News Flash

CDBG Notice of Funding and Public Hearing

NOTICE OF FUNDING AND PUBLIC HEARING/COMMENT

The City of Opelika is currently accepting applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for PY 2023 (October 1, 2023-September 20, 2024). Activities considered for funding include h...

SLAM DUNK THE JUNK

A community clean up and basketball fun day! This will be April 22 at Covington Center.

HANWHA ADVANCED MATERIALS AMERICA, LLC ANNOUNCES EXPANSION IN OPELIKA

During the Opelika City Council Meeting, Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller announced that Hanwha Advanced Materials America, LLC is once again expanding its Opelika facility in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park. The company will be investing nearly $20.3 mill...

OPELIKA POWER SERVICES RECEIVES THE ELECTRIC CITIES OF GEORIGA JEFF COOK AWARD FOR SAFETY EXCELLENCE

Opelika Power Services (OPS) recently received the Platinum Level Electric Cities of Georgia Award for Safety Excellence. This award is an honor given to municipal utilities departments that meet various criteria regarding safety in the workplace.&nbs...

CITY OF OPELIKA PROMOTES BRIAN WEISS TO HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

The City of Opelika recently promoted Brian Weiss to Human Resources (HR) Director. Weiss has been with the city since December 2019. He started with the city as a Human Resource Analyst and quickly moved to Assistant Director.

Mayor Gary Fuller states, &a...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY WALMART SUSPECTS

The Opelika Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects involved in a Fraudulent Use of a Debit Card, which occurred at Walmart, located at 2900 Pepperell Parkway. On 03/01/2023,the suspects, both black ma...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY BOOKS-A-MILLION SUSPECT

The Opelika Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in a Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, which occurred at Books-A-Million, located at 2243 Tiger Town Parkway. On 12/24/2022 at appr...

TAX RENEWAL SPECIAL ELECTION RESULTS

The Opelika City Council held a special City Council meeting on March 7, 2023 at 12 p.m. (Noon) to canvass the votes for the 11 mill ad valorem tax election last week. The meeting was open to the public. The City Council voted to pass the renewal of the 1...

CITY OF OPELIKA OFFERS ONLINE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST FOR CITIZENS

On March 6, 2023, the City of Opelika launched a new public records management system to improve efficiency and consistency in responding to public records requests. The NextRequest software will allow the public to submit requests directly to the City of...

NOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Opelika Easter Events

Flashlight Egg Hunt

Hunt for eggs in the dark! Bring a flashlight and a basket. Look for special prizes and golden eggs.

2023 Information

Thursday, April 6th7:30 p.m.Opelika SportsPlex

Ages

3rd-5th grade

Cost

FREE and open to the public.

2023 Underwater Egg Hunt

H...

TAX RENEWAL SPECIAL UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS – CITY OF OPELIKA

The City of Opelika held a special election to renew and continue the annual levy and collection of the 11 mill property tax for the support and furtherance of education in the Opelika City Schools. The tax renewal passed and the unofficial election resul...

TIRE DISPOSAL DOS & DON'TS

The City of Opelika does not pick up tires. Please properly dispose of your tires and do not leave them roadside. 

ELECTRONIC RECYCLING NOTICE

Opelika Environmental Services is currently unable to process any electronic recycling due to no markets for this material. You may bag this material and dispose of it with your yard waste. OES will pick it up weekly at curbside or you may continue to bri...

2022 Annual Report

The Opelika Police Department's 2022 Annual Report is now available

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY HOBBY LOBBY THEFT SUSPECTS

On 02/01/2023, the Opelika Police Department began investigating a Theft of Property, Third Degree, which occurred at 2570 Enterprise Drive, Hobby Lobby. The victim reported that their wallet was stolen from their purse while in the store. At approximatel...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY FEBRUARY BURGLARY AND THEFT SUSPECTS

On 02/10/2023, the Opelika Police Department responded to a call for an Unlawful Breaking and Entering a vehicle which occurred at 2500 Pepperell Parkway, Planet Fitness. The victim’s wallet was stolen and surveillance video shows the suspects u...

MISSING PERSON RICKY BRIMER JR.

The Opelika Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating 37-year-old Ricky Brimer Jr. Brimer was last seen at 7:00 a.m. on 02/16/2023 leaving his residence on Fox Run Parkway on foot. He moved to Opelika from Texas approxi...

