Valley community unites as beloved local desperately needs kidney donor after six long, hard years on dialysis
Valley community unites as beloved local desperately needs kidney donor after six long, hard years on dialysis
Few things rival the pure joy of a child during Christmas —an emotion Opelika’s "Shop with a Cop" captures beautifully.
Few things rival the pure joy of a child during Christmas —an emotion Opelika’s "Shop with a Cop" captures beautifully.
Alabama Drone Activity
Residents in Lincoln, a small town located about 100 miles north of Auburn, Alabama, have reported a series of unusual lights and drone-like objects hovering in the night sky.
A Mother’s Plea for Justice and Change
This week, two arrests were made in the alleged capital murder of Delvin Tarver, an Auburn High School honor roll senior whose bright future was tragically stolen. Just days before he was set to graduate—a milestone he had worked tirelessly to achieve—Delvin was struck by a stray bullet, leaving his family and community devastated.
His mother, Cynthia Quinn, courageously shared her unimaginable grief, pleading for an end to the violence and urging anyone with information about this or similar tragedies to come forward.
Our hearts are with his family, friends, and all those mourning this incredible young man.
OPELIKA POST – A multi-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 6:38 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, has claimed two lives and injured nine other individuals. Corbin H. Hamby, 49, of Salem, was fatally injured when the 2022 Ford E-450 transport van, he was a passenger in, collided head-on with the 2004 Ford F-150 pickup driven by Tyrone A. Williams, 53, of Opelika. Tyrone A. Williams was also fatally injured as a result of the crash. Hamby and Williams were both pronounced deceased at the scene. After the initial impact, the Ford transport van then collided with the 2006 Nissan Xterra driven by Wesly D. Downs, 37, of Opelika. The driver of the Ford transport van Jeanette J. Washington, 60, of Lanett, was injured and transported to East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) in Opelika. Christopher C. Sanders, 42, of Opelika, Brandy Hunt, 41, of Opelika, Jodie Baker, 39, of Opelika, and Jerry Hunt, 34, of Opelika, were all passengers in the Ford transport van, were injured and transported to EAMC for treatment. Ashley Nellons, 39, of Opelika, Carlton Smith, 34, of Opelika, Jadarious Madden, 41, of Opelika, and Cornelius L. Lockhart, 36, of Opelika, were also passengers in the Ford transport van, were injured and transported Piedmont Columbus Regional – Midtown in Columbus, Ga., for treatment. The crash occurred on U.S. 29 near the 194 mile marker, approximately one mile north of Opelika, in Lee County. Nothing further is available as Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
GOOD NEWS!!! 🎉Fletcher has been FOUND and is safely back home with his loving family! 🐾💖A very special shoutout to Auburn University student Lauren, whose quick thinking and kind heart made all the difference in reuniting this precious pup with his family. Lauren, you’re fantastic!! ✨Fletcher ran away Sunday afternoon around 2:15 PM from Samford Lawn during the parade. He was wearing a Christmas sweater, an orange collar, and a bright blue leash. Thanks to everyone who shared, searched, and kept an eye out—you helped bring him home!#FletcherIsHome #ThankYou #WarEagle #CommunityLove
Fletcher was found this morning by an AU student named Lauren and reunited with his family. Thank you to all who shared and helped him return home to his sweet family.
Woke up to a symphony of black birds - 🖤
Woke up to a symphony of black birds - 🖤
We are expecting an update from U.S. Fish and Wildlife anytime now. I’ll share.
The destruction of a bald eagle nest in Auburn has angered residents and raised legal concerns about possible violations of federal permit rules.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is investigating whether Hughston Homes broke the terms of a federal permit when they reportedly cut down the tree holding the nest.  A spokesperson for Hughston Homes declined to comment to WRBL on Tuesday.
Local resident John Braswell shared a video showing the tree, home to bald eagles Jim and Pam, downed over the weekend. Residents say the nest was destroyed despite community protests and city officials’ efforts to save it.
Mayor Pro Tem Beth Witten criticized the developer, saying:
“I am devastated, angry, disappointed… devastated that Hughston Homes' representative, Tyler Findley, intentionally deceived me into thinking the city would have an opportunity to discuss options to save the nest.”
The permit, issued to Hughston Homes for a 46-home project on a 75-acre site, does not allow removing nests if adult eagles, eggs, or young birds are present. USFWS spokesperson Denise Rowell told WRBL:
“We do not allow the nest to be taken if there are adult eagles, eggs, or young birds present.”
Hughston Homes claimed the nest was “inactive,” but residents disagree. Braswell’s video shows one eagle in the nest just hours before the tree was cut down.
Experts say Jim and Pam may be rebuilding elsewhere, and residents hope it’s far from the developer’s property.

According to a video post by John Braswell, who has been monitoring Jim and Pam’s eagle's nest, it appears overnight, the tree cradling the nest was cut down, and the nest was scattered. Neighbors are heartbroken. We have reached out to Hughston Homes to get a comment. We have been told a meeting with the president of Hughston Homes was supposed to be happening in Auburn to come up with solutions on how to save the nest, but now it appears too late. Regarding the Eagles, neighbors have not seen Jim and Pam this morning but are continuing to look for them. #BreakingNews #Update #auburnal #EaglesNest #auburnuniversity
