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The Observer •

Fast turns, big flavor: Turn & Burn takes off - The Observer

BY LANDI RUTLEDGEFOR THE OBSERVER


OPELIKA — Dickie Johnson and Dylan Weaver are best friends and co-owners of Turn & Burn, an elevated street food truck that soft launched January 2025.After high school, they said they worked together at Jim Bob’s where they got their start in the food business.Having a life-long desire to open up a restaurant or food truck, Johnson said the opportunity, along with the name, came quicker than he and Weaver imagined.“[The name] came from our wives hanging out...
The Observer •

Meet the new owners of Precious Cargo and Five Little Piggies - The Observer

BY LANDI RUTLEDGE


FOR THE OBSERVER


OPELIKA — On Feb. 7, Mallorie Ray and Ashton Smith became the new owners of Precious Cargo and Five Little Piggies, opening the doors in downtown Opelika.


With five young girls between the two of them, they said seeing the doors closed inspired them to take over ownership, and they were determined to keep it in the community.


While they said they previously shopped there a few times in the past, they said the opportunity to take over the store came...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Children's Table: Alabama Chefs Use Recipes to Benefit Children’s of Alabama Patients - The Auburn Plainsman

Food and Wine and Southern Living magazines partnered with Alabama Chefs for Children's Table, a night of recipe tasting at the Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, where all proceeds went to Children's of Alabama. On March 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., attendees tasted the work of local chefs who created high quality and nutritious dishes.
At Children's of Alabama, many patients at the hospital are under strict dietary restrictions, leaving the children to become knowledgeable about the food they...
The Observer •

New York Times international bestselling author in Opelika - The Observer

BY LANDI RUTLEDGEFOR THE OBSERVER


OPELIKA — On Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m., Sarah Penner was the keynote speaker for the Third Annual Opelika Book Festival.The event was held at the Opelika Public Library in the Cooper Auditorium, and Penner spoke during the Author Talk, highlighting her newest book, “The Amalfi Curse,” signing books for those in attendance.Although she was born in raised in Hillsdale, Kansas, she and her husband, Mark, currently live in Tampa, Florida.In her free time, sh...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Taimoor Hassan: Developer of Qalb, the world's largest large language model - The Auburn Plainsman

Taimoor Hassan developed Qalb, the world’s largest Large Language Model (LLM), as a second-year graduate student in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering.
The model was designed exclusively for the Urdu language and is similar to ChatGPT but made for Pakistan, his hometown.
Qalb's literal meaning is heart in Arabic and was created because there was no foundation model in the Urdu language. 
"I think everything starts from the core of the heart," Hassan said. "So, that's why...
The LaFayette Sun •

The Heart Center Clinic cares for LaFayette — The LaFayette Sun

BY LANDI RUTLEDGEFOR THE LAFAYETTE SUNLAFAYETTE — For four years, the Heart Center Cardiology, located in Opelika, has had a mobile clinic designed to provide the same intentional care as the Heart Center Clinic. Care services includes pacemaker checks, EKG’s, consults and prescribing any tests needed for patients that get sent to The Heart Center.Meredith Turner, practice manager for nine months, said two staff members, a nurse practitioner and medical assistant, take an RV and travel to LaFaye...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Hale and Pool running for 2026 SGA vice president - The Auburn Plainsman

Colin Hale and Lilly Pool are the 2026 candidates for Student Government Association (SGA) vice president. From Wednesday, Feb. 3 through Friday Feb. 6, candidates for SGA president, vice president, treasurer and Miss Auburn will campaign on Haley Concourse.
Colin Hale
Hale, a junior in finance with a minor in real estate development, is currently serving on SGA as a senator representing the Harbert College of Business and the chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. He is also a member of the...
The Observer •

Chewacla State Park hosts hands-on ‘Animal Signs’ program - The Observer

BY LANDI RUTLEDGE


FOR THE OBSERVER


AUBURN — On Jan. 31 at 3 p.m., Chewacla State Park invited nature enthusiasts to Animal Signs, an interactive and hands-on program that introduced participants to animal signs such as deer antlers, animal tracks, animal scat replicas, snake shed, turtle shells and animal skulls.


