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10th-Annual Mayors Ball to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs

By Kendyl Hollingsworth | Community Writer | April 27

The 10th annual Mayors “Jeans & Jackets” Ball, which benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, will be held at the Event Center Downtown Opelika on April 30, at 6:30 p.m. The event will be hosted by Auburn Mayor Bill Ham and Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.

Rain doesn't deter residents from coming to 15th annual Auburn CityFest

By Jordan Hays | Copy Editor | April 25

The concept for CityFest originated on a restaurant napkin in 2000, when two Parks and Recreation employees decided over lunch to put together an arts and crafts festival. It began small, like many festivals, but, now, the festival has 10,000-15,000 patrons who attend each year, according to Custer.

UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm watch for Lee County canceled

By Staff Report | April 25

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Lee County until 10 p.m.

Vice president of Student Affairs writes letter to community about Auburn Airwaves

April 24

Bobby Woodard, vice president of Student Affairs and associate provost, wrote a letter to the Auburn community published Friday, April 24, in the Opelika-Auburn News in response to Auburn residents complaints about the Auburn Airwaves concert.

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.