Community members gather at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika to honor cancer survivors and those who died from the disease during Relay For Life on Friday Aubie poses for a photo with a survivor during Relay for Life at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday Members of the Auburn High School JROTC present the colors during Relay for Life at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday Guests stand at attention for the national anthem during Relay for Life at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday Lee County Probate Judge Jere Colley (left) presents a Lee County Commission proclamation recognizing Friday as "Relay for Life Campaign Day" to Jan Carlock (right) at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday Cancer survivors stand to be recognized during Relay for Life at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday A medal hangs around the neck of a cancer survivor during Relay for Life at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday Cancer survivors line up to begin the "Survivors' Walk" during Relay for Life at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday Cancer survivors carry a banner through the halls of Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika for the "Survivors' Walk" during Relay for Life on Friday Cancer survivors carry a banner through the gymnasium of Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika for the "Survivors' Walk" during Relay for Life on Friday Dancers from Elite Dance Academy in Phenix City perform for the crowd during Relay for Life at Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika on Friday Luminary bags line the halls of Greater Peace Baptist Church in Opelika to honor those affected by cancer during Relay for Life on Friday Email notifications are only sent once a day Read through the obituaries published today in Opelika-Auburn News Goodwill Southern Rivers held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 20,000-square-foot retail store and donation center on College Street in Aub… The Auburn Public Library hosted guests for fun and a costume contest at its Star Wars Imperial Gala on Thursday Do you see anyone you know at Saturday's Auburn City Fest Hundreds flocked to Kiesel Park Saturday for a day of fun and excitement A sinkhole continues to expand under a house on Mimosa Road in Lee County on Thursday Dozens of community members gather at the Museum of East Alabama in downtown Opelika for food and a silent auction benefitting the mu… Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person A woman was arrested in connection to an investigation of an inappropriate sexual relationship between a teacher and a student in Opelika The Opelika Police Department said Jill Brisendine Campbell is charged with second degree rape and second degree sodomy Police said the investigation surrounds acts that allegedly occurred around eight years ago The victim reported that the acts happened when they were in 7th and 8th grade and attending Opelika Middle School Police said an investigation revealed evidence that corroborated the victim’s statement The police department said Opelika City Schools is fully cooperating with the investigation and has placed Campbell on administrative leave authorities asked that you contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 Tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App Opelika police need your help finding two people wanted for questioning in a shoplifting case and stole more than $3,600 worth of merchandise The first person is described as a Hispanic male wearing a black T-shirt with “Boss” in white letters He appears to have several tattoos on his forearms The second person is described as a Hispanic female wearing a black dress and jacket with sandals and a light-colored crossbody bag If you have any information regarding this crime call Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP 8 On Your Side i-Team Saving Selma Pay It Forward What the Tech Mugshots A 41-year-old Opelika man was arrested after police say he shot and killed his cousin late Sunday on Samford Place Jamarlo Johnson was charged with murder in the shooting that fatally wounded 38-year-old Opelika man Quintaveious Johnson The victim was pronounced dead at the scene from what "appears to be multiple gunshot wounds," Lee County Coroner Daniel Sexton said His body has been sent to ADFS Montgomery Medical for a postmortem examination Opelika communications received a call at approximately 11:38 p.m Sunday to investigate a shooting in the 1200 block of Samford Place officers found the victim lying in a residence suffering from a fatal gunshot wound OPD Community Relations Administrator Allison Duke said no one else was injured in the shooting No further details were immediately released Anyone with any information regarding this incident has been urged to call the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665 Tips can also be submitted through our Opelika Police Mobile App Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email The witness who saw the attack yelled at Ramos-Perez and the victim before leaving with the suspect according to court documents from the Lee… "Thanks to persistent investigative efforts and a courageous survivor we have secured a conviction that protects the public and provides long… The Phenix City man is facing 10 counts of possession of child pornography and more charges are pending Authorities said she burglarized vehicles parked at West Smiths Station Elementary School in February and April The Opelika Career Center will be hosting a Job Fair Opelika – The Opelika Career Center is hosting a Regional Job Fair Multiple private companies as well as government agencies will be attending The event will be held at the Opelika Public Library The Opelika Public Library is located at 1100 Glenn St Those who wish to learn more about the job fair should contact the Opelika Career Center Members of the media seeking more information should contact Jonathan McNair at jonathan.mcnair@labor.alabama.gov Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities Alabama’s Labor Force Participation Rate Increases to 57.7% Wages Reach New Record High; Employment and Labor Force at Record Highs The Alabaster Career Center is Hosting a “Second Tuesday Job Fair” Equal Opportunity Employer/Program Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech-impaired, or deaf-blind customers may contact Alabama Relay: 800-548-2546 (TTY) and 711 (Voice). Equal opportunity is the law. ACTION 8 UPDATE: The name of the man who was shot in an officer-involved shooting in Opelika has been released Opelika police say at about 9:37PM Saturday night they were called to a domestic dispute in the 1300 block of South Long Street That’s between York Avenue and Fredrick Road Police say the officer encountered 75-year-old Charles Winston of Opelika Police say that led an officer to fire his gun police say the handgun was a full-sized replica of a Beretta 9mm semi-automatic handgun.   