voted Tuesday to authorize more than $241.8 million in debt for construction of"},{"id":"112607","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/public-notices-week-of-aug-6-2026\/","name":"public-notices-week-of-aug-6-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_267689406-scaled.jpeg","alt":"Public Notices, Opelika-News"},"title":"Public notices | Week of Aug. 6, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 23:42:27","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 18:42:36","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 23:42:36","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":21,"sec":31},"status":"publish","content":"IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMAGUSTAVO DIAZ43-CV-2026-900187Plaintiff,v. Parcels of Real Property identified as:PARCEL 1 - 21-01-01-0-000-005.000ALSO LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS, COM NW COR SEC;"},{"id":"112603","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/opelika-city-councilrevises-school-zone-times\/","name":"opelika-city-councilrevises-school-zone-times","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/observer-O-with-swoosh-copy-smaller-e1785886478518.png","alt":""},"title":"Opelika City Council revises school zone times","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 23:34:55","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 19:02:44","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-05 00:02:44","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":33},"status":"publish","content":"BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA \u2014 The council suspended the rules and approved an ordinance amending Section 16-188 of the city\u2019s code of ordinances regarding school-zone"},{"id":"112600","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/tigerwings-connects-children-to-careers\/","name":"tigerwings-connects-children-to-careers","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2498-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"TigerWings connects children to careers","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:56:37","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 17:56:45","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:56:45","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":46},"status":"publish","content":"BY AMANDA MACHAMERFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 TigerWings founder Kristen Cooper had one goal when launching her company: to connect children to their dream careers.Available"},{"id":"112597","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/written-in-the-stars-romance-bookstore-set-to-open-in-auburn\/","name":"written-in-the-stars-romance-bookstore-set-to-open-in-auburn","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/753672472_1647501230142442_3096998333996136847_n.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Written in the Stars Romance Bookstore set to open in Auburn","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:54:12","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 17:54:20","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:54:20","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"BY AMANDA MACHAMERFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 Haley McCain, founder of Written in the Stars Romance Bookstore, is filling a specific literary gap in Alabama:"},{"id":"112582","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/obituaries-aug-3-2026\/","name":"obituaries-aug-3-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Obit.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Obituaries | Aug. 3, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 02:26:09","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 16:26:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 21:26:12","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":16,"sec":1},"status":"publish","content":"John Zarnitz Obituary John Henry Zarnitz, 90, of West Hempstead, NY and most recently Auburn, AL passed away on July 22nd, 2026. He was preceded"},{"id":"112577","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/municipal-election-qa-ron-anders-robert-wilkens\/","name":"municipal-election-qa-ron-anders-robert-wilkens","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/758750914_920177427786826_9022908221015626027_n.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Municipal Election Q&A: Ron Anders, Robert Wilkins","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:14:45","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 16:41:21","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 21:41:21","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":44,"sec":39},"status":"publish","content":"Ron Anders Robert Wilkins The following is a question-and answer session between Auburn Villager Editor Brian Woodham and Mayor Ron Anders. Reprinted with permission. AUBURN"},{"id":"112574","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/dream-day-finds-new-home-at-nonprofit-center\/","name":"dream-day-finds-new-home-at-nonprofit-center","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_1962.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Dream Day finds new home at nonprofit center","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:07:19","modifiedDate":"2026-08-03 19:07:29","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:07:29","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":37},"status":"publish","content":"BY VANESSA ECHOLSFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 The Opelika-based Dream Day Foundation is on the move, but the local nonprofit is not leaving town. It"},{"id":"112571","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/public-notice-aug-6-2026\/","name":"public-notice-aug-6-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Opelika-Logo-copy.jpg","alt":"City of Opelika, opelika-News"},"title":"Public Notice | Aug. 6, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:01:14","modifiedDate":"2026-08-03 19:01:23","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:01:23","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":20},"status":"publish","content":"NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 1,"},{"id":"112569","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/anchored-in-truth-failure-isnt-the-final-chapter\/","name":"anchored-in-truth-failure-isnt-the-final-chapter","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_3963-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Anchored in truth | Failure isn't the final chapter","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-03 23:58:24","modifiedDate":"2026-08-03 18:58:33","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-03 23:58:33","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":11},"status":"publish","content":"OPINION \u2014 In the spring of 2000, I was playing college baseball when I had the opportunity to pitch against LSU. They were the best"}]
[{"id":"112623","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/05\/concerned-citizens-hold-national-night-out-event\/","name":"concerned-citizens-hold-national-night-out-event","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-Concerned-citizens-national-night-out-17985-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Concerned Citizens hold National Night Out event","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 5, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-06 01:27:48","modifiedDate":"2026-08-05 20:28:09","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-06 01:28:09","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":2},"status":"publish","content":"BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER"},{"id":"112618","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/05\/ultimate-frisbee-at-floral-park-2\/","name":"ultimate-frisbee-at-floral-park-2","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Photo-Jul-28-2026-8-11-44-PM-1.