Author: Jerry Katz

Jerry Katz
Jerry Katz is the creator of Opelika Daily News. A former broadcaster, he has been writing about Opelika for more than twenty years — first as a blogger, now as the one-person newsroom behind this site. He curates the region's local news daily, writes the Katz Ramblings column and the weekly From the Archives look-back, and maintains an archive of more than 3,200 posts reaching back to 2002. He lives in Opelika. Reach him at jerry@opelikadailynews.com.

Upcoming Events: Week of Oct. 26–Nov. 1, 2026

OPELIKA, Ala. — Oct. 26, 2026 Here is what is on the calendar in Opelika this week, based on city and library calendars. Tue., Oct. 27 — Opelika Planning Commission . 3 p.m., 300 Martin Luther King Blvd.; four final plats, a right-of-way vacation, four conditional-use requests (including a grocery with liquor store and an Elks Lodge) and a proposed street renaming. Tue., Oct. 27 — City of Opelika Fall Festival and Children’s Carnival … Read More

Opelika’s Spirit of the South Sweeps Superior Ratings at Zebulon Competition

Opelika High School's Spirit of the South Marching Band earned Superior ratings in all five categories (drum major, color guard, percussion, band and overall) at the March the Plank Invitational in Zebulon, Ga., on Oct. 24. Read More

Opelika Landlords Push Back as Council Hears First Reading of 1% Rental License Tax; Vote Set for Nov. 3

This is a brief follow-on to a story first reported by The Observer , Opelika's community newspaper. Read their full story for complete coverage. Opelika's proposed rental licensing and tax ordinance had its first reading at Tuesday's City Council meeting, Oct. 20, introduced by Ward 4 Council Member Chuck Beams, and drew comments from four residents — three against and one in favor, The Observer reports. The council is expected to vote at its next… Read More

Opelika Council Awards $7.88 Million Fire Station No. 2 Contract and Takes First Look at Dog Tethering Rules

This is a brief follow-on to a story first reported by The Observer , Opelika's community newspaper. Read their full story for complete coverage. The Opelika City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 20, approved a $7.88 million contract with Beasley Construction Services to build Opelika Fire Station No. 2, The Observer reports. Nine companies bid; Beasley's base bid of $7.899 million, less a $19,000 deduction, set the contract amount. The council also awarded a $564,110.50 contract… Read More

Starting Nov. 1, the State Revenue Department Will Collect Opelika’s Sales, Use, Rental and Lodging Taxes

Opelika businesses will file the city's sales, use, rental and lodging taxes with the state starting next month. The Alabama Department of Revenue lists an “admin change” for the City of Opelika, effective Nov. 1, 2026, that makes ADOR the administrator of those taxes. Taxpayers will file through the state's My Alabama Taxes system, Bloomberg Tax reported , citing the department's notice. The first state-administered Opelika return covers the period ending Nov. 30, 2026, and… Read More

State Puts $22 Million Into a New Kay Ivey Institute for Civic Leadership at Auburn University

Auburn University will receive $22 million from the state to create the Kay Ivey Institute for Civic Leadership, named for the governor, a 1967 Auburn graduate, the university announced Wednesday. Gov. Ivey approved the money Tuesday, Oct. 20, at a meeting of the Public School and College Authority, her office said . The $27 million round also gives $5 million to the newly established Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences; both awards are for capital expenses… Read More

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