Winner of Gift Card is >>>>>>> Local Band-O-Rama Photos — A8
Kevin Conway
IN THIS ISSUE BUSINESS NEWS A3 | SOCIETY A9 | OBITUARIES A13 | COMICS A16 SPORTS B1 | POLITICS B9 | PUBLIC NOTICES B12 | PUZZLES B15
2022 — APA DIVISION D GENERAL EXCELLENCE DESIGNATION — 2023 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA Vol. 15, No. 47 Opelika, Alabama Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023 Your local publication created 'for local people, by local people.'
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Foundry Fosters Renewal, Revival PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY JULIE COTTRELL
OPELIKA — Foundry, a new United Methodist church in Opelika, held its first service Sunday, Aug. 27. The United Methodist Church is located at 200 N. 26th St., Opelika. The new home of Foundry was previously Pepperell United Methodist Church, which closed its doors in 2018. According to the Rev. Patrick HitchmanCraig, Foundry has been working hard on transforming the sanctuary. “If somebody had
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Foundry, a new United Methodist Church located in the old Pepperell United Methodist Church building, held its first service last Sunday, Aug. 27.
BY AUDREY KENT FOR THE OBSERVER
Opelika City Attorney Recognized for 50 Years of Service
See FOUNDRY, page A3
Opelika Young Professionals Board of Directors Announced PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2023-24 Opelika Young Professionals Board of Directors. Opelika Young Professionals is a new program of the Opelika Chamber, officially launching in January 2024. Board members were chosen through Opelika Young Professionals is a new program, courtesy of the Opelika applications that were reviewed by a selection Chamber of Commerce, launching January 2024. committee and scored. Applications were scored based on neatness, heart for Opelika, leadership experience, passion for young professional development and community See BOARD, page A2
THE MIX — A4
GUY GUNTER CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA
OPELIKA — Opelika City Attorney Guy Gunter was recently recognized by the Alabama State Bar for being a member 50 years and for his honorable, devoted and dedicated service to the Opelika community, state of Alabama and United States. Fortyeight of those years he has spent representing the city of Opelika. Gunter completed his undergraduate degree at The University of Alabama in 1970. Following
that, he attended The University of Alabama Law School where he graduated and was admitted to the Bar in 1973. Gunter was in private practice with Melton, Gunter and Melton until 2013, prior to becoming the city attorney full time. He served as the city prosecutor from 1975 until 2019. Gunter advises the mayor and city council, prepares resolutions, ordinances, contracts and other legal documents, attends city council and planning commission meetings. See GUNTER, page A2
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