Open to all ages but limited to 30 participants, the event was held at the Nature Center in the Outdoor Classroom, located at 124 Shell Toomer Pkwy, Auburn, Ala., 36830.


Tic...
The Observer •

A lasting legacy: Gary Fuller honored at Southern Union - The Observer

BY LANDI RUTLEDGEFOR THE OBSERVER


OPELIKA — Southern Union State Community College held a dedication ceremony on Jan. 26, naming the Gary Fuller Business and Technology Center in honor of longtime Opelika leader and businessman Gary Fuller.A native of Dadeville, Fuller is married to his wife, Laura, and they have two children, Jenny and Gary.Fuller founded and later sold the Fuller Broadcasting Company before entering public service. He was elected mayor of Opelika in 2004 and went on to serv...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Fizz N Fork comes to Auburn - The Auburn Plainsman

In November 2025, Fizz N Fork, the new health-focused dining spot at 234 W. Magnolia Ave., celebrated its soft open near Downtown Auburn. The emphasis on health was created through owner Danielle Shaw, who made it her mission to create tasty and healthy food. 
Always wanting to open a restaurant, Shaw and her husband, Kyle, are touched to see Fizz N Fork receive so much love. Danielle shared that her friends have reached out through social media, expressing how proud they are that they get to li...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Georgia-Pacific donates $10,000 to Auburn's TAPPI - The Auburn Plainsman

Members of Auburn chapter of Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) student organization. Contributed by TAPPI.On Dec. 2, Georgia-Pacific, a large manufacturing company that specializes in making products ranging from paper to building products, donated $10,000 to the Auburn chapter of Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). As the students prepare for next year's national summit in Birmingham, Alabama, the donation will support the Auburn students in...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Pi Sigma Alpha hosts networking navigation event - The Auburn Plainsman

Career Services Specialist Chantal Johnson speaks to members of Pi Sigma Alpha at a networking event in the Mell Classroom Building on Nov. 11, 2025.On Nov. 11, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Honor Society partnered with Career Services in the College of Liberal Arts to host its networking navigation event. The event aimed to equip students with tips they can utilize while preparing for job hunting.
As the on-campus political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha focuses on providing leadership opport...
The Auburn Plainsman •

David Edmondson: Innovation with a free spirit - The Auburn Plainsman

David Edmondson, former track and field athlete and mechanical engineering graduate student is the embodiment of hardwork and passion with a free-spirited nature.
Edmondson shared that attending Auburn University came as a surprise to everyone. With difficulties getting his recruitment process started, being from Old Harbour, Jamaica, he explained that he managed his own schedules. His perseverance turned into success, as he was eventually recruited and fell in love with Auburn.
"I definitely gr...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Ashlyn Powers crowned Miss Auburn University 2026 - The Auburn Plainsman

On Oct. 3, Ashlyn Powers won the title of Miss Auburn University 2026 after competing against 11 other contestants. Held in the Student Activities Center, the Miss Auburn University Scholarship Competition consisted of several categories for judging, such as talent, evening gown and on-stage conversation, with many participants winning various awards.
Doors opened at 5:00 p.m., and the Miss Auburn University Scholarship Competition began at 6 p.m. For community members, tickets could be purchase...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Create and Cultivate: Innovation and Research Commons MiniMake Series - The Auburn Plainsman

Students transplant plants into their up-cycled mugs during the Create and Cultivate event put on by the Auburn Office of Sustainability on Sept. 24, 2025.Wednesday, Sept. 24, the Office of Sustainability partnered with the Ralph Brown Draughon library Innovation and Research Commons to introduce Create and Cultivate, just one event in the MiniMake series. Held from 5 to 7 p.m., the event promoted sustainable crafting and horticulture by inviting participants to bring ceramic mugs and leave with...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Tunnel to Towers: 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit comes to Opelika - The Auburn Plainsman

On Sept. 11, 2025, attendants of the Tunnel to Towers: 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit stand and look upon images and physical reminders of what occurred 24 years ago.On Thursday, Sept. 11, the East Alabama Regional Training Association hosted the non-profit Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit in Opelika. As its first arrival in Alabama, the exhibit serves as a tribute to the lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and will continue to be displayed until Sept....
The Auburn Plainsman •

