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St. Matthew Baptist Church destroyed in early morning fire

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | July 27

St. Matthew Baptist Church caught fire Monday morning, July 27, and according to John Lankford, chief of the Auburn Fire department, the church was a total loss.  Lankford said the department received the call at 7:30 a.m.

New hotel coming to South College Street

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | July 25

People visiting Auburn will soon have a new place to stay. A TownePlace Suites by Marriott, which is designed for people staying for long periods of time, is being built on South College Street near the South Donahue Drive intersection. Art Bright, project manager, said construction started approximately one month ago.

New online renewal system implemented for driver's licenses

By Staff Report | July 24

Several driver's license system improvements were announced Thursday, July 23.  Those who already have an Alabama license can now renew their license or order a duplicate license online.

Downtown road closures for July 24

By Staff Report | July 23

East Magnolia Avenue between Gay and College streets, and North College Street between Tichenor and Magnolia avenues will be closed Friday, July 24, for pavement milling.  Downtown parking will remain free and the parking deck will still be open during this closure.

PGA TOUR provides positive economic impact

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor and Evan McCullers | Sports Reporter | July 23

The Barbasol Championship at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National in Opelika brought many people to the Plains, despite scorching heat.

Wayne Flynt speaks about his friend, 'Go Set a Watchman' author Harper Lee

By Rachael Taylor | News Writer | July 22

On June 20, Wayne Flynt, professor emeritus at Auburn and good friend of “To Kill a Mockingbird” author Harper Lee spoke at the Auburn Public Library.

Auburn Jiu Jitsu holds grand opening

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | July 22

Auburn Jiu Jitsu located on Glenn Avenue held its grand opening Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Krispy Kreme coming to Auburn

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | July 22

Auburn students and residents don't have to drive to Columbus, Georgia, or Montgomery for Krispy Kreme anymore.  The City Council approved a commercial development agreement so the owners of Auburn Mall can redevelop the former Sears building and front corner of the mall.  The Krispy Kreme will be at the front corner of the mall.  Phillip Dunlap, economic development director for the city of Auburn, said there has been a lot of positive buzz surrounding the doughnut shop. "All you have to do is read Facebook, everybody seems to be excited about it," Dunlap said.

New pub coming to downtown Auburn

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | July 22

There's going to be a new kid on the block. David Esposito, currently owner of Pizza Schmizza, is opening Drafthouse, a pub featuring more than 40 beers on tap, as well as burgers, fries, sandwiches and oysters.

Incident reports from July 14-20

By Staff Report | July 21

The following incidents were reported to the Auburn Police Division from July 14-20: July 14: Third-degree domestic violence was reported in Auburn. Third-degree burglary was reported at the 200 block of Martin Avenue.Criminal littering was reported in Heath Road. Third-degree criminal mischief was reported at the 300 block of Jason Court. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 2500 block of Hilton Garden Drive. Harassment was reported at the 500 block of South Gay Street. Second-degree forgery was reported at the 2400 block of Moores Mill Road. July 15: Harassing communications was reported at the 300 block of Talbert Drive. Identity theft was reported at the 200 block of Chinaberry Court. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 200 block of Cook Street. Third-degree domestic violence was reported in Auburn. Harassment was reported at the 900 block of North Donahue Drive. Second-degree criminal mischief was reported at the 700 block of West Magnolia Avenue. Second-degree possession of a forged instrument was reported at the 2300 block of East University Drive. Leaving the scene of an accident was reported at the 1700 block of South College Street. Theft from yards was reported at the 400 block of Webster Road. Fleeing/attempting to elude an officer was reported at the 1800 block of Sandhill Road. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 100 block of East Glenn Avenue. July 16: Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 600 block of Bedell Avenue. third-degree theft of property was reported at the 500 block of Webster Road. Domestic violence was reported in Auburn. Second-degree theft of lost property was reported at the 100 block of West Magnolia Avenue. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 300 block of South Donahue Drive. City ordinance violation, work times, was reported at the 300 block of North Dean Road. Harassing communications was reported at the 300 block of Martin Avenue. Third-degree domestic violence was reported in Auburn. Leaving the scene of an accident was reported at the 100 block of Roosevelt Drive. Second-degree theft of property was reported at the 1300 block of Commerce Drive. Harassment/intimidation was reported at the 1300 block of Commerce Drive. Second-degree possession of a forged instrument was reported at the 800 block of East Glenn Avenue. July 17: Reckless endangerment was reported on Opelika Road at Old Stage Road. Fleeing/attempting to elude an officer was reported on Opelika Road at Old Stage Road. Second-degree possession of marijuana was reported in Auburn. Possession of a controlled substance was reported in Auburn. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 100 block of Lee Drive. Theft of property was reported at the 1300 block of Commerce Drive. Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle was reported at the 1000 block of Holmes Avenue. Third-degree criminal mischief was reported at the 400 block of Opelika Road. Burglary from a  residence with force was reported at the1400 block of Richland Road. Possessing a forged instrument was reported at the 800 block of East Glenn Avenue. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 400 block of Webster Road. Third-degree criminal mischief was reported at the 400 block of Webster Road. Harassment, family, was reported at the 1700 block of Opelika Road. Possession of a concealed weapon without a permit was reported on Wright Street. July 18: Third-degree assault was reported at the 100 block of Thomas Street. Identity theft was reported at the 1300 block of Ferndale Drive. Harassing communications was reported at the 2400 block of Lee Road 56. Third-degree theft of lost property was reported at the 100 block of East Magnolia Avenue. Duty upon striking an unoccupied vehicle was reported at the 3200 block of South College Street. Third-degree criminal mischief was reported at the 4800 block of Highway 147 North. Third-degree domestic violence was reported in Auburn. Theft from a residence was reported at the 200 block of Wire Road. Duty upon striking an unoccupied vehicle was reported at the 1200 block of North Dean Road. Fraudulent use of a credit or debit card was reported at the 1300 block of Gatewood Drive. Leaving the scene of an accident was reported at the 2000 block of East University Drive. Third-degree domestic violence was reported in Auburn. July 19: Criminal mischief, damage to private property was reported at the 200 block of West Magnolia Avenue. Third-degree domestic violence was reported in Auburn. Harassment, simple assault, was reported at the 2000 block of South College Street. Third-degree assault was reported at the 500 block of West Glenn Avenue. Aggravated assault, menacing with a gun was reported at the 500 block of West Glenn Avenue. Third-degree burglary was reported at the 1600 block of Lee Road 12. Burglary from a residence with force was reported at the 1900 block of Overlook Court. Theft from a residence was reported at the 1900 block of Overlook Court. Harassment/intimidation was reported on Interstate 85 Northbound. July 20: Possessing a forged instrument was reported at the 500 block of Lee Road 53. Burglary from a residence with force was reported at the 900 block of Pleasant Avenue. Auto breaking and entering was reported at the 2000 block of Watercrest Drive. Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle was reported at the 2200 block of Brenton Lane. Illegal possession/use of a creditor debit card was reported at the 700 block of East Glenn Avenue. Third-degree burglary was reported at the 900 block of Falconer Drive. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 1800 block of West Longleaf Drive. Unlawful breaking and entering a vehicle was reported at the 900 block of Opelika Road. Third-degree criminal mischief was reported at the 900 block of Opelika Road. Harassing communications was reported at the 600 block of Byrd Street. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 100 block of West Magnolia Avenue. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 1900 block of Bluff Court.

