Opelika City Council provided an opportunity Tuesday night for the people of Ward 5 to voice their opinion about what’s important to them.

The City of Opelika isn’t officially hosting trick-or-treating this year, but Opelika Parks and Recreation has several socially distant Halloween celebrations beginning this weekend.

Columbus City Council addressed a number of important issues Tuesday, from the latest COVID-19 trends in the city, to a request from Columbus State University’s Art Department to paint a mural spotlighting racial injustice.

News Leader 9 spoke with some voters to find out what their experience was like and why voting in-person is so important.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced Tuesday a grant to upgrade infrastructure in the city of Valley.

The donation will go toward funding club programs for members.

The United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley is launching a new campaign called Community Schools United.

The local program has expanded its Head Start program to Troup and Harris counties.

Phenix City residents are being urged to avoid door-to-door trick-or-treating and follow the safety guidelines in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries will expand services to the public beginning Monday, Oct. 12.

Governor Brian Kemp announced Thursday that Kysor Warren Epta US will invest more than $27 million in expanding its operations in Columbus.

NAVI Wine Bar and Tasting Room is planning a late October grand opening.

The blood drive will be held at New Birth Outreach Church Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The nonprofit has opened its Christmas toy and holiday food assistance sign-up. Families have between now and October 23 to set up an appointment.

As a COVID-19 precaution, the mayor of Columbus is encouraging Muscogee County residents to avoid person-to-person trick-or-treating, haunted houses, and big gatherings for Halloween.

The Together, Opelika campaign kicked off Tuesday. The goal of the campaign is to lower crime and bridge the gap between police and the community.

Feeding the Valley is hosting a food drive now through Nov. 15. Food items can be dropped off at Rivertown Toyota on Whittlesey Road in Columbus.

Unemployment Eliminators will host the job fair from 9 a.m. to noon at the Columbus Marriott on Front Avenue.

The North Highlands Dam, south to 23rd Street will be closed October 5 through spring 2021 to replace aging electric infrastructure.

American Red Cross is holding a blood drive for Sickle Cell patients Saturday, Oct. 10.

As President Donald Trump continues to recover from COVID-19, people in Columbus are weighing in on his diagnosis ahead of the election.

The Chattahoochee Valley Chapter of House of Heroes was awarded $10,000 from Ragan Insurance Agency, Inc. in Columbus to help fund the restoration of 10 houses.

Columbus State University announced Monday that changes are being made to the academic calendar for the spring semester, including the elimination of spring break.

A local WWII Veteran celebrated his 95th birthday Thursday, October 2.

How do you know if the symptoms you’re experiencing are the flu or COVID-19?

The City of Phenix City is encouraging the public to avoid door-to-door trick or treating on Halloween this year, based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

The City of Auburn has moved neighborhood trick-or-treating to Friday, October 30 between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Our Roslyn Giles recently talked with her brother about his coronavirus experience in this News Leader 9 exclusive.

The City of Auburn’s Economic Development Department is gearing up for two job fairs in conjunction with local companies.

The City of LaGrange is holding a grand opening for the LaGrange Fire Training Center Tuesday, September 29.

Historic Westville announced Monday that it will reopen on October 8 after being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Westville will be open Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Exton Black, who has a respiratory condition and Down syndrome, was granted his wish of having a new camper to go on on trips with his family.

The local fan favorite event the Southern Lovin' Junkin' Show had to be adapted for the COVID-19 pandemic into the Local Mini Market.

The family of the late Rev. Robert Graetz, Jr., has finalized plans for a memorial service to be held over the weekend.

The Columbus Police Department and Fort Benning Harley Davidson presented a check to the Special Olympics Thursday morning at the Public Safety Building.

In nearly a month, 14-year-old Matthew Tolbert will have a brand new room thanks to his mom for nominating him this summer.

New “tennibot” is like a Roomba for tennis balls

Some people in East Alabama got the chance the meet and greet some local and state elected officials Tuesday night.

With the census deadline approaching, one East Alabama organization wants to emphasize the impact completing the census has on local businesses.

More than 100 local businesses are coming together to participate in an event highlighting them at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center.

Giving Kitchen partnered with MercyMed of Columbus to provide food workers with free healthcare services Monday.

A family is left grieving after the murder of 37-year-old Emily McDaniel over the weekend.

With elections approaching, several organizations came together to make sure every voice is heard during National Black Voters Day.

Starting January 1, city and public safety employees in Columbus will have more money in their pockets. According to Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson, a two-percent pay increase for employees was included in the 2020 to 2021 budget that the city council approved.

Organizers in Columbus have put together a virtual race that will take place over the next month and a half to benefit the United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley.

The City of Opelika announced Tuesday that it will not host Fall Festival and door-to-door trick or treating this year.

The Goodwill Career Center on Pepperell Parkway, it’s opening up its computers for people to fill out the census while shopping.

As we mark 19 years since 9/11, two Georgia men are sharing their experience of assisting with recovery during the 2001 tragedy that changed America.

As the 9/11 anniversary approaches, House of Heroes is remembering that day by assisting a public safety veteran.

The annual Columbus Firefighter charity 5K run and walk takes place this Saturday, September 12.

Pastor Brandon Branigan of Hope Spring Community Church, delivered supplies needed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The census is only a few questions long and can be completed in less than 10 minutes.

A community-favorite holiday event that comes to Columbus annually is having to change course due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries will begin a limited reopening to the public beginning Tuesday, September 8.

The group is filled with veterans, community members, and volunteers who have a passion for making a difference and is always looking for more people to get involved.

Mayor Gary Fuller said he will dye his hair red for a week if 85 percent of Opelika residents complete the census.

With Alabama's Census rates lagging the rest of the nation and time running out, the state is pulling out all the stops to drive up participation.

Some people who attended the commission meeting continued to share their message of not wanting the quarry to come to Beulah.