Shop KidzWorld at USA Town Center, 1220 Fox Run Avenue for back-to-school specials.
Cheers on the Corner See A6
IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS NEWS A3 | POLITICS A7 | PUBLIC NOTICES A8 | OBITUARIES A14 SPORTS B1 | EDUCATION B6 | FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT B11
2022, 2023 — APA DIVISION D GENERAL EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION — 2024 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Vol. 16, No. 43 Opelika, Alabama Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 Your hometown newspaper created 'for local people, by local people.'
www.opelikaobserver.com
Students return to school next week Opelika Main Street PHOTO BY ROBERT NOLES | THE OBSERVER Schools in Lee County are ready to welcome back students starting next week. Lee County Schools resume classes on on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Lee-Scott Academy grades one through 12 start back on Wednesday, Aug. 7 with a half day, grades K4 and K return on Aug. 11. Opelika City School students return to the classroom on Wednesday, Aug. 7, with Auburn City Schools and Trinity Christian School beginning on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Important dates for Opelika City Schools CONTRIBUTED BY OCS
session.
OPELIKA — OCS Pre-K Orientation Monday, Aug. 5 Sessions are at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Parents must attend one
Meet Your Teacher Day (Grades K-5) Monday, Aug, 5 The child’s teacher will contact parents by email or phone to schedule an
appointment. If you have not been contacted by Aug. 5 please go to your child’s school for a walk-in appointment. Fox Run Schedule Pick-Up Monday, Aug. 5
All 6th grade students will pick up schedules by team. Guardians and Blazers 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Knights and Warriors 10 to 11 a.m.
See INFO, page B8
begins hunt for new executive director CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA MAIN STREET
The search for a new executive director for Opelika Main Street has begun. Finding the right person can be like looking for a magical elf given the varied skill set required to succeed as the executive director. It is a multifaceted role. The person needs to be able to do a lot with little. Opelika Main Street is a nonprofit organization that works closely with businesses, members and other partners to revitalize the downtown business district and promote economic vitality. The aim is to strengthen downtown businesses and expand opportunities for new businesses. The executive director acts as the face of the organization — planning, organizing and directing the daily operations. The ideal candidate would have experience working with nonprofit organizations and reporting to a board of directors. It is also important that the candidate be familiar with grant writing and grant applications. The executive director must be able to get creative with funding, recognizing what projects can be funded through grants and what will need to be funded through the general budget. The position also requires the ability to work with the public, social media, business owners and volunteers. The Main Street organization covers a wide scope, including historic preservation, economic vitality and See MAIN STREET, page A3
Get out for National Night Out on Aug. 6 AUBURN — Auburn Public Safety is inviting community members, families, residents and stakeholders to celebrate the 41st annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., residents are invited to come together in the field behind Duck Samford Stadium located at 1623 E. Glenn Ave. to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. The evening will feature free food and family-friendly fun for all ages including: • Local organizations with free community resources. • Meet and greet with Auburn school resource officers.
• Touch-a-Truck display. • Auburn Police K9 demonstration. • Auburn Fire Department fire education. • Photo opportunities with Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog. • Face painting, music, giveaways and more. National Night Out is co-sponsored by Auburn Public Safety and na-
tionally sponsored by the National Association Town Watch (NATW), ADT, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, Associa, L.E.A.D. and Swank Motion Pictures. To learn more about National Night Out, visit www.natw.org.
PHOT0S CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
See more photos on page A5 Photos are from last year’s National Night Out event held in Auburn.
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Find Us Online
Soft opening Wednesday with a limited menu. Make plans to visit The Hornet’s Nest in August. Located at 9415 ALabama Highway 51.