USA TOWN CENTER 1220 FOX RUN AVE.
Noon Tunes at Courthouse Square May 15
IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS NEWS A2 | POLITICS A6 | PUBLIC NOTICES A8 | OBITUARIES A12 SPORTS B1 | EDUCATION B7 | FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT B11
2022 — APA DIVISION D GENERAL EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION — 2023 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Vol. 16, No. 31 Opelika, Alabama Thursday, May 9, 2024 Your hometown newspaper created 'for local people, by local people.'
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Garden in the Park event keeps Opelika Beautiful PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER Keep Opelika Beautiful hosted its annual Garden in the Park festival featuring handmade and homegrown art, food and fun on May 4. Money raised at the festival is used for community beautification projects, such as providing trashcans for downtown Opelika, landscaping for several vacant lots, landscape renovations to breezeway, trees for courthouse square and green space enhancements at schools.
See more photos on page A5
Opelika names Environmental Services director CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
JASEN SPOON
OPELIKA — The city of Opelika announced the appointment of Jasen Spoon as the new director of Opelika Environmental Services (OES). “We are thrilled to have Jasen join our team,” said Mayor Gary Fuller. “With a back-
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ground in Public Works and Administration, Jasen will be a perfect leader for the Environmental Services Department.” Spoon will oversee operations of the OES department and divisions that include trash, garbage, recycling and code compliance. He has more
than 15 years of private municipal experience. “I am excited about this opportunity,” Spoon said. “I believe in creating a work culture that will be noticed by the community. As a leader, it is my duty to positively affect change and to promote a mindset of success in my em-
ployees. Without they’re success, I have none.” Spoon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in history and political science from Shorter University. His passion for education and mentorship led him to a fulfilling career as a teacher and coach at Opelika High School, where he
positively impacted the lives of countless students, instilling in them a love for learning and personal growth. Spoon, who originally hails from Piedmont, has been happily married to his wife Stephanie for 24 years, and they have one daughter who is attending Auburn University.
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Free outdoor concerts every Tuesday night, 7 p.m. at Opelika Municipal Park.
May 14 -Lee-Scott Academy Jazz Band