Daniel Schmidt

By Daniel Schmidt AUBURN — The Auburn City Council on May 19 approved a zoning ordinance amendment that formally carves out where the city’s newly regulated consumable hemp retailers can set up shop. It is the latest local move in a months-long effort to bring the city in line with sweeping new state hemp laws […]

SMITHS STATION — Following a turnaround that saw Glenwood School go from 13-24 last year to state tournament participants this year, its underclassman-heavy team set its sights on winning a 3A state championship.

AUBURN — With a 31-win season and a deep postseason run behind them, Auburn High School arrived at the 7A baseball championship series two wins shy of a state title. However, the No. 5 Tigers (31-14) saw their championship hopes end in two games against No. 2 Hewitt-Trussville High School (34-9), falling 4-1 in the opener at Choccolocco Park on May 21 and 8-0 in the finale at Rudy Abbott Field on May 22.

SPONSORED BY THE ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC First Team

BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER BEAUREGARD — On the recreational fields behind Beauregard High School, a sunburnt, blonde 4-year-old looked to the varsity stadium and dreamt of the day she would play on that hallowed ground.It was the summer of 2012, and that wide-eyed little girl was just learning how to knock a softball almost as […]

BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — As the potter’s wheel turns, fine finger movements and an attention to detail shapes lumps of moist clay into pieces of art that demand attention and reward the sculptor’s patience.Inside the circle, those same qualities determine whether the door is slammed in a frustrated batter’s face or if she […]

BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Oftentimes, the sound of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” evokes feelings of troubled relationships or times when one’s skin had fewer wrinkles.At West Ridge Park’s softball field, however, it announces the arrival of one of East Alabama’s most feared hitters: Opelika High School’s McCall Clayton.And as the music fades, the […]

BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER AUBURN — In the predawn chill of an Arkansas marsh, a good duck hunter relies in awareness and patience until the moment they’ve waited for arrives, suddenly and without a second chance.At Lee-Scott Academy’s softball field, those same instincts belong to senior center fielder Karlee Baker.They also showed a Dadeville High […]

BY DANIEL SCHMIDTTHE OBSERVER OPELIKA — Every spring, Opelika’s business community takes inventory of itself, counting up the businesses that opened, tallying the jobs it created and celebrating the people who made it happen.On Friday, May 29, that celebration came with a new backdrop: Opelika High School’s basketball arena, a place better known for buzzer-beaters […]

AUBURN — A substantial drainage infrastructure project expected to disrupt nearby residents will move forward after the Auburn City Council on Tuesday approved a $1.52 million construction contract.