Winston was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus Winston was treated and released and was eventually booked into the Lee County Jail The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigations (SBI) was called in to investigate in accordance with department protocol They say all evidence and videos will be turned over to SBI for their investigation If you have any information on this incident please contact the SBI Montgomery Field Office at (334) 676-7870 More than 500 people attended the April 5 protest at the Andrews Federal Building in Opelika according to an unofficial count given by Kristin Hinnant one of the volunteer organizers of the protest.  his administration and South African billionaire Elon Musk while also advocating for things like LGBTQ+ rights Known as the "Hands Off!" movement the Opelika protest is one of many that occurred across the nation on April 5 Those in attendance at the Opelika protest varied across all age groups with infants to older citizens peacefully protesting No violence occurred during the demonstration with less than five community members showing opposition during the protest The protest was organized by Indivisible, a progressive organization founded in 2016 in response to the first election of Trump, alongside 50501 and MoveOn. The groups took on a grassroots approach, with volunteer activists spearheading the planning and execution. The protests were planned nationwide in over 1,200 locations A grassroots movement is a social or political movement led and driven by regular citizens instead of politicians or influential figures Hinnant has lived in the Auburn-Opelika area for more than 10 years Before moving to start a family with her husband and worked as a producer for the Discovery Channel.  More than 250 protestors lined the sidewalk at 9:00 with many holding up signs of what they were there for participants exclaimed the chants of “hands off our rights," proceeded by “love not hate makes America great.” Other chants included the inquiry of the whereabouts of Mike Rogers Representative of Alabama's third congressional district One of Rogers’ offices presides in the Andrews Building.  who has lived in the Auburn-Opelika area for more than 20 years is a Christian Democrat and an Auburn University class of 2000 graduate.  “We can't wait for someone else to get up and do something Look at Montgomery and [the Bloody Sunday civil rights march at Edmund] Pettus Bridge those folks faced death for their rights,” Ziemann said I often say too many people have died in too many places 60 years ago hundreds of Americans in support of civil rights marched 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery to speak with Alabama Gov George Wallace after the murder of 26-year-old civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson The non-violent activists marched to Montgomery in support of the right to vote for Black Americans ending segregation and highlighting the violent racial injustices done to activists like Jackson In the first of three protest marches, around 600 protesters marched out of Selma through U.S. Highway 80 on March 7, 1965. The march remained peaceful until the marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge a bridge in Selma named after the former state senator Confederate general and “Grand Dragon” of the Alabama Ku Klux Klan a wall of state troopers and townspeople blocked the highway beating them with clubs and spraying tear gas into the crowds.  The attack on peaceful civil rights activists by white officers and townspeople ignited widespread shock and discourse after the assaults were televised across the United States Ziemann also felt having the right to protest and not actively standing for what one believes in invalidates the changes made by previous Americans I also know a little bit about disability rights and like those folks were in their wheelchairs and chained themselves and the wheelchairs to each other a 10-year-old girl climbed up the stairs on her hands and knees we can’t dishonor them if we don't do something,” Ziemann said The “Capitol Crawl” was a catalyst for the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act which prevented discrimination against those with disabilities in the areas of public accommodations The law was introduced to Congress in 1988 more than 1,000 people marched from the White House to the U.S Capitol to demand that Congress pass the act approximately 60 demonstrators put aside their crutches wheelchairs and other mobility aids and began making their way up the steps.  The youngest to make her way up was eight-year-old Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins who removed herself from her wheelchair and made her way to the top but it sent a message of empowerment of disabled Americans a protestor who requested their last name not be shared to protect their employment the protest felt like a bigger way to show state representatives how citizens feel under the current administration.  “I'm here because I feel like this is our duty as Americans because I feel that everyone's rights and freedoms are kind of on the table right now tumble hugely this week because of the tariffs And I feel like this is a time for all Americans if we want a government that's by the people and for the people On April 2, 2025, also known as “Liberation Day,” Trump’s announcement of blanket 10% tariffs on all imported goods and additional import taxes placed on 60 other countries stunned U.S causing noticeable dips in people’s 401k investments To those in younger generations who feel it is difficult to navigate through today’s political landscape Lee encouraged them to vet their news sources carefully and to not give up “Don't just sit around and wait on somebody else to pick up the baton and carry it and even though it's easy to feel disenfranchised and that no one's listening “Just keep getting your message out there – it does matter Members of the Lee County Democratic Party including the organization's Chair Jamie Lowe “I'm here because I'm mad like this about 250 other people [here at 9:15 a.m.] I think what we see here today is similar to what we've seen across the country yes Republican parties have won this past election but that doesn't give them rights to undue democracy,” Lowe said I've been chair of this party now for about six years I've been in part leadership for a little longer than that He does not give one grip about his constituents [this protest] is the consequence of being ignored perpetually There are fundamental things that are awry in this country The social safety net in the form of Medicaid Medicare and Social Security are being called into question While Lowe spoke with The Auburn Plainsman “Delete DOGE.” The Department of Government Efficiency is run by acting administrator Amy Gleason and South African billionaire Elon Musk Though Gleason is technically in charge of DOGE Musk acts as the public face of the organization hundreds of jobs at federal agencies like the U.S Department of Education and Social Security Administration have been laid off DOGE's efforts have also left multiple federal grants in research vulnerable unappointed billionaire taking over the entirety of the federal government is just absolute lunacy We've never in American history seen anything remotely close to this,” Lowe said “And so it is time for people to take a stand And these people are energized and ready to do that.” Warren Tidwell is an executive director and a part of the board of directors for the Alabama Center for Rural Organizing and Systemic Solutions, a nonprofit founded in 2023 in the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster in Camp Hill The organization’s purpose expanded to help co-create ​thriving communities with self-sufficiency meaningful labor and strong families.  “We've been affected by the federal fund freeze It's part of the reason I'm here today,” Tidwell said.  a historic hailstorm and the following thunderstorm devastated the Camp Hill community Hail roughly two inches in size pelted the town “We're just trying to help people fix their homes but that doesn't do any good for our seniors who take advantage of the food pantry Hard to insure so we had to find something that would allow us to not only help them recover but to be better off,” Tidwell said.  Hinnant encouraged citizens to call their representatives to voice their concerns “The biggest thing that they can do right now is call their representatives You can use a website like 5 Calls to help figure out who your representatives are “It takes barely any effort to make a phone call People are tracking who is calling and what they want to talk about Opelika Indivisible invited Rogers to a town hall meeting at the Opelika Public Library on April 24 from 6 to 8 p.m Other groups in the area have been doing this — trying to invite him to town halls and he hasn't been to one since 2017 and that was the only one he's held in his over 20 years in this position so I really hope the protest got his attention I hope he recognizes that his constituents want to speak with him and I really hope he shows up to take accountability,” Hinnant said The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees But you can donate to support The Plainsman Michaela Yielding is a senior in journalism currently serving as the news editor She has been with The Auburn Plainsman since fall 2023 AT&T Fiber and Point Broadband duke it out for fiber supremacy in Opelika AT&T offers a top speed of 5,000Mbps in some parts of town The two ISPs are very competitive at the 1,000Mbps level and below Point's pricing structure isn't the most transparent It's tough to beat the bundle bargains from fixed wireless ISPs Verizon and T-Mobile Put home internet together with an eligible phone plan and you can get online for as low as $35 per month with Verizon and $40 per month with T-Mobile (with partnered mobile plans) Point Broadband offers strong introductory deals as low as $59 per month while AT&T's 300Mbps tier comes in at $55 AT&T Fiber narrowly beats Point Broadband for our choice of the best internet provider in Opelika but your decision will come down to several factors If it's 5-gigabit speeds you're looking for has wide coverage across Opelika for its gigabit tier Where Point struggles is with its convoluted pricing Look carefully to find the best balance of speed and price and check the fine print for future price hikes.  Opelika residents looking for fast, reliable internet have several solid options worth considering. CNET recommends AT&T Fiber as the best internet provider in Opelika thanks to its fast speeds straightforward pricing and zero data caps AT&T Fiber offers the fastest internet in Opelika with its 5,000Mbps speed tier Opelika is a pretty typical market for ISP shoppers There are several fiber options with AT&T and Point Broadband and fixed wireless from T-Mobile and Verizon AT&T's slower DSL service also reaches many homes and satellite internet is a potential alternative for more rural locations in the area.  Jamie Morgan/Getty ImagesOpelika broadband at a glance In keeping with Opelika's railroad heritage AT&T's DSL is like an overloaded freight working its way up a steep pass Maybe it'll be timely; maybe it'll be running a little slow Spectrum's cable offering is like regional passenger rail Lower-gig tiers of fiber from AT&T and Point Broadband are like express commuter trains: plenty fast enough for most people Fiber at its speediest (as in AT&T's 5-gig plan) is like a bullet train The average starting price for internet in Opelika is just a hair under $50 per month All Opelika ISPs have at least one plan at around the $50 level AT&T Fiber and Spectrum are on the faster side of that with 300Mbps offerings Point Broadband's $59-per-month introductory deal for 300Mbps service is the next best option for fiber it's hard to beat Verizon's $35 or T-Mobile's $40 special price when you bundle with an eligible phone plan You can pull down faster speeds from Spectrum Point and AT&T Fiber for starting prices between $50 and $65 According to Ookla, of Speedtest.net fame, Opelika's median download speed for fixed internet is about 305Mbps AT&T has some of the slowest and fastest internet speeds in Opelika AT&T Internet's DSL will likely be too slow while AT&T Fiber and its max speeds up to 5,000Mbps will keep your online experience peppy Point Broadband and Spectrum cable both make a case with speeds in the 1,000Mbps range (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET There's one clear champ in the race to provide the fastest internet service to Opelika and that's AT&T Fiber's 5,000Mbps plan at the $255-per-month price That may be overkill for many internet users but big-time gamers and households with multiple heavy internet users can take advantage of that offering Just watch out for limited availability in Opelika and gaming will do just fine at the 1,000Mbps (1 gigabit) level from AT&T Fiber Does AT&T Fiber or Point Broadband service your address If fiber isn't available or you don't have that need for speed chances are good Spectrum has you covered with cable don't sleep on T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet They can be extremely affordable and fast enough for many households in good locations for fixed wireless We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we’re considering every ISP that provides service in an area We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents To evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service we look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.  While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend.  To explore our process in more depth, visit our How We Test ISPs page Point's pricing structure isn't the most transparent It's tough to beat the bundle bargains from fixed wireless ISPs Verizon and T-Mobile while AT&T's 300Mbps tier comes in at $55 If it's 5-gigabit speeds you're looking for Look carefully to find the best balance of speed and price and check the fine print for future price hikes.  Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInLEE COUNTY, Ala. (WSFA) - An Opelika man is dead following a crash on U.S according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was fatally injured minutes before midnight on Friday when his car left the road way Authorities pronounced him dead on the scene The crash happened about seven miles north of Opelika Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store Opelika police have announced that 11 men have been arrested after a two-day child exploitation investigation Police say the operation took place on February 20-21 and involved the Lee County District Attorney’s Office Department of Homeland Security and Covenant Rescue Group.  These are the people arrested on February 20: These are the people arrested on February 21:  Covenant Rescue Group is a nonprofit organization that aims to bring hope and freedom to victims of human trafficking They partner with law  enforcement agencies to provide training and assist in operations — Information from Opelika Police Department Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInOPELIKA, Ala. (WSFA) - A new director is being named to manage Opelika high school’s athletic department Opelika High School has named Craig Montel as the new athletic director Montel is currently the Opelika middle school’s athletic director Montel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Auburn University in 2010 and received his Master of Education degree in instructional leadership from the University of West Alabama in 2022 “I have been invested in OCS for more than 15 years and I have seen firsthand as an employee and a parent how amazing our schools I have always been blown away by how great this community is and I will work every day to continue building on the foundation of what Opelika stands for and give our students and fans the best athletic experience possible,” Montel said He has worked in the Opelika City Schools since 2011 first at Opelika High School as a PE teacher and assistant coach in multiple sports He has been at Opelika Middle School since 2015 “Coach Montel brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to this position,” Opelika High School principal Kelli Fischer stated “I am excited for him to serve in this new role while being able to continue his strong relationships with our students have lived in Opelika for over twenty years Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store Winter Storm Enzo brought record-breaking snowfall to the Southeast United States halting operations and closing schools across the region Southern states from Texas and Louisiana to Florida and Virginia experienced historically low temperatures and snow the National Weather Channel projected about an inch of snowfall in Lee County the Alabama Emergency Management Agency announced Lee County snowfall may have a historic two to six inches The high of Wednesday for the Auburn and Opelika area will be 38 degrees with the expected conditions being relatively sunny throughout the day Chances for further snow is low on Wednesday Icy roads are expected to continue throughout Wednesday the Lee County Alabama Emergency Management Agency has been posting hourly updates on Facebook about impassable roads and closures the agency declared that all Lee County roads are impassable until further notice Those who violate the notice may be subject to citation under Alabama Code Title 32 “Please help by staying off the roads so first responders/public safety personnel can carry out their crucial work,” stated the Lee County Alabama Emergency Management Agency in the Jan “Your cooperation helps us keep everyone safe and ensures that emergency services can respond quickly when needed with driving around the barricades not recommended All bridges in Opelika are currently closed and most roads are deemed impassable as of Wednesday Auburn Public Safety and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office encourage Lee County residents to stay off the roads as emergency services respond to numerous accidents and calls Auburn University and Southern Union State Community College closures Auburn University Campus Safety and Security released a campus-wide announcement that the university would switch to remote operations for Tuesday The email cited light snow accumulation and dangerously low temperatures on- and off-campus as the reason On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Auburn University released a second announcement that remote operations will continue on Wednesday 22 in light of the snow and cold temperatures Both emails state Auburn faculty “maintain full discretion regarding how their course content will be delivered to students during this time.” These options include integrating make-up work into future classes remote instruction and university-designated make-up days According to the official website Southern Union State Community College will also be switching to remote operations on Tuesday Southern Union students are encouraged to check Canvas to receive updates on instruction Auburn University released a third announcement that remote operations will continue on Thursday The university is expecting to return to on-campus operations at 7:45 a.m All Southern Union campuses will delay opening until 11 a.m Other closures and rescheduling in the Auburn Opelika area All Auburn city schools and all Opelika city schools will remain closed on Wednesday 22 and all after school activities are canceled too Both school systems will also be closed on Thursday Both the Auburn and Opelika city councils were canceled on Jan. 21 and rescheduled for Thursday, Jan. 24. Opelika City Council begins at 2:30 p.m. and Auburn City Council begins at 6:00 p.m The city of Opelika plans to evaluate weather conditions on Wednesday morning and will share information regarding pick up if delayed trash and recycling pickup in Auburn will be delayed by an additional day this week according to the city of Auburn Facebook page Wednesday pickup will run on Friday and Thursday pickup will run on Saturday most city facilities are opening on Thursday and all Auburn Parks and Recreation areas at 8 a.m trash and recycling pickup in Auburn will also be delayed by two additional days "Please be patient as our crews work to catch up the weekly schedule as icy conditions continue on some roadways," stated the city of Auburn in the Jan Auburn Athletics announced Tuesday evening that any camping out on Friday in anticipation for ESPN's College GameDay show on Saturday at the Neville Arena will not be permitted the line for the student gate will open at 6:30 a.m and the student gate will open at 7:00 a.m with the arena being cleared out following the show the men's basketball team will face off against Tennessee Those that have lost power and are in need of warming centers in Auburn or the surrounding areas can find them in Auburn Axe Marks the Spot and The Observer -  223 S 8th St Red Wolf School of Martial Arts -  2900 Wyndham Industrial Dr.  Ralph Brown Draughon library - 231 Mell St.   