May 18, 2026 Just days after exhuming remains from Evergreen Cemetery, the Opelika Police Department released a major forensic update in a 35-year-old cold case: new analysis suggests the unidentified homicide victim found in a creek bed off Anderson Road in September 1990 was likely a teenager between 15 and 18 years old — not a young adult as originally believed based on the 1990 autopsy. The revised age profile reopens missing persons cases that… Read More
Month: May 2026
Cam Hunt Defeats 27-Year Incumbent Jay Jones in Lee County Sheriff Primary
May 19, 2026 In one of the most closely-watched local races of the 2026 cycle, former Lee County Sheriff's deputy Cameron "Cam" Hunt narrowly defeated incumbent Sheriff Jay Jones in the May 19 Republican primary for Lee County Sheriff. Hunt received 9,301 votes (50.84%) to Jones' 8,994 votes (49.16%) — a margin of just 307 votes out of 18,295 cast. Jones had served as sheriff since 1998, a 27-year tenure. The race carried unusual backstory… Read More
Opelika High School Class of 2026 Celebrates Commencement at Bulldog Stadium
May 22, 2026 Opelika High School held its 2026 graduation ceremony Friday, May 22, at 7:00 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium . Principal Kelly Fischer welcomed families and guests on behalf of OHS faculty and staff. The ceremony featured school board members Dr. Kevin Royal, Pearson Osenbrook, Antoine Harvest, and Tippy Miller, as well as Superintendent Dr. Kevin Davis. National Honor Society vice president Akquila Driver delivered the class poem. The ceremony marked a milestone for… Read More
Lee County Honors Fallen Officers at Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service
May 15–18, 2026 Law enforcement officials, community members, elected leaders, and families of fallen officers gathered Friday, May 15, at the Opelika Public Library for the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service , held in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Hosted by the Opelika Police Department, the ceremony was opened by Police Chief Johnathan Clifton , who told the crowd: "We are gathered here today for a purpose that transcends our daily duties. We've come… Read More
City Launches POW-R Workforce Initiative to Strengthen Talent Pipeline
May 19, 2026 The City of Opelika officially launched its POW-R Workforce Initiative — short for Preparing Opelika's Workforce Readiness — a strategic program led by Opelika Economic Development designed to align education, training, and employment with the needs of local businesses and industries. Mayor Eddie Smith said at the announcement: "At its core, POW-R is about putting the power of opportunity into the hands of our people and our businesses. By investing in workforce… Read More
City Ends Color Fountain Displays at Courthouse Square
May 8, 2026 The City of Opelika announced it will no longer change the color of the Courthouse Square fountain to recognize nonprofit causes, organizations, or awareness campaigns. According to the city's May 8 announcement, the coloring system has increasingly created significant maintenance challenges and proven costly to operate over time. Moving forward, the fountain will remain in its standard appearance year-round. City officials emphasized their continued commitment to supporting community initiatives through other means… Read More
Opelika High School Earns CLAS 2025 School of Distinction Honor
April 27, 2026 Opelika High School has been recognized by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) as a 2025 School of Distinction for its "Dawg Impact Groups" — a daily advisory program designed to strengthen student connections, build community, and support school culture. The honor was announced at a CLAS awards luncheon in Prattville on April 27, 2026. OHS was one of 32 schools recognized statewide across eight State School Board Districts. In… Read More
Rabies Confirmed in Lee County Raccoon; Residents Urged to Vaccinate Pets
May 6–8, 2026 The Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed that a raccoon in Lee County tested positive for rabies in early May, as part of a dual-county alert that also included a fox in Elmore County. The confirmed cases have prompted an urgent reminder for residents to ensure their pets and livestock are vaccinated against rabies. ADPH urges the public to avoid contact with wild or stray animals and to keep pets under direct… Read More
Korean Manufacturer DUCK IL USA to Invest $21 Million in Auburn Technology Park
May 7–12, 2026 Korean automotive electronic system supplier DUCK IL USA (DIA) announced plans to invest approximately $21 million to upgrade and expand its facility at Auburn Technology Park West. The investment will establish a clean-room manufacturing operation producing electronic system components for the automotive industry. DIA's products include electronic switches to adjust car seats, various dashboard controls, and interior lighting packages — components found in vehicles from Chrysler, GM, Hyundai, Kia, and Tesla. The… Read More
Graduating Student Dies at Chimney Rock
A young man who died after jumping off Chimney Rock on Alabama’s Lake Martin has been identified as a 24-year-old from Georgia. Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin on Thursday identified the victim as Jayden Barreto. He was from the Columbus area. Read More at al.com
EAMC Nurse Rose Marie Bryant Honored with National DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award
May 1, 2026 Rose Marie Bryant, a nurse at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) in Opelika, was surprised with the national DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony on May 1, 2026. The award is a prestigious honor given nationally and internationally to nurses who devote their life's work to compassionate care and serving others. Bryant's story of service began early. Today, she leads an impressive wound-care program at EAMC, surrounded by a team of… Read More
