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Opelika Police receives award for work on found-girl case

By Fielder Hagan | Community Writer | November 16

Not much is known about the girl other than her estimated age and race, but detectives at the Opelika Police Department have worked each day since her discovery to shed light on the situation.

Healthcare to hit the road in Opelika with renovated clinic bus

By Charlie Ramo | Community Writer | November 15

The City of Opelika has partnered with East Alabama Medical Center and Auburn University to provide health care to underserved parts of the Opelika community.  The city is providing a bus and retrofitting it to serve as a medical resource. EAMC will provide medical services from the bus.

Judge signs gag order in ongoing missing-teen search

By Elizabeth Hurley | Community Editor | November 15

Following his arrest, Lee County District Judge Russell Bush issued a gag order with the case. He instructed all those involved in the case not to speak about it to members of the media, said Auburn Police Capt. Lorenza Dorsey. 

Ward meetings intend to help communities

By Sydney Sims | Community Writer | November 15

Council members conduct those meetings at their own discretion. Ward 2 Council Member Kelley Griswold holds monthly meetings to create an arena for conversation.

Missing Auburn international student found dead

By Eduardo Medina | Editor-in-chief | November 15

Police said the dead body found in a shed on Sunday was Chih-Kai Lai, a 22-year-old Asian student who was enrolled at Auburn University and reported missing in August.

AU students worry in wake of Aniah Blanchard case

By Eduardo Medina | Editor-in-chief and Trice Brown | Campus Editor | November 14

“I know that Auburn is a safe place, and I believe that I could protect myself, and I make conscious decisions to protect myself,” said Anna Ickes, senior in elementary education. “I personally don’t feel unsafe, but I do feel a little worried … and I know other people are worried.”

Residents and professionals question housing market

By Sam Lankford | Copy Editor | November 14

Auburn City Manager Jim Buston said he believes the market is not yet facing issues of overdevelopment. The student housing market, he said, is either at or approaching saturation, meaning the construction of additional bedrooms could be excessive.

City plans to move forward in addressing student housing

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | November 13

The meeting, held in the City’s public meeting room on Tichenor Ave., was adjourned after a short period of group discussion amongst the five members in attendance. Six members were absent.

Council postpones vote on private dormitory

By Cory Blackmon | Community Reporter | November 11

The Auburn City Council postponed a vote to Dec. 3, on a resolution for conditional use approval to construct a private dormitory on Armstrong Street. 

Marine officer shares appreciation for fellow service members at annual Veteran's Day Ceremony

By Cory Blackmon | Community Reporter | November 11

While officiating the ceremony, Anders said he wanted to continue the tradition of recognizing and thanking veterans who have served the country and who live in the community. 

Man found dead in shed, foul play not suspected

By Eduardo Medina | Editor-in-chief | November 10

A deceased body was found Sunday afternoon in a shed behind a residence, according to Lee County Coroner Bill Harris.

Driving laws aim to protect first responders, reduce congestion

By Charlie Ramo | Community Writer | November 10

The Move Over Act is an existing law requiring motorists to move over a lane for stopped emergency vehicles. If not possible, drivers must slow down 15 miles-per-hour below the speed limit while passing. The revision to the law increases penalty costs and adds to the list of vehicles that drivers should move over for while on the road.

Possible enrollment cap, more housing expected: Is Auburn at capacity?

By Evan Mealins | Editor-in-chief | November 10

Reasons for limiting the amount of students in the future are many, but Jay Mittal, director of the graduate community planning program at Auburn University, asserted an obvious fact — “We cannot have limitless growth.”

Suspect in Aniah Blanchard case arrested in Florida

By Eduardo Medina | Editor-in-chief | November 8

The suspect wanted in the missing person case of Aniah Blanchard was arrested in Florida on Friday.

Aniah Blanchard update: Police identify person of interest, issue warrant for arrest

By Eduardo Medina | Editor-in-chief | November 7

Ibraheem Yazeed, 30, from Montgomery, Alabama, has been identified as the person of interest in the Aniah Blanchard case, according to police. 

Update: Police identify a person of interest in Aniah Blanchard case

By Eduardo Medina | Editor-in-chief | November 6

The Auburn Police Division is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a person of interest in the Aniah Blanchard case.

Public asked not to share search locations in search for missing Auburn teen

By Elizabeth Hurley | Community Editor | November 6

Texas Equusearch is asking volunteers and community members that know the search area locations in the search for Anaih Blanchard to not publish those on social media. 

Business park to bring companies to Opelika

By Sydney Sims | Community Writer | November 5

A new business park is coming to Opelika in a qualified opportunity zone. The Hi Pack Business Park, which will feature 10 buildings varying from 7,000 to 45,000-square feet in size, offers potential tax advantages and savings to companies locating to the park.