Thursday, March 23, 2023
Covering Lee County Alabama
An award-winning publication created 'For local people, by local people.' Opelika, Alabama
Vol. 15, No. 24
Opelika’s State of the City Set for March 29 PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY THE CHILL SPOT
Chill Out! At Chewacla
The Chill Spot is a food truck located mainly at Chewacla State Park in Auburn, where it has recently expanded to offer boat rentals.
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM AUBURN — The Chill Spot, a local food truck offer-
ing hot dogs, tacos, frozen treats and more, has found a home at Chewacla State Park in Auburn. “We are the food vendor of Chewacla,”
said The Chill Spot owner and founder James Little. “I honestly have the dream job.” Originally opening in 2019, the Chill Spot began by serving one
product: frozen lemonade. “I love lemonade … like the ones you would get at an Auburn football See CHILL, page A2
East Alabama Health Announces Further Recognition PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY EAH
Inspire officials Jeff Smalley (regional manager, far left) and Ashley Hester (territory manager, third from left) hosted a celebration in honor of EAMC earning the Care Team of Excellence award. CONTRIBUTED BY EAST ALABAMA HEALTH
OPELIKA —
East Alabama Health continues to rake in various honors and awards this year, the latest of
which bring about special recognition for its cardiac unit and sleep program. EAMC RECEIVES FIVE
CARDIAC AND VASCULAR AWARDS East Alabama Medical See EAH, page A3
OPELIKA MAYOR GARY FULLER BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN — The city of Opelika’s annual State of the City event is set for March 29 at the Bottling Plant Event Center in downtown Opelika. The event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. as Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller will deliver his comprehensive presentation updating citizens on the state of the city. Wear red and black cocktail attire — and your dancing shoes — as music and dancing will follow. “We will have cocktail hour brought to you by John Emerald Distillery, and then we will go hear from Mayor Fuller, and he will share what’s happening,” said Opelika Chamber of Commerce CEO and President Ali Rauch to The Observer in a February interview. “When he is done, we are going to turn on the music and hopefully dance the night away.” The price to attend is $50 for chamber members and $75 for non-chamber members. Chamber member VIP tickets are also available for $75, while general admission VIP tickets for non-chamber members are $100. There are a limited number of VIP tickets available. Those will include a private cocktail hour with special guests and elected officials. All ticketholders will receive a drink ticket and heavy hors d’oeuvres. The deadline to register is Friday, March 24, at 5 p.m.
CONTENTS
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ENTERTAINMENT ...... A7 OPINION ................. A8 RELIGION .............. A13 OBITUARIES ........... A14 COMICS .................. A16
SPORTS ................... B1 POLITICS ................. B9 PUBLIC NOTICES ..... B12 CLASSIFIEDS .......... B14 PUZZLES ................ B15