Verizon to host virtual career fair open to graduates

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | July 21

Verizon will host its first nationwide virtual career fair Thursday, July 23 from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.  Verizon has targeted many colleges, including Auburn, to participate in the fair.

City Council meets for revenue review

By Emily Esleck | Editor-in-Chief | July 21

The Auburn City Council met Monday night, July 20, to discuss the mid-biennium budget adjustment and the revenue review, which is done every four years, according to David Dorton, public affairs director for the city. 

Heat advisory still in effect for Auburn

By Staff Report | July 21

A heat advisory is still in effect for Auburn until Tuesday, July 21, at 10 p.m. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures could range from 94-100 degrees, with the heat index ranging from 105-109 degrees.

Professor emeritus speaks about Harper Lee at Auburn Public Library

By Rachael Taylor | News Writer | July 20

Wayne Flynt, professor emeritus of history at Auburn University and friend of Harper Lee, spoke at the Auburn Public Library on July 20. Lee is the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Go Set a Watchman,” which came out earlier this month. Flynt, talked in depth about “Go Set a Watchman,” including the success of the book.

UPDATE: Time capsule to be buried downtown July 22

By Sommer Henry | Writer | July 20

Auburn Art invites the Auburn community to participate in "Preserve the Present," a time capsule being buried on July 17. Auburn Art is a gift shop in downtown Auburn and it has joined with the City of Auburn for a project like none other done in downtown Auburn.

Wayne Flynt to speak about Harper Lee and the South

By Maria McIlwain | News Editor | July 20

Wayne Flynt, professor emeritus in the department of history, will give his lecture, “An Interdisciplinary Approach to Understanding Alabama: Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman and Small Southern Towns,” at the Auburn Public Library at 749 E.

Alumni create moving company in Auburn

By Sommer Henry | Writer | July 19

Two Auburn graduates started "Move Auburn," while in school, and have Auburn to thank for it. Whit Mitchell and Will Forbes were just sophomores at Auburn when the idea of Move Auburn started to take shape.  Mitchell, a co-owner of Move Auburn, said he recalls noticing all of the sweaty and unhappy dads moving their child in during his freshman year, but it wasn't until his sophomore year that he thought of the idea to do something about it.  "I knew some sorority girls that needed help with moving, and I had some guys that could do it," Mitchell said. "About 30 or 40 parents got in touch with us after that saying that they needed help.

Incident reports from July 7-13

By Staff Report | July 14

The following incident were reported to the Auburn Police Division from July 7-13: July 7: Third-degree domestic violence was reported in Auburn. Second-degree theft of property was reported at the 1900 block of Lee Road 137. Third-degree theft of property was reported at the 400 block of Perry Street.