Community

A woman sits at a table with a laptop outside "The Ross House Coffee Roastery," next to parked vehicles.

West Magnolia Ross House closing, tea shop opening April 1

By Tripp Hedden | News Reporter | March 24

As of March 23, Ross House Coffee at 320 W. Magnolia Ave. is not renewing its lease and will officially close on April 1. However, a new location under the same management will open on the same day at the Greystone Mansion: a new specialty tea shop named Greystone Tea.

Hands of several people reach toward a container filled with soil, holding planting trays and preparing to fill them.

Making agriculture accessible: Opelika Grows hosts gardening workshop

By Erin Cosby | Legal Reporter | March 23

On March 21, Opelika Grows, also called O Grows, and the Lee County Master Gardeners of Alabama co-hosted a seed starting workshop at the Opelika Community Garden for members of the public and garden enthusiasts. The workshop was a free, hands-on guide to gardening, in which master gardeners led attendees through seed selection, storage and planting techniques.

The front entrance to Pines Crossing golf course on March 17, 2026.

2 men cited on wildlife abuse charges at Pines Crossing Golf Course

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief | March 18

On March 1, 2026, a user in the "What’s Happening in Auburn and Opelika" Facebook group posted a series of images and videos that depicted two men throwing rocks at Canada Geese, as well as taking photos with one that they killed at Pines Crossing golf course. Carter Allen McCullough and Jacob Daniel Dyas Jr. were cited with the following: hunting without a license, hunting during a closed season and hunting without permission. These citations are moving to court and will be heard in the Lee County District Court on April 7, 2026.

143 flags displayed on Cater Lawn at Auburn University on Sept. 12, 2023 in memory of Alabama Veterans who took their lives last year.

Ivey to fly flags half-staff for Alabamians killed in Iraq

By Brychelle Brooks | Editor-in-Chief | March 17

On March 12, six US Military personnel lost their lives in a plane crash involving two KC-135 aircrafts. To honor those killed, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a directive for flags to be lowered on the day of interment of Maj. John A. Klinner, an Alabama native and Auburn graduate. Ivey's directive includes mention of three of the personnel killed that were a part of the 99th air refueling squadron of the 117th Air Refueling Wing at Sumpter Smith Joint Air National Guard Base in Birmingham. Those three are: Tech Sgt. Ashley B. Prutt, Capt. Ariana G. Savino and Maj. John A. Klinner.

The Pentagon, the headquarters building for the U.S. Department of War, located in Arlington County, Virginia.

Auburn announced as potential partner for US military fellowships

By Tripp Hedden | News Reporter | March 16

On Feb. 27, the U.S. Department of Defense announced Auburn University as a potential partner institution for the military’s Senior Service College (SSC) fellowship program in a memorandum titled "Aligning Senior Service College Opportunities with American Values." In the announcement, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed and laid out the department's plans for the future of senior military education.

Auburn University alumnus among 6 killed in refueling plane crash in Iraq

By Amanda Machamer | Assistant Content Editor | March 14

An Auburn University alumnus is one of six killed in a crash involving a U.S. military KC-135 refueling aircraft in Iraq on March 12. Air Force Maj. John “Alex” Klinner graduated from the University in 2016 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Spicer’s Music earns two global honors at NAMM conference

By Gracie Goodman | News Writer | March 7

The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) awarded Spicer's Music with two global honors at the 2026 NAMM conference in Anaheim, California. The honors included were the Music Makes a Difference Award and the Retailer of the Year Award.

The Auburn City Council meets to discuss The Foundry amongst other topics on March 3 at 6 p.m.

Auburn City Council approves new development project

By Sydney Gallardo | Assistant News Editor | March 5

The Auburn City Council approved the development plan and proposed pre-zoning, re-zoning and annexation ordinances for The Foundry at North College, a new commercial and residential development. The council also approved other resolutions, contracts, easements and rights-of-way.

A stone sign displays "Auburn North," flanked by trees and modern apartment buildings under a cloudy sky.

Suspect identified in Yugo North shooting

By Amanda Machamer | Assistant Content Editor | March 5

An individual suspected of shooting a man at the Yugo North apartment complex on March 2 is currently on the run and believed to be "armed and dangerous," according to police.

Chefs Sophie SNyder, Joẽl Auntes, Leo Maurelli, David Bancroft, Bill Briand, Christopher Hastings, May Martin, and Aiden Dunleavy (Left to Right)at the Children’s Table event on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Children's Table: Alabama chefs use recipes to benefit Children’s of Alabama patients

By Landi Rutledge | News Editor | March 4

On March 3, Food and Wine and Southern Living magazines partnered with Alabama chefs to host Children's Table, a night of recipe tasting at the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center. All proceeds raised directly benefitted Children's of Alabama, and attendees tasted high quality and nutritious dishes of local chefs.

