Thursday, April 20, 2023 TURN TO B5 FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS TRACK & FIELD EVENT
COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS NEWS A3 | SOCIETY A7 | OBITUARIES A14 | COMICS A16 SPORTS B1 | POLITICS B9 | PUBLIC NOTICES B12 | PUZZLES B15
Vol. 15, No. 28
Your local publication created 'for local people, by local people.'
Opelika, Alabama
A Community Grieves Together PHOTOS BY HANNAH LESTER / THE OBSERVER
Shirley "Shunte" Jones is comforted by friends. BY MICHELLE KEY AND HANNAH LESTER
Several young adults listen as community leaders speak during the candlelight prayer vigil for Marsiah Collins and his family, and for others who were injured in the April 15 shooting in Dadeville. For more photos from the vigil, turn to A12 or view the gallery online at www.opelikaobserver.com.
CFEA Starts Fund to Aid Victims of Shooting BY MICHELLE KEY MICHELLE@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The Community Foundation of East Alabama has notified The Observer that it has created a fund to assist the victims of the April 15 shooting in Dadeville. All donations made to the fund, minus credit card fees, will be distributed as grants to organizations that are addressing the ongoing needs of victims and community members. Together, a message of love and compassion will be sent to the communities that have been impacted
from this horrific event. "We at the Community Foundation of East Alabama are devastated by the
news of the tragic events that occured in Dadeville on April 15," CFEA said in an Instagram post. "Please
consider donating to support the organizations working on the ground to provide necessary services to this community in their time of need." More information is available at www.cfeastalabama.org/caring-fordadeville. Donations can be made online, or checks can be made out to the Community Foundation of East Alabama Caring for Dadeville Fund and mailed to Community Foundation of East Alabama c/o Caring for Dadeville Fund P.O. Box 165 Opelika, AL 36803-0165.
OPELIKA — The sounds of a mother’s unbearable grief filled Courthouse Square Monday night during a candlelight prayer vigil held for Marsiah Emmanuel Collins — the
19-year-old from Opelika that was killed in Saturday night’s shooting in Dadeville. Collins graduated from Opelika High School last year. Marsiah’s mother, Shirley “Shunte” Jones, and his father, Martin Collins Jr., See VIGIL, page A3
Opelika Chamber Celebrates 2022-23 REACH Campaign Success CONTRIBUTED BY THE OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OPELIKA — The REACH Campaign is an opportunity for local businesses to purchase sponsorships for Opelika Chamber events throughout the year. Volunteers for the chamber spend time visiting businesses to discuss sponsorship options and find the best fit for everyone. Sponsorships are a great way for businesses to raise awareness of their brand throughout the community. During an eight-week period, the Opelika Chamber
secured the highest number of investments in its 11-year history of conducting the REACH program. “I am very pleased and impressed with the performance of the REACH campaign this year,” said Linda North. “It is encouraging to see that so many businesses believe in the growth and development of our community.” There was an increase of over $130,000 in investments and over 90 members who had not previously sponsored chamber programming engaged in the campaign. See REACH, page A4
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