Community

Winter Storm Enzo: What to expect in the Auburn Opelika area for the rest of the week

By Ally Northridge | News Reporter and Michaela Yielding | News Editor | January 22

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Winter Storm Enzo brought record-breaking snowfall to the Southeast United States, halting operations and closing schools across the region. With the Auburn and Opelika areas covered in snow, numerous road closures and delays have interrupted normal city routines.

Is Trader Joe's coming to Auburn? The high demand for TJ's in the plains

By Ashley Massey | News Writer | January 22

Trader Joe’s is a popular grocery store chain that has taken over the United States with locations spanning across the nation as of January 2025. Out of its 597 locations, Auburn is not one of them. However, there has been a demand for a Trader Joes to open in the Auburn/Opelika area for a while. With multiple petitions and dedicated Facebook pages for an Auburn Trader Joes, the community's desire for the chain is apparent.

Auburn and Opelika residents concerned for homeless population amidst winter storm

By Ally Northridge | News Reporter | January 21

As temperatures drop below freezing, Auburn and Opelika residents grow concerned for locals who must endure long-term exposure to the increasingly cold climate. Established homeless shelters are reaching maximum capacity, as the homeless seek refuge from the cold. While neighboring cities and local non-profits provide resources, neither the Auburn nor Opelika municipalities have officially opened warming centers for both their housed and unhoused community members.

Auburn welcomes four new businesses over the holidays

By Jennifer Santiago | News Writer | January 20

The city of Auburn welcomed four new shops - Aldi, Smalls Sliders, Chipotle and SweetFrog - into its commerce during this year’s holiday season with new bites and brands for the community.

Auburn Police arrest woman for allegedly killing husky puppy

By Rachel Swan | Assistant News Editor and William Speigner | Legal Reporter | January 15

The Auburn Police Department took 18-year-old Taylor Colbert—a student at Southern Union Community College—into custody on Jan. 14 on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals. Charges of aggravated cruelty to animals carry the weight of a Class C Felony in Alabama.

Opelika's Very Merry Stroll & Tree Lighting

Opelika Public Library hosts A Very Merry Stroll

By Ali Carriere | News Writer | December 25

The Opelika Public Library held the Merry Stroll Tree Lighting event on Nov. 27, signifying the kickoff of holiday festivities the city of Opelika planned for the rest of the year. Families gathered and conversed, children played while being wowed by the decor and Christmas music filled the air as everyone patiently waited for the lighting ceremony.

Recent Lawsuit Alleges Proposed Chambers County Quarry Would Harm Auburn University Eventing Club

By William Speigner | Legal Reporter | December 12

Several Chambers County farms have filed a lawsuit against two mining companies seeking to develop a quarry near Cusseta. The Auburn University Eventing Club relies on one of these farms and claims the quarry could harm their horses, riders, and the local equestrian community. The suit raises additional environmental concerns including the destruction of a bald eagle habitat.

Lighting up Auburn for the holidays: The 2024 Holiday Lighting Ceremony

By Railey McCord | News Writer and Jennifer Santiago | News Writer | December 1

On Dec. 1, the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony took place on Samford lawn. The ceremony blended Christmas and Hanukkah traditions, bringing the Auburn community together over warm refreshments, holiday-themed crafts and vocal performances. Hosted by the city of Auburn and Auburn University, the event was staffed by Auburn University’s United Program Council (UPC) and Jewish student organization Hillel. The evening concluded with the highly anticipated lighting of the Christmas tree and menorah.

Spillin’ The Tea about downtown Auburn’s newest addition

By Miller Sparks | News Writer | November 22

On Oct. 15th, downtown Auburn welcomed Spillin’ The Tea to N. College Street, making it one of the newest loaded tea stores within walking distance of the Auburn campus. Owner, Nikki Anderson highlighted the importance and appreciation she felt as a business owner in Downtown Auburn.

Football, Fans, and Foot Traffic: How Auburn Football traffic fuels local shops

By Auston Kucholtz | News Writer | November 22

As another Auburn Football season on the Plains begins to finish, game days brought strains to the city’s infrastructure. One such instance was the appearance of long, often slow lines of game day traffic. However, for many of Auburn’s local businesses, this traffic has become surprisingly beneficial, with slower transit and increased foot traffic being surprisingly advantageous for the locals of downtown Auburn.

Bald eagle nest removal sparks outrage, boycott and federal investigation

By Ally Northridge | News Reporter and Ali Carriere | News Writer | November 19

On Friday night, Nov. 15, Columbus, Georgia contractor Hughston Homes removed a bald eagle nest near North College Street, despite a viral petition and community support to save the nest. The bonded bald eagle pair, named Jim and Pam by locals, are now without a home for nesting season, sparking outrage in the Auburn community, as residents and students call for a boycott and city officials request a federal investigation.

Lee County's 2024 Day of Remembrance

By Jennifer Santiago | News Writer | November 19

The Lee County Remembrance Project held the 2024 Day of Remembrance on Nov.17 at the Lee County Courthouse Square in Downtown Opelika. The event commemorated the lives of Black men who lost their lives to racial terror lynching in Lee County, AL. and featured spoken word and musical performances.

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Mayor Ron Anders holds 2024 State of the City Address

Mayor Ron Anders presented his sixth-annual State of the City Address at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on Nov. 12. For the 2024 State of the City Address, Mayor Anders discussed Auburn’s growth and challenges in the past year.

Rocking Through the Fire and Flames: an AubFest V Festival recap

By Jack Fawcett | Sports & News Writer | November 11

Music festival AubFest V rocked local ATV recreation park Boggin’ on The Plains on Nov. 2. Held once a semester, AubFest has rapidly grown into a community that came out in droves to support local talent and each other.

PREVIEW: Live on the Plains

By Jennifer Santiago | News Writer | November 7

The first ever Live on the Plains is coming to the Auburn-Opelika area on Nov. 9, featuring the sounds of Headliner Tyler Childers and smaller country artists. The one-day music festival welcomes all guests ranging from large families to solo music lovers.

Baking up a Business: Stinson Breads

By Railey McCord | News Writer | November 7

For Anna Claire and Matthew Stinson, the owners of Stinson Breads, creating and running a bakery is all about bringing high-quality, European-style bread culture to Opelika in a hospitable environment. Located in historic downtown Opelika, Stinson Breads opened its bakery doors to the public earlier this year in late April.

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