Community

City schools seek face-to-face fall amid higher enrollment

By Tim Nail | Community Editor | August 19

Auburn City Schools and Opelika City Schools began their fall semesters with increased enrollment over the previous 2020-21 academic year, and they hope to maintain safe in-person instruction for students through continued COVID-19 policies.

Public Hearing: Residents voice support for mask mandate in City Council meeting

By My Ly | Podcast Editor and Caroline Craig | Community Reporter | August 19

At the most recent City Council meeting, parents of students in Auburn City Schools came out to support its mask mandate, saying those who were protesting it were in the minority. Community reporter Caroline Craig explains what these parents had to say.

Auburn Area Community Theatre to kick off season with 'End Days'

By Ansley Franco | Community Writer | August 18

AACT will begin its fall production season with 'End Days,' a dark comedy, to be performed at the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center from Aug. 19-22.

Residents voice support for mask mandate in City Council meeting

By Caroline Craig | Community Reporter | August 18

Residents voiced their concerns during the Citizen’s Open Forum after other residents spoke out against the mandate in a previous meeting.

EAMC reports only two ICU beds left in Alabama

By Charlie Ramo | Content Editor | August 17

More children ages 18 and younger tested positive over the last three weeks than in the prior 24 weeks combined.

Suite 1111: The Other Side of the Tracks

By Collins Keith | Podcast Writer | August 16

Over the last thirty years, Opelika has transformed itself into a thriving community for small businesses and the arts. Collins Keith spoke with Richard Patton and David Bizilia on Opelika's transformation.

Auburn grows by over 40% in ten years, census data shows

By Trice Brown | Multimedia Editor | August 14

The City of Auburn saw a 42.6% increase in its population since census data was last collected, from 53,380 people to 76,143 people, making it the seventh largest city in Alabama.

Police charge Auburn man with murder, seek second suspect in Thursday shooting

By Tim Nail | Community Editor | August 13

Auburn police arrested Jakavian Keon Brooks, 19, on Friday and are seeking Khalif Da'Quan Kellum, 22, in connection with the shooting death of Ca'Darius Deshun Whatley.

Police investigate fatal possible shooting in south Auburn

By Tim Nail | Community Editor | August 12

Auburn police said a 19-year-old male from Auburn died from his injuries after a possible shooting on Thursday evening at The Beacon apartment complex.

Phenix City man sentenced for distribution of child pornography

By Tim Nail | Community Editor | August 11

Richard Ryan Jazek, 37, of Phenix City, has been sentenced to 151 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distribution of child pornography.

East Alabama Health COVID-19 hospitalizations climb to 44

By Tim Nail | Community Editor | August 10

Over 80% of COVID-19 patients in the East Alabama Health system are unvaccinated, with hospitalizations nearly doubling in the past six days.

Hanwha Cimarron to build manufacturing plant in Opelika

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | August 4

Hanwha Cimarron, a developer of carbon fiber tanks and pressure vessels, will open its new manufacturing facility in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park, the City of Opelika announced Tuesday.

Parents, students protest ACS' mask requirement at City Council meeting

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | August 4

Concerned parents and students showed up to the Auburn City Council meeting Tuesday night to speak out against the Auburn City Board of Education’s decision to require masks when school starts.

$120 million data center coming to Auburn

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | August 3

A local business is planning to open a $120 million data center in the City that will improve access to high-speed internet in the area.

Patrons raise $11,000 for Coffee Cat after federal grant rescinded

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | August 1

The community rallied around Coffee Cat, the coffee shop on Tichenor Avenue in Auburn, after a GoFundMe post was made explaining the cafe's experience with the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

Local church puts musicians back on stage with outdoor music series

By Jacob Taylor | Writer | July 30

Saint Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located on East Magnolia Avenue, has hosted a music series this summer every Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. with the goal of supporting artists and giving the Auburn-Opelika community good music.

Opelika City Schools to require masks when fall classes start

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | July 27

Opelika City Schools will require that masks or face coverings be worn inside its eight schools when students return for fall classes, the school district announced Tuesday.

City of Auburn welcomes new planning director

By Charlie Ramo | Content Editor | July 27

Steve Foote gained 30 years of experience in cities such as Spring Hill, Tennessee, Dunwoody, Georgia and Gulf Shores, Alabama before joining the City of Auburn.

EAMC tightens visitation rules as COVID-19 hospitalizations climb

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | July 26

Starting Monday, EAMC and EAMC-Lanier have returned to "red level" guidelines to protect patients, staff and the community, allowing one visitor in some situations and no visitors in others.

Shots fired in police standoff leaving suspect in hospital

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | July 26

Family members were extracted from a second story window during a police standoff Sunday night in which a suspect and police officers exchanged fire, leading the suspect to be hospitalized.