Family Enrichment Center  -  1 Day Lily St The Auburn Plainsman will continue to report on winter storms as developments are made Opelika police say they have arrested a teacher on charges of having a sexual relationship with a student Police say 47-year-old Jill Brisendine Campbell has been arrested on charges of rape in the second degree and sodomy in the second degree they began investigating allegations of an inappropriate sexual relationship that happened approximately eight years ago They say the victim reported that the acts occurred when the child was in 7th and 8th grade and attending Opelika Middle School Police say an investigation revealed evidence that corroborated the victim’s statement Police say Opelika City Schools is fully cooperating with the investigation and has placed Campbell on administrative leave contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220 People browse through various vendors at Garden in the Park.  an art festival hosted annually by Keep Opelika Beautiful This event focuses on promoting homemade goods featuring over 30 homegrown art and food vendors family-friendly activities and musical entertainment.  Keep Opelika Beautiful is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful The organization maintains a clean environment in Opelika recycling and other beautification programs.  Garden in the Park began as a fundraiser for a little red caboose that was originally located at the Train Depot According to executive director Priscilla Blythe KOB continues to fundraise for projects throughout the community with Garden in the Park.  and it's really the only thing in Opelika like this,” Blythe said “It's a great service for the community so that our local artists come and showcase their work and let the community come to see it and buy from them.”  Garden in Park is set to have 30 art vendors but Blythe said in previous years that this number can increase drastically in just a week.  With a focus on homemade and homegrown goods KOB is not planning to have food trucks at Garden in the Park snow balls and vendors selling fresh bread and eggs.  buy and resell online and other things like that It's harder for the artists to sell their own,” Blythe said “We want to provide an opportunity for people that do create and grow and are doing things on [their own] to showcase their talents.” Entertainment will include performances from local musical groups free train rides from the Rocky Brook Rocket face painting and other arts and crafts activities Guests are also encouraged to enter the raffle hosted at Garden in the Park to win fun prizes.  Blythe emphasized that this event is for the whole family but kindly asked guests to leave personal pets at home Stone Martin Builders and ESG for their contributions and is excited for the community to support local artists for another year of Garden in the Park.  “I love seeing the community come together listening to them talk about their craft and creations,” Blythe said “I've always gone home with quite a few things myself.” Jennifer Santiago is a freshman in exploratory studies from Enterprise Santiago has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2024 This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Downtown Opelika will see the establishment of Boxcar Keep reading to learn more about this upcoming establishment Jeff Bennett and Bay Kelley had previously lived in college towns where indie cinemas were present he began talking about how Opelika was in need of its own indie cinema the pair began to host movie nights at The Jailhouse an Opelika event venue behind Rock N’ Roll Pinball Bennett and Kelley began branch out + host other events there such as their weekend “silent film mixtapes.” “[Kelley] got a bunch of musicians from all over and they would perform onstage while the silent film was playing That was a huge success — it was really cool to have them playing live with the movie being in the background three or four of the silent film mixtapes now.” The community’s excitement about these events was what sparked Bennett and Kelley’s idea to create their own venue specifically for movies + these kinds of creative events the project will be coming to life in Downtown Opelika this April “We’re going to be what they call a revival theatre meaning we’re not going to show first-run movies but we can get them on Blu-ray and pay the rights While Boxcar’s presentation of arthouse films is one aspect of the project the cultural hub will have a myriad of other interesting features “We want to invigorate our community We have a wonderful population of minds around us capable We want to work with these folks to provide a steady stream of content to attract artists and creatives We want to be a hub for creative and ambitious projects and people We want to be a surefire good night out for folks looking for ‘something different.'” Included in Boxcar’s building plans are: “I envision a thriving cultural hub where the inspired spirit of storytelling ignites creativity and connection within our community We want to be a beacon of artistic expression and every individual feels empowered to share their journey through the arts and an unwavering commitment to inclusivity we hope to cultivate a vibrant atmosphere that enriches lives and fosters lasting relationships.” Boxcar’s soft opening will be to serve as a stage for the Opelika Songwriters’ Festival which will be held from March 27 to 30 + include over 80 shows across 7 venues Boxcar will be hosting a “no power,” lights off will feature the Buster Keaton silent film “The General,” paired with live accompaniment by local musicians “We also have a local film festival in the works an art-house screening with introductions by directors We are very excited to introduce our calendar; it contains a lot of what we believe in It should come out in the around the beginning of March.” Boxcar will be open on Wednesdays to Sundays Here’s what each night will likely entail: Kelley anticipates its evolution as more patrons get involved + special programs are introduced While finances are at the forefront of Kelley and Bennett’s minds with their nonprofit project They often post shout outs on social media when they need assistance with space design working hands + other needs that present themselves “Get involved and we’ll help find you the best fit to help In times during which it feels like the world is burning we want to enact a series of projects/endeavors that fulfil a sense of purpose Getting folks involved is central to the vision.” Want more like this in your inbox? Subscribe to our free newsletter to keep up with Alabama’s buzziest news All content on this site is Copyright ©  Rushing Waters Media LLC/The Bama Buzz 2020-2025 Privacy Policy Opelika police are investigating an apparent head-on crash that left a juvenile dead and injured several others Police say the wreck happened at about 5:23PM yesterday in the 3500 block of Marvyn Parkway which is south of Interstate 85 off Exit 60/Highway 51 Police say two adults and two juveniles were in the car One of the juveniles was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was