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UPDATED: Same-sex couple weds outside of Lee County Courthouse

By Jim Little | Community Editor | December 21

Justin and Shawn Williams of Salem, decided they would be trailblazers as they walked up to Lee County Courthouse on Monday, Feb. 8, planning to get their marriage license after being together for seven years. At the courthouse, they found Lee County Probate Judge Bill English was refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Tiger Lodge updates security, accused shooter's case to go before grand jury

By Jim Little | Community Editor | December 20

The man accused of killing Jakell Mitchell will now face a grand jury for the charge of murder. A preliminary hearing for Markale Hart was held in a Lee County courtroom Tuesday, Jan. 13.

Milken Institute names Auburn-Opelika one of the country's best performing small cities

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 18

The Milken Institute has named the Auburn-Opelika metropolitan area as the nation's 10th best performing small city in its 2015 Best-Performing Cities report. Auburn-Opelika once again claims its top ten spot after another year of growth, according to the Milken report.

Budget cuts could affect drivers' license offices across the state

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

The state of Alabama is facing a severe budget deficit of $200 million dollars.

Family Fun Day coming to Kreher Preserve

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Summer is quickly coming to a close, and with autumn brimming on the horizon, students and local families will searching for more outdoor activities to occupy the cooler fall afternoons. On Saturday, Sept.

Auburn Fire Division honors lives lost in 9/11 terrorist attacks

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

The Auburn Fire Division held its annual 9/11 memorial service on the lawn of Fire Station #1 on East Magnolia Ave at 8:00 a.m. Dozens of fire fighters, city officials, media, and citizens were in attendance.

Legislators face difficulty and disagreement in attempts to balance the state budget

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Legislators face difficulty and disagreement in attempts to balance the state budget.

Legislator's proposal reignites minimum wage debate

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

A bill proposed in September's special session of the Alabama House of Representative would ban local minimum wages.

Auburn Planning Commission discusses implementation of Downtown Master Plan

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Auburn's city planning commission met Tuesday afternoon to discuss the implementation of the city's newly approved downtown master plan.

I Run 4 organization builds important friendships

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Jane Farr visited her friend Kerstin Soell in Oklahoma for the first time on Sept. 26, 2015 when she ran with her in the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma’s annual 5k race.

Judge refuses motions in Hubbard corruption pretrial hearings

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob Walker refused to rule on motions to quash several subpoenas in Speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics trial during a hearing on Tuesday morning, Oct.

Mayor defends city council during confrontational meeting

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Mayor Bill Ham set out to defend the Auburn City Council and its members at Tuesday night’s city council meeting, during which the council members faced an onslaught of concerned citizens.

Speaker Mike Hubbard's defense team works to prove prosecutorial misconduct in pretrial hearings

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Former Assistant Attorney General Sonny Reagan finished his testimony in Tuesday's hearing in Speaker Mike Hubbard's corruption trial.

Barbara Dooley to speak at Women's Philanthropy Board Fall Luncheon

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Auburn alumna, author and radio personality Barbara Dooley will be the headline speaker at the Women's Philanthropy Board Fall Luncheon. The fall luncheon will be hosted at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center on Nov. 13, 2015.

Leading Alabama political columnist and historian visits Auburn and Opelika

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Political columnist and former state representative Steve Flowers visited Auburn and Opelika Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015.

CENTCOM Commander says he feels 'pretty good' about the likelihood that 'Jihadi John' is dead at middle east discussion

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Jihadi John is just one of the many heads of the ISIS hydra.

Citizens concerned with Auburn's growth can now track all active construction permits

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Auburn citizens concerned about the city's rate of growth will now have the opportunity to track all issued building permits on the city's new interactive construction permit map. The new interactive map, which is available on the city’s website, displays a red pin on every active construction permit in the city of Auburn.

Presidential candidates set to visit Alabama

By Chip Brownlee | Community Reporter | December 16

Southern states joined together and passed legislation last year to move their primaries to March 1, a date now being dubbed the "SEC Primary."