Dadeville Shooting Suspects Indicted — A2 Photos from Memorial Day - A5 Scenes From Local Graduation Ceremonies — B4
IN THIS ISSUE
SUMMER SWING June 6 at Municipal Park at 7 p.m. Muse will be performing.
BUSINESS NEWS A3 | SOCIETY A9 | OBITUARIES A12 | COMICS A16 SPORTS B1 | POLITICS B7 | PUBLIC NOTICES B12 | PUZZLES B15 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Vol. 15, No. 34 Opelika, Alabama
Thursday, June 1, 2023 www.opelikaobserver.com
Your local publication created 'for local people, by local people.'
‘Keep Pushing and Keep Going’ OPELIKA — Life is a series of small steps, and Keaijah “Ciyah” Robinson is determined to keep putting one foot in front of the other. The 16-year-old has been enjoying an early start to her summer, but already she is counting down the days until she can return to Opelika High School this fall. “I love school,” she said. “… I’d rather be in school than be at home.” Robinson’s life was turned upside down April 15, 2023,
when she was shot at a childhood friend’s birthday party in Dadeville, Alabama. Four partygoers were killed in the mass shooting at Mahogany Dance Studio, and Robinson is one of 32 others who were injured. Now, about six weeks later, she is home from the hospital and continuing her recovery from her grandmother’s house in Camp Hill, just 20 minutes from the site of the incident. Some days are spent outside in the fresh, country air, enjoying some fruit and watching the cars drive by. Others are spent curled up on the couch, catching up on sleep — a common side
effect of her medication. And then, some days are a little bit of both. May 24 was a bit of a “curled up on the couch” day. But after some prodding from her aunt and grandmother, Robinson emerged from her blanket and got situated with her walker. “She’s a fighter,” said Crystal Presley, Robinson’s aunt. “She’s wanted to push her independence since day one. She’s just blessed.” The intermittent scooting of her walker could be heard down the hall from the living room, steadily growing See SURVIVOR, page A2
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
Ciyah Robinson, a rising junior at Opelika High School, is keeping a positive mindset after being shot in Dadeville last month.
Opelika, Auburn Gather on Memorial Day PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES / THE OBSERVER
Ward 5 Council Member Todd Rauch speaks of service during Opelika's Memorial Day Ceremony at Courthouse Square. BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The flag flew overhead. Literally, as it dangled from a crane over the fountain in
Courthouse Square in Opelika. Veterans, citizens, families and more gathered together to honor America’s fallen on May 29, 2023. Despite microphone problems, the city
rallied and presented a ceremony that well honored both Opelika’s, and the United States', heroes. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller introduced the speaker for 2023, retired United States Army Po-
lice Officer and Opelika Council Member Todd Rauch. “While serving in the Army, Todd was named Soldier of the Year for the 18th Military Police Brigade in … Germany,” Fuller said. “During his subsequent deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Rauch was awarded the Purple Heart after surviving a mortar attack and helping to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.” Todd has made a life for himself in Opelika with his wife Ali, and they serve their community every day. “Ladies and gentlemen, families and fellow veterans, we are gathered here as one to honor and pay tribute to the brave men and
See MEMORIAL DAY, page A4
Lee County 2022 Insolvents Listing - B12
Better Bodies Massage School, Clinc Receive International Award
BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The Travel & Hospitality Awards announced May 30 that Opelika’s Better Bodies Massage Institute and Clinic has been awarded in its 2023 Spa & Wellness Awards program. See AWARD page A3
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