MONTRE BATTLE ARREST

On 02/08/2023, the Opelika Police Department was notified by Opelika City Schools Administration regarding an incident that had occurred involving an Opelika High School student and faculty member. Detectives began an investigation which led to the suspec...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY PARTY CITY THEFT SUSPECT

 The Opelika Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect involved in a Theft of Property, Third Degree, which occurred at Party City, located at 2534 Enterprise Drive. On 01/10/2023, at approximate...

Opelika Annual Report -2022

Our annual report is available in print form at our headquarters fire station, 604 Avenue B, or click the link to find a digital copy.

A New Ladder Truck for OFD

The Opelika Observer highlights our recent ladder truck purchase -

NARCOTIC ARRESTS

The Opelika Police Narcotics Unit has been investigating reports of illegal drug activity throughout the city. Over the past few weeks, they have arrested several individuals who were in possession of large amounts of illegal narcotics. The narcotics seiz...

NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET SEARCH WARRANT

On 02/01/2023 at approximately 1:00 p.m., the Opelika Police Department, with the assistance of the Lee County SWAT Team, executed a search warrant at the Neighborhood Market, located at 503 Martin Luther King Blvd. During the search, Detectives recovered...

WILLIAM DEREK SMITH ARREST

On 01/26/2023, Opelika Police conducted a traffic stop at S. Uniroyal Road near Winding Oak Drive in reference to a traffic violation. During the traffic stop, one of the department’s canines alerted to the odor narcotics inside the veh...

CITY OF OPELIKA PLANNING COMMISSION ELECTS NEW OFFICERS, THANKS OUTGOING CHAIR

On Tuesday, January 24, the Opelika Planning Commission held officer elections. Lucinda Cannon was elected Chair and John Sweatman as Vice Chair. Following the election, new Chair Lucinda Cannon and Mayor Gary Fuller presented outgoing Chairman Lewis Cher...

OPELIKA POLICE IDENTIFY BABY JANE DOE

On January 28, 2012, Opelika Police responded to Brookhaven Trailer Park, located at 1775 Hurst Street in Opelika, AL, in reference to skeletal remains being found. A skull was located in the yard of a residence while the majority of the bones were locate...

MLK WEEK: GARBAGE, YARD WASTE & RECYCLING SCHEDULE

No routes will run on Monday. Garbage and recycling carts will be picked up a day later than normal. 

Yard waste routes (Knukle Book Truck) may run earlier than normal. Please have yard waste out earlier than normal. 

CITY OF OPELIKA OFFERS NO-CONTACT SYSTEM FOR BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWALS

The City of Opelika Revenue Department has mailed out business license renewal applications.

Alcoholic beverage licenses are due January 15, 2023, but since January 15 is on the weekend, you will have until January 17 at 4:30 pm. The deadline for regular b...

Opelika Fire Department Celebrates 150 Years of Service

Early in the year of 1873, a group of Opelika men met at the home of Mr. J. H. Lockhart to discuss the possibility of forming the city’s first fire department. Shortly thereafter, the Opelika Fire Company was formed. Today we celebrate the leadership of o...

ELECTION DAY NOTICE

Important Dates to Remember:

• Tuesday, January 17 - First Day to Apply for Absentee Ballots 
  • (Applications can be obtained from the City Clerks' office)
• Thursday, February 23 - Last Day to Apply for Absentee Ballots 
  • (Applications mu...

HL MANDO AMERICA CORPORATION CONTINUES TO GROW HEADQUARTERS IN OPELIKA, ALABAMA

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller announced yesterday that HL Mando America Corporation will be investing $11.1 million to upgrade their current facility and creating 26 new jobs.

HL Mando’s Opelika operations continue to produce brake calipers and suspe...

OPELIKA INDUSTRY CAR TECH EXPANDING, $18.3 MILLION INVESTMENT

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller announced yesterday that an existing Opelika manufacturing company will be expanding. Car Tech will be investing more capital to build and expand their current facility.

Car Tech is a Tier 1 supplier for BMW Group and is located i...

THE FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING TO BUILD THREE HOMES IN OPELIKA

The Fuller Center for Housing is a nonprofit organization seeking to eliminate poverty by promoting partnerships with individuals and community groups to build and restore homes for those in need. 

They will be building three homes for three diffe...

UPDATE ON OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING

On 12/17/2022 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Opelika Dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a residence in the 100 Block of 19th Place. During the call there was an open line which appeared to involve a domestic dispute. The female caller requested assistance ...

