Vol. 14, No. 51
Thursday Sept. 29, 2022
Opelika, Alabama
FRED ERi CK-DEAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
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Crime Activity in Opelika Raises Concerns OPELIKA — The recent rash of crime activity including gun violence and bomb threats against local schools has left many citizens feeling on edge. GUN VIOLENCE Following a string of shootings in Opelika over the past few months, citizens may be concerned, but Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey said the best thing is to be is aware. There have been several noted shootings since February, all connected, said Healy and Jonathan Clifton, captain of the detective
PHOTO BY KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH / THE OBSERVER
BY HANNAH LESTER AND KENDYL HOLLINGSWORTH
division. “We’ve had shootings that started back in February and it’s between two juvenile groups, and it’s been escalating over the last few months; we’ve made 14 arrests in those cases and we
have done our best to stop the crime,” Clifton said. “We’ve met with family members, parents, community leaders, pastors in the community to try and curb some of this violence.” However, the connections
are not the marks of gangs, Healey said. A group has to have several distinguishable things to be considered a gang, which are not present in this situation. A better term in Opelika’s case would be a feud.
Preserving Memories BY HANNAH LESTER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
not a miscarriage, but a stillborn.” At that time, Conner was familiar with children’s photography and the couple asked if she would come take pictures of their baby, Hudson, after he was born. Conner agreed — with hesitation. “I had about 24 hours to wrap my head around all of it and whether it was a good idea and
was I was doing the right thing,” she said. Conner said that despite any nerves, she knew she wanted to honor Hudson and his mom. “She was really the first mother that I’d ever met that would be leaving the hospital with empty arms,” she said. During the experience, Conner was struck with the idea that she could
See MEMORIES, page A6
See CONCERNS, page A3
Auburn Native Uses Social Media to Share the South’s Urban Legends PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
AUBURN— Crysten Martin Conner spends evenings in hospital waiting rooms, in funeral homes and in her studio to ensure that she honors children who have passed, and their families, well. From hand and foot prints of young children on plates, to fingerprint charms of parents who have passed — Conner creates lasting mementos for families to keep after their loved ones have passed on. “In 2012, a cousin of one of my very best friends was about 28 weeks pregnant, and she went to the doctor and they found out that her baby didn’t have a heartbeat anymore,” Conner said. “… It was really my first intimate experience with somebody that had had a stillborn experience —
take a plate and glaze and capture his foot prints. This was something she was already familiar with as she was operating a handprint/footprint ceramic business. Later on, Conner was able to add words and a Bible verse that his parents wanted on the plate. “She told me, if her house were burning down, after all her people were out, that would be the only thing she would want,” Conner said. A year or so after she captured Hudson’s footprints, 6-yearold Hayden Peacock drowned at Kreher Preserve. “I was added to an email to take food to the Peacocks,” Conner said. She didn’t know who the family was or what had happened. After asking some friends, Conner learned
“We believe it started as a fist fight between two kids; one lost and it’s just escalated from that,” Healey said. The recent murder of a 17-year-old earlier in September is believed to be connected to the case, the
captain said. “We’ve made arrests on that,” Clifton said. “A 20-year-old, Mr. Stinson, from Auburn, and a juvenile suspect. They have been charged with capital murder.” However, not every shooting in Opelika is connected. The murder of 53-year-old Jeffery Dowdell on Sept. 17 on Auburn Street is unconnected. “We’re actively working that case, and we do wish the public to reach out to us if they have any information because we really need some help on that case,” Clifton said. Crime rises and falls, he added. “It’s always constantly
DAIREN BY WIL CREWS SPORTSCREWS@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
AUBURN— Everyone loves a good ghost story. No matter
where you are from, you’ve probably heard one about a creepy area in your hometown or somewhere nearby. See LEGENDS, page A5
CONTENTS
OPINION ..................... A4 ENTERTAINMENT ........... A7 OBITUARIES ............... A14 RELIGION ................... A15 COMICS ....................... A16 SPORTS ........................ B1 POLITICS ..................... B11 CLASSIFIEDS .......... B14 PUBLIC NOTICES ........... B14 PUZZLES ..................... B15