flown to Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham for treatment The two adults were taken by ambulance to a hospital in Columbus The driver of the SUV along with a juvenile passenger in that vehicle were taken by personal vehicle for treatment The crash is under investigation by the Opelika Police Traffic Homicide Investigation Unit please contact the Opelika Police Department at (334) 705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665 Tips can be submitted through our Opelika Police Mobile App An immigration detainer has been put on two brothers following a rape investigation in Opelika Police say 20-year-old Artemio Garcia Perez was arrested today by the U.S Customs and Border Protection at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Police say he will be extradited to Lee County where he will be charged with rape in the first degree was arrested for hindering prosecution in the first degree Action 8 News is working to get details on the rape investigation Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInOPELKIA, Ala. (WSFA) - An investigation is underway after the discovery of a high school student in possession of a gun the Opelika Police Department confirmed Friday afternoon identified only as a student of Opelika High School was taken into custody by Opelika Police School Resource Officers around 3 p.m “To ensure the safety of the students and staff additional police officers were present during dismissal There were no injuries reported and there is no danger to other students at this time,” the department added It’s unclear what type of firearm the student had or why they brought it onto campus The police department is asking anyone in the community with information on this investigation to call OPD at (334)705-5200 Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInOPELIKA, Ala. (WSFA) - Opelika police reported that icy conditions caused problems on Interstate 85 Tuesday night into Wednesday morning Police spokeswoman Allison Duke described the interstate in Opelika as a “mess,” saying the trouble started at about 5 a.m Tuesday around exit 60 southbound and goes all the way to mile marker 68 Police said at least 10 18-wheelers either jackknifed or lost traction and slowly pulled off the road Some personal vehicles were also unable to make it through the ice and were abandoned OPD said 18-wheelers remained on the roadway The National Guard arrived around 2:40 a.m with additional wreckers and ALDOT was on the scene with salt trucks Police struggled to clear the area due to all the ice Duke said some of the wreckers trying to clear the roadway ended up getting stuck themselves and police were able to get those people out of the area The roads remained frozen and hazardous Wednesday morning Sign up for the WSFA Newsletter and get the latest local news and breaking alerts in your email An Opelika man has been killed in a pickup truck crash in Lee County Alabama State Troopers say 31-year-old Austin Jordan was driving the truck The wreck happened just before midnight last night on U.S Highway 29 about seven miles north of Opelika discusses the new indoor playground that will be opening in Opelika soon Five local families have joined together to bring something they felt was missing from the Auburn-Opelika Billed as Auburn-Opelika's "premier indoor entertainment center for the whole family," according to its Facebook page, Funtastic will offer families a variety of entertainment options such as soft play areas The new Opelika business is set to open sometime this week just in time for school to wind down and summer to begin Partner Rusty Herring said the idea for Funtastic came after he and four other families saw facilities like it in other cities and wanted to bring the same concept here bowling and trampoline parks and things like that but they're not catered to younger children," Herring said "Really creating something for families with younger children ages two to 12 is the primary age that we're catered towards." Rusty Herring of Opelika poses for a portrait inside Funtastic at Pepperell Corners on Pepperell Parkway in Opelika on Friday are opening a facility that will include 7,500 square-feet over three levels of indoor play equipment that is effectively a giant obstacle course there is a selection of arcade games near the front and a concession stand that will serve snacks Another main feature will be an interactive rock climbing wall this is not a regular rock climbing wall where children will have to strap in The wall will have a projector that will be able to project a variety of different interactive games onto the wall that will react to how children move there is a balloon popping game where kids can climb on the wall to pop balloons projected onto the wall as the game keeps score you do that two or three times and you're kind of like that was fun,'" Herring said of a traditional rock wall "But to be able to create something that is changing and it's just more interactive is something that we felt like is just a better product to bring entertainment to children." Families can purchase one-and-a-half hour passes for Funtastic at in-person check-in or online at playfuntastic.com. For children under four the pass will cost $10 and for children from ages five to 12 There is also one free adult per child and it will cost $5 for each additional adult There are also various party packages available A look at one of the jungle gyms inside Funtastic at Pepperell Corners on Pepperell Parkway in Opelika on Friday While the building itself has fire code safety rules and a set capacity Funtastic will have its own capacity limit Herring said right now the capacity of the entire facility in terms of guests is at 200 which means they may have to turn some people away or tell them to come back when the capacity is expected to be lower "We're not going to overcrowd our facility and create an environment that is not as enjoyable for kids because it's too crowded or stressful for the parents," Herring said So in order to uphold those core values we know that our capacity needs to be not exceeded." Herring said all children are welcome during any of the operational hours at Funtastic but he understands that same may not feel comfortable Herring said Funtastic at peak crowds will be a lot of stimulation that can be uncomfortable for children with sensory needs or living with other mental or physical needs "Some of our partners have children with sensory needs Just being in the community for a long time I've connected with many of those families," Herring said "If it's not an environment that their child feels comfortable then we're going to create time to make sure that those children can participate and enjoy the facility Funtastic will have a sensory friendly hour from 8 a.m every first and third Saturday of each month with a lower capacity and as a result less noise Funtastic will offer a free membership for families to access Funtastic during those hours Creating those hours ties back to the overall mission and goal of Funtastic of filling