Community

Chicken Salad Chick co-founder's legacy goes beyond the restaurant

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | December 15

Kevin Brown wanted to use the success of his business, Chicken Salad Chick, to help others. Brown was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in November 2013, just a few years after he co-founded Chicken Salad Chick with his wife, Stacy Brown.

Renew Opelika Road continues

By Anne Dawson | Community Reporter | December 14

In order to make areas of Auburn more pedestrian-friendly and appealing to investors, Renew Opelika Road has begun taking place.

Former University employee refuses settlement in racial discrimination suit

By Jim Little | Editor-in-Chief | December 12

Dorothy McCurdy filed a lawsuit in March 2014 alleging she received lower pay, was denied resources to do her job and wasn’t promoted because she is a black woman who reported to white men, according to court documents.

Christmas in a Railroad Town to be held in downtown Opelika

By Lily Jackson | Intrigue Writer | December 11

The most wonderful time of the year is here. Spend a festive evening in downtown Opelika with friends and family for the 21st annual Christmas in a Railroad Town Friday, Dec. 11 from 6-9 p.m.

Gingerbread village unveiling at The Auburn Hotel on Thursday

By Liz Maddux | Community Writer | December 10

Two hundred and fifty pounds of gingerbread, one hundred pounds of royal icing and seventy-five pounds of candy make up the gingerbread village being unveiled at The Auburn University Hotel and Conference Center Thursday night.

Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour began Wednesday

By Liz Maddux | Community Writer | December 10

On North 8th Street in historic Opelika, two giant silver bells mark the entrance of one of Opelika’s oldest Christmas traditions, the Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute donates clothing to veterans

By Christopher Jurkiewicz | Community Writer | December 9

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) of Auburn University joined the Martha Wayles Jefferson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) of Opelika to collect clothing for veterans at the Veterans Administration Facility in Tuskegee.

A look at some weird laws of Alabama

By Liz Maddux | Community Writer | December 8

Laws are established to keep order and govern behavior, but sometimes they can be outdated. Alabama has some rather odd outdated laws like that it is illegal to sell peanuts in Lee County after sundown on Wednesday.

Auburn police arrest man charged with robbing two people at gunpoint

By Staff Report | December 8

Tacoya Cobb, 27, was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and second-degree assault, police said in a press release on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

Public hearing on apartment moratorium draws large turnout

By Jim Little | Community Reporter | December 6

A public hearing on a possible moratorium on the construction of apartments drew a large crowd to the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Monday night, Nov. 17.

20th Annual Cookie Walk to benefit Habitat for Humanity

By Liz Maddux | Community Writer | December 5

The smell of vanilla, chocolate and peppermint filled the air at Grace United Methodist Church as numerous people packed their crisp white boxes full of cookies by the dozens. This year marked the annual Cookie Walk’s 20th year.

Dean Road Elementary teacher wins outstanding teacher award

By Anne Dawson | Community Reporter | December 5

Tonya Nolen, Title I teacher at Dean Road Elementary School, recently received an award from the Alabama Reading Association honoring her as an outstanding reading teacher. Nolen helps students grades kindergarten through second grade improve their reading skills with 30 minute group sessions.

City of Auburn and Auburn City Schools earn high rankings

By Anne Dawson | Community Reporter | December 5

The City of Auburn and Auburn City Schools have both recently been ranked in two different listings.

Auburn football player’s death still making an impact one year later

By Maria McIlwain | Community Editor | December 4

Mario Mitchell has been living a "nightmare" since Dec. 14, 2014. That is when his son, Jakell Mitchell, freshman football player at Auburn University, was shot and killed at Tiger Lodge.

Equifax facility to open in Auburn

By Alex Wilkerson | Community Writer | December 3

Equifax is a consumer credit report agency that first opened it’s doors in Atlanta in 1899. The company has 40 locations and employs 3,000 people. Soon they will open their 41st location in Auburn.

City Council discusses tax abatements on Technology Park North

By Anne Dawson | Community Reporter | December 2

The City Council discussed tax abatements to be extended and amended on Auburn Technology Park North. According to City Manager Charlie Duggan, the plant which is made up of businesses and factories is investing $20,000,000 in an expansion of the plant.

Local politicians tour roads and bridges in Lee and Chambers counties

By Christopher Jurkiewicz | Community Writer | December 2

Many of Alabama's roads and highways do not receive the necessary maintenance or improvement in relation to the increasing amount of traffic they sustain. "DRIVE Alabama is a coalition of community leaders, elected officials, and everyday citizens who are committed to developing a transportation and infrastructure vision that will meet Alabama’s 21st century mobility needs," according to their website. "The coalition was the brainchild of Alabama’s 67 county engineers who recognized the urgent need to educate the public about the current state of Alabama’s county roads and bridges." The purpose of DRIVE Alabama is to raise awareness of the infrastructure of Alabama, and hopefully generate the funds to improve roads, which impacts the quality of life in Alabama. The Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (ATRIP) was introduced by Gov.