Say cheese to Roni's Mac Bar, downtown Auburn's newest addition - The Auburn Plainsman

For its grand opening on June 14, Roni's Mac Bar - a mac and cheese bar with customizable toppings and grilled cheese - officially opened its Auburn location to the public. Located at 138 North College Street, Roni's Mac Bar is the newest food spot in downtown Auburn.
Founded in February 2022, Roni's Mac Bar was first imagined when CEO Frank Senese noticed a vacant spot next door to another business of his and pondered on what he wanted it to be. Knowing he wanted a restaurant, a friend of his m...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Campus Dining partners with the Office of Sustainability - The Auburn Plainsman

Auburn University is bringing more sustainability to its campus as composters and reusable to-go containers become the newest addition.
Going on his thirteenth year at Auburn, Glenn Loughridge, Director of Campus Dining and Concessions, shared his environmentally friendly efforts. As an Auburn graduate, he wanted to make his impact on the Auburn Family special.
The composter that Auburn has can break down up to 2,000 pounds of waste a day. With a plan to eventually add one to the Wellness Kitche...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Richard Tomasello, owner of Well Red and The Fox, reflects on his journey - The Auburn Plainsman

Richard Tomasello, owner of the two Well Red locations and more recently, The Fox coffee shop, reflected on the success of the businesses he shares with his wife, Crystal. 
The original concept for their business came from Tomasello's desire to own his own bookstore. Although he always loved independent bookstores, Tomasello was initially concerned about competing against bigger names such as Amazon and Books-A-Million. 
Finding the approach that allowed coffee and pastries to be the bulk of the...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Nettles and Zellner running for 2025 SGA vice president - The Auburn Plainsman

Two candidates are running for Student Government Association vice president. From 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., candidates will represent their campaigns Wednesday through Friday and meet with students on the Haley Concourse. Voting will occur on Friday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. and the winner will be announced the same day at 10 p.m. on the Cater Hall steps. 
Buckley Nettles 

Buckley Nettles is a junior in communications and is running with her platform "Buckling Up with Buckley." Uniting the student...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Drew Haley Smith: Auburn graduate is youngest licensed female architect - The Auburn Plainsman

Drew Haley Smith became the youngest licensed female architect in the United States on July 22, 2024. Smith graduated from Auburn University in May 2023 with her bachelor's degree in architecture and interior architecture. 
While she knew she wanted to be an architect since she was in high school, Smith briefly considered becoming a pharmacist. She said she stuck with the architect path for several reasons, one being the joy of creating something.
"I really enjoy the more abstract thinking and w...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Auburn student organizations reflect on SB-129 - The Auburn Plainsman

Auburn University is still trying to gauge the impact of the "anti-DEI" bill, SB-129, that was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey.
The amended bill passed in Alabama on March 20, 2024, targeting colleges and universities to restrict divisive concepts. The impact on day-to-day functions and how universities plan to deal with the change remains unknown to the public.
Passed in the House with a 75-28 decision vote and a 25-4 decision vote in the Senate, Ivey signed the bill that took effect on Oc...
The Auburn Plainsman •

Russell Baggett: Rediscover Vinyl at 10,000 Hz Records - The Auburn Plainsman

Customers browsing through the dozens of aisles of well-sorted genres at 10,000Hz records in downtown Opelika.10,000 Hz Records, owned by Russell Baggett, has become a go-to spot for vinyl lovers, both new and old, in Opelika, Alabama, offering something for everyone.
The name, 10,000 Hz Records, comes from an album called "10 000 Hz Legend" by Air, who is a French, electronic band from the 90s that Baggett likes. The album holds a special place in Baggett's heart because it was his first record...
The Auburn Plainsman •

The Farmer in the Dell: more than just a pumpkin patch - The Auburn Plainsman

Marie Foshee co-owns the Farmer in the Dell with her husband, a family-owned farm known for its pumpkin patch.
The Farmer in the Dell pumpkin patch has been around for 17 years, but they have been farming on the land since 2005.
The pumpkin patch idea came from her sons, Mark and Luke, who saw one on television as kids and wanted their own. Foshee shared that pumpkins are a hard crop to grow, and they decided they would only accept the idea if they could successfully grow them on their land. 
Th...
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