Featured Articles

Fun and local literacy at OPL

BY LANDI RUTLEDGE FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — On Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m., Sarah Penner will be the keynote speaker for the Third Annual Opelika Book Festival. Sarah Penner is a New York Times and internationally bestselling author of “The Lost Apothecary” and...

Grooms by Brooke pampers pets

By Kadie Taylor The Observer OPELIKA —Pampering local furry friends, Grooms by Brooke serves local pups and pawparents by providing a range of grooming packages.  “I started working for myself, like four-ish years ago, but I have been in the pet industry since...

Chipped EBT cards rolling out statewide

CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA DEPT. OF HUMAN RESOURCES ALABAMA — The Alabama Department of Human Resources is pleased to announce Alabama EBT cardholders will be receiving new, chip-enabled EBT cards. After a successful pilot program in December 2025, chip-enabled EBT cards...

Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Set for Feb. 20–22

CONTRIBUTED BY ALABAMA RETAIL ASSOCIATION ALABAMA — Alabamians will have an opportunity to prepare for severe weather while saving money during the state’s Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and runs through...