OPELIKA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PRESENTS VETERAN WITH RELOCATION INCENTIVE

The Opelika Industrial Development Authority (OIDA) recently presented E-8 Master Sergeant Comer Kite and his family with the Vets Choose Opelika relocation incentive package. This program is part of Opelika’s workforce development and talent at...

ANTHONY ASHFORD ARRESTED FOR MURDER

UPDATE: On 12/04/2022, Anthony Ashford was arrested at the Opelika Police Department on murder charges. 

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On 12/03/2022 at approximately 2:00 a.m., Opelika Police responded to the 1000 block of York Avenue in reference to a gunshot victim. Respo...

A LETTER FROM SANTA TO OPELIKA CITIZENS AND VISITORS

Dear Opelika Citizens and Visitors:

HO HO HO from the North Pole! 

I’ve recently been making early rounds to see how much Christmas joy is being spread near and far. As I approached Opelika, I knew it was a special place. The lights and a...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY 11.18 THEFT SUSPECTS

UPDATE: Shunedra Quinshay Edwards, 29 yoa from Opelika, AL, and Twyla Kaneisha Cooper, 33 yoa from Opelika, AL, were arrested for Theft of Property, Third Degree, which occurred at Ulta Cosmetics on 11/18/2022.

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On 11/18/2022, the Opelika Police...

ADVANCE AUTO PARTNERSHIP

Advance Auto Parts (NYSE: AAP), a leading automotive aftermarket parts provider, and Opelika Police Department have teamed up to launch a unique program designed to increase roadway safety leading into the holidays for local motorists. The announcement wa...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY SPORTSPLEX THEFT SUSPECTS

On 10/16/2022, the Opelika Police Department began investigating an Unlawful Breaking and Entering a Vehicle and a Theft of Property, Second Degree, which occurred at the Opelika SportsPlex, located at 1001 Andrews Road. At approximately 3:20 p.m...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY VEHICLE BREAK-IN SUSPECTS

On 11/04/2022, the Opelika Police Department responded to the Opelika SportsPlex, located at 1001 Andrews Road, in reference to several vehicle break-ins. The victims reported that the windows to their vehicles had been shattered and their purses...

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS FOR OCTOBER

Employee Spotlights for the month of October..

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY ULTA THEFT SUSPECTS FROM 6.18.22

The Opelika Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects in a Theft of Property, Third Degree, which occurred at 2690 Enterprise Drive, Ulta. On 06/18/2022, two adult suspects entered the store and stole se...

ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY ULTA THEFT SUSPECTS

On 10/11/2022, the Opelika Police Department began investigating a Theft of Property, Third Degree, which occurred at 2690 Enterprise Drive, Ulta. Surveillance video shows two adult suspects enter the store at approximately 3:00 p.m. with a juvenile. The ...

FAIR TERRORISTIC THREAT SUSPECT

On 09/19/2022, the Opelika Police Department began investigating a racially inflammatory post on social media threatening to shoot attendees of a certain demographic at the Lee County Fair. The department takes threats like these very seriously and immedi...

OSMOSE UTILITY SERVICE INSPECTING OPELIKA WOOD POWER POLES

MURDER INVESTIGATION

On 10/01/2022 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Opelika Police responded to Hickory Haven Trailer Park in the 800 Block of Crawford Road, where they located a male victim with a gunshot wound lying in the roadway. 24-year-old Ker’detrius Mercer of Sal...

ATTEMPTED MURDER ARREST

On 09/24/2022 at approximately 11:42 a.m., Opelika dispatch received multiple calls regarding gunshots and possible victims in the area of 16th Place and Pepperell Parkway. Responding officers located two 19-year-old victims who had been transported to th...

FORMER OFFICER INDICTMENT

On 09/02/2022, a Lee County Grand Jury indicted former Opelika Police Officer Isaac Dominy on one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault. 

On 04/21/2022, Opelika Police Department Patrol Supervisors were made aware of a use of force incident in...

Ladies of St. Dun's Buns

The sweet lady’s of St. Dun’s Buns (St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Auburn) presented a donation to the Opelika Share program this afternoon.

This donation is from the baking project they have had for about a year and a half...

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS FOR SEPTEMBER

OPS Employee Spotlights for the month of September

OPELIKA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WELCOMES GRIFFIN O’CONNOR

The City of Opelika welcomed Griffin O’Connor to the Opelika Economic Development team on Aug. 1, 2022, to fill the newly created position of Talent Attraction and Retention Coordinator.

