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Historic Pebble Hill under renovation

By Kendyl Hollingsworth | Community Writer | April 21

Auburn’s historic Scott-Yarbrough House, also known as Pebble Hill, is undergoing renovations to better serve the community.

Crime reports from April 13-19

By Staff Report | April 21

Weekly crime reports released by the Auburn Police Division.

“The Bottle” to receive historic marker dedication

By Kendyl Hollingsworth | Community Writer | April 21

The site of an iconic Auburn structure, The Bottle, will receive a historic marker dedication from the Auburn Heritage Association to celebrate its status as a piece of Auburn history. The event will take place at The Bottle’s original location at the corner of North College Street and US Highway 280 on Saturday, April 25, at 2:30 p.m. The Bottle was originally built in 1924 by John Williams of the Nehi Bottling Company in Opelika, according to AHA’s spring 2015 newsletter.

UPDATE: Tornado watch issued for Lee County canceled, more severe weather expected

By Staff Report | April 19

The watch area also includes eastern Alabama, southwest and central Georgia and parts of the Florida Panhandle.

Desmonte Leonard denied new trial

By Staff Report | April 17

Desmonte Leonard's request for a new trial has been denied by Jacob Walker, Lee County circuit court judge, according to an AL.com article. Leonard was accused of fatally shooting three people, including two former Auburn University football players in 2012, and was convicted of capital murder in October 2014.

Updyke not present at hearing about restitution

By Staff Report | April 17

Harvey Updyke had a hearing today, April 17, to review his compliance with his restitution payment.  According to The Opelika-Auburn News, Updyke is making regular payments of $350 per quarter and performing community service.  Updyke was not at today's hearing because of medical issues, according to the O-A News.

Mike Hubbard's attorneys seek to prove prosecutorial misconduct

April 15

Lee County Circuit Judge Jacob A. Walker told Hubbard’s attorneys to file a discovery motion for evidence from the attorney general’s office and did not immediately rule on prosecutor’s motion to squash subpoenas issued by the defense during an evidentiary hearing at the Lee County Justice Center on Wednesday, April 15.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist delivers lecture on coverage of civil rights

By Kendyl Hollingsworth | Community Writer | April 15

A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist discussed the coverage of racial struggles during the Civil Rights Era to a packed auditorium at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art on Wednesday, April 15. Hank Kilbanoff, this year’s speaker for the 18th annual Neil O.

Event raises money and awareness for domestic violence

By Kailey Miller | Community Reporter | April 15

While Auburn can be a happy home for most of the community, there are some citizens who cannot feel safe in their own homes.

AU Singers perform at Kreher Preserve and Nature Center

By Kendyl Hollingsworth | Community Writer | April 15

The AU Singers sang and danced the afternoon away before a crowd at the Music in the Forest event at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center on Saturday, April 11. The Music in the Forest benefit concert, which is now in its second year, is a collaboration between KPNC and Auburn University’s Music Department, according to Jennifer Lolley, outreach administrator for KPNC.

Auburn CityFest to celebrate its 15th year

By Pierce Ostwalt | Community Writer | April 15

This year’s Auburn CityFest will be held Saturday, April 25, from 9a.m.-4p.m. at Kiesel Park. CityFest is going on its 15th year as Auburn’s largest free outdoor festival.

The trend that is “popping” up everywhere

By Rachael Taylor | News Editor | April 14

It was frozen yogurt, the cupcake and now it is the ice pop. Throughout the past few years, ice pop shops have been popping up, with many people racing to get the chilly treat. These aren’t the ice pops you grew up with; many ice pop shops sell ice pops that contain all natural, or sometimes even local ingredients. Two of the well-known ice pop shops of the Southeast are actually located in Auburn and Opelika, and they are Steel City Pops and the Pop Factory at the Overall Company.

Vote set for new high school

April 13

A municipal election that will decide if bonds will be issued to build a new high school will take place on April 28. If the voters approve the $78.39 million bond issue, the debt will be repaid using Auburn’s 5-mill fund, which has existed since the 1940’s, according to a city press release.

Local teen chases her dream, releases first album titled ‘Colorful’

By Kendyl Hollingsworth | Community Writer | April 10

One Opelika teen has recently taken her dream of becoming a professional musician to the next level with the release of her first original album, “Colorful.” Abby Miracle, 16, plays ukulele and guitar and has been singing and writing her own songs since she was in elementary school. Abby said she plans to release an EP record this fall and “write songs until I run out of ideas, then write about other people’s stories.” “She did her very first solo in church, and when she was in the kindergarten choir, she was hand-selected by the minister of music to sing with the adult choir at Christmas time,” said Carol Ann Miracle, Abby’s mother. Abby was 6 years old when she first sang at First Baptist Church. “I sang ‘Happy Birthday, Jesus’ in front of, like, a thousand people,” Abby said. Carol Ann said she has noticed a richer tone in her daughter’s voice every year, as well as more security in her performances. “She’s just grown to the point where she knows this is what she’s meant to do forever in some capacity,” Carol Ann said.

Auburn man killed in early morning car wreck

By Staff Report | April 10

Laderrein Q. Matthews died from blunt force injuries when his 1997 Ford Mustang struck a tree near the intersection of Foster and Clark Avenues at approximately 3:15 a.m., according to the Auburn Police Division.

UPDATE: Supper Club employees determined to save it from closing

By Kailey Miller | Community Reporter | April 9

John Brandt, owner of the War Eagle Supper Club, said they are closing because the landlord is not going to renew their lease.

Change coming to Chewacla, rise in entrance rates and other fees

By Pierce Ostwalt | Community Writer | April 9

Several changes will be coming to Chewacla State Park, and some have already been put in place. The first change that is already in place is an increase of the entrance fee by one dollar, now making the fee $4 per patron.

Annual Citizen Survey reveals high satisfaction

April 8

City leaders were able to find out how the citizens of Auburn feel about the way the city is run after getting the results of the Annual Citizen Survey. Chris Tatham, Vice President with the ETC Institute, a market research firm for local governments, presented the survey results at the Auburn City Council meeting on April 7. Auburn ranks among the highest in citizen satisfaction from the more than 800 cities where ETC conducts surveys, according to Tatham. “The nice thing when I get to come present here is Auburn is one of the standard setters for community performance,” Tatham said. Ninety-two percent of survey respondents said they were satisfied with the quality of life in Auburn.