a void in the community and providing great service at the same time "Really just wanting to make sure we do what we can to accommodate and do the best we can Knowing that in any business that's open to the public but we are going to do the best we can and serve as many people as we can and and take care of them with excellence," Herring said Herring said the response has been overwhelming I think a lot of families with young children have been to similar facilities but they've had to drive a really long way or they went to them when they were out of town," Herring said "So I think people are really excited to have a great One way they plan to meet the need is by having an assigned party host to assist with the planning of parties in any of the four private party rooms at Funtastic Herring said having a place to host parties is a huge relief for many parents and Funtastic will have staff to take some of the burden off the parents by assisting with on various aspects of the parties Herring said the Funtastic staff is a great team and as the opening draws near he is looking forward to serving the community well "I'm really looking forward to the community experiencing not just the facility but also a team that is really going to host people really well," Herring said "We want everyone that comes here...to leave this place thinking that place is a place that really cares about people and what they're doing Funtastic at Pepperell Corners on Pepperell Parkway in Opelika on Friday There is still some work needed at the space on Pepperell Parkway, so Herring could not confirm exactly when Funtastic will open, but he encouraged people to follow the business on social media for updates. Funtastic will be open from Tuesday to Thursday from 10 a.m Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly Opelika police have made an arrest in an assault at a gas station Police say a 39-year-old man was assaulted at the Valero at 823 Crawford Road at around 4:00 this afternoon Police say the man had cuts on the face and neck He was flown to Baptist Medical Center South in Montgomery for treatment 50-year-old Derick Lamont Johnson of Opelika was found in Hickory Haven Trailer Park behind the gas station He has been charged with assault in the first degree Police say the case remains under investigation call police at  (334) 705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665 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 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 Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared a State of Emergency for 39 counties 20 in preparation for freezing temperatures beginning on Tuesday.  "WHEREAS this winter weather event could cause significant damage to public and private property and poses a danger to the health and safety of the people of Alabama including potential disruption of essential utility systems Since the Jan. 10 snowstorm in middle Tennessee and northern Alabama, the Auburn and Opelika communities will endure colder temperatures in the upcoming weeks. This Tuesday, Jan. 21, Auburn has a 60% chance of one to three inches of snow, according to The Weather Channel Auburn and Opelika residents are calling for their local governments to open warming shelters because of dangerously low temperatures neither cities have officially announced any assistance.  towns like Alexander City in nearby counties have opened warming shelters.  For a week, Alexander City offered residents 24-hour access to the Alexander City Municipal Complex as a warming center.  Alexander City is miles outside Auburn city limits and thus not easily accessible to the Auburn and Opelika homeless populations Christian ministry in Opelika, Harvest Evangelism is taking in the homeless community amidst the freezing temperatures the church’s rehabilitation centers His Place and Hosanna Home have taken in eight men and two women respectively.  While His Place and Hosanna Home are closer in distance Harvest Evangelism founder Rick Hagans called for locals who want to help to donate resources like clothing "It’s gonna be cold in Sweet Home Alabama this next week We’ve taken 8 homeless men in at His Place since Christmas and 2 homeless ladies at Hosanna Home Were full," Hagan said on a Facebook post on Jan We gave 3 men cots and let them stay in our laundry room We’re not used to temperatures like that."  Organizations like Harvest Evangelism cannot meet the growing demand for shelter as temperatures drop and Auburn University students return for the spring semester.  the city of Auburn has not announced an official warming shelter but will service those who request resources.  Auburn Community Services director Al Davis says the city has a program to help individuals in a temporary state of homelessness the city provides resources like shelter and food unique to each request.  this grant-funded program provides the unhoused with short-term shelter for at least a few nights The stay can last up to a week if necessary to take care of children.  “It’s always a case-by-case basis on the family,” Davis said “Some individuals just need to get out of the cold for a few days because maybe the heat does not work [...] Some may need a little longer until they can work out a more stable type of housing.”  the city of Auburn partners with local non-profits and churches the city will pay for a few nights of refuge and the partnering organization will pay for a few nights These organizations' names were not released for privacy but most were reportedly faith-based entities the city of Auburn occasionally works with the Alabama Council of Human Relations a private non-profit designed to aid the low-income population These relations help Auburn overcome budget constraints and aid more residents in need Auburn will also connect individuals in need to social service agencies and provide food through the Boykin Food Pantry Residents can request these services at the Boykin Community Center which houses the Community Services Department Instead of opening a shelter for the unhoused the city of Auburn handles homelessness on a case-by-case basis and focuses on proactive measures to prevent it "Our approach has always been preventive," Davis said "One way you keep a lot of families out of the state of homelessness is by being able to address root causes that create that environment in the first place." Funded through the Community Development Block Grant program these proactive measures include utility and rent assistance through the Community Development Block Grant program and housing rehabilitation through the Presbyterian Community Ministry and the Alabama Rural Ministry the city of Opelika has not announced an official warming center but local businesses like entertainment venue Axe Marks the Spot and newspaper publisher The Observer are stepping up to help the community To protect Opelika residents from the cold Axe Marks the Spot and The Observer opened their shared building in downtown Opelika at 223 South 8th St "Part of my mission as owner of The Observer is to serve this