Vol. 15, No. 10
Dec. 15, 2022
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022
Opelika, Alabama
FRED ERi CK-DEAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
Covering Lee County, Alabama
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First Avenue Adjustments to Come Following Floods OPELIKA — Help is on the way following repeated flooding on First Avenue in downtown Opelika. According to City Engineer Scott Parker, the contracted work is expected to begin as soon as this week and last for up to two weeks. “We are going to do whatever it takes to eliminate the flooding issue on First Avenue,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller in a statement to The Observer. The contractor is set to modify parts of a streetscape project the city began in October 2020. A major part of the work will include the installation of a larger receiving inlet, which helps move water through the drainage system. The planned adjustments come after business owners on the street complained of the repeated flooding. While
PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH / THE OBSERVER
BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH KENDYLH@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
Workers arrived on First Avenue in Opelika, Wednesday, Dec. 14, to start modifications to the drainage in an effort to alleviate flooding issues. Some businesses along First Avenue were forced to close temporarily due to water damage during a recent heavy rain event.
some have experienced the issue more often than others, at least three businesses suffered significant damages in the Nov. 29 flood — the result of a heavy storm that moved through the area. Mama Mocha’s, 10000 Hz and Sneak & Dawdle were all forced to limit operations the next day or two — or close altogether — as they
dealt with the damage. “This has happened a couple times, and we had to shut down two nights because it was just too wet in there,” said Matt Poirier, owner of Sneak & Dawdle, 10 days after the flood. “We still have the dehumidifiers and fans running when we’re not open, and they’re still collecting water.”
War Hero Awarded Bronze Star 72 Years Posthumously
OPELIKA — The Army Awards and Decorations Branch has recently reviewed the
records of Sgt. 1st Class Raymond D. Penland and determined he should have been awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in combat in North Korea. The review was requested
by his sons, Lt. Raymond C. Penland, USN (Ret.) and Stephen P. Penland of Opelika. The family received the medal this See BRONZE, page A5
had not seen before.” Both Sneak & Dawdle and 10000 Hz have a small step up — less than six inches — at their front entrances. But according to Russ Baggett, owner of 10000 Hz, that small step is likely what prevents more episodes of severe flooding. Still, Baggett said it’s not feasible to keep all the
See FLOODING, page A5
OIDA Presents Veteran With Relocation Incentive PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY CITY OF OPELIKA
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY STEPHEN PENLAND
CONTRIBUTED BY STEPHEN P. PENLAND
Poirier said Sneak & Dawdle experienced flooding even before the city’s streetscape project, but rarely is it severe. The Nov. 29 flood was an exception, though. “This last time was by far the worst it’s been for us,” Poirier said. “The water went all the way to the back of the building, which we
store’s inventory off the ground in case of any floods. “There’s only so much space in here, you know?” he said. “The way that our cabinets are — we didn’t build cabinets designed for worrying about flooding regularly.” And since the shop has grown since the onset of the pandemic, 10000 Hz suffered more inventory damages and losses than it did in its last major flood. “We’ve got six crates of records that were damaged, and those crates are made of particle-board kind of stuff, and it just absorbs water,” he said. “… Record jackets are cardboard, also. I mean, it just all absorbs this stuff, and once that water’s in there, once the water touches that cardboard, there’s no fixing that. Eventually it’ll mold, or it'll warp in some weird way or dry in a weird way. It’s not new anymore. Basically, a new record is not new anymore once it’s touched
CONTRIBUTED BY THE CITY OF OPELIKA OPELIKA — The Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) recently presented E-8 Master Sgt. Comer Kite and his family with the Vets Choose Opelika relocation incentive package. This program is part of Opelika’s workforce development and talent attraction initiatives. While stationed at Fort Campbell in Tennessee, Kite completed the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes Make America (HMA) certification program, which is a talent attraction feeder program for Opelika employers. Upon graduation
From left: Comer Kite; Griffin O'Connor, representing the OIDA; Stephanie Kite.
and transitioning to civilian life, Kite chose Opelika as his next home base and
will be starting his new See RELOCATION, page A2
Christmas in Camelot Runs Through Dec. 31
CONTENTS
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OPINION ................. A4 ENTERTAINMENT ...... A7 RELIGION .............. A12 OBITUARIES ........... A13 COMICS .................. A16
SPORTS ................... B1 POLITICS ................. B9 PUBLIC NOTICES ..... B12 CLASSIFIEDS .......... B13 PUZZLES ................ B15