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Ultimate Frisbee at Floral Park","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 5, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-06 00:02:55","modifiedDate":"2026-08-05 19:07:48","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-06 00:07:48","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/sports\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Sports<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":0,"sec":1},"status":"publish","content":"BY ED SIKORA"},{"id":"112612","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/auburn-approves-241-8-million-for-new-high-school-school-facilities\/","name":"auburn-approves-241-8-million-for-new-high-school-school-facilities","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AuburnAL_LogoOnly-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Auburn approves $241.8 million for new high school, school facilities","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-05 00:40:24","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 19:48:51","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-05 00:48:51","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"BY DANIEL SCHMIDT | THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 The Auburn City Council voted Tuesday to authorize more than $241.8 million in debt for construction of"},{"id":"112607","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/public-notices-week-of-aug-6-2026\/","name":"public-notices-week-of-aug-6-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/AdobeStock_267689406-scaled.jpeg","alt":"Public Notices, Opelika-News"},"title":"Public notices | Week of Aug. 6, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 23:42:27","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 18:42:36","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 23:42:36","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":21,"sec":31},"status":"publish","content":"IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF LEE COUNTY, ALABAMAGUSTAVO DIAZ43-CV-2026-900187Plaintiff,v. Parcels of Real Property identified as:PARCEL 1 - 21-01-01-0-000-005.000ALSO LEGALLY DESCRIBED AS, COM NW COR SEC;"},{"id":"112603","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/opelika-city-councilrevises-school-zone-times\/","name":"opelika-city-councilrevises-school-zone-times","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/observer-O-with-swoosh-copy-smaller-e1785886478518.png","alt":""},"title":"Opelika City Council revises school zone times","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 23:34:55","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 19:02:44","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-05 00:02:44","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/schools\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Schools<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":33},"status":"publish","content":"BY MICHELLE KEYPUBLISHER OPELIKA \u2014 The council suspended the rules and approved an ordinance amending Section 16-188 of the city\u2019s code of ordinances regarding school-zone"},{"id":"112600","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/tigerwings-connects-children-to-careers\/","name":"tigerwings-connects-children-to-careers","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_2498-scaled.jpg","alt":""},"title":"TigerWings connects children to careers","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:56:37","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 17:56:45","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:56:45","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":46},"status":"publish","content":"BY AMANDA MACHAMERFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 TigerWings founder Kristen Cooper had one goal when launching her company: to connect children to their dream careers.Available"},{"id":"112597","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/04\/written-in-the-stars-romance-bookstore-set-to-open-in-auburn\/","name":"written-in-the-stars-romance-bookstore-set-to-open-in-auburn","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/753672472_1647501230142442_3096998333996136847_n.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Written in the Stars Romance Bookstore set to open in Auburn","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 4, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:54:12","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 17:54:20","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 22:54:20","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":2,"sec":24},"status":"publish","content":"BY AMANDA MACHAMERFOR THE OBSERVER AUBURN \u2014 Haley McCain, founder of Written in the Stars Romance Bookstore, is filling a specific literary gap in Alabama:"},{"id":"112582","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/obituaries-aug-3-2026\/","name":"obituaries-aug-3-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Obit.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Obituaries | Aug. 3, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 02:26:09","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 16:26:12","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 21:26:12","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/obituaries\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Obituaries<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":16,"sec":1},"status":"publish","content":"John Zarnitz Obituary John Henry Zarnitz, 90, of West Hempstead, NY and most recently Auburn, AL passed away on July 22nd, 2026. He was preceded"},{"id":"112577","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/municipal-election-qa-ron-anders-robert-wilkens\/","name":"municipal-election-qa-ron-anders-robert-wilkens","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/758750914_920177427786826_9022908221015626027_n.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Municipal Election Q&A: Ron Anders, Robert Wilkins","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:14:45","modifiedDate":"2026-08-04 16:41:21","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 21:41:21","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/politics\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Politics<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":44,"sec":39},"status":"publish","content":"Ron Anders Robert Wilkins The following is a question-and answer session between Auburn Villager Editor Brian Woodham and Mayor Ron Anders. Reprinted with permission. AUBURN"},{"id":"112574","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/dream-day-finds-new-home-at-nonprofit-center\/","name":"dream-day-finds-new-home-at-nonprofit-center","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/IMG_1962.jpg","alt":""},"title":"Dream Day finds new home at nonprofit center","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:07:19","modifiedDate":"2026-08-03 19:07:29","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:07:29","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/featured\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Featured<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":1,"sec":37},"status":"publish","content":"BY VANESSA ECHOLSFOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA \u2014 The Opelika-based Dream Day Foundation is on the move, but the local nonprofit is not leaving town. It"},{"id":"112571","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/public-notice-aug-6-2026\/","name":"public-notice-aug-6-2026","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Opelika-Logo-copy.jpg","alt":"City of Opelika, opelika-News"},"title":"Public Notice | Aug. 6, 2026","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:01:14","modifiedDate":"2026-08-03 19:01:23","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-04 00:01:23","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/legals\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Legals<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":5,"sec":20},"status":"publish","content":"NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Council of the City of Opelika will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, September 1,"},{"id":"112569","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/2026\/08\/03\/anchored-in-truth-failure-isnt-the-final-chapter\/","name":"anchored-in-truth-failure-isnt-the-final-chapter","thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/IMG_3963-scaled.jpeg","alt":""},"title":"Anchored in truth | Failure isn't the final chapter","author":{"name":"The Observer Staff","link":"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/author\/opelikaobserver\/"},"date":"Aug 3, 2026","dateGMT":"2026-08-03 23:58:24","modifiedDate":"2026-08-03 18:58:33","modifiedDateGMT":"2026-08-03 23:58:33","commentCount":"0","commentStatus":"closed","categories":{"coma":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>","space":"<a href=\"https:\/\/opelikaobserver.com\/category\/column\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Column<\/a>"},"taxonomies":{"post_tag":""},"readTime":{"min":4,"sec":11},"status":"publish","content":"OPINION \u2014 In the spring of 2000, I was playing college baseball when I had the opportunity to pitch against LSU. They were the best"}]
Second Team
THIRD TEAM
Honorable Mentions
Individual Awards