Brian Scott Barrett, 53, was arrested and charged in connection to spousal abuse on Feb. 24.

Opelika man arrested on charges regarding spousal abuse

By Amanda Machamer | Assistant Content Editor | March 2

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest on Feb. 24 following an investigation into a report of an individual “sexually, physically and mentally abusing his wife,” according to authorities.

Jordan Hare Stadium at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Photo by Kara Beth Carr, former photo editor.

Man stable after fall from 'significant height' in Jordan-Hare Stadium

By Amanda Machamer | Assistant Content Editor | February 9

On Saturday, Feb. 7, a 22-year-old male was hospitalized following a fall from a reportedly significant height inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Emergency Medical Services and the Auburn Fire Department arrived on scene for further assistance. The individual was then flown to a regional hospital for further treatment and is currently in stable condition.

A white building with multiple windows features a pharmacy sign.

When Auburn gives you lemonade: Toomer’s Corner

By Sydney Gallardo | Assistant News Editor | March 2

Sitting on the corner of College Street and Magnolia Avenue lies Toomer’s Drugs, the beloved Auburn landmark. Founded in 1896 by Sheldon “Shel” Toomer, the drugstore quickly became a staple of the Auburn downtown area and a hotspot for Auburn traditions.

J&M Bookstore, a place to buy gifts, souvenirs and supplies for your classes located on College Street.

The history of an Auburn staple: J&M Bookstore

By Erin Cosby | Legal Reporter | March 2

Toomer's Corner is home to many iconic landmarks that have shaped the Auburn community immensely, and one such location is J&M Bookstore, which has been serving the Auburn area for over 70 years. Whether rain or shine, J&M is there to provide a warm welcome, quality service and a "War Eagle!"

A large brick building with multiple towers stands behind a grassy area where several people in period clothing are gathered.

The forgotten buildings of Auburn University

By Auston Kucholtz | News Writer | March 2

It is rare to find any student, professor or administrator who can confidently recollect every building on Auburn's sprawling campus. While most are familiar with the Haley Center and Melton Student Center or have fond memories at Jordan-Hare Stadium and Neville Arena, some buildings at Auburn remain far more unacknowledged than others. After campus's long, substantial history, many buildings have simply been left nearly forgotten.

The Depot on Mitcham Avenue in Auburn, Alabama.

Train stations to culinary prestige at The Depot

By Nicolle Generaux | News Writer | March 2

Opening in September of 2015, The Deport is a fine dining restaurant serving the freshest of seafood from a globally-inspired menu. Patrons appreciate the quality of their fried crustaceans and their family-friendly atmosphere, but they may not realize the significance of the actual construction of the restaurant – which began as none other than Auburn’s third railroad depot.

Amber Irwin wears a War Eagle Run Fest shirt before the race, Feb. 28, 2026 in Auburn, Ala.

Auburn Family in full stride at the 2026 War Eagle Run Fest

By Tripp Hedden | News Reporter | March 2

On Saturday, Feb. 28, and Sunday, March 1, the fifth annual War Eagle Run Fest (WERF) was held. The event, which now takes place over the span of several days and includes several races, had participants run across the city by notable Auburn locations to complete the race.

A brightly painted food truck resembling a school bus, adorned with colorful flowers, features a sign that reads "SHAVE ICE."

Yellowhammer Fund bus tour makes stop at Campus Green

By Gracie Goodman | News Writer | March 2

On Feb. 26, Yellowhammer Fund and Generation Action at Auburn University hosted a reproductive rights advocacy event on Auburn’s Campus Green. The event was part of a “reproductive justice bus tour” that launched June 24, 2023, the one-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

Auburn's Technology Parks are home to a number of manufacturing and processing companies in the Auburn-Opelika area

KettenWulf launching manufacturing operation in Auburn

By Auston Kucholtz | News Writer | February 28

On Jan. 26, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced that KettenWulf, a German-based global manufacturing company, will begin operations in Alabama with a new production facility based in Auburn. The company pledges to invest approximately $34 million into the new production site, bringing a planned 70 jobs to the Auburn-Opelika area.

Outside of War Eagle Supper Club. Contributed by John Brandt.

From dives to rooftops: War Eagle Supper Club

By Layla Hyatt | Assistant Lifestyle Editor | February 27

What started as a brothel in the mid-1940s transformed into a club for generations of Auburn students to enjoy. After closing in 2015, War Eagle Supper Club has been reborn as a restaurant on the rooftop of the Graduate Hotel.