community," said Michelle Key has this large space that is heated so the decision was made to open Sunday night as a place where people could come and be warm The Opelika Church donated supplies to assist us in this endeavor." Muay Thai boxing gym Red Wolf School of Martial Arts at 2900 Wyndham Industrial Dr in Opelika is also open as a warming center joining Axe Marks the Spot and The Observer in serving Opelika residents the Family Enrichment Center on 1 Day Lily St 21 for those seeking shelter from the cold For any warming center in Lee County, the Alabama Emergency Management Agency noted that those using the warming centers should bring all needed supplies Auburn University has opened on-campus buildings Ralph Brown Draughon Library and Greene Hall as warming centers all listed warming centers are open and available to those seeking shelter (EETV) -- The Food Bank of East Alabama is set to build a new and improved Community Market in Opelika This project is long overdue as the food bank’s current Community Market on Pepperell Parkway opened in 2003 The Food Bank looks to break ground on the Community Market as soon as March 24 The community has been reassured through the actions of Martha Henk and believe it will make a real difference "Help us make this building a reality It'll have an enormous impact on our community,” Henk said during Monday's Lee County Commission meeting The new Community Market is to be built at 1600 First Avenue it will be more than three times as large as the current Market a fundraising effort to raise $3.8 million for the project began "We're going to create a community center and it's going to be colorful and warm and welcoming,” Henk said this development was made in efforts to aid rising growth in food insecurity in the area in 2023 13.4% of Lee County's population The construction for this project is set to take nine to 12 months according to Henk they will leave the Pepperell Parkway location for good The food bank is only as strong as our community of support The unwavering dedication of our volunteers in the collaboration with community partners all have allowed us to become what we are today," Henk said the project will be complete by this time next year All information and data courtesy of Alex Husting Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInOPELIKA (WTVM) - Former Opelika Police Department Lieutenant The Opelika Police Department announced on its Facebook post Tuesday morning the passing of longtime Lieutenant John Pruitt Sr Pruitt served as the first African American officer to serve the department Officials remember Pruitt as an officer that paved the way for others and his decades of service was an inspiration to all The cause of Pruitt’s death as well as his age has not yet been revealed Lieutenant Pruitt is survived by his wife Carolyn along with their children is currently out on bail after being charged with rape and sodomy in the second degree An Opelika man has died from being stabbed and deputies say his roommate has been charged in his death The incident happened early Sunday morning around 2:34 a.m in the 900 block of Lee Road 147 in Beauregard they found 41-year-old Cory Vernon Rogers dead inside the home with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds in his chest was taken into custody on the scene by deputies where they say he admitted to stabbing Rogers Witnesses at the scene stated that the two men were in a verbal argument when they started physically fighting leading to Metcalf pulling a knife and stabbing the victim Metcalf was transported to the Lee County Detention Center and charged with Murder Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867) The Opelika Police Department is asking for the public's assistance in identifying two individuals wanted for questioning in connection with a Theft of Property two males entered the Lowes store located at 1701 Frederick Road and took over $2,000 worth of items before leaving the premises The first suspect is described as a white male with facial hair The second suspect is also described as a white male The suspects were seen leaving in a black 2016 Dodge Dart Authorities urge anyone with information regarding this crime to immediately contact CrimeStoppers at their 24-hour tip line Opelika police need your help finding two people wanted for questioning in a theft at Ulta Beauty two males went into the store on Enterprise Drive and stole more than $500 worth of merchandise One male was wearing an orange collared shirt please immediately call police or Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at (334) 215-STOP Nearly two years after opening its doors to the community, the Walk-On's in Opelika has shutdown There were still some customers showing up on Monday for lunch Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux posted an announcement of its closure to all of the entrances at the 3041 Capps Way building "Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux is proud to have served the Opelika community," the company said in the announcement and we are working to provide resources and support our affected teammates." The announcement posted to the doors of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux in Opelika on Monday In an email to the Opelika-Auburn News on Monday evening senior director of Communications and Social Media at Walk-On's said several factors are considered in "making the difficult decision to close a restaurant," and she confirmed that the Opelika location is closed Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux was founded in 2003 by Brandon Landry The Louisiana-based and Louisiana cuisine-inspired restaurant has a menu of Americana and Cajun cuisine that features entrées like crawfish étouffée and duck and andouille gumbo the company has grown to over 70 locations across 14 states New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees is a co-owner of the company general manager of Opelika's Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux shares opening date for the new restaurant in a 2023 interview As of its Feb. 6, 2023, opening, the Opelika location was the sixth location in the state of Alabama and the 76th nationwide the location had over 24 beers on tap and over 60 televisions general manager Noah Kline said the location was in the process of hiring 200 employees Leary did not respond to the question from the Opelika-Auburn News regarding how many employees were affected by the closure "We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you at one of our other locations," the business said in the statement posted on the door a sign advertising the land at 3041 Capps Way being available With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food Here's a list of 2025 Mother's Day deals and specials in Auburn and Opelika that you can use to make the day extra special carefully sourced and expertly prepared by a team that takes pride… "I wanted something that people haven't seen before Just to give someone a fresh taste of what Indian food can be when it's mixed with others…