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š± How a new rental tax and fire station could affect Opelika
Opelika, Alabama Patch AM: a 5 min readHello again Opelika! Weāre bringing you the latest town highlights. Donāt miss out, keep going! āļø
In today's newsletter:
- How a new rental tax and fire station could affect Opelika
- How EAMCās new geriatric psych unit could help Opelika seniors
- How a new credential for tourism chief could boost Auburn-Opelika
Also on today's calendar: Writing Workshop: Flash Fiction Workshop and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has hands but isnāt able to clap? š¤ (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Opelika Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile - America's Best Mobile Network, according to Ookla Speedtest. Based on analysis by OoklaĀ® of Speedtest IntelligenceĀ® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Opelika Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Opelika.
āļø Important voting information: The Nov. 3 general election is coming up. Official Alabama election resources: Find your polling place | Register to vote | Check your registration | Absentee, mail and early voting.
- Wednesday: Sunny and beautiful, with a high of 77 and low of 48 degrees.
- Thursday: Sunny and beautiful, temps: high: 79, low: 48.
- Friday: Sunny and beautiful, with a high of 77 and low of 49 degrees.
š° News we're reading
1. Proposed rental ordinance draws public comments (opelikaobserver.com) ā Opelika residents are weighing in on a proposed new rental licensing and tax ordinance that could add a 1% levy on rental income and allow the city to issue or revoke rental business licenses. At the same meeting, the council approved over $8 million for a new fire station and a key intersection upgrade, advanced a dog-tethering rule change, and funded several Opelika nonprofits and programs for 2027. 
Ā Ā Ā 
2. Geriatric psychiatry unit opens at east Alabama medical center (dothaneagle.com) ā Older Opelika-area residents now have closer access to specialized mental health care with a new 20-bed Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at East Alabama Medical Center. The unit complements existing Opelika facilities like EAMC North and the Spencer Cancer Center, expanding local treatment options while reinforcing East Alabama Healthās role as a major regional employer and care provider. Ā Ā Ā
3. Robyn Bridges earns CDME designation (opelikaobserver.com) ā Auburn-Opelika Tourism president and CEO Robyn Bridges has earned the tourism industryās top CDME credential, bringing advanced destination management expertise back to the community. Her leadership helps guide how Auburn-Opelika attracts visitors, supports local businesses and steers a tourism economy that generated hundreds of millions in visitor spending last year. Ā Ā Ā
4. Publix distribution center in Jefferson County among new $1M+ building permits (bhamnow.com) ā Alongside an $11 million expansion of Publixās Jefferson County distribution center, a $1.48 million project on Society Hill Road in Opelika also made last weekās list of millionādollarāplus building permits. The statewide roundup highlights significant commercial and residential construction, with Opelikaās inclusion pointing to ongoing local growth and potential future jobs and services for residents. Ā Ā Ā
5. 7 Huntsville townhomes among new $1M+ building permits (hvilleblast.com) ā A new $1.48 million construction project on Society Hill Road in Opelika is among 21 millionādollarāplus building permits issued statewide last week. While most of the activity is centered in Huntsville and Jefferson County, the Opelika permit signals continued investment in local property development that residents may notice as work ramps up in the coming months. Ā Ā Ā
šø Around Opelika
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š
Upcoming Events in
Opelika
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
ā Featured events ā
-
Writing Workshop: Free Verse Poetry ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
6:30 pm
Wednesday October 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Writing Workshop: Flash Fiction Workshop ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
6:30 pm -
Dancercise ā
Southside Center for the Arts, Opelika
9:00 am -
Auburn University Caregiver Class ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
9:00 am -
Messy Story Time ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
11:00 am -
Drop in: Mini Make ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
3:00 pm -
Trick or Bot ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
4:30 pm -
Bingo at Botanic ā
Botanic, 1702 FREDERICK RD, OPELIKA
5:30 pm -
Crochet 101 ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
6:00 pm -
Autumn Uncorked Wine Tasting ā
Botanic, 1702 FREDERICK RD, OPELIKA
6:00 pm -
Halloween Drop-In ā
Covington Recreation Center, 213 Carver Avenue, Opelika
6:00 pm -
Family Story Time ā
Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn St., Opelika
10:00 am
Wednesday October 21
Thursday October 22
Friday October 23
š£ Opelika Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
š¬ Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Can anyone recommend a good place to board a cat for 3 days?
A cat adopted me recently and I will be away for 3 nights. I'm 100% a dog person, so I'm learning "cattitude" right now. (Nextdoor Downtown Opelika) - Earlier on October 19, 2026, satellite detections...
Earlier on October 19, 2026, satellite detections indicated a probable active fire in Lee, Alabama, United States. FIRMS-only observations show aā¦ (Nextdoor )
- Babki posted a job opening for Part-Time Game Tester in Opelika. Apply here.
- Olive Garden posted a job opening for Bartender in Opelika. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Opelika here.
Ok Opelika! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has hands but isnāt able to clap?" ā A clock! (Thank you Lois R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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