BY SAM VISE FOR THE OBSERVER OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber, in partnership with the League of Women Voters of East Alabama, hosted a "Conversations with Your Candidates” event on Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. The event was free and open to the public, aimed to help the community get to know the mayoral and city council candidates. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., guests could drop by each candidate's...

BY KADIE TAYLORTHE OBSERVER EAST ALABAMA — After being diagnosed with ocular melanoma, Ashley McCrary was inspired to help others, so she founded the Eye on Grace Foundation to help fund travel for treatments and create a community among those with the rare eye cancer.“A friend of mine had seen the spot on my eye, and I went to an eye doctor who sent me to another eye doctor who sent me to an ocular oncologist who told me that it was rare and...

BY KADIE TAYLOR | THE OBSERVER AUBURN/OPELIKA — A local nonprofit dog and cat rescue organization urgently needs to find forever homes for animals in its care after learning last week its new landlord won’t be renewing its lease.After 10 years of operating out of their current location at 1027 Opelika Road, the building’s new owner informed the shelter on July 30 that Woof Ave. must move by Sept. 30.“We don’t own the building here, we rent it,”...