Community

New business ships Auburn care packages to fans near and far

By Alex Wilkerson | Community Writer | November 19

There are several experiences in Auburn, that for many are unique to the city and are an essential part of the Auburn experience.

Neighborhood confronts City Council about construction concerns

By Anne Dawson | Community Reporter | November 17

Many residents of Timberwood subdivision came before the City Council on Nov. 17 to discuss their concerns about a new Dollar General being built at the intersection of Timberwood Drive and Highway 29. Shauna Monroe spoke to the council first, saying that the community had no warning as to what was coming. "We feel that we were blindsided by this," said Monroe.

Walmart opens two new stores, will hire 95 people

By Christopher Jurkiewicz | Community Writer | November 15

Walmart plans to open two neighborhood market stores in Auburn by this January.

Loachapoka animal hospital to open soon in 98-year-old house

By Anne Dawson | Community Reporter | November 13

Dr. Thad Moore thought the area could use a veterinary practice with a homier feel. To reach this goal, he decided there was no better way than to open up one of his own practices in the comfort of an actual home.

Markale Hart arraigned, pleads not guilty

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | November 12

Markale Hart, the man accused of shooting and killing former football player Jakell Mitchell, plead not guilty to murder in a written waiver of arraignment Thursday, Nov. 12.

Local teens provide Christmas spirit to the Auburn-Opelika community with self-recorded Christmas album

By Liz Maddux | Community Writer | November 12

It’s almost the time of year to start decking the halls as Christmas is a little over a month away.

City of Auburn holds Veterans Day Ceremony

By Andria Moore | Campus Reporter | November 11

The Auburn community gathered this morning at the Auburn Veterans Memorial for a memorial service led by Mayor Bill Ham. "Auburn has an especially strong history of producing military volunteers and veterans," Ham said.

Girlfriend of officer-involved shooting victim speaks

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | November 11

Betty Ligon will never be able to forget the image of her boyfriend, Bennie Lee Tignor, being shot and killed by police. It happened in her front yard, after a low-speed chase through Opelika streets in the last minutes of Halloween.

Brandon Hughes to run for district attorney

By Staff Report | November 9

Lee County District Attorney Robert Treese will have a challenger in the Republican primary election in March.

Procedure hearing held to determine how to depose witnesses in the Hubbard case

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | November 9

The prosecution team met with Speaker of the Alabama House of Representative Mike Hubbard's defense team in a hearing to determine how best to depose witnesses who live more than 100 miles from Lee County. A deposition is sworn out-of-court testimony used to gather evidence

Brother of man killed in officer-involved shooting says there is no cellphone footage

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | November 5

Bernard Tignor told the media at the press conference on Monday that there was a cellphone video of Opelika Police Department Officer Jared Greer shooting Bennie but Walter Tignor, also Bennie's brother, confirmed to The Auburn Plainsman that no video exist.

UPDATE: Opelika police chief said officer-involved shooting was justified, family disagrees

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | November 5

An Opelika police officer shot and killed a man after a low-speed car chase and a struggle Saturday, Oct. 31.

Alumnus’ war story portrayed on big screen

By Liz Maddux | Community Writer | November 5

On February 17, 2014 a movie hit theaters that would also hit close to home for 94-year-old Auburn man, Pete Turnham. The Monuments Men was a movie directed by George Clooney, and was based on the true story of a World War II platoon that was tasked in guarding a castle that held over one thousand years of history.

Local woman helps pregnant college students take 'Baby Steps' to motherhood

By Liz Maddux | Community Writer | November 4

One afternoon, as Michelle Schultz was driving around Auburn running errands, the idea came to her that she should open a home to help pregnant college women discover they have a choice. The nonprofit organization Schultz has passionately devoted so many hours to establish is called Baby Steps.

Lane closures on East Glenn Avenue announced

By Staff Report | November 3

East Glenn Avenue will be reduced to one southbound lane Nov. 4-6 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. between Bent Creek Road and Indian Hill Road, according to a press release issued by the City of Auburn.

UPDATE: Markale Hart indicted for murder of Jakell Mitchell

By Staff Report | November 3

Markale Hart has been indicted for the murder of Jakell Mitchell.

Football brings tourism and traffic jams

By Jesse McLeroy | Community Writer | November 2

It might be hard to remember while seething on South College Street in game day traffic that traffic means tourism — and tourism greatly benefits the Loveliest Village on the Plains, according to Penny Smith, finance director for the City of Auburn. According to Smith, home games cause increased sales within the city in numerous ways. “We see increased sales tax from purchases within the city, both for restaurants and for goods, like game day paraphernalia and that kind of thing," Smith said. "We also have lodging taxes for hotel stays within the city limits ... and then of course the sales of the actual tickets to the game produce a sales tax also.

Alabama Secretary of State to host voter registration drives across the state

By Staff Report | November 2

Secretary of State John H. Merrill's office will host voter registration events in four counties across the state, including Lee County.

Auburn man charged with receiving stolen property, burglary and theft of property

By Staff Report | November 2

The Auburn Police Division arrested and charged an Auburn man with several counts of receiving stolen property, one count of second-degree theft of property and one count of third-degree burglary, according to a news release issued by the APD. Adam L.

Man charged with car break-in, theft of property

By Staff Report | November 2

Auburn police have arrested Brandon T. Jones-Rogers, 24, of Auburn and charged him with unlawful breaking and entering of a motor vehicle and second-degree theft of property, according to a news release issued by the Auburn Police Division. APD responded to a call of a car break-in at an apartment complex at the 300 block of Opelika Road at approximately 3 a.m. Officers were given a description of an individual seen pulling door handles and entering unlocked vehicles, according to the release.