“We are thrilled to have Griffin join our Economi...

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS FOR AUGUST

OPS Employee Spotlights for the month of August

OPELIKA PUBLIC LIBRARY UNVEILS GSF FOUNDATION MUSICAL GARDEN

OPELIKA, Ala – This past Saturday the Opelika Public Library unveiled the new Golden State Foods Foundation Musical Garden, located along the Storywalk at the Opelika Public Library. The Musical Garden consists of Cherub Bells, Sansa Rimba Mysteria xyloph...

Opelika Share Program

OPELIKA PUBLIC LIBRARY SELECTED AS SITE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW OF TEXTBOOKS

The Opelika Public Library has been selected by the Alabama State Department of Education as a public review site for textbooks being considered for Career and Technical Education. This area includes architecture and construction, information technology, ...

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS FOR JULY

OPS Employee Spotlights for the month of July

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS FOR JUNE

OPS Employee Spotlights for the month of June

HYUNDAI MOTOR MANUFACTURING ALABAMA TO LAUNCH FIRST U.S. BUILT ELECTRIFIED GENESIS GV70

The Opelika City Council approved tax abatements and exemptions today for several of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) suppliers at the May 3, 2022, City Council meeting. These include Cumberland Plastics, Daewon and Hanwha.

The following investme...

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS FOR MAY

OPS Employee Spotlights for the month of May

Community Liaisons

The primary role of these liaisons is to listen to their community, be the voice of their wards and work closely with the Opelika Police Department and the Ambassadors of Change.

JESSICA SAMUEL PROMOTED TO MANAGER OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AT OPS

The essential functions of the position are to manage all aspects of the organization’s customer service, manage the public communications, and supervise the workflow coordinators. The position is responsible for supervising staff, customer service and ma...

STACEY BRYSON PROMOTED TO FACILITIES MANAGER AT OPS

Congratulations to Stacey Bryson on his recent promotion and reclassification to Facilities Manager – Opelika Power Services

This position is responsible for warehousing operations, contractor coordination, fleet management, inventory purchases and procure...

HAPPY EARTH DAY FROM OPS!

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”

—Jane Goodall

#HappyEarthDay2022 #OPS

OPELIKA POWER SERVICES AND AMEA ANNOUNCE 2022 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

OPELIKA, Ala. – Opelika Power Services and the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority (AMEA) are pleased to announce the local winners of the 2022 AMEA Scholarship.

Each year, AMEA helps 40 high school seniors across the state who plan to...

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Message from Chief

On behalf of the members of the Opelika Police Department, I want to welcome you to our new website.

 Our department is committed to community policing and providing the best service to the citizens of Opelika. We are fortunate to have a dedicated...

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS KEEP THE LIGHTS ON

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Opelika PD Mobile App

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OPELIKA POWER SERVICES RECOGNIZED AS A RELIABLE PUBLIC POWER PROVIDER & HONORED WITH NATIONAL AWARD

March 24, 2021 – Opelika Power Services received recognition and an award from the American Public Power Association (APPA) during their annual Engineering and Operations conference.

Recognition – Opelika Power Services (OPS) has earned a ‘Diamond’ Reliabl...

Project S.A.F.E.R.

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Property Listing

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Property Listing

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Property Listing

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Property Listing

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Property Listing

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Together, OPELIKA

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Bama Buzz Features Historic Opelika Spots

"Evolving from a small railroad town in 1854, Opelika has grown into a lively area featuring an energetic community vibe. We’re revealing the most historic spots that help make the city special. Check it out..."

OPELIKA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES OPELIKA INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY PARK

The City of Opelika, the Opelika Economic Development Department and the Opelika Industrial Development Authority are excited to announce the creation of the Opelika Innovation and Technology Park (OITP). The new park is located in an Opportunity Zone (OZ...

HANWHA AND WEEST FRASER ANNOUNCE EXPANSION IN OPELIKA

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller announced today that two existing Opelika manufacturing companies – West Fraser, Inc. and Hanwha Advanced Materials America– will be expanding.

Mayor Gary Fuller stated, “We are delighted at the commitment West Fraser and Hanwha a...

HISTORY OF THE ROCKY BROOK ROCKET

September 20, 1951, the Opelika Board of Parks and Recreation hired the first full time Director.Thirty one year old W.J. (Bill) Calhoun from Nashville, Tennessee was hired and an office at city hall was made available. The park board had functioned since...